Best Time To Visit Semuliki National Park

The best time to visit Semuliki National Park is during the dry season. Uganda has two dry seasons: from December to January and from June to July. Semuliki National Park, also known as the true birders’ haven, became a national park in 1993, after its establishment in 1932.

It is located in the Bundibugyo District, covering a total land area of 220 square kilometers. It is the only true lowland forest in East Africa, hosting 400 recorded bird species and 53 recorded mammal species. The park is home to four ethnic tribes of the Bakonjo who cultivate the mountain slopes, the Bwamba along the base of the Rwenzori mountain, the Batwa on the edge of the forest, and the Batuku cattle keepers on the open plains.

The Dry Season

The dry season is the best time to visit the National Park. This season runs from December to January and from June to July, and it offers a chance to explore the park in a more comfortable and accessible way. During this season, the weather is mostly sunny and dry, making it easier to traverse through the park. The temperatures during this time range between 25-27°C during the day and drop to around 17-19°C at night.

The dry season is also suitable for wildlife viewing, as the animals are more active and visible due to the scarce availability of water and vegetation. As the forest dries up, the chances of spotting some animals like elephants, hyenas, and buffalo coming to the riverside to drink water increase.

The Wet Season

The wet season is one of the best times to visit Semuliki National Park due to the abundant rain that transforms the park into a thriving haven, creating picturesque waterfalls, attracting migratory birds, and making it a paradise for nature lovers and bird watchers. The park with over 400 bird species, making it a hot birding spot, given the name “ true birders’ haven,” with a higher concentration of species in the forested areas. Specifically, during the dry season, bird enthusiasts can easily spot different bird species throughout the park, especially near the river banks.

Activities carried out at Semuliki National Park

you can do several activities at Semuliki National Park: visit the two hot springs, go hiking and on game drives, enjoy bird watching, take nature walks in the forest to see different animals, or visit an indigenous tribe to experience their cultural heritage.

Bird watching at Semuliki, Semuliki national park is known as the top bird watching destination in Uganda, the national park has about 400 bird species which include forest ground thrush, breasted sunbird, black throated cuckoo, African piconet, white crested hornbill,  white billed kingfisher, long-tailed hawk, red-rumped tinkerbird, Xaviers green bul, and so many others.

Sempaya hot springs: where visitors can witness boiling water and steam emerging from the earth’s crust, this hot spring has both the male and female which have reasons as to how they were identified as being male and female and the water from the hot springs is known to be of healing as believed by the locals, it can also be used for boiling eggs since its too hot.

The cultural heritage of Semuliki National Park is an important aspect of the park, with the park being home to the Batwa people, one of the oldest tribes in Africa. The Batwa people have inhabited the forest for generations, adapting to its surroundings and living off its resources. Visitors can witness the Batwa people’s unique cultural practices.  This includes their traditional dances, songs, and crafts like basket weaving and pottery.

Besides the Batwa, three other tribes make Semuliki Valley National Park wonderful to visit

Nature walks provide a more relaxed and intimate way to appreciate the park’s natural wonders. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, visitors can stroll along well-marked trails, observing the intricate beauty of the flora and fauna. These walks let you spot primates, butterflies, and many bird species. In addition, you will learn about the park’s unique ecosystems.

For an exhilarating wildlife encounter, game drives are an ideal choice. Led by experienced guides, visitors embark on thrilling expeditions across the park’s vast savannahs in search of iconic African animals.

Game drives offer a front-row seat to Semuliki’s biodiversity. See elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and the elusive leopard. Here, you can connect deeply with nature and witness the park’s awe-inspiring wildlife up close.

Animals at Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park, located in Uganda, is a honeypot for wildlife enthusiasts. This lush paradise is home to a diverse array of animals, making it an exceptional destination for nature lovers. Exploring the park’s rich ecosystems reveals a tapestry of captivating creatures.

Among the most iconic animals found in Semuliki National Park are the elusive forest elephants. These gentle giants roam the dense vegetation with their presence.

Other large mammals that grace the park include buffalo, leopards, and chimpanzees. The park is renowned for its thriving primate population. Visitors can encounter red colobus and vervet monkeys, plus olive baboons.

Over 400 recorded species will charm birdwatchers in the park.

Semuliki National Park is a birding paradise, harboring rare and endemic species such as the Nkulengu Rail, Black Dwarf Hornbill, and Yellow-throated Cuckoo. The enchanting sounds of vibrant songbirds and the graceful flight of colorful sunbirds create an immersive experience.

Furthermore, the park boasts traditional reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies, thereby adding to its rich ecology.

Fees charged at Semuliki National Park

Game drives offer a front-row seat to Semuliki’s biodiversity. See elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and the elusive leopard . The fees charged at Semuliki National Park are as follows:

Foreign non-residents pay US$35

Foreign residents pay US$25, while East African citizens pay 15,000 shillings, with these fees being charged per person daily.

For the Batwa cultural experience, both non-residents and foreign residents pay US$10. Conversely, East African citizens pay 10,000 shillings. Regarding the shoe bill hunting by boat, foreign non-residents must pay US$100, foreign residents are charged US$80, while East African citizens pay 100,000 UGX. Your agreed tour operator pays all these fees to the Uganda Wildlife Authority.