Semuliki National Park - Uganda Safari Parks

Semuliki Forest National Park

Location:

Western Uganda; along the Uganda /Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border within the western arm of the East African Rift valley about 50km from Fort Portal.
SIZE: 220 sq km.
Gazetted National Park in 1993.

Habitat:

A flat to gently undulating landform ranging from 670 -760 metres above sea level,
Ituri forest and a pygmy village at Ntandi.

Major attractions:

Chimpanzee,
Wildlife and
Birds of the vast Ituri Forest ,
the cluster of hot springs at Sempaya.

Other Attractions

300+ species of butterflies, great landscape scenic views, 300+ species of trees recorded, 125 of which are unique to this park.

Accessibility

There are two major routes from Kampala; Kampala-Fort portal via Mubende (5-6 hours drive) and Kampala-Fort portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese (7-8 hours).

Safari Activities

Nature walks;

A two hour walk will take you to Sempaya Hot springs. The trek is overwhelming especially if you have a lot of interest in birds, primates, butterflies and plants. Semuliki Valley National Park is bursting with fascinating jungle life featuring rainforest vegetation, Palm Trees primates like Mangabeys and Blue Monkeys, mammals such as forest buffaloes, elephants, sitatungas, leopards, pygmy hippopotamus, as well as birds such as Hornbills, Honey guides Palm nut Vultures, blue-breasted kingfisher, red rumped and yellow - throated tinker bird and Frasier's ant thrush.
The largest spring is a geyser which spouts up to 2m high from an opening in a low salt sculpture. The emerging water has a temperature of more than 100 degrees centigrade, so the geyser should not be approached too closely. Another spring, more of a broad steaming pool than a geyser, lies on the far side of the swampy clearing reached by a board walk.

Bird Viewing:

The water fall of Mungiro is another interesting site after the hot springs that will offer you wonderful scenic views as well as extraordinary bird watching experiences. During this birding activity, you will appreciate the rich biodiversity of Semuliki Valley National Park.
The varying vegetation types offer you great opportunities to see different birds including forest birds, wetland birds, grassland birds as well as water birds. This place provides an excellent sight for red-billed dwarf horn bill, white-crested hornbill and massive black-casqued wattled hornbill. The trail can be undertaken as a day trip and an overnight. You can opt to carry a tent and food to camp alongside the bank of the River. A part from birds, a variety of Monkeys, hippos, buffalo, elephants and crocodiles are abundant along the River.

Game Drives:

The National Park hosts many mammals such as Elephants, Buffaloes, Leopards, Bush babies. In case you visit the area on your lucky day, you may see pigmy Hippopotamus and Crocodiles. Eight species of primates have also been recorded and more than 300 species of butterflies have been observed.

Scenery Viewing:

Semuliki National Park has one of the best awe-inspiring views. You can take pleasure in such great scenic views by taking the Bundibugyo road through the Rwenzori escarpment. ‘Mungu ni mkubwa’ is a magnificent spot on the road for the scenic views of the meandering Semuliki River, the tropical rain forests extending up to Ituri forest in DRC, and the fuming hot springs. Two Hot springs situated in a tract of hot mineral encrusted swampland is rich in visible birds, insects and mammalian life. The hot water of the hottest springs is above the boiling point and can boil eggs in the natural boiler within only ten minutes.

Spot Fishing:

There are opportunities for you to engage in sport fishing along the river but you have to remember to come with your fishing facilities.

Visiting the local communities:

You may be interested in interacting with all the four main ethnic groups of people living around and within the park. The Batuku pastoralists occupy the rift valley plane in the north of the park. The Bakonjo in the valley and Bamba on the mountain slopes their major activity being agriculture producing cash crops such as cocoa and coffee. The smallest group is the pygmies (Batwa) who are traditionally known as forest dwellers and hunters originating from Ituri forest. Today there is a mixture and cultural exchange with these ethnic groups.
However, you will find one particular group –the Pygmy or Batwa - more interesting. A community visit to the Pygmy village near Sempaya Gate will enable you witness the lifestyles, traditions, dances of the Batwa as well as an opportunity to buy souvenirs.

Accommodation:

There are Camp sites at Bumaga with basic cottages located 2.5km from Sempaya and Semliki safari lodge. The other alternatives are sleeping in hotels of Fort Portal or Bundibujo towns (click here Accommodation).