When to go or the best time to visit Semuliki National Park? Year-round, visitors on Uganda safari tours can visit Semuliki Park; however, we recommend most of our clients visit during the dry months.

Knowing the best time to visit Semuliki National Park is wonderful, as it helps you to plan and pack accordingly for your trip. Within dry months, Semuliki Forest Park receives minimal rainfall and most forest trail tracks are normally dry.

Semuliki Forest National Park’s wet months run from March to May as well as November to October. This rainforest park usually receives heavy rainfall in these months and some birding trails get muddy and slippery but remain passable.

Note that Semuliki Forest receives two dry seasons & two rainy seasons.

Continue below to find out the best time to visit Semuliki Park on your Uganda safari holiday;

Visiting Semuliki National Park in Dry Season

To many travelers on Uganda safaris, the dry months offer the best wildlife viewing experience in Semuliki National Park. The dry months in Semliki National Park include June-late September and even December-February.

Rainfall in Semuliki Forest (an eastern extension of the Congo Basin Ituri Forest) is minimal in dry months. The bird-watching trails are dry and the temperatures are usually pleasant to the travelers.

Merits of Visiting Semliki National Park in Dry Months

1. Rainfall inconveniences are very minimal.
2. The temperatures are more pleasant to tourists for tourists searching for forest birds.
3. Game drives in the nearby Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve or Queen Elizabeth National Park are rewarding as animals are easy to spot in short, dry golden grass.
4. Semuliki forest birding trails are mostly dry in the dry months; therefore, they are easy to hike.

Disadvantages of Visiting Uganda Semuliki Forest Park in Dry Season

1. You are likely to find more tourists than you would in the wet months.
2. Dry months are the peak season for tourism in Uganda; therefore, the rates for the lodges in Semuliki Park might go high as well.
3. In the dry months, chimps in Semuliki Forest move deeper into the jungle in search of food.

Visiting Semuliki National Park in Wet Months

Although Semuliki Park is always open to visitors, the rainy season is never the ideal time to go there. In Semuliki, an attractive park in the Albertine Rift Valley area, March to May and October through November are the wet seasons.

During these months, this rainforest park receives heavy rainfall in most hours of the day and some areas might get waterlogged.

Being near the Equator and in the Rift Valley region, even in wet months, temperatures in the Semuliki Valley region are pleasant.

Advantages of Visiting Semuliki National Park in Wet Months

1. For those on a tight budget, Semuliki National Park is best visited during the rainy season. Most lodges are empty as few tourists visit the park during this time. So, the majority of lodges lower their rates, which ultimately benefits low-budget tourists.
2. Just like other national parks in East Africa, Semuliki Park is also less crowded in the wet months.
3. Because of the lush greenery in every part of Semuliki Forest Park, the rainy months are also ideal for photography.
4. For birdwatchers, the wet seasons are the ideal time to visit Uganda Semuliki National Park because migratory species from North Africa and Europe can be seen there. Watching bird species in Semuliki National Park during the wet months allows visitors to see both migratory and permanent bird species.

Demerits of Visiting Semuliki National Park in Wet Season

1. Trails in the forest and roads that link to Semuliki Park usually get muddy and slippery in the rainy season due to excessive rainfall. Some regions of the park might be inaccessible due to waterlogging.
2. Sometimes, rainfall might interfere with some activities, for instance, birding.
3. If it rains a lot, tourists would have to miss some activities, which is undesirable for a safari. During the wet months, visitors are advised to wear long sleeves, waterproof shoes, and jackets.
4. The thick vegetation in Semuliki Forest during the rainy months interferes with game viewing in Toro Semuliki Game Reserve and even Queen Elizabeth National Park. All these protected areas are near Semuliki Park.

Unique Things to Do in Semliki National Park for Tourists

Tourist activities in Semuliki National Park go beyond bird watching. Nature walks and cultural encounters are also possible for tourists on Uganda adventure tours in Semuliki Park.

