Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is found in Bundibugyo district within the Western region of Uganda and shares borders with other countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo. More so, this national park lies within the Albertine Rift, which is located in the Western part of East Africa. Semuliki National Park was established as a national park in 1993 and it is being managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority that is a government agency whose role is to protect and conserve all the national parks in the country.

Semuliki National Park is known as the newest and smallest national park compared to all other national parks in the country because it covers a total surface area of about 220 square kilometers and stands at an elevation between 670-760 meters above sea level.

This national park is also considered among the top places an individual should visit while on their safari in Uganda because Semuliki National Park is famously known to be the top destination where one can go for bird-watching activities due to the fact that it is home to over 410 bird species which attract many tourists to visit the park hence leading to the development of the tourism industry of Uganda.

In addition, apart from these bird species, this national park has other tourist attractions, which give you many reasons as to why you should visit Semuliki National Park while exploring in Uganda. these attractions include; the Semuliki River which has fresh waters that flow into Lake Albert and the River Nile, Sempaya hot springs which have both male and female hot springs, and wildlife species whereby tourists touring around the park get to see animals like; elephants, crocodiles, leopards, monkeys, monkeys among others.

Things to do in Semuliki National Park.

There are so many interesting things that tourists can get great opportunities to participate in while exploring Semuliki National Park as they create new memories and have chances to get new experiences as they create remarkable memories. Therefore, these activities include;

Bird watching.

Bird watching is considered as the most done and exciting activity, that many tourists always engage in because this park is commonly visited because of its birds. It harbours 410 birds such as; the great blue Turaco, the rare shoebill stork, the red-billed dwarf, the yellow-throated nicator, and the white-crested hornbill among others there are specific areas where tourists can sightsee a variety numbers of forest bird species like in Ntandi, within the Sempaya hot springs, the Kirumia river, around Lake Albert among others.

Cultural encounters/ community visits.

Tourists exploring Semuliki National Park also have chances to visit the neighbouring communities where they get to interact with the local people in their homesteads for example; tourists get to meet with the Batwa people who are usually found entertaining their visitors with their traditional dance performances, and individuals get to listen to the way these people speak their local languages, listen to their folk songs, watch they prepare their local meals, and they never miss out the storytelling part where they do the listening and learn more about the history of the Batwa people.

Hiking.

Tourists also decide to hike to the top of the Sempaya hot springs where there are both male and female hot springs Tourists who hike to male hot springs pass through the large forest where they get opportunities to overlook several animal species such as; the red-tailed monkeys, the black and white colobus moneys. However, those who choose to hike to the female hot springs can pass through the palm forest and this hike normally goes for about 30 minutes. In addition, this hike seems more interesting whereby tourists always pack raw eggs, which they boil in the hot water.

Game drives.

Tourists in Semuliki National Park can embark on game drives during their free time and these game drives are done in the morning or in the afternoon depending on what time is the best time one prefers. In addition, while on these game drive activities, tourists get opportunities to look at the beautiful wildlife species like; waterbucks, leopards, warthogs, Uganda Kob, and many others.

Guided nature walks.

Visitors can always go for the guided nature walks where there are only two trails that tourists can use for example; they can walk through the red monkey track which leads you through the Eastern border to Semuliki River covering a total surface area of about 11 kilometers where they can sightsee primate species like; the red-tailed monkeys, the Debrazza’s monkeys. Alternatively, they can opt to walk through the Kirumia trail, which leads to pass through the heart of the forest, which goes up to the end of the Semuliki River.

Where to stay in Semuliki National Park.

Semuliki National Park has a variety of accommodation facilities, which are always available for the guests who choose to have their stay within the national park. However, these accommodation facilities are put in different classes and range from; budget, mid-range, and luxury hence enabling visitors to decide where they can stay following what they personally prefer and with what lodge matches their budget. These lodging facilities include; Kirimia guesthouse, UWA Bands, Sempaya campsite, Semuliki Safari Lodge, Ntoroko Game Lodge, and Nyati Game Lodge among others.