SEMLIKI NATIONAL PARK

Semliki National park is located in the Western region of Uganda in Bundibugyo District, in the Albertine Rift Valley. The park shares its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The protected area is situated between Rwenzori mountains in the east, Lake Albert in the north and River Semliki and Lamia. 

Semliki National Park covers an area of 220 square kilometers (85 square miles) and originally was established as the Bwamba Forest Reserve in 1932. Later in 1993, it was transformed into a national park so as to curb deforestation and preserve the region’s rich biodiversity. The park protects an extension of the Congo’s vast Ituri rainforest which allows the park to host a diverse array of bird species and trees native to Central Africa.

Flora and Fauna in Semliki National Park

The protected area is one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse forests, classified as part of the Congo Basin. Semliki is an extension of the Congo Basin rainforest, making it one of the few lowland tropical rainforests in East Africa. This vegetation type is characterized by Dense canopy cover which includes tall trees like ironwood (Cynometra alexandri). The park includes swampy areas along the Semliki River which harbors unique plant species adapted to wet conditions. Semliki also has patches of savanna-like ecosystems that provide habitats for herbivores and grassland species.

The park is a home to 60 mammal species including those that are exclusive to Uganda. Some of these species include; pygmy flying squirrel, Red-legged Sun Squirrel, Fire-footed Rope squirrel,  Little collared fruit Bat, target rats, mona monkeys,  bush babies, bush pigs, bay duiker, White-bellied Duiker,  water bucks, Sitatunga, Uganda Kob, Beecroft’s Anomalure, Dwarf Antelope, elephants, forest buffalos, pygmy hippos, leopards, civets, water chevrotains, warthogs and the Zenker’s Flying Mouse.

There are also nocturnal animals and some of them include; galagos and pattos. The park also harbors primate species like chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys and Guereza monkeys. About 300 species of butterflies (like the charaxes and forest swallowtails) can be spotted in the park. 

Semliki National Park is known as the top birding destination in Uganda with over 435 bird species. Among these include forest and Albertine endemic birds. Some of these birds include; Congo Serpent Eagle, Hartlaub’s duck, Dwarf Honeyguide, spot-breasted ibis, Xavier’s greenbul, Purple-breasted Sunbird, red-billed helmet shrike, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, chestnut-flanked goshawk, Sassi’s Olive Greenbul, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, White-tailed Hornbill, western bronze-naped pigeon, Gabon woodpecker, red-rumped tinkerbird, orange weaver, Long-tailed Hawk, Capuchin Babbler, crested malimbe, Forest Ground Thrush, black dwarf hornbill, Black-wattled Hornbill and Nkulengu Rail.

Activities to do in Semliki National Park

Semliki National Park has a number of activities to offer and some of them include; game viewing, bird watching, visiting the hot springs and cultural encounters. 

Game drive in Semliki National Park

This activity offers an exciting opportunity to explore Semliki National Park in a 4X4 safari vehicle. Since the park is known for its rich  ecosystem, there is a variety of wildlife which gives a rewarding experience.  Semliki National Park offers morning, evening and night game drives. The morning game drives start around 6:00 am and it is the best time to spot animals as they are still active. The evening game drives start around 4:00 pm and it is the perfect time to witness animals as they emerge to feed in the cooler hours before sunset.

While the night game drives start at 7:00 pm, the best time to spot nocturnal animals like bush babies, night jars and leopards. However during night game drive specialized guides and spotlights are required. Most game drives are carried from Toro- Semliki Wildlife Reserve because of the presence of open savanna vegetation. Some of animals that can be spotted include; bushbucks, Waterbucks, Uganda kobs,  Forest elephants, buffaloes, serval cats, leopards, civets, Olive baboons, and vervet monkeys. 

Bird watching in Semliki National Park

The park’s location at the edge of the Congo Basin and the Albertine Rift Valley makes it home to a blend of Central African, East African, and Albertine Rift endemic birds. Semliki National Park is home to over 435 bird species with about 66 species not found anywhere else in East Africa. Some of these birds include; Congo serpent eagle, Black dwarf hornbill, Nkulengu rail, Lyre-tailed honeyguide, Red-throated alethe, Yellow-throated nicator, African piculet, White-crested hornbill. Water birds can also be spotted near swampy areas and the Semliki River.  Nocturnal  species like nightjars and owls can also be spotted. Bird watching can be done during guided nature walks and boat rides. 

Cultural tours and experience

Semliki National Park is a home to four indigenous tribes and visitors can choose to visit any of these four tribes. All these tribes live at the edge of the park. The Batwa are one of the indigenous groups living near Semliki National Park. Traditionally the Batwa were hunter gatherers and they lived in dense forests for centuries. Engage with Batwa elders as they recount their myths, folklore  and spiritual connections they share with the forest. Visitors can also participate in traditional dances, forest walks and craftsmanship. The Batwa grow and smoke marijuana.

While the Bamba and Bakonjo are primarily agriculturalists growing different types of crops like banana, cassava, millet, maize and cocoa. If the visitors opt to visit Bamba they should not miss out tasting the Bamba dishes, visiting local markets, visiting the Bamba farms and learning about their farming practices and engaging in their cultural performances if interested. The other tribe is the Batuku who live in the northern section of the park and they practice pastoralism.

Chimpanzee tracking Semliki National Park

This is a guided activity that is led by experienced rangers and trackers who use their expertise to locate the primates. The chimpanzees in this park are semi-habituated which offers opportunity to visitors to observe them up close while still respecting their wild behavior and environment. Most trekking expeditions start early, around 6:00 AM, when chimpanzees are most active. Visitors navigate through dense forest trails as they search for chimpanzees. When you locate them you are allowed to spend time with them watching as they are feeding, communicating and interacting in their natural habitat. The experience takes 3 to 5 hours. There are also other primates that can be spotted like colobus monkeys, baboons, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

Visiting the Sempaya hot springs

The Sempaya Hot Springs are one of the most famous attractions in Semuliki National Park. The hot springs are known for their geothermal activity and cultural significance. There is male and female hot springs. The male hot spring also known as Bintente is about 12 meters in diameter. The female hot spring known as Nyansimbi is a geyser-like spring.  It shoots boiling water up to 2 meters into the air, with temperatures reaching over 100°C (212°F). The water coming from these springs carries an excessive heat which is capable of boiling eggs within ten minutes.

These springs are considered as a sacred place to the Bamba people. Folklore tells of Nyansimbi, a female spirit believed to inhabit the springs. Visitors are often treated to stories about the springs’ spiritual and historical importance. As visitors approach the hot springs, they are able to spot various bird species and small primates on branches of trees and some climbing.

How to access Semliki national park

Semliki National Park is 300 km from Kampala city and it can be accesses from two distinct routes. The shorter route is taking Kampala- Fort Portal road via Mubende. This takes 4-5 hours drive. Alternatively, travelers can opt for the longer route through the towns of Kasese, Mbarara, and Masaka, and the  journey takes 7- 8 hours. This route offers an opportunity to visit other Uganda’s national parks like Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori Mountains, and Lake Mburo. For those using public transportation, one can use a taxi to Bundibugyo from Fort Portal town becomes the next step.