Semliki National Park is one of the remotest yet most beautiful Safari destinations in Uganda offering once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences during your safari. This Protected Area protects some of the rarest wildlife and bird species and is marked by exceptional vegetation types that make it a wonderful and one of the must-visit places in the country.
Location and Size of Semliki National Park
Established in 1993, Semliki National Park sits within the western part of Uganda, in Bundibugyo district and protects one of the richest wildlife species in the area. This exceptional Protected Area covers an area of 22000 hectares thus making it the country’s second smallest National Park after the popular Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys) found in south-western Uganda.
When anyone asks travelers to list the top and best 5 National Parks in Uganda, few or none will even mention Semliki National Park but you will be surprised that this remote and rarely-explored National Park is one of the richest and unspoiled areas in the country with unique flora and fauna. This 220-square-Kilometer Protected Area is one of the National Parks that lie within the Albertine Rift Valley on a flat to relatively gentle landscape and sits along the border with Democratic Republic of Congo.
What to see in Semliki National Park
Wildlife
Many travelers into Uganda know little or nothing about Semliki National Park but this Protected Area protects one of the most ancient and bio-diverse forests in Africa that have survived ice age. There are over 53 mammal species within this spectacular Safari destination and these include Water chevrotain, leopards, Pygmy scaly-tailed squirrels, De Brazza’s monkeys, bush babies, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Hippos, forest and savannah elephants, forest buffaloes, chimpanzees, Mona monkeys, civets, black and white colobus monkeys, and many others.
Bird species
Thanks to its 441 species of birds, Semliki National Park is one of the Important Birding Areas in Uganda with 35 bird species that live in only two Protected Areas (this Park being one of them), 46 species that are endemic to the Guinea-Congo Biome and 66% of birds found in Uganda’s forests. For your birding adventure, look-out for the yellow-throated Cuckoo, Orange-cheeked waxbill, yellow-throated Nicator, Congo serpent eagles, red-billed dwarf hornbills, crested malimbe, Maxwell’s black weavers, red-chested sunbirds, Ituri batis, red-billed helmet-shrike, Blue-billed malimbe, red-rumped Tinkerbird, Black dwarf hornbill, Great blue turaco, Ross turaco, Nkulengu rail, Piping hornbills, white-throated blue swallow, black-winged starling, to mention but a few.
Hot springs
Semliki National Park’s wildlife are outstanding and so are their wildlife species but beyond these faunal species exists the breathtaking Sempaya hot springs that boil up to 100 degrees. Travelers that visit this site are marveled by the traditional stories than their scientific explanations and also can boil eggs, plantain and Irish potatoes in less than 20 minutes.
What to do when you visit Semliki National Park
Game drives
Get the chance to cruise through the game tracks of Semliki National Park aboard a 4X4 Safari Vehicle, especially across the sweeping savannah plains where you have chances of finding the Uganda Kobs, Cape buffaloes, savannah elephants, Defassa waterbucks, white-tailed mongoose, leopards, lions, Olive baboons and warthogs. When you choose the morning, afternoon or evening game drives, expect some of the best views during Uganda safaris.
Enjoy a guided bush walk
Semliki National Park has 3 amazing hiking trails that allow travelers to get immersed into the natural beauty of this wilderness and these include the 13-kilometer Kirumia Trail that takes over 8 hours to compkete, the 8-kilometer Sempaya Nature Trail that is so far the shortest lasting only 2-4 hours. This is preferred by primate lovers and travelers interested in exploring the hot springs. There is also the 11-kilometer Red Monkey Trail that allows hikers to sight lots of primates especially the De Brazza’s monkeys.
Birding
Whether you are a passionate birder or not, we guarantee that you will fall in love with this Park’s avifauna and by the time you leave, you will become an enthusiastic birder. More than 441 bird species call Semliki National Park home. The wet months of March, April, May, October and November are ideal for sighting Nkulengu rail, Ituri batis, black-winged starling, Orange-cheeked waxbill and others with the top birding spots being Sempaya, Ntandi, and the pristine Lake Albert shores
Village tours
Join the local guide in discovering the unique ancient lives of Batwa pygmies while they still lived in the Forest. You will be amazed by their traditional dances, ancient ways of making fire from rubbing sticks, use of plants/tree parts for herbal medicine and so much more.
When to visit Semliki National Park
The months of June to September and December to February are considered the peak season in Semliki National Park because these months provide maximum game viewing experiences marked by reduced watering points where animals usually converge as well as shorter vegetation/grasses that make it easier to sight the animals during game drives. Also, these months are ideal for nature walks because the forest rails and drier. However if you are more interested in birding, then choose the wet months- March, April, May, October and November because these are birds’ breeding season.
Where to stay in or around Semliki National Park
This wilderness area has few lodging options and they include Semliki Safari Lodge, Ntoroko Game Lodge, Bamuga Campsite, Kirumia Guesthouse, and Hotel Vanilla among others. There are also great accommodation facilities in Fort Portal and Bundibugyo Towns.
Getting to Semliki National Park
Semliki National Park in western Uganda and approximately 378 kilometers from Kampala is accessible in two main ways. Take a flight to Kasese Airstrip then continue 3 hours by road to this safari destination but if you don’t mind taking the longer journey, you can use the 7-hour Kampala-Mityana-Mubende-Bundibugyo road. Semliki’s Ntandi Park Headquarters is only 4 kilometers from the signposted ranger post.