Semuliki national park is located in western region of Uganda, Bundibugyo District. The park created in 1932 and eventually Upgraded to Uganda national park in 1993. It covers an area size of 220 kilometers square and situated within Albertine rift valley. A region celebrated for its rich ecological diversity.
The Park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and unique features .it gets its name from the Semuliki River which meanders through its heart, defining its landscapes and providing a lifeline for its flora and fauna. National Park is characterized by lush tropical rainforests, sprawling grasslands, wetlands, and geothermal hot springs, creating a check and montage of habitats that support an incredible array of wildlife.
One of the park’s most famous attractions in semuliki national park is Sempaya hot spring, where visitors can witness geothermal activity firsthand as a steam and boiling water erupt from the earth’s surface. These hot springs are not only a geological marvel but also steeped in local folklore and tradition, with two main geysers known as the male and female springs.
Semuliki National Park is a haven of bird lovers hosting over 400 bird species, including rare and endemic species such as the Nkulengu Rail, African Piculet, and White-crested Hornbill. The park is also home to a diverse range of primates of over 53 in numbers, including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and blue monkeys, making it an ideal destination for primate enthusiasts.
CLIMATE IN SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK
Semuliki National Park experiences tropical rainforest climate due to its proximity to the equator and position within the Albertine rift valley. The Park has two seasons including:
The long rainy season occurs from March to May while short rainy season occurs from September to November. these months tend to have higher precipitation levels, which contribute to the lushness of the park’s vegetation.
The Dry Season in Semuliki National Park spans from December to February and June to August, during this season Rainfall is minimal and the weather is generally sunny and dry.
ATTRACTIONS IN SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK
SEMPAYA HOT SPRINGS
This is the most famous attraction in Semuliki National Park these Sempaya hot springs consist two geysers both the male and female hot springs each of them has their own distinct features and folklore. Their water temperature can reach up to 103 (217) meaning the water is very hot were by some tourists and visitors can carry eats to be boiled in that water like eggs.
BIRD
Semuliki National Park is a paradise of bird lovers and watchers with over 400 bird species recorded with in the park.at the park you can be able to spot some rare species likeNkulengu Rail, African Piculet, and White-crested Hornbill, among others.
BOAT CRUISING
Onboarding a boat tour along the amazing semuliki river, which forms the park’s western boundary. This offers tourists and visitors a unique perspective of the park’s wildlife including hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species and offers a breathtaking view of the river.
PRIMATE VIEWS
Semuliki National park is a home of several primate species just like other Uganda national parks including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and blue monkeys. With guided primate tracking walks visitors and tourists are offered a chance to observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.
COMMUNITY TOURISM
Engage with the local communities surrounding the park to learn about their culture, traditions, and way of life. Cultural visits often include interactions with the Batwa pygmies, who are indigenous to the area. As you practice in the village culture and have a chance to have the knowledge about variety on things outside the park and know how the park contributes to the community.
NIGHT GAME DRIVES
Game Drives are normally done during early morning hours or afternoons however with Semuliki National Park tourists and visitors can always opt to do night game drives that can offer them high chances of spot Animals including slender mongoose, white tailed mongoose and bush babies, hares pottos and among others.
ACTIVITIES TO DO IN SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK
SEMPAYA HOTSPRINGS VISIT
Visit Sempaya Hot spring as one of the famous attractions at Semuliki National park and. Marvel at the bubbling geysers of hot water and learn about the local folklore surrounding the springs, including the male and female hot springs.
NIGHT GAME DRIVES
Experience the thrill of a night game drive in the Park venturing out of dark to spot nocturnal wildlife such as leopards, civets, genets, and nightjars with the assistance of experienced tour guides and spotlights.
BOAT SAFARI ON RIVER SEMULIKI.
Enjoying the boat Safari on along the scenic Semuliki river, which forms the park’s western boundaries Cruise through wetlands and forested areas while spotting wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species and breathing in the fresh air from the river.
BIRD WATCHING
Explore the Diverse birdlife of Semuliki National Park, that includes over 400bird species. Join in for Uganda birding excursion led by experienced guides to spot unique species such as the Nkulengu Rail, African Piculet, and White-crested Hornbill learn more about these birds and their habitats.
CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
Engage with the local communities surrounding Semuliki National Park to learn about their culture, traditions, and ways of life. Cultural visits always include interacting with Batwa pygmies, who are indigenous to the area with experiences guides.
CHIMPANZEE TRACKING
Semuliki National Park Offers guided chimpanzee tracking excursion to observe these exciting primates in their natural habitat. Semuliki is home to a habituated community of chimpanzees, and trekking to see them is a popular activity.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK.
Semuliki national park just like the rest other Ugandan national parks in western region part of Uganda has both dry and wet seasons and both can be good to to visit within, however the park can receive less rainfall all through the year of its location. Its advised to visit the park during the dry seasons for the vegetation is sparse and it’s easier to spot wildlife animals ,and in wet season the park receives visitor and normally in wet seasons the vegetation is lush and this creates the best views of the park’s landscapes and scenic views and a migrant birds and during wet seasons travelers are few and for this you may like enjoy the solitude since less crowded.
