The untamed wilderness covered by hot steam, dotted by lowland tropical rainforests with meandering rivers, bordered by the magical Mountains of the moon and most interestingly the birder’s paradise unveils the hidden treasures of nature that give unforgettable lifetime memories.
This park is situated in Bundibugyo district’s extreme western part of Uganda. It is one of Uganda’s newest national parks gazetted in October 1993. The park is 220 sq. km.
It lies along the Uganda-democratic Republic of Congo border within the Albertine rift valley between Lake Edward and Lake Albert
Semuliki National Park is rich in Biodiversity; it is home to over 53 mammal species including several primates such as chimpanzees and over 441 bird species with some species being typical forest bird species.
Semuliki is a thrilling destination for birders with unique bird species found nowhere else in Uganda. With 336 tree species recorded of which 24 were restricted in the park.
Butterflies and birds are many like hornbills and lyre-tailed honeyguides. Some species of mammals include forest buffaloes, blue duiker, pigmy squirrels, and primates like blue monkeys, olive baboons, and potty hence making it a very beautiful national park.
Forest walks and bird watching give an exceptional remarkable experience, scenic viewing along the Semuliki River, and a visit to the beautiful Sempaya hot springs with a pool of boiling water.
The park is largely covered by Moist Semi— Deciduous Forest, Semuliki is the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa.
The park is dominated by Cynometra (Ironwood) and riverine swamp forest along the Semliki River and beautiful mixed forest around Sempaya. Semuliki contains 336 tree species.
It also supports an exceptional medley of mammals, birds, and butterflies. This is attributed to the forest’s great age, its transitional location between central and eastern Africa, and a variety of habitats, notably forest, swamp, and savannah woodland.
Semliki is a well-known Birder’s paradise destination with over 410 species of birds such as the Albertine rift valley endemic species, and guinea-congo biome species.
The forest is home to 53 mammals, of which 27 are large mammals; duiker-sized and above, and several are Central African species found nowhere else in East Africa.
Forest elephants and forest buffalo are smaller versions of their savanna relatives. Hippos and crocodiles are found in the Semliki River while the forest is remarkably rich in primates.
Chimpanzees, black and white colobus, central African red colobus, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey, de Brazza’s monkey, vervet monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, baboon, and Dent’s mona monkey are present. Nocturnal primates include potto and bush babies.
semuliki hot springs
The other famous eye-catching attraction is the two hot springs with fascinating local stories about their formation rather than scientific explanations.
Two exceptional hot springs are male and female hot springs. The male hot spring is also called Bitente which is about 12 meters in diameter while the female hot spring is in Nyasimbi.
The boiling geyser gushes out steam and bubbling water several meters high and the water gushing out is hot enough to boil eggs in ten minutes. In the past, the locals used to cook food in the hot springs.
As visitors walk towards the hot springs, they encounter various bird species, and small primates climbing tree branches Also visit Mugiro Falls.
The 5km section of public road between Sempaya and I village runs through one of the loveliest tracts in Uganda and provides clear views up into the forest c to spot birds and monkeys. The pretty Mungiro Falls lie in the North Rwenzori Forest Reserve, just off the Bundi road 500m beyond the park office.
The river is home to crocodiles, hippos, and a charming spot for hu.
The Red Monkey trail runs from Sempaya to reach the river as it emerges from the forest. the 6-hour round trip provides opportunities to sight grassland as well as forest birds.
In dry weather, it is possible to drive past the homesteads of the Batuku pastoralists east of the park to within a 10-15 15-minute’ walk of the river to look for crocodiles and waterbirds.
The short route is Kampala to Fortportal via Mubende which takes about 4-5 hours, and the longest route is Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese. This route allows you to visit Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, and Rwenzori mountains national park.
Public transport runs daily from Fort Portal and Bundibugyo town, 15km beyond Sempaya. Transport for the return journey can be hard to find later in the day (after 4 pm) so be prepared to stay over.
The direct option is the 300km 4-hour drive via Mubende.
The alternative through Mbarara to the south is considerably longer but offers stopovers at Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth national park.
There are a few accommodations in the park like Semliki safari lodge, Ntoroko game lodge, Kirimia guest house, and hotel vanilla in Bundibugyo, though fascinating hotels are in Fort Portal and Bundibugyo.
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 visitors would like to encounter to create a real lifetime memory of an African safari to Uganda. Regards! Frank, Nata Adventures safaris.
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