Semuliki National Park Activities: Accommodations|Best Time|Tours
Explore the captivating Semuliki National Park, a breathtaking protected area located in Bwamba County, a region within the Bundibugyo District in Uganda’s Western Region. Since its establishment in 1993, this park has encompassed 219 kilometres (85 square miles) of East Africa’s sole lowland tropical rainforest, showcasing a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna found nowhere else on the continent. With its bird species and vibrant butterfly population, Semuliki National Park stands as one of Africa’s most biologically diverse regions. Managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority this park promises an unforgettable encounter for nature enthusiasts and wildlife aficionados.
Semuliki National Park
This low-lying Semliki National Park in Bundibugyo district in Buwamba County harbours a vast array of colourful wildlife, which makes it a breathtaking and wonderful destination to discover the secrets of the surrounding wilderness.
Before establishing it as a game park, this place was formally called the Toro Semuliki National Reserve. It is made up of an unspoilt tract of rainforest in its northwest, by the Semuliki River, which runs along the Congo-Uganda border. This forms a tropical lowland forest. Semliki expands into the Ituri forest that extends eastward into the Congo River, supporting a lot of wildlife that stays in this area.
Key Attractions
This diverse park has a fantastic jungle life with beautiful sights of butterflies and plant species. There are over 305 tree species recorded, of which around 125 are restricted to only this park. Jungle walks and hikes are the best ways to experience the beautiful hidden views of the Semuliki River meandering, the hot springs and the tropical rainforests extending to Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The diversity of this vegetation offers refuge to many animal species; these include 53 mammal species along with 400 bird species. Among the mammal species in this park are the Ugandan Kob, buffalo, warthog, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, hippos and primates, including chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, baboons, and black and white colobus monkeys. Among the 400 bird species are forest, wetland, water, and grassland birds.
You can witness the ever-lasting moments as you explore the natural wonders in one of the best destinations in Uganda, which has unsurpassed beauty and hosts the enigmatic swamp, which harbours one of the rarest bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork, and a lot more to enjoy in this park, along with a community of around 70 chimpanzees, which have been habituated and can be tracked on several trails. Therefore, birdinging in this park is rich for birders and photographers on birding safaris.
The park is a birders’ haven with a lot of bird species, most of which are only endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley region. The common species spotted around include red-throated bee-eaters, yellow-throated tinkerbirds, honey-guided greenbul and forest hornbills.
The most interesting attraction of this park is the mesmerizing Sempaya hot springs, which can only be explored when you visit Semuliki National Park. The hot springs bubble up from the depths to demonstrate the powerful subterranean forces that have only shaped the rift valley for the last 14 million years. There are several activities to be enjoyed around this park; they include nature walks through the jungle, hikes, boat trips, bird watching, night game drives and so many more.
Hot springs|Semuliki National Park
The park can be reached by both road and air transport, according to what the client prefers. If you are using air transport, tourists can charter planes and land at the airfield at Semuliki Safari Lodge, but since there are very few visitors to the park, the flight schedules are minimal. By road, Semuliki National Park can be reached using Kampala to Fort Portal via Mubende, which is only 290 km, or you could use Kampala to Fort Portal via Masaka Mbarara Kasese, which is just 465km. You can then follow the route to Semliuki National Park from the Fort Portal for 28 minutes before turning right at Karugutu Trading Centre.
Things to do|Activities in Semuliki National Park
- Visiting the Sempaya Hot Springs
- Visiting the Semuliki River
- Forest and Nature Walks
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Cultural visits and experiences
- Game drives
- Birdwatching
When is the best time to visit Semuliki National Park?
Semuliki National Park is open throughout the year. The best months to visit, however, are the dry seasons of April through June and July through September. Driving through the park is easier during the dry months due to the lack of mud. The rainy season, which lasts from December to March and October to November, makes it difficult to navigate around the park. As the rivers fill with rainwater, some areas of the park become flooded.
How do I reach Semuliki National Park?
The road route from Kampala to Fortportal is approximately 300 km. There are two roads connecting Kampala to the park. The shorter Kampala to Fort Portal road via Mubende, which takes four to five hours, or the longer route from Kampala through Kasese, Mbarara, and Masaka. This longer route (7 to 8 hours of driving) allows you to explore some of Uganda’s best national parks, including Queen Elizabeth, the Rwenzori Mountains, and Lake Mburo. Once in Fort Portal, it takes around 52 kilometers to reach the park junction from the main highway. Passing through the park roads, especially during the wet season, requires a competent four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Those using public transportation must take a taxi to Bundibugyo from Fort Portal town and stop at the Sempaya gate of the park. The park offices at Ntandi are 5 kilometres from the Sempaya entrance. Public transportation to Bundibugyo is unreliable, and taxis and minibuses may take a while to arrive, especially in the evening.
