SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK
SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK
Semuliki National Park located in Bundibugyo District was established in 1993 and it is one of the richest areas of floral and fauna biodiversity in Africa. The area of the park is basically a distinct ecosystem within the larger Albertine Rift ecosystem and its vegetation is predominantly medium altitude moist evergreen to semi deciduous. Semuliki National Park is also dominated by the easternmost extension of the great Ituri forest of the Congo Basin. The park is generally famous for the Sempaya hot springs dividend into the male and female hot springs and are the main tourist attractions in this park. In addition, the park is a home to over 60 mammal species, 8 primates, over 300 butterflies as well as over 400 bird species.
Activities and attractions
Community visits
There are generally 4 ethnic groups that live near the park and these include the Bwamba, Bakonjo, Batuku and Batwa. The Bwanba are farmers and live along the base of the Rwenzori while the Bakonjo cultivate the mountain slopes. The Batuku are cattle keepers and inhabit the open plains while the Batwa stay at Sebitoli where they resettled after being evicted from the park.
Bird watching
Of the 400 bird species, more than 216 of these species that is 66 percent of the country’s total are true forest birds. There are 46 Guinea-Congo bird species which cannot be found anywhere else in East Africa and 35 of these are only found in two or three other parts of the country. The park is one of the best birding sites in Uganda and some of the birds here include; the Sassi’s olive greenbul, Forest ground thrush, orange weaver bird, Capuchin babbler, Red-billed malimbe, Papyrus gonolek, etc. Sempaya and Ntandi rewards you with birds such as; Great blue turaco, White-crested hornbill, Red-billed dwarf hornbill, Piping hornbill, etc.
Sempaya Hot Springs
While here, you will be able to see both the female “Nyansimbi” and male “Bintente” hot springs which are the main attraction in the park and the site guide is available to explain both cultural stories and geographical affiliations. As you approach these hot springs, a strangle smell of hydrogen sulphuric hits your nose as a welcome scent to this mother nature. The hot spring steam water gets out of the ground boiling at 103 degrees Celsius and here different food stuffs are boiled at the eggs, bananas, meat, etc. besides, the surroundings host different attractions including birds and primates like red tailed monkeys, green jet monkeys, black and white colobus, etc.
Batwa cultural encounter
The batwa currently stay in Boma cultural village in Sebitoli where they were allocated by UWA after being evicted out of the park to reserve it for wildlife. These people demonstrate their lifestyle to the visitors whereby they take you the forest park, taking you through their ancient forest life like hunting, fire making, medicinal practices, etc. You can decide to tip them or buy some their hand made crafts as a way of supporting them.
Nature walks
The park has got 3 different trails which include the Sempaya nature trail, Kirumia trail and the red monkey trail and all these provide an amazing nature walk experience. During these nature walks you are able to come across different tree species, bird species, primates as well as butterfly species. Therefore, depending on time you have for your safari and the physical fitness, you can choose to any of these trails for your nature walk in this park.
Wildlife viewing
Here, you are able to view different wildlife like the bush babies, forest elephants, potos, monkeys as well as different bird species.
Sectors in Semuliki National Park
The park has got different sections and each offers a unique blend of attractions and experiences.
Hot Springs Area
This is one of most fascinating sections in the park and a home to the Sempaya Hot Springs which are divided into the male and female hot springs. The male hot springs is known for its geyser that spurt up to 2 meters while the female is a boiling pool where visitors often boil eggs and bananas for demonstration of the spring’s high temperature.
Forest Habitat Area
This area comprises primarily of dense tropical rainforest that extends into the Ituri forest in the DRC. In fact, this area is a haven for primates and some of these include; black and white colobus, grey-cheecked mangabey, chimpanzees, etc that are spotted during the nature walks.
Sempaya Area
This is generally one of the most visited in the park and the main entrance to the park. This area hosts several vital facilities including the park offices, a visitor information center and a few lodges. Visitors entering through Sempaya are introduced to the park’s rich biodiversity, bird watching as well as nature walks.
Semliki River Area
The Semliki River is a key birding area due to its rich avian biodiversity, including several species native to Central Africa. The area is also a home to several mammal species such as buffalos and elephants and boat ride also provides an opportunity of exploring the park.
