Semuliki national park is located in the western part of Uganda in the district of Bundibugyo. It is home to the famous hot springs known as Sempaya hot springs, River Semuliki and thick tropical rainforests. Sempaya hot springs is divided into female and male hot springs these eject water of over 100 degrees Celsius. Semuliki national park is approximately 411km from Kampala capital city. Semuliki national park should not however be credited for the hot springs but also for its great diverse beautiful wildlife species such as; Baboons, leopards, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, mongooses, sitatunga, pygmy antelopes, reedbucks, serval cats, forest hogs, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, bush duikers including red and blue duikers, rock hyraxes, tree hyraxes, leopards, klipspringers, squirrels, side striped and black backed jackals, bush pigs among others.
Semuliki national park is filled with numerous bird species such; Red bellied hornbill, piping hornbill, African Grey parrot, White crested hornbill, Shoe bill stork, African grey parrot, Ross turaco, Crested marimba, Maxwell’s swallow, Red billed dwarf hornbill, Ituri batis, RED eyed puff back, Nkulengu rail, yellow throated cuckoo, black winged starling, Congo serpent eagle, Red thighed sparrow hawk.
Tourist Activities at Semuliki national park.
Exploring Sempaya hot springs; While at the park one can visit the Sempaya hot springs and enjoy the beautiful scenic views and one can enter the warm waters as they are believed to have healing powers. The female hot spring is called is Nyasimbi while the male hot spring is called Bintente. While on a Sempaya hot spring tour, one can boil eggs, plantain to mention but a few and have a meal for dinner. A tourist can also get a chance to take beautiful pictures while at these hot springs.
Birdwatching; The park is filled with very many bird species of over 350 and it is a UNESCO accredited world birding site. This would indeed fulfil a birders experience wile at Semuliki national park. These bird species include; Red bellied hornbill, piping hornbill, African Grey parrot, White crested hornbill, Shoe bill stork, African grey parrot, Ross turaco, Crested marimba, Maxwell’s swallow, Red billed dwarf hornbill, Ituri batis, RED eyed puff back to mention but a few. These birds are spread through the tropical rain forests of the park making them easy to sight.
Forest walks; Semuliki national park is covered with a great amount of tropical rain forests that have trails passing through the forest. These trails make it possible for one to walk through the national park while viewing wild life and the different bird life in Semuliki national park. However, a tourist has to note that forests walks should be done with the aid of a guide who is armed in order to avoid unlikely events and also have a good sense of direction while walking through the forest.
Exploring semuliki River; The park is located right at the shores of Semuliki river which makes it more wonderful to visit. Semuliki river flows through out the national park and a tourist can have fun activities such as boat cruise on the river, fishing, viewing the wildlife species in the river such as; crocodiles, hippos to mention but a few. One can also relax and view beautiful sun rise and sun set at the river banks while at Semuliki national park.
Sport Fishing; River semuliki is filled with numerous fish species that provide a great opportunity for tourist while on the banks of the river or a boat cruise to have fun fishing. Different methods such as using fishing rods, nets or baskets can be used. one has to however acquire a fishing permit from the local tourist office at Semuliki National Park and with the assistance of a tour guide engage in fun filled fishing. You never know you can grab a meal for dinner.
Cultural experience; The park is surrounded by numerous tribes with the dominant tribe being the Bakonjo. These people have interesting stories and believes especially about Sempaya hot springs. The spiritual importance they attach to the hot spring shall indeed thrill tourists. These people also have beautiful traditional dances, songs and crafts all these and more would make a tourists local community visit a euphoric experience indeed.
Wildlife viewing; The park is a home to over 60 mammal species. The wild life species are indeed beautiful and incredible to view especially while on a Uganda wildlife safari at Semuliki national park one can spot various wildlife species like; Baboons, leopards, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, mongooses, sitatunga, pygmy antelopes, reedbucks, serval cats, forest hogs, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, bush duikers including red and blue duikers, rock hyraxes, tree hyraxes, leopards, klipspringers, squirrels, side striped and black backed jackals to mention but a few.
The best time to visit Semuliki National Park is during the dry months of January, February, December, September, June, July and August.as during these months the trails are more passable and it is easy to spot wild life.
