Key Attractions in Semuliki National Park
Travelers on Uganda safari tours in Semliki National Park will find several amazing attractions in this park. Among these are several bird species, game animals, including primates, and mystic hot springs. To visit Semuliki Park, you should pay an entrance fee of $40.
These are the main tourist attractions in Semliki National Park:1. Birds in Semuliki Park
Since Semuliki Forest is a lowland tropical rainforest and an extension of the huge Ituri Forest in Congo, this park holds a huge diversity of bird species. Semuliki Park has recorded about 441 birds, including species from the Congo Guinea Biome.
Semuliki is primarily a birding paradise for forest bird species in Uganda and Central Africa.
The following bird species are notable in Semliki National Park:- Piping Hornbill
- Nkulengu Rail
- Ituri Batis
- Congo Serpent Eagle
- Blue-billed Malimbe
- Spot-breasted Ibis
- Gabon woodpecker
- Black dwarf hornbill
- White-bellied Kingfisher
- Long-tailed Hawk
2. Game Animals in Semliki National Park
Semuliki Forest is home to over 53 animal species and among these are some rare plant and animal species that can be spotted in the Ituri Forest, Congo basin. Some of the animals in Semuliki Park are forest elephants, buffalos, water chevrons, dwarf antelopes, and hippos in the Semuliki River. You can occasionally spot the larger Savannah elephants.
This park also holds 8 species of primates, such as baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus, blue monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. The Dent’s Mona Monkeys and the Central African Red Colobus are some of the Central Africa monkey species here.
Pottos & Bushbabies are the only nocturnal primates in Semliki Park. The other nocturnal animals include leopards, civets, and bush pigs.
3. Sempaya Hot Springs
Sempaya hot springs are the major tourist attractions in Semuliki Park. Locals termed these magical twin hot springs as the male spring and the female spring. Semuliki Park names the female hot springs, Nyansimbi, at 2 m wide, and Bitende, the male, at 12 m wide. All boil at over 1000 °C.
The locals, known as the Bamba people, hold the belief that these hot springs possess supernatural powers. Therefore, they use this area to perform cultural rituals and to communicate with their gods, asking for protection and even wealth.
For a remarkable adventurous experience, tourists exploring these hot springs should come with eggs and even plantains to cook. You can enjoy a natural birth sauna at a safer point in this area!
4. Semuliki River
Tourists rarely explore the Semliki River, another beautiful attraction in Semuliki Park. The enormous Semliki River stretches about 140 km along the Rwenzori Mountains and the border between DR Congo and Uganda, coming out from Lake Edward to Lake Albert.
The Uganda Semliki River harbors several aquatic wildlife species, such as crocodiles and Hippos. During a boat ride to Lake Albert, you can spot various water birds, including the shoebill.
Attractions Around Semuliki National Park
1. Lake Albert
Lake Albert is just in the north of Semliki Valley—the Semuliki Forest. It’s the largest Rift Valley in Uganda.
2. The Local People Around Semliki National Park
Four distinct ethnic groups live around Semuliki Park boundaries. The Bakonjo cultivate the mountain slopes, while the Bwamba farmers live along the base of the Rwenzori. On the wide plains, the Batuku cattle keepers reside, while the traditional hunter-gatherer Batwa pygmies inhabit the forest's border.
On your adventure in Semliki Valley, it’s possible to do a community tour of any of the mentioned groups of people.
3. The Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve The Uganda Wildlife Authority manages Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve, which is located in Semliki Valley and borders Semuliki Park.
Uganda Semliki Wildlife Reserve is home to various animal species such as African elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, and Uganda kobs, commonly spotted during game drives.
Activities in Semuliki National Park and Around
Tourists on Uganda safari tours in Semuliki Park can partake in several tourism activities, ranging from bird watching in Semliki Valley to exploring hot springs and enjoying some community tours.
Here are some unique things to do in Semliki National Park:1. Bird Watching in Semuliki National Park
Bird-watching is the main activity in Semliki Valley! During Uganda birding safaris in Semuliki Park, travelers can spot a large number of forest birds in Uganda as well as Central African bird species from Ituri Forest.
Out of the 441 birds in Semuliki, five species are endemic in the Albertine rift ecosystem.
Some of the key bird species to look for in Semuliki (a true lowland tropical forest in East Africa) include Ituri Batis, Blue-billed Malimbe, and Piping Hornbill, among others.
The Kirumia birding trail, which takes you deep into the forest, is the usual route for Semuliki bird-watching tours.
