This 220km2park lies on the floor of the Albertine Rift Valley just 670-760 above sea level. The 700m descent from Fort Portal town to Semuliki is one of the most scenic drives in Uganda.
The only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa. The park’s 441 recorded bird species including 35found nowhere else in East Africa, 15 primate, 300 butterfly and 235 moth species make Semuliki an essential destinations for serious naturalists.
The Semliki Valley is the 160km long part of the Albertine Rift Valley between lakes Edward and Albert, on the remote western side of the Rwenzori mountains. The valley which is shared between Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo contains wildlife from both Central and East Africa. The Ugandan section contains wildlife protected areas; the forested Semuliki National Park, which has a close affinity with the jungles of the Congo basin, and Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve which contains classic East African savanna.
Semuliki National Park sprawls across the floor of the Semliki Valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori Mountains. The park is part of the Guinea-Congo biome, the only lowland semi-deciduos forest in Uganda with a spectacular scenic beauty enhanced by the presence of hot springs at Sempaya. It is characterized by several endemic and endangered species dominated by the easrenmost extension of the one of Africas most extension of the one of Africa’s most ancient and bio-diverse Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin.
While Semuliki’s species have been accumulating for over 25,000 years, 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.
Semuliki Forest Reserve was created in 1932 and upgraded to national park status in 1993.
The local people of Semuliki
Four distinct ethnic groups live near the park-Bamba farmers live along the base of the Rwenzori while the Bakonjo cultivate the mountain slopes. Batuku cattle keepers inhabit the open plains on the north of the park while the Batwa traditionally hunter gatherers live on the edge of the forest.
How to get to Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park can be approached using two major roads from Kampala to Fortportal.
Climate & when to visit Semuliki National Park
Rainfall peak season starts in March to May and September to December, with average annual rainfall of 1,250mm. Annual mean temperatures range from 180C minimum to 300C maximum, with relatively small daily variation.
June to September is the driest time and temperatures average 800f (250c) when most animals remain near water but be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms at any time. The hot dry time is January to Fbebruary and is a good time to visit.
All year round
Lodges of Semuliki National Park
A range of accommodation facilities catering for both medium range and budget visitors are available. It is advisable to book well in advance. the two lodges we would recommend are:
Attractions of Semuliki National Park
The area that Semuliki National Park covers is a distict ecosystrm within the larger Albertine Rift Ecosystem. The park is located at the jucnction of several climatic and ecological zones and as a result has a high diversity of plant and animal species and many microhabitats. Most of the plant and anial species in the park are also found in the Congo Basin Forests, with many of these species reaching the eastern limit of their range in Semuliki
Of the 1,075 birds in Uganda, 441bird species (43%0 are found in Semuliki National Park. Albertine rift endemics such as the Dwarf Honey guide and Purple breasted Sunbird can occasionally be sighted in SNP. Also, species with very limited ranes such as White tailed Hornbil, Capuchin Babbler, Blue-headed Crestes Flycatcher snd the Orange Waever occur in the Park. The park also has almost 300 butterfly species.
A total number of 53 mammal species have been recorded of which 5species of large mammals and 7 species of small mammals have not been recorded in other parks. Eight species occur nowhere else in Eastern Africa: Mona Monkey, Forest buffalo, Bay duiker, Beecroft’s flying squirrel, Pygmy flying Squirrel, Little collared fruit bat, Water Chevrotain and target rat. Afurther ten mammals are known to occur only a few other places in East Africa. Reptiles and amphimbians are also abundant.
The Sempaya Hot Springs are Semuliki’s most famous attraction. The “male” spring, known as Bintente, measures 12m in diameter and is set in a lush swampy clearing. The “female” spring Nyasimbi meaning ‘the female ancestors’, is a boiling geyser (1030C) which spurts bubbling water and stream upto two meters high- the steam cloud can be seen from as far as 2km away. Local people used to cook the food in these boiling pools.
