Brief Facts about Semuliki National Park Uganda

Location: Bundibugyo District, Uganda
Nearest City: Fort Portal
Coordinates: 00°49′30″N 30°03′40″E
Area: 220 square kilometres (85 sq mi)
Established: October 1993
Governing body: Ugandan Wildlife Authority

What to see at Semuliki National Park Uganda – Safari attractions in Semuliki National Park

The forest plays home to numerous central African Wildlife species with about 53 mammal species. The forest is rich in primates like the leopards, buffalos, chimpanzees, baboons, black and white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey and forest elephants, 11 endemics like pygmy antelopes and the 2 flying squirrel species. The forest is also home to the peculiar water chevrotain known as the” fanged deer”. This is the only park in Uganda where you get a taste of Central Africa though still on your wildlife safaris and tours in Uganda.

The Sempaya hot springs bubble out of the rift valley floor at high temperatures of 103⁰C up to 2m high from the depths through an 8m wide opening to demonstrate the powerful subterranean forces that have for the last 14million years shaped the valley. There two hot springs one known as the “male” and the other the female. The male is in the outer part of the forest as you go through, sighting wildlife and birds whereas the female hot spring is hot enough to boil food like eggs and bananas for hungry hikers from the blistering waters on their hiking safari in Uganda.

Numerous bird species recorded to 441 bird species about 34% of Uganda’s total with birds like the White crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, the Great blue and Ross’s Turacos, Yellow -throated Nicator, Nkulengu rail, Maxwell’s Black weaver, the crested malimbe, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, to mention but not limited to. Some of the important birding spots on your birding safari in Uganda include sempaya, Ntandi, River Kirumia and Mungilo waterfall.

What to do at Semuliki National Park Uganda | Semuliki National Park Activities

Birding Safaris to Uganda; in the Western arm of the East African rift valley in Semuliki National Park are rewarding since the bird species number Is big, 34% of Uganda’s total. A passionate birder will find the “bird paradise” in Semuliki National Park Uganda with a must tick on your bird list being the Red-billed Dwarf, White crested Hornbill, Yellow -throated Nicator, Piping Hornbill, Shoebill stork, Maxwell’s Black weaver, the crested malimbe and many more that you will spot during your Uganda birding safari.

Game Drives; are the perfect way to have a glimpse at the diverse wildlife in this park on your wildlife safari in Uganda with species like the forest elephants, buffalos, leopards, chimpanzees the 11 endemics of the park like the pygmy antelopes and 2 flying squirrel species with the rare peculiar water chevrotain. The best time for your game drives is early morning when the wildlife is out to graze before it’s too hot.

Mountain Hiking; Uganda safaris can be extended to the Rwenzori mountains shockingly different from the Semuliki rift valley floor proximate which is low.

Hiking and Nature Walks; in Semuliki National Park is done in three trails, the 13km kirumia trail through the forest to the Semuliki river takes 8 hours and perfect for birders, the 11km red monkey track follows the parks eastern border and perfect for one on a Uganda wildlife safari, the 8km Sempaya nature trail leads you to the hot springs for about 4 hours, hike through the forest to the hot springs where you get to cook some plantain and eggs in the blistering waters.

Cultural Encounters; during cultural tours in Uganda are surprisingly rewarding as you visit the Batwa(pygmies) a hunter-gatherer community that previously depended on the forest for survival with a unique lifestyle.

How to get to Semuliki National Park Uganda | Semuliki National Park Map

Use the Directions button to get there. – “Semuliki National Park”

Getting to Semuliki National Park Uganda;

1. By road: Semuliki National park can be accessed from Kampala using different routes the fastest being Kampala-Mubende- Fort portal 287km for 4-5hours then 33.0km to Semuliki National Park, From Kampala to Fort Portal via Mityana is 296km the 33km to Semuliki National Park, From Kampala- Masaka- Fort portal road is 330km then 33km to Semuliki National Park, the furthest route but most interesting since you get to stop at the equator.
2. By air: Flights to your dream Uganda birding tours destination can be arranged from Entebbe international airport to Kasese via Kihihi in about 1h 50m by Aerolink Uganda.

Best Uganda safari/tour time to Semuliki National Park Uganda

The best time of the year for your birding safaris and tours in Uganda’s Semuliki National Park is during the dry months of the year between January to February and June to September when the park is more passable, wildlife easily spotted and photographs clearly taken. Since the park is in the rift valley the annual rainfall is massive to 1700mm and the rainy season leaves some parts flooded, trails slippery and taking pictures tricky.

As they say beautiful things come in small packages, this small national park will leave you wowed as you meditate on the great birds, wildlife and nature that will get you yearning to extend your Safari in Uganda.

Where to stay in Semuliki National Park Uganda – Semuliki National Park Accommodation

Luxury Safari Accommodation is availed at Semliki safari lodge in Semliki wildlife reserve close to Semliki forest National Park, Ntoroko game lodge in semliki wildlife reserve on the shores of lake Albert, Mountains of the Moon Hotel in Fort Portal.

Mid-Range Safari Accommodation; is availed at Fort Motel at Lugard road in Fort portal, Kyaninga Lodge in Fort Portal, Kalya Courts Hotel in Fort Portal.

Budget Safari Accommodation; during your birding safari tour in Uganda can be accessed at Ruwenzori Travelers Inn in Fort-portal-Kasese road, Reinah Tourist Hotel in Fort Portal, Kirimia guest house in Kirimia village 100m from Kirimia trail head where you have your hiking safari.