Semuliki National Park

Semuliki national park is a bio-diverse area protecting an extension of the Ituri forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the park is one of the scenic areas and is the only tract of true low land tropical forest in East Africa and is associated with Central Africa rather than Eastern Africa.

  Semuliki national park is located in western region of Uganda on the floor of the Rwenzori Mountains covering an area of 220 square kilometers with altitude of 670 m – 760 m above the sea level. The park is dominated by the Eastern most extension of Ituri forest of the Congo basin and is an international boundary between Uganda and DR.Congo.

Semuliki national park lies in Uganda’s popular safari circuit, however it is one of the least visited parks in Uganda. The park has River Semuliki which is the international boundary between Uganda and DR.Congo

The Tooro – Semuliki Wildlife Reserve is the oldest reserve in Uganda comprising of a mix of tropical rainforest and grassy savannah intersecting with flat plains, the park is a home to both central Africa and East Africa species.

 Wildlife in Semuliki National Park

Semuliki national park is a home to 53 mammal ugandaspecies including forest elephants, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles found along the Semuliki River. There are also several primate species such as chimpanzees, red – cheeked mangabeys, Central African red colobus, 11 species of mammals that are endemic to the park such as pygmy flying squirrel, Beecroft’s flying squirrel, water chevrotain, target rat, little collared fruit bat, bay duiker, forest buffalo, mona monkey and many reptiles and amphibians.

Birds in Semuliki national park

Semuliki national park is a spectacular bird’s haven and an Important Birding Area (IBA), the park inhabits over 441 species recorded including 46 Guinea – Congo biome species which are only found in East Africa. The park comprising of various inhabitants such as riverine and grassland, birds in Semuliki national park include African Piculet, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed Malimbe, Yellow-throated Nicator, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Nkulengu Rail, Piping Hornbill, blue-billed malimbe, Yellow-throated Cuckoo and Leaf-love among others.

Safaris and Activities in Semuliki National Park

Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking/ primate walk is done in Toro – Semliki wildlife reserve, this activity starts with briefing at the research camps and head to the Kijura Observation point where you will continue your journey tracking the chimps.

The trail takes approximately 4-6 hours of following the tracks of the chimpanzees headed by rangers, this walk is exciting as you will encounter several bird species and occasional elephants, buffaloes and lions. The highlight of the trail is encountering chimpanzees and you will watch them play of tree branches and take amazing pictures of them.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Semuliki national park

Chimpanzee Habituation is a full day chimpanzee activity also done in the Semuliki wildlife reserve, on this experience you join researchers as they follow chimps from early morning as they leave their nest to late evening when they get back to nesting. The habituation process is a process through which the chimpanzees get acquainted with human beings and eventually join the groups that are made available for chimpanzee tracking.

Bird watching in Semuliki national park

Birds are one of the main attractions in Semuliki national park with over 441 bird species including 46 of Guinea – Congo biome species found nowhere else in East Africa, the park’s unique bird species are attributed to its location in the Albertine Rift Valley, low land forest and its central African Species.

Birds to lookout for during bird watching in Semuliki national park include Shoebill, dwarf honeyguide, Yellow throated Cuckoo, yellow-throated Nicator, Great blue and Ross’s turaco, purple breasted sunbird, orange weaver, white crested hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, African Piculet, Swamp Palm Bulbul among others. Bird watching is done in various areas such as Sempaya, Ntandi, Kirumia trail and Semuliki River.

Hot Springs

Semuliki hot springs are one of the major attraction in Semuliki national park, these springs have a cultural importance to the Bamba People who use them for rituals as they communicate to their gods for blessings and protection.

These hot springs are two that is the Male “Bitente” and the female “Nyasimbe”, reaching these hot springs takes you through the forest where you will spot red – tailed monkeys jumping on tree branches as they search for food. At the female host spring you will watch a boiling found at over 1000C, you can cook plantains and eggs in the boiling waters pools of the hot springs.

Nature and Hiking walks

Nature and hiking walks in Semuliki national park takes you on a walk in the deep of the forest are done with ranger guides, there are 3 trails followed inside the park that are

Red Monkey trail – this is a 11 kilometers long trail following the park’s boundary to the east and ends up at the Semuliki River, on this you will get chances of sighting the rare DeBrazza Monkey.

Sempaya nature Trail – this trail leads to the magnificent Sempaya hot springs, the walks takes you through a patch of forest where you will encounter black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys and grey- cheeked mangabeys. Along the trail leading to the Male hot spring, you will pass a tree house where you view abundant bird life and beautiful scenery.

The Kirumia Trail – this trail is 13 kilometers perfect for birders, the trail ends up at the Semliki River and traverses the forest.

Community walks and Cultural experiences

Community walks and cultural experience in Semuliki national park takes you to communities of the Batwa people who once lived into the forest before it was gazette as a national park, now they live on the boundaries of the park however they visit the forest in search for medicinal plants.

When you visit the Batwa community, you get a deeper insight into their life through demostrations of gathering food, hunting skills and tools giving you a deeper insight on how they lived and survived in the forests. You will also enjoy the music and dance performances, and purchase some handcrafts made by the Batwa people.

How to get to Semuliki national park

Semuliki national park is found in the western Uganda with Fort Portal as the nearest city, there are two means of transport to get to the park that is by road and by air.

By road

By road, the park can be reached from Kampala – Fort portal, from Kampala it is a drive of approximately 5-6 hours.

By air

There are domestic flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kasese airstrip, then connect to the park by a vehicle.

Where to stay in Semuliki national park

Accommodation options available in Semuliki national park include

Inside the park

• Semliki Safari Lodge

In Fort Portal

• Kyaninga Lodge
• Mountains of the moon Hotel
• Rwenzori View Guest house