Semuliki National Park is located in Bwamba County a remote part of Bundibugyo district in the western region of Uganda. It was gazzated into a national park in October 1993 covering about 219 km 2 on the floor of the Rwenzori Mountains. It features low wood land tropical forests which are an extension of the ituri forest of the drc and river semuliki which is at the boarder of Uganda and DRC.
It also features the Tooro Semuliki wildlife reserve with flat plains dominated by grassy savannah and tropical rain forest.
Semuliki National Park is home to about 53 mammals which include, buffalos, forest elephants, bush pig, bush babies, duiker, pygmy flying squirrel and primates like chimps, red colobus monkeys, red cheeked mangabey. At the shores of semuliki river crocodiles and hippos can be seen. The park is home to 441 birds and a good haven for birding with birds like shoe bills, white tailed hornbill, blue headed flycatcher, blue turacos and orange weaver among others. The park also offers visits to sempaya hot springs that spring out hot water and they are believed to have existed for over 14 million years.
How to get to Semuliki National Park
By a road drive from Kampala to Fort portal and then transfer to semuliki national park.
The drive to semuliki national park takes about 5 to 6 hours to the park.
Activites in Semuliki National Park
Hot spring Visit (Sempaya)
Semuliki National Park is the most famous attraction that people look out for when they visit the park.
Sempaya hots springs or the female hot springs (Nyasimbi) boil up to 100 0 c that is able to boil eggs and bananas and these can be tasted by the client. The hot spring is 12 meters in diameter
The also features a male hot spring that is not so famous and its called Bintente by the locals of the park.
The walk to the hot springs will take you through the swamp and forest that is home to black and white colobus monkey, red tailed monkey and grey cheeked mangabey and birds among others.
Nature Walks
Semuliki National Park has a number of nature walk trails that are adventurous giving sight of flora and fauna as well as land scape.
The park has a number nature walk trails that are famously explored.
Sempaya Nature walk Trail
The walk takes us to the female hot springs is through a forested area and you may be chanced to see a number of primates like red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and grey cheeked mangabey. For birders as you annex the male hot springs you shall sight and hear the whispers of bird in the trees and along the way. Other species include butterflies and different vegetation types.
Red Monkey Trial
You shall trail along the park for about 11 km stretching out to the Semuliki River. While hear you shall see a number of red tailed monkeys and monkeys with a beard.
Community Walk
After checking in at the parks visitor center you shall have a community work in the area that was believed to be home to the Batwa who now live on the outskirts of Semuliki National Park. The indigenous batwa used to be hunters and fruit gatherers and on this community walk you are taken through the way they lived while in the forest. The batwa engage into traditional activities like medicinal herbs, craft making, and traditional performance among others.
3 DAYS SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK TOUR
The 3 day semuliki national park tour takes you on a 7 to 8 hours drive. You will be able to witness the sempaya hot springs boil eggs at 100 0 c .Get on a game drive through the park on which you may sight a number of wild life like buffalos, big cats, antelopes and birds such as turacos and kingfishers. Look out for primates like chimps, cheeked mangabey and red tailed monkeys.
This trip also takes you on a visit to the mungilo springs which is a good spot for birders with birds like black dwarf hornbill, shinning blue kingfisher and the yellow throated nicator.
INCLUDED
Full time English speaking driver on your safari
Entrance fees to the park and other areas
Fuel and a 4 x 4 safari van or land cruiser booked at time of inquiry
Activity fees mentioned in your itinerary
Mungilo Waterfall
Game drive
Sempaya hot spring visit
Meals mentioned in the itinerary
Box of water in the safari vehicle
NOT INCLUDED
International or domestic flights
visa fees
Medical and travel insurance
Activities that are not mentioned on the trip
Optional activities
Personal expenses like laundry, drinks, souvenirs and tips
