Semuliki National Park is situated in a remote corner of southwestern Uganda, Semuliki National Park protects an eastern extension of the vast Ituri Forest and forms part of a forest continuum that stretches across the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Zaire River. This park is now the number one birding destination in Uganda. Thatch huts are shaded by West African oil palms; the Semuliki River (which forms the international boundary) is a miniature version of the Congo River, while the local population includes a Batwa (Pygmy) community that originated from the Ituri. As a result, a visit to Semuliki provides a taste of Central Africa just a couple of hours from the comforts of Fort Portal.
Species in Semuliki
There are over 63 mammals, like elephants, leopards, buffaloes (nowhere else are found flying squirrels, pygmy antelope and six types of bats); 9 primates (chimpanzee, blue monkey, vervet monkeys, baboon); at least 374 species of butterflies.There are 336 tree species recorded, of which 24 are restricted to the Park (like Isolana Congolana and Ejacis Guinness); 435 bird species (at least 40 of them are found nowhere else in Uganda); 63 mammals, like elephants, leopards, buffaloes (nowhere else are found flying squirrels, pygmy antelope and six types of bats); 9 primates (chimpanzee, blue monkey, vervet monkeys, baboon); at least 374 species of butterflies.
Popular Activities
Sempaya Hot-Springs:
Visiting Sempaya Hot-Springs is highly welcomed activity which you do not have to miss while in Semuliki National Park. There is the male hot-spring Bitende is about 12 meters in diameter, the female hot spring is called Nyasimbi and is a boiling geyser which spurts out bubbling water and steam about 2 meters into the air.
Bambuti Pygmies:
The Bambuti Pygmies live on both side of the Semuliki River and are closely related to the Basu Pygmies of the Democratic Republic of the Congo rather than to Batwa Pygmies around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The Bambuti Pygmies are much smaller in number than the Batwa People. Both were evicted from their ancient forests, though the Bambuti have limited hunting and gathering rights. The Bambuti can be visited and today have their own guides, in the past, they had non-Bambuti guides who stole their money causing animosity between the Bambuti and Visitors, which has changed today.
Hiking – Nature Walks:
There are numerous Hiking and Nature Trails that are guided, depending on your preferences as to want to do and see such as hippos, crocodiles, birds, monkeys for example. The length of hikes and nature walks can be from a few hours to an all-day hike. One of the things on any hike is to be dressed right such as boots, long sleeved shirt, light rain jacket, day-pack with lunch and bottled water for the activity. A hat is also a good idea.
Chimpanzee Trekking:
You can trek Chimpanzees here – they are presently being habituated by Indiana University. Chances of seeing chimpanzees on a guided trek are not as good as at Kibale Forest with 1500 chimpanzees, the more they are habituated, the more likely you are going to see them on a trek.
Birding in the Semliki Valley:
Birders will have a great time in the Semliki Valley. There are over 440 recorded species of birds found here in the Semliki Valley, 40% of Uganda’s total species and 66% of the forest birds found in Uganda. There are also many birds found in this area that is normally found in the Congo region of Africa but also some that are only found in the Albertine Western Rift.
Game Drives:
There are about 53 different kinds of mammals found in the Semliki Valley and 27 of are larger animals and 11 of them are only found in this area such as pygmy antelopes, two different kinds of flying squirrels, hopefully, you will also see the unique water chevron that has been named the fanged deer. The Semliki Valley is also home to forest elephants and buffaloes which are smaller versions of their savanna-dwelling relatives
Accommodation facilities
The accommodation facilities in and near Semuliki National Park are not so many, though there are quite a number of lodges and hotels in Bundibugyo and Fortportal. These types of accommodation range from Luxurious/up market to Budget and camp site such as Semuliki safari lodge, Ntoroko game lodge, Kirumia Guesthouse, Bumuga campsite and so on.
How to get there
There are two major roads from Kampala to Fort Portal: Kampala-Fort Portal via Mubende is about 180 Km. (about 4-5 hrs drive) while Kampala -Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese is about465 Km (7-8 hrs). In both routes 2-wheel drive vehicles can be useful. While the Kampala-Fort Portal via Mubende is much shorter, the Kampala-Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese gives you opportunity to Visit Lake Mburo National Park, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Rwenzori Mountains National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
From Fort Portal, A two to three hours drive on the rough road towards Bundibugyo will bring you to Sempaya Gate (52 Km). The Park headquarters at Ntandi is 5 Km further from the gate along the same route. A vehicle with high clearance is recommended.
Using public means you can take a taxi (mini bus) or a bus to Fort Portal. From the Taxi Park, board one of the pick-up trucks for Bundibugyo and stop at Sempaya Gate, which is well sign posted. Return trip will be by the same means but a void being too late (not later than 4.00 p.m.)