Main Info
Semuliki National Park
Brief:
Semuliki National Park sprawls across the floor of the Semliki Valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori. The park is dominated by the easternmost extension of the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. This is one of Africa’s most ancient and bio-diverse forests; one of the few to survive the last ice age, 12-18,000 years ago.
The Semliki Valley contains numerous features associated with central rather than eastern Africa. Thatched huts are shaded by West African oil palms; the Semliki River (which forms the international boundary) is a miniature version of the Congo River, the forest is home to numerous Central African wildlife species, and the local population includes a Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri. As a result, this park provides a taste of Central Africa without having to leave Uganda.
More details: https://www.ugandawildlife.org/explore-our-parks/parks-by-name-a-z/semuliki-national-park
What to do
1. Birding
Birders who make it to Semuliki will be rewarded with some of Africa’s best forest birding. Sempaya and Ntandi provide excellent viewing of the birds including the White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, Great blue and Ross’s Turacos. The area around Kirumia River is another top birding spot. The shoebill stork is regularly seen at close quarters on Lake Albert and forest walks are good for tracking water birds.
2. Cultural Encounters
The Batwa’s hunter-gatherer lifestyle means they have always been dependent on Semuliki forest for food, shelter, medicine and tools, though this is beginning to change as a result of interaction with other local communities.
Tourism offers an alternative source of income for the Batwa, and gives them the opportunity to maintain and display their rich cultural history through music and dance performances at Ntandi. They also produce intricate handcrafts for sale.
3. Hot Springs in Semuliki
The hour-long trail to the outer, “male” spring leads through a patch of forest where red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys are common. A tree house en route provides an aerial view.
A 30-minute hike through palm forest from the main road leads to the inner, “female” spring, dominated by a boiling geyser. Eggs and matooke (green plantain) can be cooked in these boiling waters and enjoyed by hungry hikers!
4. Game Drives
Three tracks cross the savannah grassland of Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve. Smaller forest and larger savannah elephants are regularly seen, along with buffalo, waterbuck, crocodile, warthog and Uganda kob. With luck, you may even see pygmy hippopotami, leopards and elusive bushbabies. Game drives in the Wildlife Reserve can take place in the morning, afternoon and at night; after dark, visitors may come across curious nocturnal species such as the white-tailed mongoose.
5. Hiking & Nature Walks
The 13km KirumiaTrail runs through the heart of the forest to the Semuliki River. This 8 hour round trip starts at 8am and is perfect for birders.
The 11km Red Monkey Track follows the park’s eastern border – a stronghold of the rare deBrazza’s monkey – to the Semliki River.
Along the 8km Sempaya Nature Trail, you can view the hot springs and primates. This 2-4 hour hike can take place in the morning or afternoon.
Itinerary
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Overview
Semuliki National Park is found in Bundibugyo District in western Uganda, on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park supports an extension of the Ituri forest, a Central African lowland rainforest which stretches from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The forest harbors many species from central Africa which cannot be found in other parts of Uganda. In the park, the forest meets East African savanna grasslands rich with big game.
This 3 day tour offers a trek to the iconic Sempaya Hotsprings, tracking the elusive Chimps in the ituri forest, a boat ride on Lake Albert to spot some aquatic life and a game drive through the savanna to observe some game.
Itinerary details
Day 1: Travel to Semuliki Sempaya Hot Springs Trail Trek.
Your pick-up is set at 7.30am. Drive to western Uganda reaching Fort Portal by mid-day, stopover for a meal and thereafter continue to Semuliki National Park. Check in at the park offices where you are to meet the park guides and set out to trek the Sempaya Hot Springs trail. Watch out for monkeys and birds along the trek. The springs eject boiling geysers 2 meters into the air. The pool boils at 103oC and to experiment the hotness of the water you will place eggs or bananas in the boiling water and indeed within 10 minutes, they will be ready to eat. After returning from the Hot Springs trek that will last at least 2 hours (including time at the springs), transfer to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options: Luxury, Mid-range
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking in Semuliki Forest, afternoon game drive/boat ride
Have early breakfast by 6.30am and transfer to the ranger station in Toro-Semuliki wildlife reserve, meet the rangers for briefing before setting out for the trek in Semuliki Forest to track a group of Chimps undergoing habituation. You are also chanced to observe plenty of wildlife unique to the park. This is an extension of the Ituri forest of the Congo and thus contains many central African birds, plants and animal species which are not found in any other park of Uganda. After the forest, the vegetation cover is continued by the East African savanna grasslands. Finding the chimps is not guaranteed because they move widely, from the forest to the savanna as they search for food. The rangers monitor their movements and will do their best. The trek also offers wonderful views of the Semuliki escarpment and the lush rift valley landscape. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon you shall transfer to Lake Albert for a boat ride, enjoy the ride while observing some wildlife including birds and hippos. The Shoebill is a commonly searched on Lake Albert though quite elusive.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Morning Game Drive
Have a quick cup of tea and head out for the game drive in the Toro-Semuliki wildlife reserve to see some animals including antelopes, buffaloes, elephants among others. Return for breakfast, check out and leave for Kampala. You shall stopover in Fort Portal for lunch.
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