Semuliki National park is located in Bwamba county in Bundibugyo district and it is formed of tropical forest, rivers, swamps, savannah grassland and hot springs. The park harbors 53 species of mammals and 441 species of birds with over 300 butterfly species. It borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo and it is the continuation of Ituri forest in the Congo basin, the Rwenzori Mountains to the south-east of the park and Lake Albert in the north and it lies within the Albertine Rift.The park’s main mammal species include Chimpanzees, forest buffaloes, leopards, hippos, Mona monkeys, water chevrotains, bush babies, civets, elephants, red-tailed monkey, Vervet monkey, blue and De Brazza’s monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, Olive baboon, black and white colobus and the pygmy flying squirrel.
The park was gazetted as a game reserve 1932 by the colonial government until 1993 when itwas upgraded to the national park hence Semuliki National Park. It covers a geographical area of 220km² with an altitude of 670-760m (2,200 to 2,490 ft) above sea level.
The park extends across the rift valley floor along the famous Semuliki valley which overlooks the magical mountains of the moon. It has great concentration of Ituri forest species and it isconsidered to be one of the African Most ancient and bio-diverse forest to survive the last ice age which took place in 12 – 18,000 years ago.
The flowing Semuliki River draws a similar like structure to the Congo River and traverses the park draining into Lake Albert. The Batwa forest people that inhabited the Semuliki forest are part of the pygmy short people that thrive in the Ituri forest of Congo. Additionally, one would give a detailed account of Semuliki National Park without mentioning the Sempaya hot springs. The active hot springs at Sempaya are remnants of the old volcanic processes that date to 25,000 years ago and the powerful sub terrain forces that have characterized the rift valley for 14 million years ago.
The name Sempaya was derived from a Swahili word called “SehemuMpaya” meaning that it is a dangerous place and it was difficult to penetrate the rocks during the road construction between Fort portal road and Bundibugyo district.
The Sempaya Hot Springs are the flag ship attractions in Semuliki National park and there are two hot springs in Semuliki positioned in the south of the park in a lowland swampy area. The male hot spring is called Bitente and is positioned approximately 30 minutes’ walk from the Sempaya park headquarters. It stretches for over 12m in diameter. The female hot spring Nyansimbi is also close to park headquarters and is marked by boiling geyser spurring up to 2m in height visible within 2km distance and boiling to 100 degrees Celsius. The hot springs had a rich historical significance to the local people as they were used as healing grounds for a range of skin diseases and fungal infections.
CLIMATE
Semuliki National park being located on the slopes of Ruwenzori Mountain makes it experience high rain fall from March to May and September to December with average rainfall of 1,250mm per year. Many areas of the park experience flood during rainy seasons because of the steep slopes as a result of Ruwenzori Mountain and the temperatures vary from 18 to 30 °C throughout the year with small daily variation.
Dry Season / High season: Semuliki National Park can be visited at any time but it is better to visit it during dry season and the month range from June to September and Mid December to February.
Rainy Season / Low Season: The rainy season range from March to May and September to Mid-December and we recommend 4×4 Safari Landcruiser.
ACCESS / HOW TO GET THERE
BY ROAD TRANSPORT
Semuliki National park can be accessed from kampala via Mityana, Mubende and Fort portal road which will take you up to Semuliki National park. It is 350km from Kampala and costs 5.5 hours’ drive.
The park can also be reached via Masaka, Mbarara, ibanda, Fortportal road and the connect to Semuliki National Park and it takes 8 hours’ drive with stop overs at Equator and Igongo Cultural centre in Mbarara. It covers 508km from Kampala.
BY AIR TRANSPORT
The shortest route to Semuliki National Park is by plane. So, one can fly from Entebbe International Airport to Semuliki airstrip and it takes 2 hours fly. The morning flight depart at 1015 hours and afternoon flights depart at 1200hours. Please note that afternoon flights do not operate in April, May and November and the flights operate with the minimum of 4 people to Semuliki National Park.
TOURISM / TOURIST ACTIVITIES IN SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK
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Game drives at Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve
The game drives in Semuliki national park are done in Toro-Semuliki wildlife Reserve. It takes 3-4 hours and it can be done in the morning, evening and at night. The morning game drive starts at exactly 7:00am, evening one at 4:00pm and night one at 7:30pm. Expect to see forest elephants, waterbuck, buffaloes, crocodile, Uganda Kob and warthog. The Pygmy hippopotami, bush babies and leopards can also be seen if you are lucky.
2. Chimpanzee trekking or tracking at Semuliki National Park
With around 250 chimpanzees in Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, it has given clients a diversity of activities to participate in while at Semuliki. So, you will be escorted in the forest by the ranger guides to look for the habituated chimpanzees and upon find them, you will only spend 1 hour with the chimpanzees. Enjoy seeing the closest creatures to human.
3. Bird Watching or Birding at Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park provides an opportunity of observing endemic species to the Albertine region. The Ntandi and sempaya trucks offers a good experience for bird watching. Some of the species include White crested horn bill, Yellow- throated Nicator, Piping Hornbill, Great blue and Ross’s Turacos, among others. The Kirimia River area is another favorite spot where birds can be encountered. The stretch to the shores of Lake Albert offers opportunity to encounter shoebill stork.
4. Nature walks at Semuliki National park
Semuliki National park can also be explored on foot. The trails include; 13km Kirimia trail which traverses the forest to River Semuliki lasting for 8 hours commencing at 8am. Another one is the 11km Red Monkey Track which traverses the park’s eastern border with chances of encountering the rare deBrazza’s monkey up to Semuliki River. The 8km Sempaya Nature Trail exposes you to the hot springs and counts of primates. This trail allows you to enjoy the hot springs, boil some plantains or eggs. The encounter takes 2 – 4 hours ideally in the morning and in the afternoon.
5. Cultural encounters.
The cultural encounters take you to the adjacent local communities most especially the Batwa forest people who initially occupied the forest and now were resettled on the forest margin at Ntandi. You encounter their traditions, listen to their stories and attend to their musical performances.
ACCOMMODATIONS / WHERE TO STAY
HIGH END LODGES / LUXURY FACILITIES AT SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK
- Semuliki Safari Lodge
MID-RANGE FACILITIES AT SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK
- Ntoroko game lodge
- Mountains of the Moon Hotel
BASIC / BUDGET LODGE FACILITIES IN SEMUILIKI NATIONAL PARK
- Kirimia Guesthouse.
- National Park Bandas and Campsite.