SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK
overview
Semliki national park is one of the smallest national parks covering an area of 220 square kilometres. It is an impeccable spot perched at the boarder of Democratic republic of Congo and Uganda in Bwamba county, Bundibugyo district in the extreme west of the country lying within the Albertine Rift, the western arm of the great rift valley. It is included within the Eastern Afro montane biodiversity hot spot and it is one of the most recent national parks in Uganda gazetted in October 1993.
Being separated from the rest of East Africa and from the Ituri forest of the democratic republic of Congo by Rwenzori Mountain ranges and semliki river respectively, semliki national park forms one of the richest areas for both flora and fauna in Africa particularly the birds, making it a true birders haven of Uganda. Semliki national park Uganda sprawls across the floor of the semliki valley on the remote, western side of Rwenzori, the park is dominated by the eastern most extension of the great Ituli forest of the Congo basin.
Semliki national park Uganda is a peculiar wildlife safari destination. The forest is a home of 53 mammal species of which 27 are large mammals, 11 species are endemic to the park including the pygmy antelope and two flying squirrel species. It is also a home of rare water chevrotains known as “fanged deer”. Mammals like leopards, hippos, forest buffalos, elephants, civets, potto, bush babies, mona monkeys, water chevrotains and nine species of Duikers, including the bay Duikers and the pygmy flying squirrel that occur nowhere else in east Africa. Like the nick name suggests that semliki national park is a true birders haven which you must not miss on your Uganda safari
History of Semuliki national park
Semliki forest reserve was created in 1932 and upgraded to national park status in 1993. It is the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa hosting 441 recorded bird species and 53 mammals.
Large areas of this low-lying park flood during the wet season which is a brief reminder of the time when the entire valley lay at the bottom of lake for seven million years.
There are four distinct ethnic groups live near the park such as Bwamba farmers live along the base of Rwenzori while the Bakonjo cultivate the mountain slopes, Batuku cattle keepers inhabit the open plains and Batwa, pygmies, traditionally hunter gathers live on the edge of the forest.
The semuliki valley contains numerous features associated with central rather than eastern Africa with grass thatched huts are shaded by west African oil palm. While semuliki’s species have been accumulating for over 25,000 years and the park contains evidence of even older processes. Hot springs bubble up from the depths to demonstrate the powerful subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley during the last 14 million years.
Attractions in Semuliki national park
However much the park is not popular, its scenic gifts can never be shadowed. Semuliki national park has more attractions that entice your trip to the park. It is understandable that it should be included for one day trip as a brief stop for your trip if your wildlife lover and for birders can spend more time exploring the park.
Birds
Semliki national park is home to a variety of unique bird species which are only found in this location, the park hosts 400 bird species such as central African species like long- tailed Hawk, Congo serpent eagle, Lyre- tailed Honey guide, Black- wattled hornbill, Nkulengu rail. Semliki national park is also famous for Sudan- guinea biome bird species such as red- throated bee eater, piapiac, purple Glossy- starling and Congo guinea forest biome species which are only found in Semuliki national park in the whole east Africa as they only found in west Africa.
Primates
Semliki national park is a home of primates which makes it a suitable spot for primate trekking, primates in Semuliki national park live in the low and tropical forests which are an extension of Ituri forest. Primates like baboons, grey- cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus, red colobus, red tailed, vervet and De Brazzas and Dents Mona monkeys.
Hot springs
Hot springs are the prominent attractions Semuliki national park, the reserve has two hot springs that is a male hot spring named Bitende which is in diameter of 12 metres and the female hot springs named Nyasimbi a boring geyser which spurts out hot bubbling water which streams about 2 metres up in the air giving a magnificent view. Water from these hot springs is so hot and tourists and people coming to the hot springs boil food like potatoes and eggs in the hot pool of water from springs. The water are 100 degrees Celsius.
Mammals
The population of mammals is not high in semuliki national park but most of the mammal species are represented. There are over 53 different mammal species with 27 which are large mammals, 11 are rare mammals like pygmy Antelopes, flying squirrels, fanged deer, and other animals.
Activities in Semuliki national park
Chimpanzee trekking on Toro-Semuliki wildlife reserve
Trekking chimpanzees in Semuliki national park is a specific interest when they occupy the dry forest habitat as compared chimpanzees in Kibale national park, Budongo forest or Kyambura George. Chimpanzees on Semuliki national park are far and wide in locating and securing enough food for themselves. Visitors. Should not expect it easy to find the chimpanzee however the experience them can be fascinating as they can be seen walking on two legs for short distances.
The wildlife research programme subjected that the population of chimpanzees in habituation process to discover the relationship between the chimpanzee’s behaviour of walking on two legs. Trekking process is similar to other chimpanzee trekking destinations though in Semuliki is done by joining the researchers on a primate walk in the forest.
Birdwatching
Semliki national park which is a true birders haven with about 40 percent bird species of Uganda’s birding destinations. The park recorded about 441 different bird species exploring Semuliki national park and its reserve for a special experience for birders looking for scientific importance. There are different trails that provided by Uganda Wildlife Authority such as Kirumia trail which leads you through the heart of the forest to Semuliki river and the transect through the different habitants which makes it perfect area for bird watching. Some of the commonly spotted birds which include the hornbill, black and white colobus monkeys, red vervet monkeys to mention a few through the savannah woodland to the riverine forest.
