All you need to know about Semliki National Park in Uganda

Semliki National Park in Uganda bordering the East African Great Rift valley on the western side with Congo, is the best untapped national park in Uganda. On this page we are giving you all the details about this park.

If at all you have never been to Semliki Park,Surely, you don't have to miss but get off the regular tourists' circuit and spend three to five days camping and hiking in the only real jungle in East Africa.

Do you know that a trip to Semliki has the most marvel and breathtaking views? Come and experience the most thrilling meandering of Bundibugyo road through the Rwenzori escarpments.Semliki is the only park in Uganda composed primarily of tropical lowland forest as well as a very dense forested area. There are grasslands, wetlands and bamboo forest in the park.

Adjacent to the park at Ntandi there is a small Pygmy culture living nearby. Local communities in the area are Bakonjo and Bamba peoples both of which are peoples of short stature.Click here if you want to learn more about their culture

At 'Mungu Ni Mukubwa' while in the mountains, the road offers scenic views of the meandering Semliki River, fuming Hotsprings and the tropical rain forest extending up to Ituri forest in DRC.

A stepping stone to Central Africa, unforgettable views.Two Hotsprings situated in a tract of hot mineral encrusted swampland, rich in visible bird, insect and mammal life accessed by modern trail network.

Come and see a two meters jet of hot water (130oC) and a pool (12 m diameter) of oozing boiling water (106oC). You can boil food especially eggs in the natural boiler within ten minutes and enjoy it.

Jungle life in Semliki is breathtaking especially for birders, primate, butterfly and plant lovers. The jungle walk usually takes you up to River Semliki meanders, the only one in East Africa with luck, you may see forest buffaloes and elephants, statungas, 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.

Location

Semliki National Park is an eastern extension of the vast Ituri Forest and forms part of the forest continuum during the climatic upheavals of the Pleistocene; this is one of the richest areas for both flora and fauna in Africa. (Especially for birds).Semliki National Park is situated in the remote corner of extreme west of Uganda, in bundibugyo District. It lies on Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley.

To the southeast are the Rwenzori Mountains, to the west is DRC and to the north Lake Albert.Semliki National Park (220 km2) gazetted in October 1993, is one of Uganda's newest National Parks. The Park occupies a flat to gently undulating landform ranging from 670 -760 metres above level.

As all streams and rivers from the surrounding areas are flooded drain into the Park plus the poor drainage and topography, many areas are flooded during the rainy season. 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.

Accommodation

There is a camp site being developed inside Semliki National Park at Bumaga, about 3 km. From Sempaya Gate. You will be able to spend a night in one of the two Executive bandas, hire a tent or come with your own tent for camping.

The canteen at the site is reasonably stocked with both African and European food and beverages but preparation of meals shall be on order. There is also provision for one to bring and prepare his/her own food at the site. Cooking utensils shall also be available for hire.

Another camp site to be run by a private organization is located in Sempaya adjacent to Sempaya Gate. There shall be small thatched shelters for cooking and eating. Cooking utensils will be for hire, but you must bring your own tent and food.Visitors not camping will have to consider accommodation in either Bundibuygo or Fort Portal towns.

Getting to Semliki national park

There are two major roads from Kampala to Fort Portal: Kampala-Fort Portal via Mubende is about 180 miles. (about 4-5 hrs drive).

while Kampala -Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara, Kasese is about465 Km (7-8 hrs). In both routes 2-wheel drive vehicles can be useful. While the Kampala-Fort Portal via Mubende is much shorter, the Kampala-Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese gives you opportunity to Visit Lake Mburo National Park, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Rwenzori Mountains National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

From Fort Portal, A two to three hours drive on the rough road towards Bundibugyo will bring you to Sempaya Gate (52 Km).

The Park headquarters at Ntandi is 5 Km further from the gate along the same route. A vehicle with high clearance is recommended.Using public means you can take a taxi (mini bus) or a bus to Fort Portal town.To and of course to enjoy any new place, you must use what the locals use.

From the Taxi Park Fortportal, board one of the pick-up trucks for Bundibugyo and stop at Sempaya Gate, which is well sign posted. Return trip will be by the same means but avoid being too late (not later than 4.00 p.m.). The road has some hair rising bends to be negotiated so this transport should not be considered by the faint hearted. The scenery is very spectacular with views of Semiliki Game Reserve and the Ituri forest into the DR Congo

Wildlife

The Semliki River is the attraction for both buffalo and elephant both of which are difficult to see as is all game on a visit to the park. There is over 400 species of birds recorded in Semliki. Birding in Semliki National Park is one of the main reasons to visit the park.

Here you will find many West Africa forest species at the eastern extent of their range. The most spectacular of these would be 4 Hornbill species (White Crested, Red Dwarf, Black Dwarf and Wattled Casque) to be seen nowhere else in Uganda.Click here for more information about birding in Uganda

Attractions

This is the place for Fantastic scenery, Hotsprings, forest jungle walk, birding, primate viewing and river Semliki meanders are some of the ideal attractions.

Red Rumped Tinker Bird is also a localised endemic as is Palm Greenbul.

A series of trails has been developed in Semliki National Park forest to provide access for birders. During the rain season these trails would be extremely wet under foot.

Activities

The park has established trail network one of which loops around the hot springs at Sempaya. Visitors are also welcome to arrange hikes to other parts of the forest and even multi day camping trips. A guide is mandatory for such trips.Remember there is no road network inside the park.