Semuliki National Park

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Semuliki National Park

Established in 1932 and granted national park status in 1993, Semuliki Forest Reserve stands as East Africa’s sole expanse of true lowland tropical forest. This biodiverse haven boasts 441 bird species and 53 mammal species, including primates like baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes.

Additionally, it provides habitat for an additional 120 mammal species. With 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics, it remains a hotspot for birdwatchers.

Spanning 543 sq km, Semuliki Reserve, one of Uganda’s oldest wildlife reserves, sits in the northeast of Bundibugyo, extending to Lake Albert’s southern shores.

From its vantage points, visitors can behold the Rift Valley escarpment, the Congolese Blue Mountains, and the Rwenzori’s glacier-clad peaks on clear days.

Semuliki Reserve, now Semuliki National Park, lies within the Albertine Rift on the Democratic Republic of the Congo border, encompassing 220 sq km formerly known as Bwamba Forest.

Furthermore, It sprawls across the Semuliki Valley floor, celebrated for its expansive vistas and appeal to bird enthusiasts.

Wildlife

Semuliki isn’t just about spotting large animals; sightings of buffalo and elephants, while present, are rare. Lions are heard more than seen, and leopards may occasionally be spotted at night.

The park is renowned for birdwatching and hosts numerous primate species, including chimpanzees, although encounters with them are infrequent due to lack of habituation to humans.

Along forest trails, you can find grey-cheeked mangabey, black-and-white colobus, Central African red colobus, baboons, blue, red-tailed, de Brazza’s, vervet, and Dent’s mona monkeys. Potto and bushbabies emerge at night.

However, wildlife densities are low, with only the Uganda kob being common. Buffalo, elephant, and waterbuck are present, but sightings are irregular.

Most wildlife is skittish, though their calls are often heard at night. Leopards may be spotted during nocturnal drives, and various primate species, including Central African red colobus, black-and-white colobus, Dent’s mona, and De Brazza’s monkey, can be encountered.

Top things to do in Semuliki National Park

Explore Hot Springs

The most popular attraction is the cluster of hot springs – Sempaya Hot Springs. It includes the male hotspring, Bitende, which spans 12 meters in diameter, and the female hotspring Nyaismbi, a boiling geyser that ejects bubbling hot water about 2 meters into the air.

The trail to the male hotspring takes about 1 hour, and the track to the female hot springs takes about 30 minutes through the palm forest. Visitors can cook eggs and matooke in the boiling water.

Game drives / Wildlife Drives

The Semuliki Valley features three game tracks where visitors can view elephants, waterbucks, pygmy antelopes, flying squirrels, leopards, buffaloes, bush babies, and Uganda kobs, among other wildlife.

Nature walks

There are three major trails to follow inside the park; Red Monkey Trail – this 11 km long trail follows the park boundary to the east and ends up at the Semliki River. You have chances of sighting the rare DeBrazza monkey.

Sempaya nature trail

This trail guides you to the Sempaya hot springs, passing through a forest patch where you can encounter black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabey.

En route to the male hot springs, you’ll pass a tree house offering views of abundant birdlife and stunning scenery. The 13 km Kirumia trail, ideal for birders, concludes at the Semliki River, winding through the forest.

Birding in Semilki National Park

Semuliki National Park is a haven for birdwatchers, boasting over 440 bird species, representing 66% of Uganda’s forest birds. The 13 km Kirumia River Trail offers opportunities to spot around 25 species not found elsewhere in Uganda, taking about 8 hours to complete.

Additionally, the Sempaya and Ntandi areas provide excellent birdwatching opportunities. Keep an eye out for species such as the White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, and Piping Hornbill, among others.

A boat ride along Lake Albert offers a chance to spot the elusive Shoebill Stork.

Chimp tracking/primate walk

Approximately 250 chimpanzees roam the Toro-Semuliki wildlife reserve. Trekking usually starts at 8 am and lasts around 4 hours, depending on the primates’ search for food.

The reserve also hosts other primates like the Red-Tailed Monkey, Vervet Monkey, Black and White Colobus Monkey, Grey-Cheeked Mangabey, and De Brazza’s Monkey.

Cultural Interactions with the Bambuti

Four ethnic groups populate the Semuliki National Park region. The Bakonjo and Bamba reside on the mountain slopes and in the valley, respectively, focusing on agriculture. They cultivate cash crops like cocoa, rice, coffee, and potatoes, as well as staple crops like bananas.

The Batuku people, living on the rift valley floor north of the park, practice pastoralism and trade with neighboring communities in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Bambuti pygmies inhabit both sides of the Semuliki River and maintain strong ties with the Basu Pygmies of the D.R. Congo.

Visitors can explore Bambuti communities to learn about their forest-based lifestyle, including demonstrations of food gathering, hunting techniques, tools, and forest survival strategies.

Where to stay in Semuliki National Park

Semuliki Safari Lodge

The lodge, located in the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve at the heart of the Albertine Rift Valley, stands as the sole accommodation within the reserve. Bordering the Rwenzori Mountains foothills and Lake Albert, it offers 2 Safari Suites boasting outdoor bathtubs and private verandas, along with 6 luxury tents featuring spacious verandas.

The main lodge, positioned on a hilltop overlooking the riverine valley with the Rwenzori Mountains in the backdrop, showcases a large dining area, plush seating, and unique traditional art.

Additionally, guests can enjoy a patio bar and a swimming pool area with a breezy shaded lounge, offering superb forest views, ideal for a leisurely afternoon.