Uganda Safari Review: Murchison Falls & Semuliki Adventure

So, Uganda, often called the “Pearl of Africa,” offers something truly special for adventure seekers, right? A 5-day safari taking you to Murchison Falls and Semuliki National Park is quite the experience, filled with game drives and boat trips, to walking adventures in a hot spring. This review gives you all the key stuff, so you know what awaits if you plan this trip!

Why Murchison Falls and Semuliki?

Murchison Falls, quite likely Uganda’s largest national park, gives you that big, iconic African view, see? Imagine the Nile River forcefully squeezing its way via a tiny gorge prior to plummeting 45 meters down; quite the picture, really! What’s cool is the park has lots of wildlife; think elephants, giraffes, lions, and all kinds of birds.

Then there’s Semuliki National Park, which, as a matter of fact, is rather different. It is way smaller and packs in an amazing variety of stuff from Central Africa that, too it’s almost hard to think it’s still Uganda! It’s famed for its Sempaya Hot Springs and gives avid birdwatchers, potentially like your good self, a huge list to aim at, you know? Like over 400 species.

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe & Transfer to Murchison Falls

Most safaris begin the same way, anyway: you touching down in Entebbe. After you land, a driver picks you up for what tends to be quite a lengthy drive to Murchison Falls, really. It is a trek of roughly 5-6 hours, but on the route, they can halt at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which as a matter of fact provides, actually, a special rhino trekking tour to view them walking at rest on-foot, very? This breaks things up and is very good when it comes to your first taste of Uganda’s wildlife, seemingly.

Lodging for the following few nights usually sits just away from the park so it is almost accessible and relaxed, that. Consider Paara Safari Lodge or a comfy alternative that fits the amount you want to shell out.

Day 2: Game Drive and Nile River Boat Safari

The second day, obviously, includes experiencing Murchison Falls, fully! You typically get up at the crack of dawn for a morning game drive through the park, alright. These drives often center around the northern parts of the park, since there tend to be more animals out that way.

Look out for giraffes, lions and African elephants wandering close enough to your touring van to virtually touch! Birders must always keep binoculars handy. Following lunch, get on a boat ride up the Nile, see? This boat heads towards the bottom part of Murchison Falls to view some of the wildlife coming over to the stream there, maybe. From your vantage, you will spot hippos and crocodiles, very close.

The highlight, for sure, so, will be seeing the falls close. You will be rather close. The sight and sounds of the forceful rapids is almost overwhelming, okay?

Day 3: Top of the Falls Hike & Drive to Semuliki

So, day three normally begins with a hike to the summit of Murchison Falls. It is a strenuous trail but will give those prepared that epic viewpoint seen in films.

Following the hike, you’re then driven towards Semuliki National Park. Expect that part to last around 7-8 hours, that! It’s longer so you can experience a fair chunk of the terrain and get an early look at nearby hamlets as they carry on with everyday things, see?

Consider lodging at a venue at the edge of the Semuliki, or try some more remote, community operated stays so, very, it is almost fully authentic.

Day 4: Semuliki Hot Springs & Nature Walk

Semuliki can become memorable mostly because of its hot springs and, potentially, birding spots, actually! Sempaya Hot Springs has two primary spots, naturally; one has hot liquid gushing quite a fair bit up into the air while another is actually big sufficient you could wade in, that’s assuming you dare!

What’s really unique here is just that these springs happen deep in woodland that almost appear Congolese instead of that eastern African type of environment. As the springs bubble away and that steam appears above, you may have forest elephants and chimps hiding deeper from your viewing angle! Any trek is an extremely fantastic bonus to an all round already awesome trip, obviously!

If birdwatching is something that brings joy, seemingly there are many tour guides competent enough to recognize every species here – potentially over 400 types by reports – right! Ask early regarding setting that plan as day begins.

Day 5: Return to Entebbe

As with all adventures, what goes up must come down, therefore day five begins that direction returning toward Entebbe.

Enjoy the lovely views on route toward towns, settlements and areas not earlier observed during commute so as a means for further understanding with people dwelling here, still! Make positive any souvenir purchases and snack up one final real Uganda dinner since memories from each meal will surely last well, probably!

Depending whenever outgoing journeys start there is frequently some time before being sent directly at airport – be sure whenever organizers arrange anything based requirements when asked right! It just is standard assistance those working throughout Uganda provide customers/supporters once asked relating departure timings especially.