2. Exploring Sempaya Hot Springs
It's a wonderful pleasure to see the uncommon and rare hot springs in Semuliki National Park. On this adventure, you’ll appreciate the miraculous powers of the earth, watching boiling water come out of the ground due to powerful subterranean forces.
It’s possible to prepare eggs and bananas in the least amount of time as you watch hot springs bubble!
The natives consider these geothermal springs to be an ancestral site where they can communicate with their spirits and request prosperity and blessings.
Because the temperatures in the hot springs can reach up to 1000 °C, you are not permitted to go close to them.
3. Enjoy Nature Walks in Semuliki Forest
Forest walks are among the major things to do in Semuliki National Park. Since this park holds one of the most bio diverse forests in East Africa, expect to encounter wonderful wildlife species, including even Central African animal species.
These are the three common trails for nature walks in Semliki Valley forestSempaya Nature Trail is a picturesque track that takes you to visit the hot springs—Uganda’s hottest springs. It takes you through a smaller forest where you can spot amazing primates such as the red-tailed monkey, baboons, vervets, and black and white colobus monkeys.
1. KIRUMIA TRAIL
Kirumia trail is specifically used by visitors on Uganda birding tours in Semliki Valley-Semuliki park. This 13-kilometer-long trail transverses the Semuliki forest and ends at River Semuliki.
2. RED MONKEY TRAIL
This 11-kilometer-long trail is also excellent for spotting the unique wildlife in Semuliki Park. It takes you along the park boundary to the east, ending at the Semuliki River. During the walk on this trail, you can spot the rare DeBrazza monkey, a species of Central Africa.
3. Enjoy Game Drives in the Nearby Semliki Wildlife Reserve
The nearby Semliki Wildlife Reserve hosts game drives in Semuliki Park. The Semliki Game Reserve holds 3 tracks for game drives, all of which take you through the beautiful savannah grassland of the park.
Although day game drives are common, Uganda Wildlife Authority game management can arrange night game drives. We recommend a 4x4-wheel-drive vehicle, mostly in a rainy season.
Things to Do Around Semuliki Park
Engaging in these activities during your Uganda birding safari in Semuliki Park is highly recommended:- Undertaking cultural experiences in local communities—the popular one is an encounter with Batwa people along park boundaries
- Exploring the Semuliki River on a boat ride
- Boat Rides on Lake Albert
Semuliki National Park Accommodation
Semuliki Game Park offers limited accommodation, but nearby sites like Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve offer lodges. Furthermore, you can use lodges in Fort Portal Town, Bundibugyo, and even some in Rwenzori Mountains Park.
Our best accommodation to use on your Uganda birding trip in Semuliki Park is:- Semuliki Safari Lodge: The Semuliki Safari Lodge is popularly used by tourists on Ugandan birding trips in Semliki Valley.
- Nyati Game Lodge
- Uganda Wildlife Authority, Bandas
What Is the Best Time to Visit Semuliki National Park, Uganda?
Uganda safaris to Semuliki Park are possible year-round, but the most suitable time to visit this park is during the dry season. December to February and June to August are the two dry seasons. During the wet season months of March to May and September to November, hiking through the forest can be challenging due to trail flooding.
Note that some sections of the Semuliki forest are a bit swampy.
How to Access Semuliki National Park? : How to Get to Semuliki National Park
Travelers on Ugandan bird-watching tours in the Semliki Valley region usually access this park by road. However, you can arrange air travel from Entebbe.
From Kampala Capital City, you’ll take the Kampala-Fort Portal highway, passing via Mubende District. This lovely 300-km drive can take around 5–6 hours. From Fort Portal Town, it takes approximately 59 minutes to reach the gate of Semuliki Park.
Alternatively, you can arrange a domestic flight from Kajjansi or Entebbe International Airport to Toro Semliki Airport. This takes around 40 minutes.
Packing List for A Uganda Safari in Semuliki National Park
There are a number of items you may wish to bring on your Uganda birding safari in Semuliki Park, but you should travel light!
These are the common items to come with for a birding tour in Semuliki NP:- Binoculars
- A good camera with an extra battery
- Sturdy walking boots
- Birders guidebook
- A personal notebook
- Insect repellents
- Bottled water
- A rain jacket
- A simple backpack that is waterproof
- A warm sweater, good during the chilly mornings
Inquire today about everything you wish to know about this Ugandan birding paradise. This blog has summarised all aspects of Semliki National Park, such as tourist attractions and activities, to name but a few. Be expecting to spot Central African bird species and enjoy an adventure to explore hot springs—the hottest springs in Uganda.
Every bird lover undertaking Uganda birding tours should prioritize visiting Semuliki Park!