These are the details of the main things to do in Semuliki Forest Park:

1. Bird Watching in Semuliki Park

   

Most tourists who undertake Uganda tours to Semuliki Park are interested in birding. Semliki National Park is a birding haven in East Africa with over 441 bird species, counting even birds from West Africa, due to its being the eastern extension of Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The fact that bird watching is one of the main safari activities in Semuliki, this tropical rainforest holds numerous trails that allow visitors to explore most sections within this park in the Albertine Rift Valley region.

Among the notable bird species found in Semuliki Park are

•  blue-headed crested flycatcher,
• Western bronze-naped pigeon,
• Black dwarf hornbill,
• yellow-toothed cuckoo,
• African dwarf kingfishers,
• Maxwell’s black weaver,
• Congo serpent eagle,
• Forest francolin,
• green-tailed bristlebill,
• grey ground thrushes,
• African wood owl,
• Northern bearded scrub robin
• red-billed dwarf hornbill, etc.

In most cases, the mentioned bird species in the Semuliki Rift Valley region are spotted along the Kirumia trail. It’s possible to encounter others while you are on the Nyaburogo Gorge hike, the Red Monkey Trail, or the Sempaya Trail that leads to the hot springs.

Note: Visitors undertaking Semuliki birding expeditions are likely to spot wildlife species, including many primate species like colobus monkeys, baboon troops, chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-faced monkeys, blue monkeys, and Central African red colobus, among others.

2. Explore Sempaya Hot Springs

It’s difficult for travelers on a Uganda safari trip in the Semuliki Rift Valley region to miss exploring Sempaya Hot Springs. According to locals, these two hot springs (the male hot spring and the female hot spring) are sites for their ancestors. Therefore, locals normally visit this cultural heritage site to pray for blessings and get healed of some body ailments.

A guided hike with a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger along the Sempaya Nature Trail leads you to Sempaya Hot Springs, boiling at around 1000 °C. Visitors can go ahead and boil bananas and eggs to test the magical power of Sempaya Hot Springs.

As you hike to explore the hot springs—a wonderful cultural site in the western region of Uganda—it’s impossible to miss spotting wildlife species like olive baboons in the palm forest. Common bird species are

1. Grey ground thrushes.
2. Black dwarf hornbill.
3. eastern bearded greenbuls.
4. Forest francolin.
5. white-throated blue swallow.
6. red-eyed puffback.
7. chestnut-breasted negro finches.

Along the walk, travelers will enjoy glorious distant views of the Rwenzori Mountains. The Rwenzori Mountains (5109 m above sea level) are the tallest mountains in Uganda.

3. Chimpanzee Trekking in Semuliki Forest Reserve

During chimpanzee tracking in Semuliki Park, visitors have fewer chances of spotting chimps. Normally they just hear them deep in the jungle.  Chimps in Semuliki Park are still undergoing habituation!

For a remarkable chimpanzee trekking adventure, travelers on Uganda safaris are advised to go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, about a 30-minute drive from Fort Portal Town.

Although the chances of spotting chimpanzees in Semuliki Forest Park are minimal, this wildlife viewing experience is worth undertaking! Travelers can encounter forest buffalo, elephants, red-legged sun squirrels, bushbucks, plus various primate species.

4. Wildlife Viewing in Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve

Wildlife viewing in Semuliki Park is limited due to its being a tropical lowland forest—an extension of the Ituri Forest in the eastern Congo basin. Therefore, in most cases, travelers on Semuliki forest tours with an interest in game viewing normally visit the nearby Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve for game drives.

During game drives in Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, expect to spot Uganda kobs, waterbucks, African elephants, warthogs, leopards, and forest buffalos. There is an option for night game drives; however, few visitors go for it.

According to park authorities (park management), all visitors going for game drives in Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve have to first report to the park offices for permission.

5. Boat Cruise on Lake Albert Around

A boat cruise on Lake Albert is mostly done by birders on birding tours in Semuliki Park to search for the rare Shoebill stork.

During the boat ride on Lake Albert Flats, you’ll be with a local guide who is knowledgeable about most water bird species around Lake Albert in the marshes. This ride can take about 2–3 hours.

