Semuliki National Park was gazetted in 1993 and covers an area of 220 square kilometers/22,000 hectares. This Park is characterized by the extensive Savannah grasslands, hot springs, Semuliki River, lowland tropical rain forests bordered by the magical Mountains of the Moon. It is a 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. Much as this National park is rich with Biodiversity, it is not usually added on itineraries for safaris.
This park is situated in Bundibugyo district extreme western part of Uganda. It is one of Uganda’s newest national parks gazetted in October 1993.It lies along the Uganda-democratic republic of Congo border within the western arm of the east African rift valley.
Semuliki is a good destination for birders with unique bird species found no where else in Uganda. With 336 tree species recorded of which 24 restricted in the park. Butterflies and birds are many like hornbills, lyre tailed honey guide. Some species of mammals include forest buffaloes, blue duiker, pigmy squirrels and primates like blue monkey, olive baboon, and pottas hence making it a very beautiful national park.
Forest walks and bird watching give a good experience, scenic viewing along the Semuliki River and a visit to the beautiful sempaya hot springs with a pool of boiling water.
More about the National Park
Flora and fauna
Classified as Moist Semi-Deciduous forest, Semuliki is the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa. The centre of the forest is dominated by Cynometra (Ironwood) but the edges are attractively varied, with riverine swamp forest along the Semliki River and beautiful mixed forest around Sempaya.
A spillover from the Ituri of the Congo basin, Semuliki contains 336 tree species. It also supports an exceptional variety of mammals, birds and butterflies. This is attributed to the forest’s great age, its transitional location between central and eastern Africa, and to a variety of habitats, notably forest, swamp, and savannah woodland.
Birdlife is especially spectacular with 441 recorded species that represent 40% of Uganda’s total of 1007. 216 of these are forest species – 66% of the country’s forest birdlist – while the list is expanded by the riverine habitat and a fringe of grassland in the east of the park. There are numerous rarities
Sempaya Hot Springs
The Hot Springs at Sempaya are Semuliki’s most fc attraction. Two main springs are set in a lush S\l\ clearing close to the south-eastern corner of the fore~ outer spring is just a few minutes walk from the Ser park office. This is dominated by a boiling geyser (1 which spurts up to 2m-high from a white, iced cake-like of precipitated mineral.
The more distant inner spring is reached by a 30 minu that leads through beautiful palm forest before crossil swamp on a boardwalk. This spring is a broad, ste pool about 10m across.
Semuliki River:
The Kirimia Trail leaves the main road near the iron bridge at Kirimia, 10 km from sempaya and runs for 11km to the Semliki River, fording the Kirimia stream a couple of times on the way. The 3-4 hour walk to the river is a must for Birders seeking Semuliki Specials.
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 10-15 minutes walk of the river to look for crocodiles and waterbirds.
Activities within the park
Semliki National Park is not only a birding paradise but also a place dedicated to conservation and sustainability. By visiting the park, you actively contribute to the preservation of these unique ecosystems and their inhabitants1. The park was created primarily to promote eco-tourism while conserving its rich biodiversity. Over the years, it has been an essential site for researchers and conservationists studying tropical ecosystems and their intricate interdependencies
Game drives:
There are several National parks in Uganda that offer outstanding game drive experiences, but Semuliki National park is among the top. There are currently three well maintained game tracks that stretch across the Savannah plains of the Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve. These tracks allow tourists to encounter the residents of the Park that include over 53 mammal species such as smaller Forest and larger savannah elephants that are rarely seen of course, the waterbucks, buffaloes, warthogs, the rare bush babies, Uganda Kobs and if you are lucky, you will come cross the Leopards and the Pygmy hippos. This Park can be visited for both day and night/nocturnal game drives.
Chimpanzee tracking:
This remote National Park is a home to some Chimpanzees that were habituated by the Indiana University. Just like Chimpanzee tracking in other places (Budongo Forest and Kibale Forest Reserve), tourists interested in tracking chimpanzees within Semliki National Park have to first acquire a chimpanzee tracking permit that costs only $30 per person for foreign non residents and foreign residents and Shs 30,000 for East African Community residents, wear long sleeved shirts and long trousers to protect your arms and legs from stinging nettles, thorns and tree branches, wear rain jacket and carry snacks and enough drinking water. Other primates that will be encountered include the grey-cheeked mangabey, de Brazza’s, Dent’s Mona monkeys, Black and white Colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Central African red colobus and the Olive baboons among others.
