Uganda Safaris - Long Trips
Uganda Tours- Short Trips
SEMLIKI NATIONAL PARK
Semuliki National Park (220 sq km) is situated in the remote corner of extreme west of Uganda, in Bundibugyo District, about 50 km from Fort portal. Semliki National Park is the only park in Uganda to be composed primarily of tropical lowland forest.
The land is flat; creating a startling contrast to the rugged Rwenzori Mountains nearby .The altitude range is between 670-760 meters. It lies on Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley. To the southeast lies the Rwenzori Mountains, to the west, Democratic Republic of Congo and to the north Lake Albert. The Park is an eastern extension of the vast Ituri Forest and is one of the richest areas for both flora and fauna in Africa.
The average annual rainfall is 1250 mm with peaks from March to May and September and December. The temperature varies from 18o C - 30o C with relatively small daily variations.
Tourist activities
Game viewing:
The park has an exceptional diversity for 63 mammals,9 species of which are diurnal forest primates. Such as chimpanzee, blue monkey and Vervet monkeys. Nocturnal primates include potto and galagos. Seven species occur no where else in east Africa except in Semliki. These are Forest buffaloes, pygmy squirrel, little collared fruit bat, target rat, water chevrotain, blue duiker, bee crofts, flying squirrel. 374 species of butterflies and moths have been identified in the park.
Bird watching:
Key species:- some of the key species of the park are Western bronze napped pigeon, Capuchin babbler, White bellied king fisher, Black collared love bird, Zenkers honey guide, .Birding in the Forest taking Kirumira Trail is home to species such as Black chested cuckoo, red rumped tinker bird, rufous sided broadbill. At the Nkurengu trail, expect to see, red bellied and blue billed alimbe, swamp palm bulbul, forest scrub robin, Green tailed bristle bill African pied hornbills, fire crested alethe, red bellied and blue billed malimbe, swamp palm bulbul, forest scrub robin, negrofinches, black winged oriole, and others.
Visit to Sempaya Hot Springs.
Two Hot springs of a two meters jet of hot water (130oC) and a pool (12 m diameter) of oozing boiling water (106oC) can be accessed by a modern trail network. It’s alleged that one can boil food especially eggs in the natural boiler within ten minutes and enjoy it.
Scenery viewing.
Semuliki National park has one of the most breathtaking views. The thrilling meandering Bundibugyo road through the Rwenzori escarpments is simply amazing, At 'Mungu Ni Mukubwa' while in the mountains, the road offers scenic views of the meandering Semuliki River, fuming Hot springs and the tropical rain forest extending up to Ituri forest in Congo.
Nature walks:
The Nature walks usually takes you up to River Semuliki meanders, the only one in East Africa .Expect to see forest buffaloes and elephants, sitatungas, leopards, pigmy hippopotamus, crocodile primates and a wide range of forest and water birds. You can also come with fishing facilities for sport fishing along the river.