Game drives
During dame drive in Semuliki national park, you will know more and appreciate the wildlife and flora of the pearl of Africa which are very interesting as they drive through the savannah field in Semuliki valley while spotting a variety of animals such as lions, leopards, forest elephant, pygmy antelopes and also primates like chimpanzees, grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkey and also various bird species such as white throated blue swallow, yellow throated nicator, leaf love can be seen in three main trails that is kirumia trail, red monkey trail and sempaya nature tail. Night game drives also offered in Semuliki national park where you can spot nocturnal animals such as pottos, bush baby, bats and also are seen.
Visiting Sempaya hot springs
Visiting sempaya hot springs both Bintente the male spring and Nyasimbi the female spring is a wonderful experience that helps you to appreciate the power and creativity of almighty God while visiting the hot springs you get to witness hot water bubbling and steaming up 2 metres high, local people and tourists cook food like eggs and potatoes on the hot pool water from the spring.
Boat ride
Semliki national park boat rides should never be forgotten on your list, boat rides in this park takes places on Semuliki river which is 160 km running from Rwenzori mountains to lake albert and river Nile. On this boat ride you get to see waterbucks, sitatungas, lizards, Nile crocodiles and pygmy hippos as they room along the river banks, watching river meandering through the rift valley such as a magnificent view.
Nature guided walks and hiking
Semuliki national park is covered with part of Ituri forest, swamps and savannah grassland in the valley which facilitate guided nature walks and hiking. Nature walks and hiking in the forests are headed by professional tour guide and while on this amazing safari activity you will be able to spot birds, primates in mugiri forest and animals like kobs in the forest reserve and many others.
Batwa cultural experience
The pygmy Batwa people in the outskirts of Semuliki national park came from Ituri forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Batwa cultural experience takes you through the ancient like of the Batwa and their ways of life, on this trail you will witness Batwa ways of constructing houses using local materials, gathering local herbs for medicine and local way of making fire.
Where can I stay in Semuliki national park
There are few accommodation facilities within the park. Most of the good hotels and lodges are in towns of Bundibugyo and fort portal. The Uganda wildlife authority came up with a solution and set up campsites near their main office and the gate. It is important to book in advance in order not to miss out on the rooms.
Semuliki safari lodge
This lodge is the oldest in the area and is found in the Semuliki wildlife reserve near the park with a wonderful views of Congo’s blue mountains. The lodge is made up of luxury tents that are built with local materials without jeopardizing quality and it can accommodate about 18 people in a day.
Ntoroko game lodge
This lodge is also built at the Semuliki wildlife reserve near lake albert. The lodge has luxury tents that are next to the beautiful and unspoiled sand beaches of lake albert. Ntoroko game lodge is suitable for visitors on honeymoon vacation and desire privacy. The lodge has beautiful wooden floor and stylish stone exterior with great views of lake albert. There are both double and single rooms which have fans, a safe, hairdryers, heaters and private balcony.
Hotel vanilla
Hotel vanilla is a budget hotel found in Bundibugyo town and close to the largest town market. The hotel rooms are clean and self-contained with showers. Meals are served in hotel restaurant while drinks are ordered from hotel bar.
Kirimia guest house
This guest house is built 10km away from sempaya gate towards Bundibugyo town in the village of kirimia. The guest house is popular with tourists because it offers budget rooms that are still of good quality. The rooms are self-contained and meals can be served in the room on request. It is built near the kirimia head trail for birding and the park headquarters in Ntandi, visitors to this guest house can use it as a starting point to go for a game drive, bird watching and spotting primates like chimpanzee and colobus monkeys etc.
When to visit Semuliki national park
Semuliki national park is open throughout the year, however the best months to visit are in dry season of April- June and July- September. During these dry months driving through the park is easier because of less mud. The wet season which falls between December- march and October- November cause difficulty navigating through the park because some sections of the park become flooded as the rains fill up the rivers.
How to access Semuliki national park
By road
The journey from Kampala to fort portal is 300 km. there two roads from Kampala to the park. One can use the shorter distance from Kampala to fort portal via Mubende which takes between four to five hours or use the longer route from Kampala through the town of masaka, Mbarara and kasese which takes 7 hours to 8 hours of driving offering the opportunities to see some of Uganda’s great national parks like queen Elizabeth national park, Rwenzori mountains national park and lake Mburo national park. Once you reach in fort portal town it takes 52 km to reach the junction leading you to the park from the main highway.
For those who are planning to use public means, you can use bus which operates daily from Kampala to Bundibugyo via fort portal and you will be dropped at karungutu trading centre. There you can get a boda which will drop you to the lodge inside the park.
By air
There are chattered panes from kajjansi or Entebbe international airport to semuliki national park. There are two flights that are fly Uganda that operates from kajjansi airfield and Aero link that flies from Entebbe international airport which takes between 1-2 hours.