Bird watching:
Tourists who visit Semuliki National Park are rewarded with some of the most fascinating forest bird species and other swamp bird species. Some of the notable bird species to look out for in this Park include the elusive shoebill stork and Swamp Palm Bulbul found mainly around Lake Albert. Others include Lemon-bellied Crombec, Black Dwarf Hornbill, African Piculet, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Red-billed Dwarf hornbills, Blue-billed Malimbe, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, White-crested hornbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, White-throated Blue Swallow, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Red-bellied Malimbe, Nkulengu Rail, White-crested Hornbill, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Piping hornbill, Leaf-love, Crested Malimbe, the Ross’ Turaco and Orange-cheeked Waxbill among others especially found ar0ound Ntandi and Sempaya. Apart from the mentioned bird areas, Kirumia River is also an interesting birding spot.
Nature walks and hiking:
Nature walks within Semuliki National park are also a must activity that allows tourists to get up-close with the mammals, birds and butterfly species that cannot be explored during game drives. Nature walks within this Park allow tourists to explore animals such as primates, Hippos, Crocodiles birds and butterflies. There are three main hiking trails within this Park and they include the 8 kilometer Sempaya Nature trail, the 11 kilometer Red-monkey track along the Eastern margin of Semuliki National Park and the 13 Kilometer Kirumia Hiking trail that passes the heart of the Semuliki Forest and stretches towards the Semuliki River.
Cultural encounters:
Much are there are several tribes around Semliki National Park, meeting the Batwa people who live within Semuliki Forest is the most riveting cultural encounter within Semuliki National Park. These people were hunter-gatherers who were entirely dependant on the Semliki Forest for food, shelter, firewood and medicine before it was gazzeted into forest reserve in 1932 and a National Park in 1993. With the development of tourism, their livelihood shifted from the forest, but instead they display their fading ancient ways and cultures through dances, music and drama.
Plan Your Journey
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY:
As the crow flies, Semuliki National Park is just 27km from the regional capital of Fort Portal. However the direct route is complicated by the massive Rwenzori mountain and a detour to the north is required to thread through the rocky Buranga Pass into the Semliki Valley. The 52km drive to the park office at Sempaya provides panoramic views over the rift during the descent from Buranga. In good weather the drive takes about two hours but mountainous sections are muddy in wet weather and a 4WD vehicle is recommended.
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 4pm) so be prepared to stay over. Backpackers can enjoy more flexibility by forming a group to hire a vehicle from Kabarole Tours in Fort Portal (behind Don’s Plaza).
Two routes connect Fort Portal to Kampala. These can be combined to create an attractive circuit to and from the capital. 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.
What to bring
Walking Boots
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Binocular
Heavy and light clothes
Accommodation
Semliki Safari Lodge
This wonderful luxury Lodge is found in Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, near Semliki National park. It was constructed out of locally sourced materials offering tourists with an authentic African rustic feeling while at the same time offering the most comfortable stay to more than 18 guests on a Safari in the Park. The accommodation in Semliki Safari lodge is inform of Canvas Tents (golden hued tents with shinny wooden floors with adjoining bathrooms with hot and cold showers, morning tea or coffee is served for you in bed (brought to your room) and flush toilets among others.
Ntoroko Game Lodge
Ntoroko Game Lodge is a luxury Tented Camp situated on the unspoiled shores of Lake Albert and provides tourists with the breathtaking scenery of the wildlife species in the Park. This facility offers tourists with Double rooms, standard double rooms and single rooms. This Lodge is perfect for honeymooners or tourists looking to enjoy a safari in seclusion. Some of the facilities found in their rooms include Fans, comfortable en-suite bedrooms, private balconies overlooking the gardens and Lake Albert, Toiletries, Safes, heaters and hairdryers.
Kirimia Guesthouse
Kirimia Guesthouse is situated at about 100 kilometers from the Kirimia trailhead and around 10 kilometers from Sempaya as you are heading towards Bundibugyo. Tourists who stay at this guest house are rewarded with an up-close encounter with the National Park where you will encounter several wildlife species and bird species, and provide tourists with one of the most comfortable budget accommodation that includes meals.
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