Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park Lying on an estimate of 190 sq km, the park is located in western Uganda in a district called Bundibugyo. It is one of the richest areas of flora and fauna in Africa.

Semuliki National Park is Blessed with over 400 bird species, plants and animals species. Among the birds; Shunning blue KingFisher, and with mammals including; Forest buffalos, leopards, mona monkeys, bush babies, duikers, elephants to mention but a few.

Uganda’s national parks are packed full of breathtaking natural wonders. Whether hiking up the Stanley peak in Mount Rwenzori national park or waiting for herd of buffaloes to cross the road in Kidepo valley national park, travelers by no doubt leave with several unforgettable memories.
Escape the bustle and hustle of the cities in favor of a safari in Uganda in one of the national parks. It would be trekking gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park or wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth Park. Either way, the pearl of Africa can never disappoint you.

But with the 10 national parks spread from one country end to the other, and all presenting tremendous experience for a lifetime, deciding which park to go to for a Uganda wildlife safari. In consideration of the uniqueness of sights and activities done in the park, Semliki national park is a park never to miss on any trip in Uganda.

Semliki national park is a fresh ignored treasure located in a remote corner of southwestern Uganda, protecting the eastern extension of the vast Ituri Forest that spills over from the Democratic republic of Congo across Semliki River. So a safari to Semliki national park is like visit central Africa without
necessarily crossing the border.

Though the park is rare on most of the Uganda safari itineraries, it is a vast beauty of spilling savanna grasslands, forests bordered by the might Rwenzori mountains of the moon, Semliki river, hot springs, bird species, mammals and central African trees, almost a quarter of Uganda’s magnificence is collected in one stop destination; Semliki national park.

Sempaya hot springs.

These are almost the flagship of the park. There are two hot springs believed to be a male and a female one. The male hot Bitende is approximately 12 meters in diameter and Nyasiimbi the female one is a boiling geyser spurting out steam with bubbling water is about 2 meters. People that live around used to cook food in the hot spring pools, till now some people still boil eggs in this hot water just to prove the geysers magic.

Birding in Semuliki National Park.

Doubtlessly, it is always a great time for birders in Semliki valley. The park has recorded over 440 bird species which is 40% of Uganda’s total species and 66% of the forest birds in Uganda. Birding becomes even more fun at the edge of the forest, look out for birds including the Nkulengu Rail, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Piping Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, African Piculet, White-throated Blue Swallow, Yellow-throated Nicator, Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Lemon-
bellied Crombec, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Blue-billed Malimbe, Chestnut-breasted Negro Finch, Orange-cheeked Waxbill plus many others.

Nature walks or hiking in Semuliki National Park.

The park is traversed with numerous hiking trails guided depending on the
visitors’ interests, making the Semliki one of the best destinations for nature walks in Uganda. Hikes normally take few hours to an all day hike depending on the strength and preferences of the trekkers. Get chances of encountering numerous bird species, forest elephants, hippos, and primate species.

Game drives.

These are rarely considered in this park with a perception that it is a mountainous park. Semliki national park is a home to more than 50 different mammal species, 27 of them are larger animals and 11 of them are endemic to only this park like the pygmy antelopes, flying squirrels and the fanged deers. A game drive guarantees chances of sighting all these beautiful creatures. In just a few seconds of the drive, travelers immediately start spotting the lions, forest elephants, leopards, buffaloes
and many others.

Bambuti pygmies.

Probably you have been wondering which kind of local people live around the park, they are the Bambuti pygmies. They live close to Semliki River and somehow related to the Basu of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Frequently referred to as the Batwa, the Bambuti are much smaller in number though they were both evicted from the ancient forests. The Bambuti have their own local guides. A cultural encounter with them guarantees a taste of the local cuisines except those that don’t wish. Come and experience the way of life of the Bambuti pygmies of the forest.

There is no other place so beautiful like Semliki national park. Plan your trip to Uganda now to snap a dreamy selfie at the unbelievably gorgeous landscape in the background. Semliki valley is call and you must come.