Whether you are yearning for a secluded safari vacation or longing for adventurous guided nature walks, chimpanzee treks, birding tours and boat cruises, the isolated Semliki National Park provides it all. To have an unforgettable experience in Semliki National Park, we bring you the comprehensive guide to planning a trip to this beautiful Safari destination.
Size and Location of Semliki National Park
Semliki is one of the smallest National Parks in Uganda at nearly 85 square miles, within the Albertine Rift Valley (western arm of the East African Rift Valley). This Park also includes a portion of the easternmost part of the lush Ituri forest of Congo basin in the Democratic Republic of Congo and sits on an elevation of 2198 to 2493 feet above sea level. Interestingly, the Park protects the only tract of lowland Tropical forest in the East African region and sprawls across the stunning floor of the Semliki Valley, along the remote western side of Rwenzori Mountains. To be specific, the Park is situated within Bwamba County, an isolated part of Bundibugyo District in the western part of the country. To the south-east of this Park is the Rwenzori Mountains while to its north is the spectacular Lake Albert
History of Semliki National Park
Being one of the most ancient and biodiverse forests in the African Continent, the verdant lowland tropical rainforest is said to have survived the last Ice age between 12 and 18,000 years ago. Semliki has since October 1993 become a National Park, making it the most recent Park in the country. Between 1932 and October 1993, the Semliki area was managed as a Forest Reserve by the Colonial Government before being taken over by the Forest Department. The main aim of gazetting Semliki into a National Park was to protect the forests as an integral part of the different Protected Areas within the Albertine Rift Valley.
Highlights
Semliki National Park is adjacent to the Lamia and Semliki Rivers, hence making them watering points for most animals in the Park hence beautiful spot for game viewing. There are also two hot springs within the hot mineral rich swamp of the Park hence attracting huge numbers of animals to the salt licks.A total of 60 mammal species call Semliki National Park home and these include 27 species of large mammals as well as 11 mammal species that are endemic to this Park.
Bird watchers
Passionate birders who make trips to the remote Semliki National Park are guaranteed of relishing views of Africa’s well-preserved lowland rainforests, to spot different bird species. The two popular birding spots in this Park are Kirumia River, Ntandi and Sempaya with rich views of red-billed Malimbe, Red-billed Dwarf hornbills, Yellow-throated Nicator, Black-casqued wattled hornbills, African Piculet, lack, Dwarf hornbills, Piping hornbills, Ross Turaco and many others. Make a stop at Lake Albert for aquatic and wetland Bird species.
Village/Community Tours
Batwa are the main tribe surrounding Semliki National Park and visitors who take time to explore their villages are provided with insight into their hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Before the Semliki forest was gazetted into a Reserve and eventually National Park, these people’s lives depended on the forest for shelter, food, medicine and tools. Even after being evicted from the forest, travellers can still learn a lot about survival from them by visiting the Boma/Cultural Village around the Park.
Game Drives
Semliki National Park boasts of varying ecosystems, which also include the savannah plains where game drives are surprisingly conducted. There are presently 3 well-maintained game tracks across the Park where small and large animals such as forest and Bush elephants, Olive baboons, Defassa waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, common warthogs, Cape buffaloes, Hippos and leopards will be spotted. Whether it’s morning, afternoon or night, game drives in this Park are possible and equally rewarding.
Guided nature walks
A number of trails have been designed in Semliki National Park, for visitors who wish to have an intimate encounter with the wilderness and jungle. If you are interested in exploring the hot springs, checking out hidden habitats and having closer encounter with the wildlife, try out the different trails that include the 13-kilometer Kirumia Trail through the heart of the forest until Semliki River, the 11-kilometer Red Monkey Track through the eastern edge to Semliki River and the 8-kilometer Sempaya Nature Trail where the magnificent hot springs and different primate species can be sighted.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Although it is not hyped as other destinations (Kibale, Budongo, Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu), Semliki National Park is another wonderful destination to trek the endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
How do i get there ?
By Road
There are two routes you can use to get to Semliki National Par from Kampala City. The nearer and most popular is the Kampala-Mityana-Mubende-Fort Portal route for 180 kilometers/4-5 hours. The longer route is Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese-Fort Portal for 465 kilometers/7-8 hours with options of stopping at Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo and Rwenzori Mountains National Parks.
By Flight
Flights can be chartered from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Semliki Airstrip, or Fort Portal Airstrip and the more-developed Kasese Airstrip, thereby continue to the booked place of lodging by road. It takes about 2-3 hours to drive from Fort Portal to Semliki National Park.