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There are ten parks to visit in Uganda, and Semuliki National Park is one of them. Still, what makes it exceptional and a must-visit is the fact that it offers incredibly authentic African wilderness experiences. It is also a true birders’ paradise with a long bird checklist of unique bird species of Central Africa/Congo basin origin.
Semuliki National Park is a compact, protected area in Uganda located in the western part of the country. The park extends its boundaries toward the border with D.R. Congo in Bundibugyo district, and it is adjacent to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park in the Southeast, Lake Albert in the North, Kibale National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Semuliki National Park was created as a National Park in Uganda in 1993, occupying up to 220 sq. km. Initially, this was a designated forest reserve since 1932, and a good portion of it shelters the Ituri Forest, the extensive forest from the Congo or Zaire River. Given its location, most of the natural features, including wildlife and floral species, are of Central African origin. This is also the only park that protects the lowland forest combined with wetlands and bamboo forests.
The Sempaya Hot Springs: The Sempaya hot springs are Semuliki National Park’s iconic attractions. These comprise of 2 hot springs: female & male. They are the world’s most powerful hot springs, which boil to 100 degrees Celsius.
Wildlife: At Semuliki National Park, there are more than 53 species of mammals to be explored. The available species of mammals and other animals in this park include the fire-footed rope squirrel, elephants, bay duikers, leopards, dwarf antelopes, forest elephants, fruit bats, and flying squirrels. Primate species include the red colobus, vervet, olive baboons, red-tailed, Dent’s Mona, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, pottos, bush babies, black and white colobus monkeys, etc. The park also shelters about 300 species of butterflies and many others.
Bird species: Semuliki NP is a true birders’ paradise, inhabiting an estimated 441 species of birds, representing 67 per cent of the forest birds. The numerous bird species to come across in this park include the Ituri batis, purple-breasted sunbird, swamp palm bulbul, yellow-throated cuckoos, Nkulengu rail, shoebill stork, African piculet, orange weaver birds, dwarf honey guide, crested malimbe, Congo serpent eagle, Sassi’s olive greenbul, black wattled hornbill, yellow-throated nicator, leaf love, long-tailed hawks, Ross’s turacos, yellow-throated turacos, palm bulbul, and others.
Semuliki River: This park derives its name from the Semliki River, which marks its border point with the D.R. Congo. This river consists of many tributaries that run through it.
Sempaya Hot Springs tour: The Sempaya hot springs visit is a must-do on any safari to Semuliki National Park in Uganda. This natural wonder features a female hot spring named Nyasimbi and a male hot spring called Bintete, with a diameter measuring 12 meters. These can be observed far away while they bubble and splash out steam. Visitors often carry some plantain and eggs to perform experiments, and it is believed it takes a few minutes for an egg to get ready for eating.
Chimpanzee trekking: Chimpanzee trekking is another safari highlight of Semuliki, a remarkable primate adventure that allows you to get up close and personal with chimpanzees in their natural habitat. On a chimpanzee trek, expect to spend about 2-4 hours in the wild searching for the chimps, with a higher chance of locating other primates, birds and many other species.
Explore the Semliki River: The Semliki River is a long river along the park's border extending 160 km, where most water species reside. If you are interested in aquatic life, consider visiting Semliki River to see crocodiles, hippos, and birds.
Nature walks: Nature walking provides a fantastic opportunity for visitors to explore the park on foot. During the guided nature walk, you will spot different species and other unique tourist attractions depending on the trails. The park boasts of its three most rewarding nature walking trails –the Sempaya Nature Trail, measuring 8 km; the Red Monkey Track, 11 km; and the Kirumia Trail, 13 km.
Game drives: Semuliki National Park contains 53 mammal species, the majority of which are of interest to visitors while on a game drive. The park provides the best of day and night game drives. You can drive through the three established game tracks with a higher possibility of spotting various animal species, including elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, and bird species.
Bird watching: The bird-watching experience in Semuliki National Park allows you to look out for some of the 441 bird species in the park. These include African dwarf kingfishers, white spotted fluff tail, brown-crowned eremomela, Ayres hawk eagle, black collared lovebird, shoebills, eastern bearded greenbul, Zenker's honey guide, Gabon woodpeckers, grey ground thrush, red thighed sparrows, Cassin's spinetail, chocolate backed, great sparrows, and during the night, you can come across several nocturnal species like African wood owl, buff-spotted flufftails.
Cultural experience: On a safari to Semuliki National Park, never leave without visiting the nearby local communities. The Bambuti pygmies and Bakonzo communities surround the park, two communities with distinct cultures, traditions and practices.
Semuliki National Park welcomes its holidaymakers all year round. Despite this fact, the most favourable time to travel to the park for a holiday is during the dry season, which is from June, July, August to September, & December, January to February. There is also a chance to explore the park during the wet season, although this often comes with heavy rains.
Accommodations in Semuliki National Park
The park has luxury lodges, including Semuliki Safari Lodge & Nyati Game Lodge, and midrange facilities like Ntoroko Game Lodge and Mountains of the Moon Hotel in Fort Portal. The basic/budget includes Campsites, UWA Bandas and Kirimia Guesthouse.
You can get to the park by road or air, and when you take a road trip, you will spend at least 6 to 7 hours through the Kampala-Mityana-Mubende route, and the longest route, you leave Kampala through Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese which is about 8 hours’ drive. By air, flights set off from Entebbe airport to Semuliki airstrip; in one or two hours, you will be in western Uganda.
Location: Plot 124, Kikumbi
P.O Box 100667, Kampala
+256759033541
+447 572778124
[email protected]