Primate trekking in Semuliki National Park is one of the must-do activities when on a primate safari in Uganda.

Semuliki National Park is located in Bwamba County in the Bundibugyo District in southwestern Uganda.

It contains numerous features that are associated with Central Africa rather than Eastern Africa, e.g., the West African oil palms.

Semuliki NP is the only park in East Africa with a lowland tropical rainforest, which acts as home to various primate species and the local population, including a Batwa Pygmy community that originates from the Ituri Forest.

Primate trekking in Semuliki Valley NP is primarily done when on guided nature walks and forest walks, and it focuses on black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, De Brazza’s monkeys, and some chimps.

There is a significant population of chimpanzees, but Semuliki National Park chimpanzee tracking is not a common activity.

These primate species in Semuliki National Park live in the lowland tropical rainforest, which is an extension of the Ituri Forest.

Trekking Trails to Use When on Primate Trekking in Semuliki National Park, Uganda

Primate tracking in Semuliki NP involves trackers trekking through the forests in search of different primate species to observe their behaviors.

It is done alongside the guided nature walks, using the three main hiking trails, which are the 13 km Kirumia Trail, the 11 km Red Monkey Track, and the 8 km Sempaya Nature Trail. However, the most commonly used is the Red Monkey Trail.

Red Monkey Trail

The Red Monkey trail is an 11-kilometer trail that is considered to be the best trail for primate tracking in Semuliki NP, given the numerous primates that can be spotted along it.

This trail is populated with red tailed monkeys, and it also offers opportunities to spot the De Brazza’s monkey and various forest birds.

The trail is located right next to the road, starting at Sempaya Tourism Site and ending at Semuliki River, taking about 3 hours to complete.

Along this trail, one can spot mammals such as forest buffaloes, forest elephants, duikers, and antelope species, in addition to primates.

Sempaya Nature Trail 

This trail is 8 km long, offering opportunities to see the Sempaya hot springs alongside various primate species during the hike. It takes about 2–4 hours to complete this trail while on a nature walk and primate tracking in Semuliki NP.

This nature walking trail starts right from the Sempaya Tourism Center, and it leads to Nyansimbi, the female hot springs, and Bintente, the male.

This trail also leads to the hot springs and allows visitors to spot wildlife, including primates.

Among the commonly spotted primates along this trail are the grey cheeked mangabey and red tailed monkeys. You can also spot numerous avian species, such as the forest hornbill.

Visitors, while on the trail to the hot springs, can also have views of the Rwenzori Mountain Ranges.

Kirumia Trail 

The Kirumia trail is one of the three main nature trails to consider when on a primate tracking safari in Semuliki NP.

This is the longest trail, about 13 km, that takes about 8 hours to complete, starting from the park headquarters and running up to the Semliki River. It is the best option for birdwatchers, given the numerous bird species often spotted when on this trail.

Though it is excellent for birding, it also provides opportunities to stop numerous primate species, e.g., olive baboons, Dent’s mona monkeys, vervet monkeys, etc.

Among the bird species often spotted on this trail are the Abyssinian ground hornbill, the great blue turaco, the white-throated blue swallow, the yellow-throated nicator, and the yellow-throated cuckoo, among other birds.

Other Activities in Semuliki Valley NP

There are other interesting things to do alongside primate tracking in Semuliki NP, and these include

Nature Walks

Nature walks involve strolling through the natural environments of Semuliki NP with the help of a guide to pay close attention to the different ecosystems, including flora and fauna, as well as geographical features in this park.

The nature walks are done following the three walking trails, which are the Kirumia track, the Sempaya Nature Track that leads to Sempaya hot springs, and the Red Monkey track.

These nature walks are valued for their calming effect, offering stress relief and connection with nature.

Bird Watching

Bird watching is one of the fun things to do, alongside primate tracking, given the fact that Semuliki is home to over 441 bird species.

