Semuliki National Park| Image Travel

The Sempaya Hotsprings:This is arguably the most famous attraction in the park. The Sempaya Hot Springs are a set of two "geysers" that have both cultural and scientific significance.

The Female Spring ("Nyasimbi"): This is a boiling geyser that spurts bubbling hot water and steam up to two meters high. The temperature is high enough to boil eggs and plantain, a popular activity for visitors.
The Male Spring ("Bintente"): This is a large, steaming pool set in a lush swampy clearing.
Cultural Significance: The hot springs are of great importance to the local Bamba people, who believe they are ancestral spirits and hold ceremonies there.
Birdwatcher's Excellence:Semuliki is one of Uganda's top birding destinations, with over 440 species recorded. Its unique location at the edge of the Congo Basin means it's home to many Central African bird species that are not found anywhere else in East Africa.
Diverse Primate Species: While chimpanzee sightings are less frequent than in other parks, Semuliki is still a great place for primate tracking. The park is home to a diverse population of primates.

Guided Nature walks and hikes: The park's dense rainforest and unique terrain offer excellent opportunities for hiking and nature walks.

The Kirumia Trail: This 13-kilometer trail takes you through the heart of the forest to the Semuliki River and is ideal for serious birdwatchers and hikers.
The Sempaya Trail: This shorter trail leads you to the hot springs and is a great way to see primates and birds up close.
Cultural Encounters:The park is home to several indigenous communities, including the Batwa people, a traditional hunter-gatherer community. Visitors can engage in cultural tours to learn about their ancient way of life, including their hunting techniques, medicinal plants, and traditional dances.
The Semuliki River:The Semuliki River, which flows from the Rwenzori Mountains to Lake Albert, is another highlight. A boat trip on the river offers opportunities to see crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of bird species, including the highly sought-after shoebill stork in the nearby wetlands.

Semuliki National Park Wildlife Experience

There are 60 species of mammal in the park among which include the bay duiker, Beecroft’s Anomalure, flying squirrels, bush babies, bush pigs, civets, Dwarf Antelope, elephants, fruit bats, Fire-footed Rope squirrel, forest buffalos, pygmy hippos, leopards, Little collard fruit Bat, mona monkeys, pygmy flying squirrel, Red-legged Sun Squirrel, Sitatunga, target rats, water chevrotains, water bucks, warthogs, Uganda Kob, White-bellied Duiker and the Zenker’s Flying Mouse. About 300 species of butterflies (like the charaxes and forest swallowstails) and 8 of primates can be found in the park forests like blue monkeys, chimpanzees, De Brazza’s Monkeys, Guereza Colobus, vervet monkeys and olive baboons. There are also night primates like the pattos and galagos.

Best time to visit
The Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is opened throughout the year. However, the best months to visit are during the dry seasons of April – June and July – September. During these dry months, driving through the park is easier because of less mud. The rainy season which fall between December – March and October to November cause difficulty navigating through the park. Some sections of the park become flooded as the rains fill up the rivers.

How to get there

There are two major roads from Kampala to Fort Portal, 4WD vehicles are recommended for both: Kampala-Fort Portal via Mubende is about 180km, or a 4-5 hour drive, making it the shortest route. Kampala-Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese is longer at 465km (7-8 hrs). This route offers the chance to stop along the way at Lake Mburo National Park, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Rwenzori Mountains National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park. Semuliki National Park’s Sempaya Gate is 59km from Fort Portal. The park headquarters at Ntandi is 6km further along the road. The roads are in good conditions from Fort Portal.

Semuliki National Park Birdlife

Birdwatchers come to Semuliki National Park for the central African species, such as Congo Serpent Eagle residing at their eastern limits. At least 133 of the 144 Guinea-Congo forest species have been recorded here and nearly 50 species are found nowhere else in east Africa. Key species here include Spot-breasted Ibis, Hartlaub’s Duck, Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, Red-thighed sparrow hawk, 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 bellied Dwarf, Piping, Black-wattled Hornbills, Green tailed Bristalbill, Fire-crested or Brown Chested Alethes, White or Red tailed Ant Thrushes, Jameson’s wattle- eye, Grants Bluebill, White throated, Xavier’s and Red tailed Greenbuls, Grey headed sunbird and Crested Malimbe, Red eyed puff buck, Red bellied and Blue-billed Malimbes, Red –fronted Antpecker and Chestnut-breasted Nigrofinch.