Help with Uganda/Rwanda itinerary
 

Hi,

Having read alot of your messages, many thanks to you all for your help in unknowingly preparing our itinerary for Uganda/Rwanda with the recommended Great Lakes safaris.
We are planning a short trip, primarily to see the gorillas. Our itinerary includes 2 nights in Kibale (chimps) and 3 nights in PNV (2 gorilla treks, 1 golden monkey trek). For a night between Kibale and PNV we have the option of QE (Kazinga channel and bat cave/blue lake) or Semuliki (hot springs,pygmies).
Can anyone comment if they have travelled to these areas, particularly Semuliki. We would not do any game drives in QE, only the activities I have mentioned, as having been to Tanzania, I'm sure the game in QE would be disappointing. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Looks like a good trip! Sorry no Semuliki experience. You'd hit the highlights of QE and what makes it unique, if that's what you choose. I've done numerous Kazinga Channel trips at all times of day and my one visit to the bat cave was fascinating. You don't have to even go inside to see the swarming bats. You can see all the bat action from outside the cave and venture in if you wish to see the pythons.

Maxwell went to Kibale, but I havn't run across any of the other names you mentioned (except of course QE) in the trip reports. I'll post the link to the thread for the trip report index in case you havn't been there - there a 5-6 reports on Uganda and Rwanda in there!
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34725679
Hope this helps!
Dlo was just there in Jan too - I will put his trip report in there this afternoon in case you haven't seen his yet.

We did'nt get to go to Semliki but i wish we had.Semliki Safari lodge is supposed to be great but i think it would need 2 nights,otherwise QE might be a better choice.

Of the two, I have only been to Queen Elizabeth NP, and while its not Tanzania, the game drives are interesting, as is the boat ride on the channel, which has lots of hippos and birdlife. Mweya Lodge is nice, with great pool, and would be good place to break up trip.

Michael

I didn't make it to Semuliki either - out of curiosity I just looked on Virtual Tourist and the thorn tree boards to see if there are reports on there about Semuliki and I didn't see any -- so, you must report back if you end up going so we can all learn what is there for us to see!

I haven't been to either so thisis only from my research, but I don't think that Semliki is really "on the way" to PNV from Kibale. I think you're better off breaking up the drive by staying in QENP since you only have 1 night in between. Of course, if you do decide to go to Semliki anyway, please report back as I don't think anyone here has been there.

Here is the only Semuliki first hand experience I have heard.

A woman and daughter that I met in Bwindi said they had gone to Semuliki. She said they enjoyed the wild feeling of the park and did not see any elephants but believed they were able to smell them.

An interesting account I thought, taking time to stop and smell the elephants, but it falls short of a must-do for me, based on that recommendation.

Thanks for all the comments and advice. Have done a bit of research myself, and together with your comments think we will go for the QE option.