Explore the wonders of Semuliki National Park in Uganda

Semuliki National Park, covering about 220 Square Kilometres, is located in Bundibugyo district in the Western part of Uganda, near the Ugandan border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park also borders Lake Albert in the North and the Rwenzori Mountains in the South East.

Semuliki National Park was first established as a Forest Reserve in 1932 and was later elevated to a National Park in 1993, making it one of Uganda’s newest national parks. Hosting the only true lowland tropical forest in East Africa, Semuliki National Park receives an average annual rainfall of 1,250 millimetres, usually in the months of March to May and then September to December while the temperatures within the park usually range between 18°C and 30°C.

The distance from Uganda’s Capital City, Kampala to Semuliki National Park is estimated to be about 340 Kilometres on a tarmac road, which is approximately a six hour drive.

This National Park boasts of over 400 bird species, 60 mammal species, the Semuliki River, the Sempaya Hot Springs, spectacular scenery in form of bamboo forests, tropical lowland rainforest, Savannah grasslands and swampy vegetation among many other attractions, giving tourists a wide range of activities to enjoy in this National Park.

BIRD WATCHING

Bird watching is the main tourist activity in Semuliki National Park, with over 400 recorded bird species. Several bird species are spread all over the park, although most birding trails are concentrated around Sempaya Hot Springs and at Ntandi. Some of the birds in this park are Central African species including the Black – wattled Hornbill, Lyre – tailed Honey guide, Nkulengu Rail, the Congo Serpent Eagle and the Long – tailed Hawk among others. Other bird species to look out for include the Red billed dwarf hornbill, Black dwarf hornbill, the Swamp Palm Bulbul, blue and Ross’s Turacos, the White Crested hornbills, Great Black – Casqued wattled hornbill, the Blue – billed Malimbe, White – tailed Robin –chat, Nate’s Nightjar, Sabine’s Spine tail, the Red – bellied Malimbe, Yellow – throatedNicator, Hairy – breasted Barbet, Eurasian Oystercatcher, the Lemon – bellied Crombes and the Chestnut – breasted Negro finch among many others.

Other species like the endangered Shoebill Stork can be seen while on a boat ride along the Semuliki River and Lake Albert as well as on nature walks.

GAME VIEWING

Semuliki National Park also offers game viewing activities, with over 60 different mammal species including Forest buffaloes, Water Chevrotains, Elephants, Pygmy flying squirrels, Hippos, Leopards, Bush babies and about eight (8) primate species like Chimpanzees, the De Brazza’s and the Red – tailed Monkeys among others.

CHIMPANZEE TRACKING

Chimpanzee tracking is another exciting activity in Semuliki National Park, which is habitat to about 250 Chimpanzees. Although a number of them are under research projects, they are still accessible for trekking.

Chimpanzees are fascinating creatures because they share about 98% of the human DNA and share several human – like non – verbal communication methods including gestures, sounds and facial expressions among others. They also live in families and societies with leaders.

Since the landscape in Semuliki National Park is not that rugged, Chimpanzee trekking is not straining, meaning there is no need for special experience for one to enjoy this activity. Before embarking on this trekking experience, visitors are always briefed by guides about what to do and what to expect. For instance, trekkers are always advised to wear long – sleeved shirts to avoid scratches, carry enough drinking water, wear hats, and pack lunch among other instructions.

SEMPAYA HOT SPRINGS

The Sempaya Hot Springs are located in two places within the park, with one being referred to as male and the other as female. The female hot spring, known as Nyasimbi, gushes out hot water approximately two metres (2m) in the air while the male hot spring is called Bitende and covers about twelve metres (12m) in width. These hot springs provide salty minerals  to several animals and are a hotspot for birding activities.

CULTURAL SAFARIS

The tribes around Semuliki National Park are predominantly the Bakonjo and the Bamba. Other tribes include the Batuku who are pastoralists and the Batwa who were the indigenous inhabitants of the Semuliki forest but now live in the valley. For cultural safaris, tourists are offered the opportunity to learn about the different cultures and ways of living of the local people by interacting and participating in handcraft making, hunting, food gathering and preparation, cultural dances and tasting local dishes among other exciting activities. This in turn supports the local communities as well as eco tourism.

ACCOMMODATION

Visitors to this park have several accommodation options including up – market accommodation at Semuliki Safari Lodge and Ntoroko Game Lodge, which also provides mid – range accommodation. Budget accommodation can be found at Kirumia Guest House, 10km from the Sempaya gate and at Bumuga Campsite. Although accommodation facilities in and near Semuliki National Park are limited, there are several facilities in the nearby towns of Bundibugyo and Fortportal, some thirty miles away from the park, including Mountains of the Moon Hotel and Rwenzori View Guest House among others.

All in all, if one is looking for a wholesome experience in the wild, with fascinating game viewing, birding, incredible eco systems and interesting cultures, a visit to Semuliki National Park ought to be on their itinerary.