It is located in the extreme western part of Uganda in Bundibugyo District. It was made a National park in October 1993 and is one of Uganda’s newest National Park. It sprawls the floor of the Semuliki valley on the remote western side of the Rwenzori. The park is dominated by the eastern most extension of the great Ituri forest of Congo basin. The semliki valley contains evidence of even older processes. Hot springs bubble up from the depths to demonstrate the powerful sub terranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley during the last 14 million years.
Four ethnic groups live near the Park that is, the Bwamba, Bakonjo, Batuku and Batwa Pygmies who live at the edge of the forest.
Semliki National Park should be every traveler’s tourism destination due to the various activities one can participate in while on a holiday in Uganda.
Attractions
The Sempaya hot springs are Semuliki most famous attraction. The male spring known as ‘Bintente’ set in a lush swampy clearing, the female spring, Nyasimbi meaning the female ancestors” is a boiling geyser which spurt bubbing water and steam up to two meters high. Local people used to cook their food in these boiling pools.
The vegetation of the park is mainly filled by one tree species that is the Cyrometra Alexandri, including other ever green tree species and swamp species.
The fauna includes over 400 bird species of which 216 are true forest birds, like the Sassi’s olive green bull and the Forest ground thrush. The park is also home to over 53 mammals, with 11 of those being endemic species such as Pygmy antelopes and 2 flying squirrel species. Other mammals include Hippos, Leopards, Buffaloes, Elephants
Visit Semliki National park, one of Uganda’s birding paradise to encounter various species of birds flying from one destination to another.
One can wonder on how to reach the park but there are two major roads from Kampala to Fort Portal via Mubende, is about 180km about 6hours drive while Kampala – Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara, Kasese is about 465km. This road gives you the opportunity to visit other attractions like the Equator, Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National parks, kyambura wildlife.
From Fort Portal a 2-3 hours’ drive on the rough road towards Bundibugyo will lead you to Sempaya gate. The park headquarters at Ntandi is 5 km further from the gate along the same route. Using public means, you can take a taxi or a min-bus to fort portal, from the taxi park, board one of the pick-up trucks for Bundibugyo and stop at Sempaya gate which has a clear sign post. Return trip will be by the same means but avoid being too later.
The most interesting part of this visiting this park is that, it can be visited at any time of the year unlike other parks.
Are you planning to travel to Semliki National Park for a vacation, book and stay in some of the accommodation offered around the park and this varies depending on the taste and preferences of each other. Accommodations found in the park ie Ntoroko game lodge, semliki safari lodge and UWA campsite and Bandas.