SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK Claimed

SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK

The 220km² Semuliki National Park and the 545km² Toro-Semuliki Wild Reserve lie on the floor of the Semuliki Valley, the 160km-long part of the Albertine Rift Valley between lakes Edward and Albert. The valley, which is shared between Uganda and the Dem. Rep. Congo, contains wildlife from both Central and East Africa. Forest species from Congo abound in the national park, while classic East African game found in the wildlife reserve.

The Semuliki forest boasts a remarkably rich biodiversity. This is partly because it is extremely old, being one of a few patches of forest refugia that predate the arid millennia of the last Ice Age, 12-18,000 years ago. Secondly, it represents the eastern limit of the jungles of the Congo and species from the Congo-Guinea and East African biomes are both found here. The park contains 53 mammal species, including an impressive 11 primates. Dent’s mona monkey, the Central African red colobus, forest buffalo and the water chevrotain, occur nowhere else in East Africa. There also 435 bird species (43% of Uganda’s total). including numerous rift valley endemics and Congo species at the eastern limit of their range.

If Semuliki’s species lists have been accumulating for over 25,000 years , the park contains evidence of even older processes: hot springs bubble up from the depths to demonstrate the powerful subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley during the last 14 million years.

ACCESS

Two major roads lead from Kampala to Fort portal town, which is 60km from Semuliki. Kampala – Fort Portal via mubende is 290km (4-5 hrs)

Kampala – Fort Portal via Mbarara and Kasese is 465km (7-8 hrs). This route however offers worthwhile diversions to Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

The drive from Fort Portal to Semuliki follows the scenic Bwamba Road and takes about an hour.

And also by Air through scheduled flights from Entebbe International Airport and/or Kampala’s Kajjansi air strip that can land at an airstrip at Semuliki Wildlife Reserve.

THE PARK’S ACTIVITIES ANS ATTRACTIONS

• Birding: The alluring bird list with Albertine Rift endemics, ‘Semuliki specials’ and other ‘restricted range’ specials, makes Semuliki an essential destination for serious birders. The 6km public road between Sempaya and Ntandi provides clear views into the forest canopy. The 14km Kirumira Trail, which runs through the heart of the forest to the Semuliki River, provides the chance to check off plenty of ‘specials’. Though days walks are possible, this trails is most rewarding as an overnight camping trip. Birding highlights include Albertine Rift Endemics such as the dwarf honey guide and purple-breasted sunbirds; 35 Congo-Guinea biome species found nowhere else in East Africa, including black dwarf hornbill, Nkulengu rail, Congo serpent eagle, Gabon woodpecker; and other species with very limited ranges such as white-tailed hornbill, capuchin babbler, blur-headed crested flycatcher and the orange weaver.
• Hot Springs: Semuliki’s most famous attraction is the pair of hot springs – ‘male’ and ‘female’ – found near the park office at Sempaya. The female spring, Nyansimbi, which means ‘the female ancestors’, is a boiling geyser that spurts bubbling water and steam up to two meters high. Visitors can buy eggs locally to cook in boiling pools that surround the central spout. Nyansimbi is a short walk from the Sempaya park office. The male spring, known as Bintente, is an hour distant. A broad, steaming pool 12m in diameter, this is found in a large, swampy clearing enclosed by forest and with a striking Rwenzori backdrop.
• Nature Walks: A number of short trails around Sempaya cater for nature lovers and birders. Nature and birding walks are available, as well as night hikes into the forest to seek nocturnal primates.

Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve

• Game Drive: A small network of game tracks explores the grasslands of the Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve. Forest and Savannah elephants are both regularly seen along with buffalo, water-back, crocodile, warthog and Uganda kob. With luck you may see lion, leopard and bush-babies.
• Primate/ Forest Walks: The 4-6 hour guided walks through the Mugiri River Forest provides the opportunity to find habituated chimpanzees and other primates plus a wealth of birdlife.

PLEASE CONTACT US TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TO EXPLORE SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK’S TRUE BIRDERS’ HAVEN.