Chimpanzees and swamp walks in Kibale, then hot springs, shoebill and a quiet savannah in the Semliki Valley.
Western Uganda’s forests and rift valley are made for slow travel. You spend two nights at Kyaninga above its crater lake, tracking chimpanzees in Kibale and walking the Bigodi swamp, then drop down the escarpment into the Semliki Valley.
Semliki is off almost everyone’s radar, which is exactly why we love it. There are boiling hot springs in the forest, shoebill on the shores of Lake Albert and one of Uganda’s most peaceful lodges.
Uganda
Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Minimum age 12
Suitable for travellers aged 12 and over.
Pace and fitness
Relaxed, fitness: moderate.
Drive west through the tea country, or take the short flight to Fort Portal if you prefer. Kyaninga Lodge is a set of log cottages on stilts above a crater lake, and your first evening here is best spent on your deck as the Rwenzoris catch the last light.
Overnight
Kyaninga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Hand-built log cottages above a crater lake, with the Rwenzoris behind.
Kibale has the best chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. After an hour with the group, we have lunch nearby before a walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary with a community guide, looking for red colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey and the great blue turaco.
Overnight
Kyaninga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Hand-built log cottages above a crater lake, with the Rwenzoris behind.
The road winds over the shoulder of the Rwenzoris and down the rift escarpment with Lake Albert shining below. Settle into Semliki Safari Lodge and head out for an afternoon game drive for Uganda kob, buffalo and, with patience, the valley’s lions.
Overnight
Semliki Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Uganda's first luxury safari lodge, tucked into the woodland of the Semliki Valley.
Morning is for Sempaya’s hot springs, a short forest walk to pools of boiling water where local people cook eggs in the steam. After lunch, a boat trip on Lake Albert looks for the shoebill among the papyrus, with the mountains of Congo on the far shore.
Overnight
Semliki Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Uganda's first luxury safari lodge, tucked into the woodland of the Semliki Valley.
After a final morning walk around the lodge, we drive you back to Entebbe or take you to the airstrip for a flight home.
Kyaninga Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Hand-built log cottages above a crater lake, with the Rwenzoris behind.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Semliki Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Uganda's first luxury safari lodge, tucked into the woodland of the Semliki Valley.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb) | US$3,310 | US$2,790 | US$2,623 | US$2,623 | US$2,623 | US$2,623 | Get quote |
| Low season (Mar to May, Nov) | US$2,980 | US$2,460 | US$2,312 | US$2,312 | US$2,312 | US$2,312 | Get quote |
Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year.
Best time for this trip Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb
For gorilla and chimp treks, bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers you can tuck into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket and gardening gloves for grabbing vines. Porters are available at the trailhead and we recommend hiring one: it helps your trek and supports the local community.
Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat and good sunscreen. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of 15 kg per person including hand luggage, so leave the hard suitcases at home.
Made to measure
Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.
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