Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park is also known as the True Birders Haven. Semuliki National Park sprawls across the floor of the Semuliki Valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori. The Park is dominated by the easternmost extension of the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. It was gazetted as a National Park in 1993. It’s located in Bundibugyo District and it’s home to 53 mammal species and over 435 bird species. It’s the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa.
- Read More
The Semuliki Valley contains numerous features associated with central rather than eastern Africa. Grass Thatched huts are shaded by West African oil palms; the Semuliki River (which forms the international boundary) is a miniature version of the Congo River, the forest is home to numerous Central African wildlife species, and the local population includes a Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri. As a result, this park provides a taste of Central Africa without having to leave Uganda.
Hippos are common along the semuliki river, as are crocodiles. More than 300 species of butterflies have been identified,including 46 species of forest swallowtail,together with 235 moth species. Over 435 bird species have been recorded in Semuliki National Park.The checklist includes 35 Guinea-congo forest biome bird species, Spot-breasted ibis, Haartlaub’s duck, Congo serpent eagle, Chestnut flanked goshawk, Red thighed sparrowhawk. Furthermore, another 12 species with extremely little distribution are spotted like the Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Yellow throated cuckoo.
Flora And Fauna
Semuliki National Park is home to 53 mammal species such as the African Civet, Waterbucks, Uganda kobs, Hippos, Bush pigs, Bushbucks, Leopards, Bush babies, Mona monkeys, Baboons, Buffaloes among others. It’s also home to over 435 bird species and that’s why it’s regarded as a True Birders Haven. Examples of the bird species include, Congo Serpent Eagle, Long Tailed Hawk, Great Blue Turaco, Ross Turaco, Red Rumped Tinkerbird, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Red eyed Puff back,
- Read More
Yellow Throated Nicator, Ituri Batis, Red Billed Helmet Shrike, Red billed Malimbes, African Piculet, White Throated Blue Swallow, Black Casqued wattled Hornbill among others. It’s also home to over 300 butterfly species and 235 moth species. It’s home to 336 recorded tree species. 24 species of these are restricted and 3 species are considered endangered. Flowering plants recorded in the park are more than 7.4% of Uganda’s total and these tree species, 7 species and endemic. The recorded tree species include Euphorbia cactus, Chrysophyllum Begui, Isolana Congolana, Ejacis Guineesis, Lovoa Swynnertonii, Cordial Millenii among others.
Things To Do While In The Park
- Game Drive
This Game Drive in Semuliki National Park will give you an opportunity to sight different mammal species and bird species. It boasts 53 mammal species and over 435 bird species, with a Game drive being worth it while in the rolling plains of Semuliki National Park.
- Bird Watching
Semuliki National Park is regarded as a True Birders Haven thereby a haven for the bird lovers. It’s home to over 435 bird species such as Congo Serpent Eagle, Long Tailed Hawk, Great Blue Turaco, Ross Turaco, Red Rumped Tinkerbird, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Red eyed Puff back, Yellow Throated Nicator, Ituri Batis, Red Billed Helmet Shrike, Red billed Malimbes, African Piculet, White Throated Blue Swallow, Black Casqued wattled Hornbill among others.
- Visit the Sempaya Hot Springs.
The Sempaya Hot Springs in Semuliki National Park which are both male and female and have high temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius.
- Nature Walks
This is one of the best ways to explore this park with many amazing opportunities like wildlife viewing and birding.
● Red Monkey Trail: This trail follows the eastern margin of the Wildlife Reserve to the Semliki River lasting 4 hours offering a wide range of viewing bird species, mammals, butterfly and plant species.
● Kirumia Trail: This trail is 13km and lasts 8 hours taking you through the middle of the forest towards the Semliki River and is a perfect trail for birders.
● Sempaya Nature Trail: This 8km trail lasts between 2-4 hours offering the traveller amazing views of the Sempaya Hot Springs.
Where to stay
– Semliki Safari Lodge
– Ntoroko Game Lodge
– Nyati Game Lodge
– UWA Bandas and Cottages
- Best time to visit the park
This park can be visited anytime of the year, since it has less crowds you will almost have the park to yourself. The dry season is January to February and June to September when most animals remain near water thus the best time for game viewing. The park receives a mean annual rainfall of up to 1700mm, mostly during March-May and September-November when many roads become challenging to use.
How To Get To The Park
The park can be reached and accessed by both air and road according to what the client prefers.