Combined wildlife safari in Semuliki national park and Kibale forest: Both are situated in Bundibugyo and Fort Portal, respectively, in western Uganda. The Uganda Wildlife Authority oversees the management of these two national parks, which were gazetted by the Ugandan government. The government organization has been instrumental in preserving these national parks and the attractions that draw visitors from all across the nation.
Kibale Forest National Park and Semuliki National Park are both great safari destinations. This is due to the fact that they both offer unique attractions, which means that a visitor to both national parks may view a variety of sights, some of which can not be seen in a single park.
While Kibale Forest National area is well-known for its chimpanzees, the park is also known for its hot springs and butterflies. For those who have the time and enough budget to visit both national parks, a combination safari in Semuliki and Kibale Forest National Park is recommended. The top safari activities in Kibale Forest National Park and Semuliki National Park are listed below.
A combined wildlife safari in Kibale Forest and Semuliki National Park
Trekking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park
Chimpanzee trekking is available to visitors on a combined safari in Semuliki and Kibale since Kibale Forest National Park is home to the largest population of chimpanzees in all of Uganda. Chimpanzees may be found in Semuliki National Park, although Kibale Forest National Park has a far larger population.
The finest place to go chimpanzee trekking is Kibale National Park, where visitors have a greater than 95% chances of encountering chimpanzees. All trekkers must have chimpanzee trekking permits, and the activity begins at 7 a.m. in Kibale Forest Park. Park rangers give a briefing at the beginning of the activity, explaining the rules and regulations. Armed ranger guides lead trekking groups of no more than eight persons into the bush, protecting visitors and assisting with chimpanzee searches.
It takes three to five hours or more to search for chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park, but once they are found, visitors are allowed to spend an hour with them, which allows them to observe their daily routines, learn about their habits, and take pictures and films, among other things. Following their interaction with the chimpanzees, visitors are returned to the starting locations and given the opportunity to speak with the drivers.
Birding Activity
Birdwatchers can engage in this recreational activity in Kibale Forest and Semuliki National Park. There are 435 bird species in Semuliki National Park and 372 in Kibale Forest, four of which are endemic to this area.
Green-breasted pitta, collared appalis, African pitta, crowned eagle, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, white-naped pigeon, Rwenzori apalis, purple-breasted sunbird, hairy-breasted barbet, papyrus canary, chocolate-backed kingfisher, African shrike flycatcher, Narina trogon, African pipit, African firefinch, shy flycatcher, chestnut wattle eye, speckled mousebird, and swallow-tailed bee-eater are some of the birds that can be found in Kibale forest national park.
The Shoebill stork, Grant’s bluebill, Black-dwarf hornbill, yellow-throated nicator, Lyre-tailed honeyguide, White-thighed hornbill, Great blue Turaco, Xavier greenbul, Forbe’s plover, Long-tailed Hawk, Crested Malimbe, Red-billed Dwarf hornbill, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, and Red-thighed Sparrow hawk are just a few of the bird species that can be found in this park.
Cultural safaris
While Bigodi community is the site of cultural excursions in Kibale Forest National Park, Ntandi and Boma villages are visited by culture-loving visitors in Semuliki National Park. Visitors to Semuliki National Park get to encounter the Batwa, who originally called the park’s woodland home. They now reside in the park, where visitors may come and talk to them.
A community member who is well-versed in the region leads a tour of the Batwa. When visitors arrive, traditional dancers greet them and provide them with theatrical and dance entertainment. After that, the local guide shows visitors throughout the neighborhood, where they may visit various residences and engage with locals. Elders narrate tales from long past, while individuals describe their daily lives.
Tourists visit several residences in the Bigodi community in Kibale National Park. A coffee home, a traditional healer’s home, or a banana juice maker’s home are all open to tourists. When you visit these homes with a local guide, you can observe how coffee and banana juice are created. You can also discover how various plants are utilized as local medicine when you visit the traditional healers.
Going to the hot springs
On this safari, there are two hot springs located in Semuliki. The male hot spring contains a pool of hot water, although it is not as hot as the female’s. The female hot spring features a geyser that shoots water up to two meters into the air. You may take a short walk with the guides to these hot springs, where you can record and take pictures as they explain their scientific formation.
Accessing Kibale Forest and Semuliki National Park
Travelers can use either air or ground transport to reach Semuliki and Kibale Forest National Park. Travelers from Kampala/Entebbe most frequently go by road, passing via Mityana, Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, and Fort Portal, the location of Kibale National Park. In order to find the Semuliki, visitors must proceed to Bundibugyo National Park.
Semuliki National Park and Kibale Forest National Park are accessible by air for affluent tourists or those who detest long flights. The nearest airport to this national park is Kasese Airstrip, but once more, visitors must use the road to reach any of the parks. Several airlines, including Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation Uganda, provide flights from Entebbe International Airport and Kajjansi Airstrip to Semuliki and Kibale Forest National Park.