Semuliki National Park,Uganda National Park

SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK.

Semuliki national park, found near Kitagawa– is one of Uganda’s safari spots for most travellers. It is located in Bwamba County, a remote part of Bundibugyo District in western Uganda. The park is situated in western Uganda and was made a national park in October 1993, as one of Uganda’s newest national parks. 194 km2 of East Africa’s only lowland tropical rain forest is found in the park. It is one of the richest areas of floral and faunal diversity in Africa, with bird species being especially diverse.

Things to do in the park

Semuliki national park is one beautiful spot that is suitable for birding, primate visits and wild game drives such as leopards, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and a veriety of birdlife among others. The inspiring nature walk leads you to the main river which is semi and this makes it unique from other national parks in East Africa.

Birding in Semuliki

Birdwatchers come to look for over 440 birds, particularly the central African species, such as the 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.

Primates and wildlife

the park offers both nocturnal and daytime game drives because the park has over 60 mammal species, including forest buffalos, leopards, hippos, mona monkeys, water chevrotains, bush babies, civets, elephants, and the pygmy flying squirrel. Nine species of duikers are found in the park, including the bay duiker. The Park has eight primate species and almost 300 butterfly species.

The Batwa

Located outside the park in Bundimusoli, the Twa people were relocated here when the park was established and, with no other choice, have since adopted agriculture, but they’re keeping hold of their traditions as best as possible. The park allows them to collect rattan, leaves, mushrooms, medicines and other forest products. Village visits are arranged at the Office of the King of Batwa in Nandi, 5km past the Sempaya Gate; the village is another 2km away. Tours include singing and dancing. As with many Twa settlements, living conditions here are extremely poor.

Hot Springs in Semuliki

This is one of the attractions that no traveller would ever wish to miss on his/her visit to the park. There are two hot springs the male( also called Bitende) which is about 12 meters and the female( called Nyasimbi) is a boiling geyser which spurts out bubbling water with about 2-meter steam in the air.

It always takes an hour to drive to the male hot spring which leads through a patch of forest where red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys are common. A tree house en route provides an aerial view.

The locals near the park usually boil their food from the hot spring pool, to prove this right, you can also participate by carrying an egg to the spot and boiling it by yourself.

However, you are advised not to get so close to the water because it boils to about 103 degrees Celsius. the surrounding water is also hot as well

Hiking and nature walks

The park offers numerous hiking and nature walks which will be provided according to your preference. The length of the hikes varies right from a few hours to a whole day hike involving spectacular encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and birds monkeys among others.

The hike is interesting but you can only enjoy them when in fine hiking attire/clothing plus packed lunch.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]