Semliki national park

Semliki national park is located in western Uganda in the district of Bundibugyo, Bwamba county the park is bordered by lake albert in the northern side of the Rwenzori mountains on the south eastern side of Rwenzori Mountain covering the total area of 221 square kilometres. Semliki national park is one of the 10 game parks in Uganda. Semliki was the reserve in 1932 and it was made a national park in 1993 mainly to curb deforestation. The park is spectacular offering quite number of Uganda wildlife tours activities to travellers. Semliki national park is a home of over 410 bird species recorded in the park since it is atop birding destination in Uganda also on Uganda wildlife tour to Semliki national park, a tourist can encounter animals such as elephants, Uganda Kob, cape buffaloes many more.

Attractions in Semliki National Park

On a Uganda wildlife tour to Semliki National Park, there are a lot of attractions to sight in the park

Hot spring.

Sempaya hot springs one of the most famous attractions in Semliki, sempaya they consist of two springs the male and female. the male hot spring has a boiling geyser, while the female spring has a steaming pool.

Birds

Bird watching in Semliki national park this is one of the best places for bird watching in Uganda. Birds like African dwarfishers, white-throated blue swallow, piping hornbills to mention but a few.

Animals

We have different animals like elephants, Uganda Kobs cape buffaloes which are in Semliki national park which are attracting attractions one would wish to see during the Uganda wildlife tour.

The Semliki River

Semliki river is found in Semliki national park in the great forest of Congo in Bundibugyo district which is Semliki valley and it forms a boundary between Uganda and Congo due to the presence of tropical rain forest, it originates from lake Edward in Kasese district

Activities to do in Semliki national park

Visiting sempaya springs

Visiting the Sempaya the two springs. There is a male and female spring and the male is about 12metres where hot water comes from a stone and the local people always organise cultural dances to entertain visitors who have come to see the hot springs which is a memorable experience.

Game drives

Game drives in Semliki National Park gives visitors an opportunity to spot over 52 mammals like elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs to give visitors an amazing experience.

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking in Semliki gives a chance to visitors to see other primates like colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and while going for chimpanzee tracking put on right clothing like long trousers to avoid thorns and insect biting.

Cultural visits and experience

It is a home of four tribes the Bakonjo and Bamba who grow crops like matooke, cocoa on the slopes of Mount Rwenzori then the Batwa who do hunt, and the Batuku that live in the northern section of the park as pastoralists. So, the visitors can pick the area of interest and the tribes they want to see during cultural visits.

Nature walks

During the nature walk in Semliki National Park one will be able to view different birds like PipngHornbill, crested Malimbe, leaf-love, also the primates like monkeys and chimpanzee that are spotted in large numbers during the nature walk which makes a Uganda wildlife safari to be different

Butterfly species

Since Semliki is a birding spot and well known for birds but also buttery lovers can spot some beautiful butteries like papilio antimachus Hewitson, papilio Nereus Linnaeus, and learn about their life style like how they produce, how they feed as we see that they do not have mouth for chewing but blessed with a tubular straw-like called proboscis.

Best to visit Semliki national park

Semliki national park is opened throughout the year. However, the best months to visit are during the dry season like in the months of April-June, July and September during these months driving in the park Is easy because there is less mud making the activities easy like game drives, nature walks during the Uganda wildlife tour in Semliki national park.

How to get to Semliki national park

By Road

It is 7–9-hour drive from Kampala to fort portal and then head towards Bwera, where the park entrance is located.

By Air

Though there is no commercial airport directly in Semliki national park, you can fly into Kasese the nearest town with an airfield, and then continue by road and it is always 1to 2 hours.

Where to sleep when you are in Semliki national park

Semliki safari lodge

It is near the Sempaya gate of the park, Semliki loge is one of the popular options for visitors to the park. It offers comfortable and spacious cottages, and it is an ideal base for chimpanzee tracking, bird watching and visiting the hot springs.

Ntoroko game lodge

Ntoroko game lodge offers more tranquil, remote experience. It is located along the lake and provides stunning views of water and park’s wildlife. It is a great spot for relaxing after Aday of exploring Semliki National Park

Bumaga campsite

It is a collection of Bandas and cottages found in Semliki national park, under the management of Uganda wildlife authority and they are believed to be the starting point for arrange of explorations in Semliki National Park, like nature walks and many others.