SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK
Semuliki national park is located in the south-western part of Uganda Bwamba County, a remote part of the Bundibugyo District and it lies on the border between Uganda and democratic republic of Congo within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley, and to the southeast is the Rwenzori Mountain.The park was gazette as a Uganda national park in October 1993 to protect the wildlife species and its known as the newly gazeteed park and one of the smallest Uganda park. The park occupies an area of about 220 square kilometers with an altitude of about 670-760m above sea level. Semuliki is also known as the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa, hosting a very big number of bird species and It is also known as a home to one of Africa’s ancient forests that survived the last ice age creating thick dense forests with temperatures rising to a humid 30C and souse by an annual 1240mm of rain. The park can via Mubende to Fort portal which covers a distance of about 4-5 hours’ drive (180km)
The other alternative route is from Kampala, -Fort portal via Masaka , Mbarara and Kasese and this one covers about 7-8 hours. This route gives one a chance to enjoy many tourist attractions on the way including stopping at the equator crossing for photography and snacks, branch to Lake Mburo national park or Queen Elizabeth national park and enjoy the park activities. Not only bird species, but the park is also a home to over 53 mammal species including the okapi the forest zebra, the water chevrotain, hippos and crocodiles can be spotted out along the river banks. Over 442 bird species are said to be living at the park and this gives a total of 40% out of the total bird species that live in Uganda and most of the bird species that inhabit the park are absent elsewhere in East Africa, to mention some include the Congo Serpent Eagle, Black-wattled Hornbill, Long-tailed Hawk, Lyre-tailed Honey guide, and the Nkulengu Rail. The park also houses over 6 species of primates including the chimpanzees, red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus monkey, red, vervet, grey- cheeked mangebey, olive baboon and Dent’s Mona monkey. The forest also is a home to the local population which includes a batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri.
Activities to enjoy at the park include
- Bird watching
- Wild game drives
- hot springs
- Cultural encounter and trail
- Hiking and national walk
Where to stay at the park
Various accommodation options are available at the park these include Semulik safari lodge, Tororo resort, Mountains of the Moon (Fort Portal), Rwenzori View Guest House (Fort Portal), Toro-Semliki Hostel