Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park sits on the floor of the Albertine Rift Valley. It is one of the few places in East Africa where the dense jungles of Central Africa meet the open grasslands of the East. This park is an extension of the vast Ituri Forest from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Because of this, it holds plants and animals you will not find anywhere else in Uganda. For over ten years, I have walked these trails with researchers and travelers. The park is quiet, wild, and lacks the crowds of larger parks. If you want to see the “real” jungle, this is where you go.
Sempaya Hot Springs and the Bamaga
Most people come here to see the Sempaya Hot Springs. There are two main springs, known locally as the male and female springs. The water is extremely hot, reaching over 100°C. You can actually boil an egg in the bubbling pools in less than ten minutes. While scientists explain these springs as a result of
tectonic shifts in the Rift Valley, the local Bamaga clan has a different story. Mzee Adonia, a local elder, often tells visitors about the origins of the springs. He says that many years ago, women from the village found a strange, hairy man in the forest. He carried a spear and had a dog. They called him Bitente. He married a local woman named Nyansimbi. One day, Bitente went hunting and never came back. His family only found his spear at the site of the male spring. When Nyansimbi heard the news, she ran into the forest and disappeared at the site of the female spring. Today, the Bamaga people still visit the springs to offer sacrifices. They believe their ancestors live beneath the water. In November, they hold annual rituals to ask for wealth and health. When you visit, you will notice coins and food items left near the water. It is a sacred place, not just a tourist site.
Central African Rarities and Wildlife
Semuliki is famous for its “Congo-biome” species. Since the park is a lowland tropical forest, it hosts
wildlife that prefer thick tree cover. You will not see the “Big Five” here in the traditional sense, but you will see far rarer creatures. The park is home to 53 mammal species. One of the most sought-after is the Water Chevrotain. This small, deer-like animal is a “fossil” species that has changed little in millions of years. It is excellent at swimming and often hides underwater to avoid predators. You might also see the Zenker’s Flying Mouse or the Pygmy Antelope, which is one of the smallest hoofed animals in the world. Primates are everywhere in Semuliki. On a single walk, you can spot: Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Central African Red Colobus, Black-and-white Colobus, De Brazza’s Monkeys, and Olive Baboons. The Chimpanzees here are not as habituated as those in Kibale. You might hear their loud calls before you see them. It feels more like a discovery than a planned meeting.
Specific Birding
For bird watchers, Semuliki is arguably the best spot in Uganda. It has over 441 recorded bird species. About 40 of these are only found here and nowhere else in the country. To see them, you must go deep into the forest. The Kirumia Trail is the most famous path for birders. It is a 13-kilometer trail that leads toward the Semuliki River. It takes about eight hours to complete, so you need to start by 8:00 AM. Along this trail, keep your eyes open for the White-crested Hornbill and the Piping Hornbill. The forest canopy is thick, so listening for calls is key. Another great spot is the Red Monkey Trail. This 11-kilometer walk runs to the eastern edge of the park. It is the best place to find the De Brazza’s Monkey and forest birds like the Nkulengu Rail. If you are lucky, you might spot the Congo Serpent Eagle.
Tip from the Field: Wear tall waterproof boots. The forest floor is often damp and muddy, even in the dry season. Tucking your trousers into your socks will also protect you from biting ants.
Cultural Life in Bundibugyo
The people living around Semuliki have a deep bond with the forest. The Batwa pygmies are the original inhabitants. Unlike the Batwa in Bwindi, who were highland dwellers, the Batwa in Semuliki are lowland forest specialists. They were hunter-gatherers who relied on the forest for everything from medicine to honey. Today, they live in communities near the park border. A visit to the Boma Cultural Village allows you to see their traditional dances and learn how they used to make fire. The Bakonjo and Bamba tribes also live in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains nearby. They are mostly farmers who grow cocoa and vanilla. If you drive through Bundibugyo town, you will smell the sweet scent of fermenting cocoa beans.
Night Drives and Nocturnal Wonders
While many parks close their gates at dusk, the Semuliki Wildlife Reserve (located just outside the main forest) offers night game drives. This is when the forest truly comes alive. Using a powerful spotlight, your guide will help you find: White-tailed Mongooses, Slender Mongooses, Bushbabies (Galagos) with their large, glowing eyes, Pottos, and Leopards on the hunt. The silence of the night is often broken by the eerie cry of the Hyrax or the distant roar of a lion from the reserve side. It is a completely different experience from the daytime walks.
How to Get There and Stay
Getting to Semuliki requires some effort, which keeps the park peaceful. By Road: The most common route is from Kampala through Fort Portal. Kampala to Fort Portal: This takes about 5 hours via Mubende. Fort Portal to Sempaya: The drive is about 52 kilometers. It takes roughly 2 hours because the road winds around the steep northern tip of the Rwenzori Mountains. The views of the Congo floor from the Buranga Pass are incredible. Important Note: The road can be slippery during the rainy months of April, May, and October. A 4WD vehicle is mandatory. If you are using public transport, buses run from Fort Portal to Bundibugyo, but they can be slow and crowded. By Air – Charter and domestic flights are offered from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airstrip, landing at the airfield at Semliki Safari Lodge.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SEMLIKI NATIONAL PARK
Semuliki National Park can be visited all year round; however, the best time to visit the park is during the dry season, experienced from January to February and June to September. In this period, animals are easily seen gathering at watering holes to drink water. This park can be visited at any time of the year, since it has fewer crowds, and you will almost have the park to yourself. The dry season is January to February and June to September, when most animals remain near water, thus the best time for game viewing.
Park Fees (2024–2025): According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the current fees are: Foreign Non-Residents: $40 per day, Foreign Residents: $30 per day, East African Citizens: UGX 20,000 per day
WHERE TO STAY IN SEMLIKI NATIONAL PARK
In Semuliki National Park, there are limited accommodation facilities offering a home from home for tourists visiting the park on a Uganda safari. These facilities are categorized as luxury/high-end, mid-range, and basic/budget, and they are as follows
Luxury/high-end accommodations
- Semuliki Safari Lodge
- Nyati Game Lodge
Mid-range accommodations
- Ntoroko Game Lodge
- Mountains of the Moon Hotel
Basic/budget accommodations
- Kirimia Guesthouse
- UWA Bandas, Campsite and Cottage
Summary Checklist for Your Trip
Health: Carry insect repellent. The forest has many mosquitoes and tsetse flies. Gear: Bring binoculars for birding. A raincoat is essential even in the dry season. Money: There are no ATMs in the park. Carry enough Ugandan Shillings for tips and local purchases in Bundibugyo. Time: Spend at least two days here. One day is enough for the hot springs, but you need a second day for the Kirumia birding trail.
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