Semuliki National Reserve

Semuliki is a site for game drives, fantastic bird watching, hot springs, chimpanzee tracking, and some hiking along forest trails. You take a Uganda Safari that combines a visit to both Semuliki National Reserve and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

How to get to Semuliki National Reserve

There are two roads leading to Semliki National Reserve. You can drive there from Kampala through Mubende to Fort Portal.

You can also drive from Kampala through Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese to Fort Portal. Port Fortal is 50km away from Semuliki National Reserve. Your journey will take 5-8 hours.

As you drive to the National Park, stop at a viewpoint to admire the river Semuliki as it sneaks its way through the Rift Valley.

Alternatively, fly in from Entebbe or Kajjansi Airfield close to Kampala.

Whatever means you choose, a travel agent will make the arrangements.

What to wear while on Safari in Semuliki National Reserve

Comfortable clothing, hiking boots, bug spray, and plenty of sunscreen.

When to Visit Semuliki National Reserve

Semuliki National Park is open all year. It rains heavily in March, April, and May. It also rains between September and December.

The roads become muddy and sometimes during rainy seasons. Sometimes there are floods. Try to visit between Dec-Jan and June-July when it is drier.

Accommodation in Semuliki National Reserve

• UWA bandas and cottages
• Nyati Game Lodge
• Semuliki Safari Lodge
• Hotel Vanilla
• Semuliki River Camp
• Bumaga Campsite

You can also sleep in Fort Portal, less than one hour’s drive from Semuliki. Here they are, from budget to luxury:

• Rwenzori View Guest House
• Mountains of the Moon Hotel
• Kyaninga Lodge

Semuliki National Reserve Attractions

• Here you will find some 441 bird varieties, including rare species. The majority of Uganda’s forest birds live here. The weird-looking Shoe Bill roams the marshes around the lake.

The guides at Semuliki are some of the most professional and experienced at bird watching. They will teach you how to identify the bird calls and spot them.

• Game drives at Semuliki National Park allow you to view 53 mammals. Look out for the pygmy antelope, water deer, and flying squirrel endemic to Semuliki.

Forest elephants and forest buffaloes live here. They are smaller versions of their savannah counterparts.

Semuliki Forest has primates like the gray-cheeked mangabey, Central African red colobus monkey, chimpanzee, black and white colobus monkey, etc.

Leopards and black while pigs live here too, but they are not easy to spot.

• If you are adventurous, consider going for a night game drive to meet owls, pottos, bush babies, etc.
• A boat ride on the Semuliki River down to Lake Albert. The other name for the Semuliki River is ‘The Mountains of the Moon.’ Semuliki river resembles the Congo River. You will find Water bucks, pygmy hippos, Sitatungas, Nile crocodiles, and lizards.
• Go chimpanzee tracking/chimpanzee habituation at the Toro-Semuliki reserve. Your tour operator will help you obtain a permit for this.

During a chimpanzee tracking excursion, you will come across other forest animals. These include birds, other primates, forest elephants, Forest Buffaloes, and lions.

• There are two Sempaya hot springs: the female hot springs and the male hot springs. The female hot springs are hot enough to boil some eggs and green bananas if you want. The locals used them for cooking.
• Explore the forest on nature hikes in the Semuliki National Parks.

Guides will lead you along the Sempaya nature trail to the hot springs. You may come across monkeys on your way. There is a stopover at a tree house. Here you will enjoy forest scenery and bird life.

The Kirumia trail measures 13km long and is ideal for bird watching.

The Red monkey trail is 11km long and ideal for spotting DeBrazza monkeys.

• Visit the Batwa pygmies and their king Nzito. They live outside the park but still visit the forest to collect medicine.
• If you are there in October, you can witness the Bamaga cultural festival. Learn about the mountain people.
• Take a fishing trip on the Semuliki River. You may catch catfish, lungfish, or salty fish.