Situated in the western part of Uganda, Semuliki National Park is situated on the other side of the northern tail of the Ruwenzori Mountain ranges. It is located 52 kilometres from the Fort Portal tourist city in Bwamba County, a secluded location in the Bundibugyo district. It is the newest park in Uganda, having been established in 1932. The Uganda government forest department and the colonial administration safeguarded the park area as a forest reserve from 1932 to 1993. Semuliki National Park was created in 1993 after the reserve was elevated to a national park, with the primary goal of safeguarding the forest as one of the western Rift Valley’s protected regions. Uganda Wildlife Authority, however, is currently in charge of overseeing the park.
There is some grassland, swamp, and bamboo forest mixed in with the mostly extremely dense tropical lowland forest. The Rwenzori range provides a backdrop to the east, and the terrain is largely level. It rains a lot, thus visitors are encouraged to pack appropriately with waterproof clothing. The park’s boundary with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is delineated by the Semuliki River, which also has other tributaries that offer watering holes and excellent viewing locations for wildlife.
Additionally, there are Sempaya hot springs, which draw animals and birds with their salt licks. The park’s most well-known attraction is the Sempaya hot springs. The terms “male and female springs” are often used to refer to them. One of the springs creates a fountain that is 0.5 metres high, emulating a geyser.
A diverse range of animals, including 53 different kinds of mammals, including elephants, buffalo, leopards, civets, scaly-tailed flying squirrels, and bush babies, are drawn to the different habitats. More than 441 bird species and 300 butterfly species have been observed, while 8 species of primates have been reported.
The hot springs are accessible via a route encircling the park, and park headquarters at Ntandi, just outside the park boundaries on the road from Fort Portal to Bundibugyo, may arrange trips to other regions.
It is possible to go on guided hikes to see chimpanzees, birds, and other animals. A few of the chimpanzees have developed research habits. With nearly 400 species identified, birdlife is abundant. The uncommon shoebill stork, which is best observed from a boat on Lake Albert, can be seen in the Wildlife Reserve, one of the best spots in Uganda. Sport fishing is great for tilapia and Nile Perch.
Tourism Activities in Semuliki National Park
Game Drives
Game drives in Semuliki National Park take place at Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve and last three to four hours. Three trucks are specifically used for wildlife drives across the Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, an open grassland savannah. Smaller and larger savannah elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, crocodiles, warthogs, and Uganda Kobs are frequently sighted. If you’re lucky, you might also see leopards, pygmy hippos, and the elusive bushbabies at Semuliki National Park. The best times to go on a wildlife drive are in the morning at 6:00 am, in the evening at 3:00 pm, and at night for nocturnal animals like the white-tailed mongoose.
Bird Watching
For those who get to visit Semuliki National Park, it’s an ideal area for bird viewing, with over 400 different bird species to be seen. Sempaya and Ntandi areas are popular spots for bird watching because they offer a clear view of the birds. These areas are home to several bird species concentrations, such as the Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Great Blue and Ross’s Turacos, White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, Ituri Batis, Maxwell’s Black weaver, Red-billed Helmet-shrike, Swamp Palm Bulbul, and Crested Malimbe. Along with other water bird species, the Shoebill stork can be found in the Kirumia River and Lake Albert.
Hiking and Nature Walks
The Kirumia trail, Red Monkey truck trail, and Sempaya Nature trail are the three main hiking and nature walk routes in Semuliki National Park.
The eight-hour Kirumia River path begins at precisely eight in the morning. The 13-kilometer hike to the Semuliki River winds through the heart of the forest and is an excellent place to observe birds. However, monkeys can also be seen along the same path. Expected bird species were the lemon-bellied crombec, African Piculet, long-tailed hawk, red-sided broadbill, and black-faced rufous warbler.
The 11-kilometer Red Monkey Trail leads from the park’s eastern boundary to the Semuliki River. In contrast to the Sempaya route, it exposes visitors to a wide variety of bird species, buffaloes, elephants, and monkey species. Depending on the timetable, the Sempaya Nature Trail can be completed in the morning or the afternoon in two to four hours. There are 8 km of trail.
Sempaya Hot Spring Visit
The Semuliki River is the source of the Sempaya hot springs, which come in both male and female forms. A great variety of animals congregate near the hot springs, including numerous bird species, antelopes, and warthogs.
The female and male hot springs are 30 minutes’ walk apart, and the water at the springs boils to a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius. In less than ten minutes, customers can enjoy the amazing hot spring’s beauty by boiling eggs and bananas.
The Kiswahili term “Sehemu Mpaya,” which means “difficult place,” is where the name Sempaya Hot Spring originates. It refers to the time when the construction team had to deal with difficult, steep rock and terrain while building the Fort Portal Bundibugyo road along the ridges of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Cultural Expeditions
Semuliki National Park is home to the Batwa people, popularly known as pygmies. They once relied on the forest for other necessities including tools, food, and medication made from medicinal plants. Since they were forced out of the forest to preserve the wildlife for tourists, their way of life has altered. The Batwa people now have an alternate source of income thanks to tourism and Uganda Wildlife Authority, who provide dance and music performances for visitors at Ntandi. Additionally, they produce handicrafts that are for sale, and we strongly advise tourists to always help them out so they can support themselves while on their Uganda safaris at Semuliki National Park.