Semuliki National Park is one of the best Uganda safari destinations located in Western Uganda, Bwamba County in Bundibugyo district along the border of Uganda and Congo, the park is bordered by Lake Albert in the north and Rwenzori Mountains in the South – East. From Kampala City – the capital of Uganda, the park is approximately 340 kilometers and a drive of about 6 drives.
Semuliki national park covers an area of 220 square kilometers of the valley connecting Uganda to the rain forests of Central Africa which makes it an extension of the vast Ituri tropical rainforest found in Congo.
It is one of the most bio – diversified forests – one of the oldest Africa rainforests in Africa remaining after the last ice age 18,000 years ago, the forest is well – known for its bird population. The valley of the park comprises of a lot of vegetation which is a habitant for various species of wildlife and birdlife.
History of Semuliki national park
Semuliki national park was initially managed by the colonial government as a forest reserve in 1932 and in October 1993, it was upgraded to a national park so as to conserve forests and protect wildlife and it was put under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Climate in Semuliki national park
Semuliki national park receives two major seasons that is dry and wet season, the park receives an average rainfall of 1,250 mm in the months of March – May and from September – December.
Note: during the wet season, most places in the park get flooded.
Temperature in the park is usually at the range of 18°c to 30°c
Tourist attractions
Semuliki national park is famously known for its hot springs which are the prime attraction, however the park has a number of tourist attractions as listed below
Sempaya Hot springs
Sempaya Hot Springs are amazing feature in Semuliki national park, there are two hot springs that is the male and female hot springs. The female hot spring is called the Nyasimbi gushing out hot water in a fountain of approximately 2 meters in the air, the water boils at temperature of 100°C.The male hot spring is called Bitende is a pool of hot water with a width of approximately 12 meters.
Next to the female hot spring, it is possible to cook food such as eggs and bananas in the hot water pool.
Semiliki River
The Semuliki River is a beautiful feature in the park forming an international boundary of the park as it makes its journey of around 140 kilometers, the river is shared by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Semuliki River flows from Lake Edward and pours in Lake Albert, along the river there are various vegetation types inhabiting various species of birds and animals such as hippos which are seen while on a boat ride.
Flora and Fauna
It comprises of a more distinctive ecosystem in the Albertine rift valley, the park is situated in different ecological and climatic zones which has resulted into a high abundance of wildlife and plant species that are also found in the Congo basin.
Semuliki national park is endowed with spectacular scenery from bamboo forests, tropical lowland rainforests, savannah grasslands and swamp vegetation inhabiting a variety of wildlife.
Semuliki national park is a home to abundance of wildlife with over 60 species including forest elephants, pygmy flying squirrels, civets, hippos, leopards, forest buffaloes and about 8 species of primates including bush babies, chimpanzees, De Brazza’s monkeys, the Red tailed monkeys among others. There are also owls, bats and bush babies among others.
Semuliki national park is a True birder’s haven with over 400 bird species and is regarded as one of the best spots to view most of the Uganda’s beautiful birds , birds in Semuliki national park include the African Turacos, crested Malimbe, Black dwarf Hornbill, the Piping Hornbill, Leaf-love, the Red-billed and the Blue-billed Malimbe, Red-thighed and Great sparrows, African wool owl, shoe bill stork and many more
Uganda safari activities
Game drives
Game drives in Semuliki national park offer visitors an opportunity to enjoy various wildlife species recorded to be 53 species inhabiting in the park, these game drives are generally done in the Semuliki Valley.
From the comfort of your safari vehicle, you will have an opportunity to enjoy sights of animals such as lions, leopards, forest elephants, cape buffaloes, pygmy antelopes, flying squirrels among others.
Chimpanzee trekking
Semuliki national park offers a great chimpanzee trekking experience, though it can not be as great as Kibale national park, the park hosts habituated chimpanzees by the Indiana University thus offering visitors higher chances of encountering these chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking in Semuliki national park starts as early as 08:00 am with briefing at the park’s headquarters then head into the forests looking for chimpanzees in their natural habitats, the whole experience takes about 4 hours and as you trek through the forests. You will be able to see other primates such as the red tailed monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys among others.
When you locate the chimpanzees, you will stay for one hour in their presence taking pictures and observing their behavior, you can also take pictures as long as your flashlight is off.
Birding
Semuliki national park is a great birding destination and a recognized Important Birding Area in Uganda with over 400 bird species which is a total of 40% of the total bird species in Uganda and 66% of Uganda’s forest birds. Birds in Semuliki national park include endemic species, Albertine Rift Valley species and species that are usually found in Congo.
Birding in Semuliki national park offer birders excellent sightings of colorful birds such as the Lemon-bellied Crombec, White-crested Hornbill, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, the white-chested Hornbill, African Piculet, Leaf-love, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Blue-billed Malimbe, Nkulengu Rail, Red-bellied Malimbe, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Yellow-throated Nicator, a Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Crested Malimbe, Piping Hornbill, White-throated Blue Swallow, Red-rumped Tinkerbird among others.
You can also do a guided boat cruise on Lake Albert for the Shoe bill stork.
Visiting Sempaya Hot springs
The Sempaya Hot Springs are one of the most amazing features in Semuliki national park, these Hot springs are 2 that is the male Hot spring “Bitende” which is approximately 12 meters wide and the Female Hot Spring “Nyasimbi” which gushes out hot water approximately 2 meters.
While visiting these hot springs, you can boil food such as eggs and banana in the hot waters of the Hot springs.
Note: as a visitor, you are advised not to get too close to the hot Springs as their waters are very hot boiling at a temperature of 100°C.
Nature walks and hiking
Semuliki national park is a great destination for nature walks and hiking and is done following several trails running through the park most especially the Semuliki Valley, during this breathtaking activity you will be able to spot several species of birds, primates such as olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys and animals such as hippos, buffaloes and forest elephants.
Cultural encounter to the Bambuti pygmies
The Bambuti pygmies are a beautiful tribe to visit during your Uganda safari to Semuliki national park, these people are fewer than the Batwa and they are more the Basu of Congo. A visit to these people will give you an insight in their unique way of living and the way they have survived in the jungle for over thousand years. You will learn participate in local activities such as cooking, dancing and making of beautiful craft pieces.
How to get to Semuliki national park
Semuliki national park is located in Bundibugyo District, in the South Western corner of Uganda, from Kampala – the capital city of Uganda the park is accessed using two routes.
Route 1:
This route is Kampala – Fort portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese, this route is approximately 465 kilometers and takes between 7 and 8 hours making it the longer route. Using this route you can visit other Uganda wildlife destinations such as Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park among others.
Route 2:
This route is Kampala – Fort Portal via Mubende and is approximately 4-5 hours drive about 180 kilometers, this route is shorter.
Where to stay in Semuliki national park
In Semuliki national park accommodation can be got from a number of hotel and safari lodges located inside the park and in Fort Portal, these accommodations include
- Semuliki Safari Lodge
- Semuliki Valley
- Ntoroko game lodge
- Kirumia Guesthouse AMONG OTHERS.
