Located in Bundibugyo district in remote Bwamba County, western Uganda, Semuliki National Park (also known as Semuliki Valley National Park) is one beautiful destination for every traveler.
It was gazetted as a national park in October 1993, rendering it one of the newest national parks in Uganda. The park spreads across the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Rwenzori Mountains in the southeastern part, Lake Albert in the northern part, and the scenic Albert Rift in the west.
Semuliki National Park also borders the Lamia River, which is a renowned water point for numerous animals in the park. The park boasts a diverse ecosystem that makes it a pride of many birds and wildlife. Its high diversity of plant species found in the Congo basin forest extending to the eastern range of the national park makes it evergreen and superbly attractive.
The park’s vegetation is mainly medium altitude and evergreen, making it an absolute home to over 400 bird species, including both Albertine rift and Rwenzori endemics. It is also amazing that about 9 species of hornbills have been recorded in the park. Additionally, the park boasts over 60 mammal species, including buffaloes, leopards, hippos, bush babies, elephants, as well as more than 8 primate species and 300 butterfly species.
Truly, one of the things no traveler will ever want to miss out on while in Semuliki National Park is the Sempaya hot springs. These are two: the male one called Bitenda, which is about 12 meters in diameter, and the female hot spring called Nyansimbi, a boiling geyser that spurts out bubbling water and steam about 2 meters into the air.
The locals living in the park used to cook food in the hot-spring pools, but now they are protected areas offering tourists a great magical adventure. To experience this, as you travel to the park, you can bring along an egg and see it boil and get ready. It’s believed by natives that the water can even heal some illnesses.
While in the park, there are many activities that can be carried out, ranging from wildlife safaris, bird watching both during the day and at night, cultural encounters, forest hikes, nature walks, chimpanzee trekking, and game drives, among others.
Birding:
Semuliki National Park is a pure haven for diverse bird species. It has over 440 recorded species that inhabit the Semuliki valley. In fact, it shelters 40% of Uganda’s total population of bird species and 66% of the forest birds in Uganda. Birds can be seen on an exclusive birding tour in Semuliki National Park, on a game drive, or during a guided nature walk in the park.
Some of the common species are: spot-breasted Ibis, Hartlaub’s duck, forest francolin, white-bellied and dwarf kingfisher, among others. For nocturnal bird watching, you can head to the geothermal hot springs of Sempaya, where you can find nightjars, African wood owl, among others.
Game Viewing Safaris:
There are about 53 species of wildlife recorded in the park, making Semuliki National Park an ideal place for epic game drives. Big animal species found here include lions, olive baboons, gentle blue monkeys, Guereza colobus, bush pigs, elephants, buffaloes, dwarf antelopes, among others. There are also over 30 butterfly species identified, 235 species of moths, and about 305 species of trees recorded; this alone renders this park one of the best places to visit. You can undertake either daytime or nocturnal/night game drives.
Chimpanzee Trekking:
Semuliki National Park is the only place in Uganda with lowland chimpanzees. It presents its visitors a unique opportunity to carry out chimpanzee trekking in a lowland forest. Unlike in Kibale National Park, Semuliki National Park has a fewer number of habituated chimpanzees so far; however, those on the ground can provide the best view you need.
Chimpanzee trekking here begins at 8:00 am and can last for 4 hours or longer. You can also see other primates such as black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkey, and olive baboons, among others.
Forest Hikes & Nature Walks:
While in the park, the first thing to do is dispel boredom, laziness, and fear because hiking is one of the most adventurous experiences to undertake. There are a number of hiking and nature walk trails that expert guides take you through, depending on your preference.
You can take a 13 km Kirumia trail, 11 km Red Monkey trek/primate trail, or 8 km Sempaya nature Trail, Batwa Cultural trail, and Nyabsurogo Gorge Hike. All these are very interesting and fun-filled; on your way, you will encounter numerous bird species, butterflies, verdant vegetation, primates, amazing landscapes, and epic wildlife.
Cultural Encounters:
Semuliki National Park can’t leave you sad or dizzy; it will always provide what will put a smile on your face while in the park. The Batwa cultural group is the best encounter you can live to remember. These are former hunters and gatherers who live in grass-thatched houses on the edge of the forest.
Under the guidance of a local guide, guests on this tour are introduced to authentic hunting experiences, traditional stories, performances, historic songs that describe their journey from being the forest people that they were to now agents of conservation and gradually reforming to a modern lifestyle. This cultural encounter will enhance your knowledge about the place as well as some history you had never known about these people.
Getting There:
Semuliki National Park lies along the main Fort Portal – Bundibugyo road, only 25 km from Fort Portal town. However, from Kampala, follow the Kampala- Fort Portal via Mubende highway, which is about 287 km, approximately 4-6 hours’ drive. An alternative route goes through Mbarara-Kasese – Fort Portal to Semuliki National Park. Though longer than the former route, it surely gives travelers an opportunity to stop along Lake Mburo National Park, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Queen Elizabeth National Park, or view the jagged Rwenzori mountain ranges.
Accommodation:
Never get worried about where to stay while on your trip to Semuliki National Park; all accommodation types are available and at your disposal ranging from luxury, midrange to budget options. Take a look at a few of these lodges which include Semuliki Safari Lodge for luxury accommodation, Ntoroko Game Lodge for moderate, and Kirumia Guest House for budget options.
Semuliki National Park offers you an exciting exposure to the wild that you cannot easily find anywhere else; all the fauna and flora, wildlife, and singing birds are all in one place waiting to be encountered by you. Do not hesitate to come and explore this wondrous park.
