Semuliki National Park | Location | Attractions | Wildlife | Activities
Semuliki National Park is Uganda’s most biodiverse forest parks and distinct African safari destination. Perched at the border of Lake Albert in the Northern side and to the South-east, Rwenzori Mountain ranges, the iconic Semuliki National Park in Uganda is waiting you to immerse yourself in its unique rain-forest to discover its hidden African gem.
Plan your Semuliki National Park safari with your expert – Premium Africa Safaris and enjoy exclusive African experiences. Established in 1993, Semuliki National Park is exceptionally stunning and its surface area spans 220sq.kms. Semuliki Park in Uganda is located in the extreme Western part of the country. The park is a remarkable home to lushly extensive section of Ituri Forest.
Attractions in Semuliki National Park
Wildlife – Semuliki NP
Semuliki a home to the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa contains diversity of wildlife. Among the numerous species of wildlife in the Semuliki National Park are 53 distinct mammal species: they include dwarf antelopes, duikers, elephants, flying squirrels, Mona monkeys, forest buffaloes, bush babies, little collared fruit bat, leopards, pygmy hippos, bush pigs, target rats, sitatungas, red legged sun squirrel, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, white bellied duikers, Zenker’s flying mouse.
8 primate species also live in this lush forest park and they include: DeBrazza’s monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys, olive baboons, plus night primates such as galagos, pottos.
Birds
Among the 441 bird species in Semuliki, are: the red billed Malimbe, orange weaver, blue headed crested flycatcher, purple breasted sunbird, Sassi’s olive greenbul, white tailed hornbill, forest ground thrush, black wattled hornbill, Nkulengu rail, long tailed hawk, lyre tailed honey guide, Congo serpent eagle;
Shoebill stork, red billed helmet, black winged starling, white throated blue swallow, leaf love, black casqued wattled hornbill, yellow throated nicator, swamp palm bulbul, red eye puff back, etc.
The best time to bird in Semuliki National Park is from February to April and June to September. Majority of migratory birds gather at the park from November to April, December to February.
Sempaya Hot springs -world’s powerful hot springs
One of the world’s powerful hot springs – Sempaya also lies right in Semuliki National Park. This is famous of its 100 degree Celsius boiling rate and it is capable of making an egg or plantain ready in minutes.
The People
Safaris in Semuliki are beyond magical encounter with wildlife. The people in the surrounding are amazing to interact and a visit to their local communities for cultural safari experience is the most remarkable thing you can do because you have supported them greatly. In the surrounding Semuliki, there live the Bamba at the base of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges and Bakonjo; the Batwa the famous hunters and gatherers also reside adjacent to the park.
Exciting things to do in Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park safaris in Uganda guarantee nature lovers’ authentic African safari experiences with remarkable game sightings. Here are top activities to do in the park:
Hike to the Sempaya hot springs
Two powerful hot springs in Semuliki to visit on Uganda safari, are: Male hot springs 12m in diameter (Bitende) and Nyasimbi -female. When boiling, these hot springs can be observed bubbling water some good meters high. Amazing experiences can be performed here, come with your plantain or eggs ready for boiling.
Forest/nature walks
Nature walks in Semuliki draws you to its forest jungles to explore birds, primates, colorful butterflies and vegetation. A number of hiking trails are available offering incredible nature walk experiences; these include Sempaya Nature trail 8kms, Red monkey track 11kms and Kirumia track 13kms.
Guided game drives
If you love night game drives, Semuliki should be your must-visit on Uganda safaris or African safaris. The 3 key game tracks to explore all exist in the park and 4×4 vehicle is most preferable for the guided game drives. You can also do day game drive to see diverse species as they begin their day.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in Semuliki is ultimate primate experience. A lifetime opportunity to encounter chimpanzees in their natural habitat is what awaits you on Semuliki National Park safari. Additionally, other primates can also be spotted including: the Central African red colobus, black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, etc.
Birding in Semuliki Park
Semuliki is a unique birding safari in Uganda and Africa at large. Over 441 bird species range in the various habitats of Semuliki; they include the Congo origin. Among the birds to identify include ayres hawk, black dwarf hornbill, African dwarf kingfishers, African goshawk, African piculet, black winged starling, chestnut-breasted negro finches, white spotted flufftail, red thighed sparrow, crested malimbes;
Other birds include black collared lovebird, bate’s nightjars, Cassin’s spine tails, brown crowned eremomela, great sparrows, forest francolins, grey ground thrushes, pale fronted finches, lemon bellied crombec, eastern bearded greenbuls, chocolate backed, white bellied kingfishers, spotted lyre tailed honeyguides, white throated blue swallow, African wood owls, yellow throated nicator, buff spotted flufftail.
Cultural visits
Semuliki National Park safaris in Uganda are astonishing and offer more than game viewing. Visit the adjacent local communities for authentic African experiences in Batwa, the Bamba and other cultural communities.
Best time to visit – Semuliki
The best time to visit Semuliki is from June to September or during the short dry season -December to February. Rainy months are usually avoided due to heavy rains and slipper game tracks – this is from March to May or October to November.
Accommodation -Semuliki NP, Uganda safaris
The choice of places to stay in and around Semuliki National Park is endless. There are budget friendly, mid-range/standard and luxury safaris. On Semuliki National Park holiday with Premium Africa Safaris, you will stay at the finest luxury accommodation or logging choices: Semliki Game Safari Lodge and Ntoroko Game Lodge.
How to get there – Semuliki National Park
By road: Enjoy a comfortable ride to Semuliki National Park with Premium Africa Safari carefully selected rental cars in Uganda. Drive for about 6 hours from Entebbe or Kampala via Mityana -Mubende then to Fort Portal city. Still from Kampala take Masaka -Mbarara -Kasese route with a chance to stopover at Equator crossing.
By air: Premium Africa Safaris can assist plan a flight for you to Semuliki. Uganda flying safaris to Semuliki take off from Entebbe Airport (EBB) or Kajjansi airfield to Kasese airstrip.
Semuliki National Park Location & Access Map