At an elevation of 700m, lies Semuliki Valley National
Park at a size of 220sqKm. it was gazetted in 1932. it is the only tract of
lowland tropical forest, hosting over 441 recorded bird species and 53 mammals.
There are four distinct ethnic groups which include; Bwamba farmers living
along the base of Rwenzori, Bakonjo cultivating on the mountain slopes, and Batuku cattle keepers inhabiting the open plains. Batwa pygmies traditionally hunter’s gatherers, live on the edge of the forest.
Semuliki national park sprawls across the floor of the Semuliki Valley on the remote western side of Rwenzori. The park is dominated by the easternmost extension of the great Ituri forest of the Congo basin. The Maliki contains numerous features and these are; Thatched huts are shaded by West African oil palms. The Semuliki River forms an international boundary between Uganda and DR Congo. The forest is home to various central African wildlife species and the local population includes the Batwa pygmy community that originated from Ituri.
Birding in Semuliki
Sempaya and Ntandi provide excellent viewing of the birds include; white crested hornbill, Redbilled Dwarf Hornbill, piping hornbill, yellow-throated nicator, great blue, and Ross’s turaco. The area around the Kirumia River is another top birding spot.
Cultural encounters
The Batwa hunters gather a gatherer lifestyle means they have always been dependent on the Semuliki forest for food, shelter, medicine, and tools
Hot springs
Hike through the monkey-filled forest to these boiling, gushing springs, and cooking your eggs and plantain in the bubbling waters. The 13km Kirumia trail runs through the heart of the
forest to the Semuliki River is perfect for bird watchers. Along the 8kmSempaya nature trail, you can view the hot springs and primates
Birds
Birdlife is especially spectacular in Semuliki with441 recorded species representing 40%of Uganda’s total bird species and 66% of the country’s forest bird species. It is also known as a true birder’s haven. This is because of the unique Albertine endemics which can only be spotted in this
region and they include the 46 guinea Congo biome species, Black-casqued wattled Hornbill, Yellow –Throated cuckoo, White Throated Blue swallow, Redrumped Tinkerbird, piping Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, African piculet, and Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill among other common bird species include the great blue turaco, papyrus Ganolek, and Ross’s Turaco.
Wildlife
The forest is home to 53 mammals of which 27 are large mammals, 11 species are endemic to the park including the pygmy antelope and two flying squirrel species. It is a home of peculiar water chevrotain, known as the fanged deer. The park is also home to buffaloes and elephants
and it is also remarkably rich in primates including chimpanzees, baboons, grey-cheeked mangabey, and black and white colobus monkeys.
Sempaya hot springs
The Sempaya hot springs are the 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
Sempaya –Ntandi Road
This 6km section of public road runs through one of the loveliest tracts of the forest in Uganda and provides views of birds and monkeys high up in the forest canopy. Birding walks take place in Sempaya as well as night hikes deep into the forest. Ntandi, local Batwa dancers put on traditional performances for visitors. Another local attraction is the Mungiro Falls near the hot springs.
Semuliki River
The 160km long Semuliki River carries runoff from the Rwenzori Mountains to Lake Albert and the Nile proving ancient geographers. 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 bird-rich banks.
Areas of Interest Outside the Park
Toro Semuliki wildlife reserve
In Uganda’s oldest reserve, tropical rainforest meets grassy savannah, and flat plains are punctuated by deep river valleys. The unique geography is reflected in the diversity of wildlife, which includes the forest mammals of central Africa, key East African species, and a variety
of birdlife. This wildlife reserve provides a chance to see the rare shoebill stork in the swamps feasting on the fish. It can be explored using small canoes and boats. This rich ecosystem is a habitat for various mammals like elephants, Uganda kobs, Hippos, water backs, warthogs, and small primates like the vervet Monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, and black and white colobus monkeys.
Game drives in Semuliki Wildlife Reserve
Game drives can be carried out along the three trucks cross the savannah grassland of Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve and various savannah mammal species are sighted like the Elephants, Uganda Kobs, warthogs, giant forest hogs, waterbucks. Most key species found in Queen Elizabeth
National Park and Bugungu Murchison Falls National Park are found within this
reserve. Hiking and nature walks
Semuliki safari lodge, Luxury
It is the main lodge around this area, other facilities are found in the nearest towns of Bundibugyo and Fort Portal.
Semuliki safari lodge offers a pristine environment, and a superlative feeling of wildness situated in the tropical forests of Semuliki National Park offers breathtaking views of Congo’s Blue Mountains. The lodge consists of luxury tents built with local materials without jeopardizing the quality of the environment. About 18 people can be lodged in a day. As the only lodge, it offers a truly private wilderness experience.
Some of the facilities in the lodge include a bar, restaurant, hot showers, comfortable sofas, a lounge area, a reading area, a swimming pool, and an In-room meal service of well-made local and international cuisines. The lodge helps run a chimpanzee research project in collaboration with Indiana University. Residents can, therefore, have a chance to interact with researchers and learn about the process of habituating chimpanzees and how studying their lifestyle helps understand the evolution of man.
Other accommodations in the nearby areas include Kirimia
guest house, National Park Banda’s and Campsite, and Sempaya rest camp. However, you can choose to lodge within Fort Portal town and drive to Semuliki, lodging options in Fort Portal are diverse from budget, midrange, and Luxury
Getting There
There are two major roads from Kampala to fort
portal 4wd vehicles are recommended for both.
Kampala-fort portal via Mubende is about 180km or a 4-5-hour drive making it the shortest route.
Kampala – fort portal via Masaka, Mbrarara, and Kasese is longer at 465km or 78 hours. This route offers the chance to stop the way at Lake Mburo national park tambura wildlife reserve Rwenzori mountains national
park or Queen Elizabeth national park. Semuliki national park’s Sempaya gate is 59km from the fort portal.
