Semuliki National Park lies in the Semuliki Valley north- west of Fort Portal in the western part of Uganda in Bundibugyo District the park comprises of unique eco system primary made up of tropical lowland forests, Ituri forests across the Semuliki River in Zaire likewise.
This haven is a home to wide variety of wildlife animals, bird species, primate species, butterflies among others hence a good spot for nature lovers. The local people that live around this park include Bamba and Bakonjo these people mainly deal in growing of coffee and cocoa in order to maintain their living.
Attractions and Activities offered at Semuliki National Park
There are plenty of many tourism activities offered at Semuliki National Park namely bird watching guided nature walk, community walks, visit to the hot spring among others as analyzed below.
Semuliki Hot Springs
The area represents one of the specialized micro- habitants of the park the sempaya hot springs at a temperature of almost 106-degrees Celsius (223 degrees F) were created by the same thrust fault responsible for the formation of the nearby Rwenzori Mountains.
Likewise, there are a number of smaller hot springs as well as two large ones namely the female and the male hot springs these features have made the park famous, the male hot spring is called Bintente and is about 12meters in the diameter while the female it’s called Nyasimbi.
One of which has an opening about eight meters (26 feet) wide. The water and the surrounding land are rich in salt and Sulphur which attracts an unusually large population of shorebirds. Many of them feed on a strange type of fish similar to lung fish that live in mud around the springs. Due to the presence of natural salt lick these springs attract numerous animals to lick on this salt.
Bird Watching Experience
Semuliki National Park is a home to over 200 bird species hence an ideal spot for bird watching experience on a good day tourist mighty sight at around 40-50 bird species that are often seen on open roads paths and on the narrow forest paths.
The notable seen bird species include grey cuckoos, red- throated Aletha, black-billed turacos, barred long-tailed cuckoo bar tailed trogon, white tailed blue fly catcher, Elliot’s woodpecker, Doherty bush-shrike to mention but a few.
This activity is more enjoyable when conducted with the aid of a well-trained birding guide who has much knowledge about this activity. you are reminded to carry these essential items namely pair of binoculars, portable quality cameras, note book, one liter of drinking water among others for the better enjoyment of this ultimate experience.
Guided Nature Walks
The walk allows guests to fully immerse themselves in pristine forest passing through well maintained trails exploring the beautiful flora and having sights at numerous fauna species namely elephants, antelopes, leopards, civet, scaly -tailed flying squirrels to mention but a few.
Additionally, tourists will also be able to sight at primate species such as bush baby, black and white colobus red tailed monkey’s baboons and vervet monkeys hence an ultimate opportunity to explore the wilderness.
Community Encounter
While the aid of tour guides guests are granted with the chance to visit at this place of safety and engage in to interaction with the local people in their home steads learning how they spread their day-to-day life style hence an ultimate experience.
Best time to visit Semuliki National Park
The best time to visit this Park it’s during the dry seasons of the year, which typically run from June to September and December to February. In the dry season less, rainfall is received with warm temperatures.
During these periods the climate is more favorable for outdoor activities such as game drive, nature walks, birdwatching, cultural encounter among others.
Another option to visit this park is during the rainy season that runs typically in the months of March to May and October during this season plenty of rain fall is received tourists are advised to use four-wheel drive vehicles in this period because some roads are muddy and slippery.
How to Reach Semuliki National Park
By Use of Air Transport
Semuliki National Park can be reached by air from Entebbe international airport or kajjansi Airfield near Kampala city. The flight takes almost one hour and thirty to Kasese airstrip where tourists will be transferred to the park premises.
By use of Road Transport
By road transport one can use short route to and drive from Kampala to fort portal and its almost 300KMs via the Mubende high way which takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach the park another alternative is
Use the longer route from Kampala through the towns of Kasese Mbarara, and Masaka and the journey takes 7 to 8 hours it is advised to uses four-wheel drive vehicles for proper movements to reach the park since some roads are slippery and muddy.
Where to Sleep during the Visit to Semuliki National Park
There are many accommodation facilities where guests can spend their cozy overnight stay these lodgings ranges from upmarket to budget as listed below.
Luxurious Facilities
Semuliki Safari Lodge
This lodge is luxurious, oldest in the area and found in the Semuliki wild life reserve near the park with wonderful views of the Congo’s blue mountain the lodge is made up of almost six luxury tents that are built with local materials with private veranda. It can accommodate 18 pax in a day offering a truly private wilderness experience.
The lodge comprises of numerous facilities namely well stocked bar with soft and hard drinks like sodas, juice, water, wines, spirits, beers, among others, restaurant that provides tasteful meals to visitors, hot shower, outdoor fire place, reading room, comfortable sofa, lounge area plus a swimming pool have a spacious night in the wild.
Kyaniga Lodge
This upmarket accommodation facility is almost forty kilometers one hour drive to the hidden gem of Semuliki National Park comprising of eight nice looking cottages and two-family cottages.
Tourists enjoy the amenities at this lodge namely swimming pool, well established restaurant, stocked bar, free internet connections, security, parking yard, solar lights to mention but a few staying at Kyaninga Lodge rewards tourists with clear views of the stunning Lake Kyaninga and the surrounding area.
Ntoroko Game Lodge
This lodge is luxurious built at the Semuliki wild life reserve near lake Albert the lodge has luxury tents that are next to the beautiful and unspoiled sand beach of Lake Albertine.
Ntoroko game lodge is suitable for people having honey moons, vacations and those that desire privacy it has beautiful wooden floor and stylish stone interior with the great view of lake Albertine there are both single and double rooms which are comfortable with the private balconies.
Moderate Facilities
Mountain of the Moon Lodge
This is a mid-range facility is nestled few meters from Semliki National Park. its services are enjoyed at relatively affordable prices it comprises of almost thirty-three different guest rooms namely single rooms, double rooms, deluxe rooms, suite, twin rooms among others fitted with good quality beddings mosquito nets.
Guests are treated well with good customer care and they are offered with different amenities facilities such as free internet connection, parking yard, security, restaurant, stocked bar among others.
Budget Facilities
Hotel Vanila
This is a budget hotel found in Bundibunjo too close to the largest town market the hotel is clean and self-contained with shower meals are served from the hotel restaurant with drinks services are attained at a relatively cheap affordable price.
Hotel Vanila has very welcoming service providers and security is tightly provided to guests pay a visit for a calm overnight stay.