Semuliki National Park adventure.
Semuliki National Park adventure. Safaris & Tours, Location, Best time to visit, attraction, Safari accommodations and more
Semuliki National Park adventure.
In the far western remote corners of Uganda in the district of Bundibugyo lies an untamed lush wilderness with extremely steaming hot springs, alongside lowland tropical rainforests with beautiful meandering rivers- Semuliki National Park along the border with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This ever-green historical site bordered by the magical Mountains of the moon most commonly known as Mountain Rwenzori on the southeast and Lake Albert in the north is one of Uganda’s most distinct parks with exciting and unique geographical, ecological and cultural aspects.
Just like other safari destinations in Uganda like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison falls National Park among others, it is a natures haven for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers in general with a low-lying rainforest landscape home to over 441 bird species and the rare Central African Species giving you unforgettable lifetime memories.
Besides birds, this National Park is home to over 60 mammal species with its tropical rainforest harboring over 336 species of trees, however,24 out of the recorded tree species were restricted in the park
Tropical Rainforest in Semuliki National Park
About Semuliki National Park
Initially gazette as a forest reserve in 1932, Semuliki gained its new status as a National Park in 1993 as initiative to fight deforestation.
It’s often confused with the adjacent Semliki Wildlife Reserve, however, the park itself is a dense tropical rainforest, an extension of the Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Due to this connection, this National Park has a biodiversity that is more in line with the Central African than East African.
Attractions in Semuliki National Park.
Wildlife in Semuliki National Park
In spite of its small size, Uganda’s newest National Park boasts remarkable wildlife diversity with it being home to over 60 mammal species several of which are found nowhere else in East Africa but here. Some of these include;
Forest elephants
Pygmy hippos
Leopards
Water chevrotains
Sitatungas
Forest buffalos
Bush pigs
White-bellied duikers
Forest Elephant in Semuliki National Park
In addition to the mammals, 8 primate species which include chimpanzees, blue monkeys, De brazza’s monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, nocturnal species like bush babies, galagos and pottos proudly call Semuliki National Park home.
Semuliki National Park adventure. Pictorial
Birding in Semuliki National Park
It is no secret now that Semuliki National Park is a natures haven for birding safaris given its beautiful lush tropical rain forest that harbors over 411 bird species.
This in return makes a Semuliki birding safari experience world-class. Various species from the Congo basin flock into the park given its location in the Ituri Forest belt.
Notable bird species you will encounter during your day visit to this National Park include;
Lyre-tailed honeyguide,
Red-billed helmet-shrike
Yellow-throated cuckoo
Spot-breasted Ibis
Hartlaub’s Duck.
However, in the late evenings, you will be mesmerized by the singing and chirping of the buff-spotted flufftail and African wood owl.
Butterfly in Semuliki National Park
The National Park also supports the livelihood of over 300 species of butterflies that beautify the forest with their multiple colors.
Things to do in Semuliki National Park.
Explore the Sempaya Hot Springs
One of the eye-catching attractions in Semuliki National Park are the famous geothermal springs with extremely fascinating stories to their formation.
It has two exceptional hot springs with the broad male locally known as Bitente about 12 meters in diameter and the female hot spring with temperatures hot enough to boil eggs in minutes shooting hot water several meters into the air. It is locally called Nyasimbi
You can walk to the springs via forest trails where monkeys and birds are frequently spotted with extremely safe access viewing platforms and boardwalks
Sempaya Hot Springs
Recommended Safaris to Semuliki National Park
Visit the Semliki River.
This 160 km-long muddy river passes through the forest and eventually feeds into the Nile. Also known for being a natural habitat for hippos, crocodiles, and water birds, it provides a peaceful encounter with the untamed wilderness through trails for nature walks
Forest and Nature Walks.
With a total number of three established trails leading to different parts of the park, forest and nature walks in Semuliki National Park are extremely mind-blowing.
The Sempaya trail which is 8km long leads you to the Sempaya hot springs and some obvious inhabitants you will encounter along the way are different primate species and birds.
Following the Semliki River is the Red monkey trail which is about 11 km long. It is also often visited by brazza’s monkeys, a Central African primate species predominantly in the Ituri forest of DRC.
Extending deep into the forest comes the longest trail of the three- Kirumia trail best for an ultimate unforgettable birding experience in the National Park.
Trail in Semuliki National Park
Cultural Encounter.
During your visit to Semuliki National Park, there a majorly four ethnic groups of people you will come across, that is, the Bamba and Bakonjo, originally the farmers on the slopes of Mountain Rwenzori, the Batuku known for cattle herding in the northern part of the National Park and finally the Basua, a Batwa pygmy group who are known for their exceptional hunting skills near the forest edges
Due to conservation efforts, many Basua have been displaced from their homes and now rely on tourism to preserve and share their culture.
Some of the activities you will have the opportunity to engage in during your cultural encounter include storytelling, dance performances, hunting and singing folk songs
Top Sightings in Semuliki National Park
Chimpanzee
Golden Monkey
Blue Monkey
African Fish Eagle
Bateleur Eagle
Grey crown cranes
Nile Crocodile
Baboon
Hippo
Elephant
Hunting in Semuliki National Park
When to Visit Semuliki National Park.
The Park is open for visit all year round, however, the best time to visit is during the dry season from December to March and June to September. This is because the dry trails make it easy to walk and navigate the roads.
Since the biggest part of the part is occupied by tropical rain forest, it is important to note that it receives so much rain that make the trails slippery and sometimes inaccessible because of flooding making it not suitable for a visit during this period
How to get to Semuliki National Park.
From Kampala to Fort Portal, it’s a 300 km drive—either via Mubende which estimates to about 4–5 hours’ drive time or via Kasese and Mbarara a longer but more scenic route passing through Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Park estimated between 7–8 hours of drive time.
From Fort Portal, it’s another 52 km to the park’s entrance. Your drive guide from Nata Adventures will take you for a drive to the off-the-beaten-path in our comfortable 4WD vehicle.
Accommodations in Semuliki National Park.
There are a few accommodations in the park like
Semliki safari lodge
Ntoroko game lodge
Kirimia guest house
Hotel Vanilla
Semliki Safari Lodge
For better and more fascinating accommodation options, Fort Portal is a much better option with hotels ranging from budget to high end luxury lodges offering different amenities catering for needs of all types of travelers.
There are also campsites and Bandas set by UWA to provide accommodation.
Semuliki National Park is a true definition of a birder’s haven to spot more fascinating birds, natural healing hot springs, and entertaining primates that you would like to encounter to create a real lifetime memory of an African safari in Uganda.
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