This 6km section of public road runs along one of the loveliest tracts of forest in Uganda and provides good views of birds and monkeys high up in the forest canopy. Birding walks take place in Sempaya, as as well as night hikes deep into the forest. In Ntandi, local Batwa dancers put on traditional performances for visitors. Another local attraction is the Mungiro Falls near the Hot springs.
The 160km long Semuliki river carries runoff from the Rwenzori Mountains to Lake Albertand the Nile, proving ancient geographers’ claims that the Nile flows (in part anyway) from a snow-capped mountain in the heart of Africa. Broad, muddy forest fringed and home ti hippos and crocodilles, the Semuliki is a miniature version of the Congo River. Visitors can watch the river meander across the rift valley floor from roadside viewpoints and hike through the forest to its –rich banks.
Park Activities
Birders who make it to Semuliki will be rewarded with some of Africa’s best forest birding. Sempaya and Ntandi provide excellent viewing of the birds including the White-Crested Hornbill, Red –billed Dwarf Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, Great blue and Ross’s Turacos. The shoebill stork is regularly seen at close quarters on Lake Albert and forest walks are good for tracking water birds.
The13km Kirumia Trail runs through the heart of the forest to the Semuliki River. For this 8hour round trip starts at 8am and is perfect for birders. A number of short trils have been developed for naturewalk lovers and birders alike that may not wish to stay longer.
The hour-long trail to the outer, ‘male’ spring leads through a patch of forest where redtailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys are common. A tree house en route provides an aerial view. A 30 minute hike through palm forest from the main road leads to the inner, “female” spring, dominated by a boiling geyser. Eggs and Matooke (green plantain) can be cooked in these boiling waters and enjoyed by hungry hikers!
The Batwa’s hunter-gatherer lifestyle means they have always been dependent on Semuliki forest for food, shelter, medicine and tools, though this is beginning to change as a result of interaction with other local communities.
Uganda’s oldest game reserve, the 545km2 Toro Semuliki National Park. The reserve occupies an extensive plain on the rift valley floor, which incised by steep riverine gorges, extends north to the supports a diversity of wildlife that includes the Central African forest mammals, key East African species and a variety of birdlife. The reserve is home to around 400 bird species while adjacent wetlands on the shore of Lake Albert provide a habitat for the endangered shoebill.
Access
To reach Toro-Semliki, follrtow the surfaced Bundibugyo Road towards Semliki Ntional Park for 27km before turning right at Karugutu trading centre. This dirt road, which runs forty kilometers to Ntoroko, passes the reserve headquarters after 1.5km and passes the turning for Semuliki Safari Lodge after 25km
Accommodation
The Semuliki Safari lodge caters for the luxury market while the Ntoroko game Lodge offers midrange accommodation beside Lake Albert. Budget facilities are provided by the UWA bandas and campsite at Ntoroko.
Attractions & activities of Semuliki National Park
Activities are coordinated from Semuliki Safari Lodge in the heart of the reserve, midwaybetween Karugutu and Ntoroko. Lake Albert boat trips can be arranged at the UWA office in Ntoroko.
Game drives in Semuliki National Park
Three game tracks explore the grasslands of Toro Semuliki Safari Lodge. Smaller forest and larger savannah elephants are regularly seen along with buffalo, waterbuck , crocodile, warthog and Uganda Kob. With luck you may see lion, leopard, pygmy hippopotami and bush babies.
Primate and Forest Walks in Semuliki National Park
The 4-6 hour guided nature walks through the Mugiri River Forest provides the opportunity to find habituated chimpanzees and other primates plus a wealth of birdlife. Chimps are commonly found during the rainy seson when fruiting fig trees are abundant.
Boat trips in Semuliki National Park
Boat trips launched from Ntoroko onto Lake Albert offer excellent opportunities to see rare shoebill , hippos and the dramatic Nkusi Falls which plunges over the steep riftvalley escarpment into the lake.