More Activities in Semliki National Park

• Go for nature walks in Semuliki Forest Reserve
• Undertake cultural encounters
• Butterfly watching
• Explore the Semuliki River. Uganda’s Semuliki River empties into L. Albert

Packing List for Uganda Safari Tour in Semliki National Park

Tourists on Uganda birding tours in Semuliki National Park or any other protected area around for example, Queen Elizabeth Park, Toro Semuliki Game Reserve, should come with the following items:

1. Robust Hiking Boots: These durable hiking boots will help prevent your feet from being hurt by sharp items in the jungle while on a nature walk. Additionally, these shows will help you to cross muddy and slippery trail points.
2. Insect repellent: In case of any possibility of biting insects in Semuliki Forest, for example, mosquitoes, you must come with an insect repellent to protect your life.
3. Camera; you’ll encounter many amazing features, including bird species and primates. So, come with a camera for photography.
4. Rain jacket: Since it typically rains in the Semuliki Valley area, packing a raincoat will protect you from any downpours that may occur.
5. A daypack bag keeps all items you’ll be using in the day, for instance, a camera, bottled water, and a rain jacket, to mention but a few.
6. Long-sleeved shirts & trousers: This gear will guard your body from cuts during the nature walks in the Semuliki Valley area
7. Snacks that Provide Energy: You won’t come across a store to buy some refreshments when you are in Semuliki Forest, a wonderful biodiversity forest. It is therefore recommended that you bring your basic energy-boosting foods.
8. Warm jumper: Normally, the morning hours in Semuliki Forest are cold, so come with a warm jumper to keep you warm.
9. A first aid kit, painkillers, and bandages should never be missing in your first aid box.
10. Bottled water; to stay hydrated, especially on all-day birding expeditions.
11. Swimming costume; come with it in case the lodge where you are to stay has a swimming pool

The above items can also work as you go for Uganda gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Dress Code for Uganda Safaris in Semliki National Park Uganda East Africa

The guide on what to wear on a Uganda safari holiday in Semliki National Park;

• Since birding is done in forested and bushy places, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and trousers is necessary to protect your body from scratches.
• Visitors are advised to wear jungle boots since they will have to go through bushy and slippery trails during the wet season. In most cases, the trails used need hiking shoes.
• Tourists should carry a sweater and a raincoat since the temperatures in the forests are low or it might rain at any time.
• Carrying a hat and sunglasses for protection from the scorching sun is important.

How to Get to Semuliki National Park?

Semuliki Park is situated in western Uganda a few hour’s drive from Fort Portal city.

From Kampala, Semuliki Park can be accessed by either road or air transport.

Getting to Semuliki Park By Road

In most cases, travelers from Kampala use the Kampala-Mubende Fort Portal Road, which is about 340 km and takes around 7-8 hours to drive.

From Fort Portal City, you will drive for about 2 hours (52 km) on a tarmac road to reach Semuliki Park.

Sometimes, visitors on Uganda wildlife safaris use the longer Kampala-Mbarara-Kasese route to connect to this park.

It’s also possible to access Semuliki from Kibale Forest National Park or Queen Elizabeth Park. Regardless of the route you use, you’ll first reach Fort Portal City.

A 4×4 tour vehicle is recommended.

Traveling to Semliki National Park By Air

Using a domestic flight, travelers can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi to Kasese Airstrip or Semuliki Airstrip. This is the fastest way to reach Semuliki Park.

Then, from the airport, you’ll be transferred to the park headquarters in a safari vehicle.

Best Accommodation in Semuliki National Park in the Western Region of Uganda East Africa

You can stay in either a luxury, middle-class, or economy accommodation on your Uganda safari vacation in Semuliki Park.

The commonly used lodging options in Semuliki Park are: 

• Semliki Safari Lodge
• Kirumia Guest House
• Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas & Cottages
• Hotel Vanilla

In conclusion, however much travelers on Uganda safari tours can visit Semuliki Park any time of the year, the dry seasons offer the best amazing expeditions. During the dry months, visitors will do birding, visit Sempaya Hot Springs, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Albert, or undertake chimpanzee trekking in Semuliki Forest without rainfall inconveniences.

We are here to guide you on how to visit Semliki National Park for the best Uganda birding safaris.