Semuliki comprises of a large low lying and captivating park of tropical rainforests. In the valley of Semuliki, there lies a habitat of over 120 mammals, over 350 bird species, primates and other Albertine rift endemic species.
The National Park is a home to the male and female Sempaya Hot Springs that are renowned for their outstanding beauty and the interesting history and folklore. The National Park is dominated by mostly the eastern extension of the diverse great Ituri forest.
Semuliki was first gazetted as a reserve in 1932 by the British who were ruling Uganda by then with the main aim to protect the endangered primates living within the tropical rainforest which has a great ecological significance in the environment. The reserve was later upgraded to National Park status by the government of Uganda in 1993.
Attractions in Semuliki National Park.
Sempaya Hotsprings.
The Sempaya hot Springs are made-up of two significant hot springs splashing water high up to an average height of a person. They are comprised of the male and female Hot Springs with Hot springs locally known as Mumbugu and the female springs referred to as Nyansimbi. Both of the springs have quite interesting folklore behind them that travelers to the park enjoy listening to as told by the professional tourist guides at the site.
The Hot Springs are located at nearly a 30 minutes walk off the main road into the forest tracks of Semuliki. These springs are hot to the extent of boiling eggs and other foodstuffs, an activity that visitors to the park have been seen time and again engaging in.
The beautiful scenery.
The National Park is characterized by beautiful landforms especially the breathtaking Bundibugyo hills that are covered with trees and green vegetation. This makes the National Park a perfect site for beautiful photography due to the astonishing scenery it parades. The calmness in the forests and the overall National Park makes it a favorite place for a getaway to have a break from the bustling cities and usual busy schedules.
Lush forests.
Semuliki National Park is made-up of mainly forest cover that occupies the highest percentage of the land. The tree canopies form an attractive part of the park which adds up to the sensational attraction. The trees in the forests are known for their medicinal purposes and are a home to biodiversity.
Chimpanzees.
It is crucial to remember that Semuliki is a renowned home to 6 species of primates including the chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, galagos and vervet monkeys. All these can be watched by the travelers to the park in the forests as they enjoy their time jumping from branch to branch in the canopies.
Batwa culture.
The Batwa indigenous people are known to inhabit the forested areas in the South and western part of Uganda and Semuliki National Park is not an exclusion. They are known for their hunter – gatherer way of life and are credited for keeping the forest intact. These local people have embarked on a mission of teaching and spreading their culture to various travelers of all origins. They do this through sensational entertainment and storytelling in Semuliki National Park areas.
Bird life
Semuliki National Park due to its favorable environment is home to over 350 bird species. The birds live in the tree canopies and feed on the fruits, ants and invertebrates on the ground and in the tree stems. The bird species travellers can set their eyes on when there include the great blue turacos, abyssinian ground hornbill, black bee eaters, cinnamons, egrets, hammerkops, African fish eagles, African paradise flycatcher, yellow billed oxpecker, grey crowned cranes, marabou storks, secretary birds and King fishers.
Tourist activities to engage in when in Semuliki National Park.
There is a wide range of activities tourists can engage in when they visit this astonishing National Park and they encompass;
Nature walks. The exciting walks are usually launched through the forests where the tourists get to immerse themselves in the natural environment as they listen to the chirping of birds that helps them relax and appreciate the park’s endowments. Visitors on this walk can also get the opportunity to view the primates in the park and other wildlife species.
Bird watching. This is an activity that cannot miss mention in consideration of the breathtaking Semuliki National Park. The park is a home to a variety of bird species and it’s on this that the traveler’s based to name it the “true birder’s haven”.
Hiking. The National Park also has beautiful Highlands with hiking trails which the travelers usually hike through to enjoy the challenge and also unveil the favorite spots for sightseeing and photography.
The best time to visit Semuliki National Park.
The very best time to visit Semuliki National Park is during the dry seasons, Uganda has two of them. The short dry season of June to August and the long dry season of December February are the best moments one can visit Semuliki National Park since they are comprised of limited troublesome weather conditions and none slippery terrain.
How to get to Semuliki National Park.
Travelers going to the park can either use air transport or road transport. With air transport, the traveler can board a scheduled flight from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Semuliki airstrip. With road transport, the visitor undertakes the Kampala – Mubende – Fortportal highway and on arrival in Fortportal, continue to Semuliki which can take you about four to five hours for the 293 kilometer distance.