Semuliki National Park Activities | Premium Africa Safaris
What is there to do in Semuliki National Park? Semuliki National Park Activities are diverse and enrich nature enthusiasts with true African wilderness experiences. Visit Semuliki National Park, Uganda’s least explored park but most famous for its exceptional wilderness experiences. These include the guided hiking, game drives (including night game drives), birding, walk to the Sempaya hot springs and others.
Top Activities to do in Semuliki Valley National Park Uganda
- Birding
- Guided game drives.
- Guided hiking experiences.
- Boat ride on River Semliki
- Primate walks.
- Visit the Sempaya Hot Springs.
- Community Visits.
Semuliki Valley National Park Activities in Details
Birding
Bird watching is the leading African safari experience that awaits on you on a vacation in Semuliki National Park. A record of about 441 species of birds survive within the diverse habitats in the Semuliki National Park.
The park protects endemic species, nightjars and several species of Ituri Forest origin. They include great sparrows, brown-crowned eremomera, bate’s nightjars, African dwarf kingfishers, Cassin’s spinetail, lemon-bellied crombec, red-chested owlet, crested malimbe, white-spotted fluftails,
Shoebill storks, swamp palm bulbul, swallow-tailed, francolins, black wattled hornbills, African piculet, chestnut breasted negro finches, red thighed sparrows, eastern bearded greenbuls, grant’s blue bills, malachite kingfishers, red rumped tinker birds, secretary bird, black bellied bustards, piping hornbills, Ituri batis, forest francolins, grey ground thrushes, red billed helmet shrike,
Other birds in Semuliki National Park include Northern bearded scrub robin, Maxwell’s black weavers, spot-breasted ibis, buff-spotted fluftails, western bronze napped pigeon, white bellied kingfishers, yellow throated nicator, African wood owl, and others.
Explore the Semliki River
Stretching over 160km, the scenic Semliki River is a favorite spot in Semuliki National Park and Reserve to enjoy boat rides. As you enjoy your boat ride, expect to keep eyes on the aquatic species including birds, hippos, and crocodiles.
Guided walks/hikes
Embark on an enriching guided walking experience on some of the finest trails in and around Semuliki National Park. With company of an experienced park guide, try out any of the park’s trails like the Sempaya Nature trails (8km), Kirumia trail (13km), and Red monkey track (11km).
The beauty about guided hikes/walks in Semuliki National Park, you will have incredible sights of Semuliki Valley National Park diverse faunal and avifaunal species including primates, birds and flora.
Game drives
Guided game drives in and around Semuliki NP offer you a great chance to explore of the finest mammal species. In a classic 4×4 vehicle, embark on a game drive along one of the finest game tracks in Semuliki NP as you search for elephants, hyenas, lions, bushbucks, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, cats and bird species.
Primate walks
Guided primate walks in Semuliki involves exploring some of the diverse primate species. The different primates to see in Semuliki Valley National Park include chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons. Some of the chimpanzees in the Toro-Semliki are undergoing habituation process by the Indiana University.
Cultural visits
Adjacent Semuliki National Park, there are 4 indigenous tribes worth interacting. These include the Batwa pygmies –originally hunters and forest gatherers, Bamba and Bakonjo. There are also Batuku living along the Northern side of Semuliki National Game Park.
Hike to the Sempaya hot springs
A guided walk to the Sempaya hot springs is an incredible opportunity to explore one of the world’s powerful hot springs. The Sempaya is comprised of female and male hot springs.
The female hot spring is referred to Nyasimbi and male Bitente. These natural hot springs are known for their powerfulness. Visitors who make it to these natural wonder perform an experiment, carry for yourself plantain or eggs.
More about Semuliki Valley National Park in Uganda
Location, size and altitude (What is the background of Semuliki National Game Park)
Semuliki National Park is located in the far Western Uganda. Its boundaries stretch in Bundibugyo District, close to the border with the D. R. Congo.
At the border, there is Lake Albert along the Northern edge of the park and the legendary Rwenzori Mountains in the Southeastern part.
The park also features 2 rivers –Semliki and Lamia. These exist along the park’s border area. Semuliki Game Park was officially formed in 1993 primarily to protect the diverse fauna and their habitat from deforestation. The park features a good portion of the Ituri Forest, a natural rainforest that stretch up to the River Zaire.
Semuliki covers 220 sq.km and lies at elevation of 670 -760 meters. The park’s landscape features the extensive Semliki Valley and natural rainforest cover.
Attractions in Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park attractions include over 410 species of birds, primates and reptiles, etc.
The different birds to identify in this park include the dwarf honey guide, orange weaver, Sassi’s olive greenbul, blue headed crested flycatchers, white tailed hornbills, purple breasted sunbird, Congo serpent eagle, lyre-tailed honey guide, and others.
Different mammals in Semuliki include blue monkeys, olive baboons, leopards, hippos, fire-footed squirrel, Uganda kobs, warthogs, red legged sun squirrel, forest buffaloes, bush pigs, bush babies, sitatungas, white-bellied duikers, elephants, little collared fruit bats, Brazza’s monkeys, galagos, and more.
When to travel to Semuliki National Park
Semuliki Valley National Park is an all year round destination but most of its activities are best enjoyed during the dry season. This is from June, July, August, September, December, January and February.
Where to stay (Accommodation options)
The available accommodation options in and around comprise of budget, midrange and luxury. They include the Bandas & Campsites by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Semliki Safari Lodge, Ntoroko Game Lodge, Hotel Vanilla and Kirimia Guesthouse.
Around Fort Portal city, available hotel options include Nyati Game Lodge
How do I get to Semuliki Game Park
Getting there to explore Semuliki National Park activities on a Uganda safari is possible by road/air. Travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle from Kampala/Entebbe via Mubende-Fort Portal tourism city route to Semuliki National Park, 5-6 hours’ drive.
Or use the Kampala-Mbarara route, 7-8 hours’ drive. The access gate to Semuliki National Park is the Sempaya gate which is about 5km off from park offices.
What is the main attraction in Semliki National Park?
The unique attraction in Semuliki National Park is the powerful Sempaya hot springs –male and female hot springs. Getting to these hot springs is possible on a guided walk.
What animals are in Semuliki Valley National Park?
The diverse animals in Semuliki National Park include bush babies, hippos, African buffaloes, African elephants, pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrel, water chevrotain, Mona monkeys, African civet, leopards and others.
In summary, Semuliki National Park is popular for its diverse and most enriching experiences.
The distinct Semuliki National Park activities to choose for you to enjoy include birding, game drives, hiking/guided nature walks, and visit the Sempaya hot spring on foot.