The three popular trails that can be used for bird watching include the Kirumia Track, Red Monkey Track, and Sempaya Nature Trail; however, the Kirumia Track is the best for birdwatching in Semuliki because of the variety of birds there.

Most birds can be spotted in the patch of fig and palm forest between Sempaya and Ntandi.

The most common birds spotted in Semuliki NP include the regal sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, handsome francolin, black-throated coucal, long-tailed hawk, Congo serpent eagle, and Nkulengu rail, among others.

Visiting the Batwa Community for Cultural Encounters

Visiting the Batwa community for cultural experiences is among the most fascinating activities to do, in addition to primate tracking and guided nature walks in Semuliki NP.

The Batwa people are a pygmy community that originated from the Ituri Forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This group of people historically depended on the Semuliki Forest for food, shelter, medicine, and other tools for their hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

The Batwa cultural tours mainly focus on understanding the primitive way of life of these people.

In addition to these, the Batwa display their rich cultural history through music and dance performances at Ntandi.

Tourism provides an alternative source of income to the Batwa people since many of them may be hired as local guides, and some produce intricate handicrafts for sale as part of the cultural expressions.

To improve on the Batwa cultural tours, a cultural village, or Boma, is being built for the Batwa to demonstrate their traditional lifestyles.

Game Drives

Game drives are among the interesting things to do alongside primate tracking in Semuliki NP.

These game drives involve exploring different parts of the park on a safari vehicle to spot different wild animals, and they are done following the three main trails, that is, the Kirumia trail, the red monkey track, and the Sempaya nature track, which cross the savannah grassland.

Leopards, lions, elephants, antelope species, and some primates are among the commonly spotted animals on a game drive.

Things to See When on a Primate Tracking Safari in Semuliki NP near Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Animals in Semuliki NP

Semuliki NP is known for its high diversity of mammals. With over 53 species, 27 are large mammals. About 11 species are endemic to the park, including the pygmy antelope and two flying squirrel species.

Primates   

Semuliki NP is home to eight species of primates, including vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, Central African red colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, Dent’s mona monkeys, and olive baboons.

Visitors can see these primate species and other wildlife while hiking through the savannah woodland of Semuliki NP.

Other Animals

Among the animals are forest elephants, forest buffaloes, bush babies, pygmy flying squirrels, bush pigs, warthogs, waterbucks, little collared fruit bats, antelope species, and water chevrotain, among other animals.

Bird Species

There are over 441 bird species in Semuliki NP, and about 40 are restricted to this park and not in any other place in East Africa, making it a significant location for birders. Some are water birds, forest birds, raptors, and hornbills.

Birders can expect to see unique species such as the white-crested hornbill, the red-billed dwarf hornbill, the handsome francolin, the regal sunbird, the long-tailed hawk, and the Rwenzori turaco, among others.

Sempaya Hot Springs 

These hot springs are the most famous attractions in Semuliki NP, which provide a unique experience to visitors in the park.

The hot springs are a powerful testament to the ongoing subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley for 14 million years.

There are two hot springs, which are female and male hot springs. The male springs, known as Bintente, measure 12 m in diameter. The female hot springs bubble up to two meters high.

The water in these hot springs boils and reaches temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius. Local people nearby use the hot pools to cook food such as potatoes and eggs.

The Sempaya Springs area has a shade acting as a resting point for visitors on their Uganda safari.  

Semuliki River, an Inlet of Lake Albert that Extends to Central Africa

The Semuliki River, which is 160 km long, is found in the western part of Semuliki NP, and it forms an international boundary between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo

This river is a small-scale version of the Congo River that meanders across the rift valley floor as it flows into Lake Albert. It is the main source of water in Semuliki NP, where numerous wildlife drink from, and many hippos and crocodiles are spotted here. It is also popular for spotting some avian species.

The Kirumia Track and the Red Monkey Track are the trails that lead to the Semliki River.

How to Get to Semuliki Valley National Park for Primate Tracking? 

Visitors can access Semuliki National Park for primate tracking by both air and road.

