Semuliki National Park is found is situated in a remote corner of southwestern Uganda and is one of Uganda’s newest national parks. Semuliki Forest Reserve was created in 1932 but upgraded to national park status in 1993 and to date; the park is catered for by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The park protects an eastern extension of the vast Ituri Forest and forms part of a forest continuum that stretches across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the Zaire River. Being a relatively stable forest “refugium” during the climatic upheavals of the Pleistocene, it’s believed to be the richest areas for forest birds in Uganda and Africa at large with over 441 bird species. Bird species found in Semliki National Park include Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Nkulengu Rail, Black-wattled Hornbill and Lyre-tailed Honey guide, Spot-breasted Ibis, Hartlaubs’s Duck, Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Long-tailed Hawk, Forest Francolin, Nkulengu Rail, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Red-chested Owlet, Bates’ Nightjar, Chocolate-backed, White-bellied and African Dwarf Kingfishers, White-crested, Black Dwarf, Red-billed Dwarf, Piping and Black-wattled Hornbills, Red-rumped Tinker bird, Spotted, Lyre-tailed and Zenker’s Honeyguides, African Piculet, Gabon Woodpecker, Red-sided Broadbill, White-throated Blue Swallow, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Sassi’s Olive, Xavier’s, Swamp, Simple and Eastern Bearded Greenbuls, Yellow-throated Nicator, Capuchin Babbler, Northern Bearded Scrub Robin, Forest and Grey Ground Thrushes, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Brown-crowned Eremomela, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, Red-billed Helmet -Shrike, Red-eyed Puff-back, Black-winged Starling, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed, Crested and Red-bellied Malimbes, Pale-fronted and Chestnut-breasted Negro finches, Grant’s Bluebill.
Major tourist activities in Semliki National Park
Nights birding in Semliki National Park – Being a sanctuary of many birds, some birds which move at night are seen at night. Serious birders can move out at night to see nocturnal birds like the nightjar, black-shouldered Nightjar among others. Other nocturnal callers include Buff-spotted Flufftail and African Wood Owl. Around the cleaning and through other light gaps in the area, it is possible to glimpse African Goshawk, Red-thighed and Great Sparrows, Ayres Hawk-Eagle and Cassin’s Spinetail.
Game viewing in Semliki National Park – with over 53 species of mammal. Once you visit this park, expect to encounter a variety of unique mammals like the Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Vervet, Red-tailed and Mona, Gentle (Blue) Monkeys, Olive Baboon and Guereza Colobus, De Brazza’s Monkeys are rare and Chimpanzees may seldom be heard than seen.
While on night game drive, you will spot night moving animals (nocturnals) like Bush babies, Pottos and Galagos. During day game drives, the following animals are a must seen; Elephant, Bush pig, Water Chevrotain, Buffalo, Sitatunga, White-bellied Duiker or Dwarf Antelope,dc Beecroft’s Anomalure or Zenker’s Flying Mouse. You are far more likely to spot the lively and agile squirrels such as Fire-footed Rope or Red-legged Sun Squirrel.
It’s amazing that over 30 species of butterflies have been identified in this park, including 46 species of forest Swallowtails and Charaxes (75% of Uganda’s total) and at least 235 species of moths have been classified as restricted.
305 tree species have been recorded, of which 125 species are restricted to this park alone. Researchers on vegetation, better visit Semliki National Park to get reliable information
Nature walks in Semliki National Park – Visit the hot spring for experiments. It’s believed that these amazing Sempaya Hot-Springs have high temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius. You can throw eggs or banana fingers in hot water of the hot springs to prove this. Hot spring water also cures skin diseases like ringworm.
Bambuti Pygmies or cultural trips in Bambuti pygmies’ community- Uganda has some few people of this tribe but Democratic Republic of Congo settles the majority. Visit them for lots of music, dance and drama among other activities.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Semliki National Park – It’s among the major tourist activities in Semliki National Park. The chances of seeing chimpanzees in this park are limited compared to Kibale National Park with 1500 individual chimpanzees. However, you will see other primates such as baboons, grey-cheeked mangabey, black-and-white colobus, Central African red colobus, blue, red-tailed, de Brazza’s, vervet, and Dent’s Mona monkeys.
Accommodation in Semliki National Park
- Semliki Safari Lodge
- Ntoroko Lodge
- Kumia Guest House
- Bamuga Campsite