By Air

Upon reaching Entebbe International Airport, visitors can further fly to Kasese Airstrip. A domestic flight is considered the most convenient, since it takes around 40 minutes.

From the Kasese Airstrip, you will then travel by road to the park headquarters in Ntandi.

By Road

Semliki National Park is around 378 km from Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and it can be accessed by road when using any of these two routes.

• Kampala-Fort Portal via Mubende. This is considered the shortest route since it takes about 4-5 hours to the final destination. Upon reaching Fort Portal, you will then drive a distance of about 56 km to Semuliki NP.
• Kampala-Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kasese. This is a longer route; however, it is more adventurous since travelers can stop at parks like Lake Mburo National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The distance covered on this route is 465 km, which is a drive of about 7-8 hours.

On both routes, either a private vehicle or a public vehicle can be used, but for those interested in private vehicles, it is advisable to use a 4X4 safari vehicle, especially during the wet seasons.

Where to Stay When on a Primate Trekking Safari in Semuliki NP? 

There are many accommodation facilities where you can stay when on a primate tracking safari in Semuliki NP. These accommodations range from budget to midrange to luxury options.

They include Kirumia Guesthouse, Semuliki River Camp, Uganda Wildlife Authority Campsite, Semuliki Safari Lodge, Ntoroko Game Lodge, Hotel Vanilla, and Mountain of the Moon Lodge in Fort Portal.

Best Time for Primate Tracking in Semuliki National Park

The best time to visit Semuliki National Park for primate tracking is during the dry months, which run from June to September and December to February.

During this time, the hiking trails are dry and passable, which makes it easy to trek through the park to spot different primate species.

However, some go for primate tracking during the wet season, especially those who are also interested in birding and those with a low budget.

What to Wear for Primate Tracking in Semuliki National Park? 

• Long-sleeved shirt and long trousers of neutral color
• Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots to keep you firm on the ground when on slippery and muddy trails
• Rain gear, like a rain jacket, due to unpredictable weather in the area
• A warm sweater or jacket for cooler mornings or evenings
• Gardening gloves to protect your hands when you hold onto plants
• A cap or wide-brimmed hat to protect you against the scorching sun

What to Pack for a Primate Tracking Safari in Semliki National Park Uganda? 

• Packed lunch and some snacks
• Drinking water and a water bottle for refills
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Camera to capture interesting scenes
• Binoculars to spot attractions like birds from afar.

Primate Trekking in Semuliki National Park FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What Is Semuliki National Park Famous For? 

Semuliki NP is famous for Sempaya hot springs, whose water boils and reaches temperatures above 100°C, and it is also an excellent birding place with over 441 bird species.

2. Is Chimpanzee Trekking Done in Semuliki National Park? 

Though there is a significant population of chimpanzees in Semuliki NP, chimpanzee tracking is not a common activity in this park since tracking these primates appears to be challenging because of the challenging terrain.

3. What Animals Are in Semuliki National Park?

Semuliki National Park is home to about 53 mammal species, and these include warthogs, leopards, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and primates, such as grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, Dent’s mona monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, and vervet monkeys, among others.

4.  What Is the Most Visited National Park in Uganda? 

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most visited game park in Uganda, famous for its abundant wildlife and captivating game drives, which offer opportunities to spot tree-climbing lions. It is also renowned for its abundant birdlife—600 avian species.

5. Which National Park Is Famous for Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda? 

Kibale Forest National Park is the most famous park for chimpanzee tracking in Uganda, for it is home to over 1500 chimps out of the 5000 chimps estimated to be in Uganda.

Other places for chimp tracking in Uganda may include Kyambura Gorge in Kyambura NP, Kalinzu Forest in Queen Elizabeth NP, and Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls NP.

Conclusion

Embark on an interesting primate trekking in Semuliki National Park alongside other interesting activities like nature walks, bird watching, cultural visits, and exploring the Sempaya hot springs. Book now to not miss out on this wildlife experience that promises lasting memories.