Semuliki National Park, established as a forest reserve in 1932 and upgraded to national park status in 1993, is East Africa’s only true lowland tropical rainforest. Situated on the remote western side of the Rwenzori Mountains, the park is dominated by the easternmost extension of the vast Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. This is one of Africa’s most ancient and biodiverse forests, surviving the last Ice Age 12,000 to 18,000 years ago. During the wet season, large sections of the park become flooded, offering a glimpse into the past, when the entire valley lay submerged beneath a prehistoric lake for over seven million years. Semuliki’s landscapes and biodiversity bear more resemblance to Central Africa than to the rest of Uganda. The Semuliki River, which forms the international boundary with the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a miniature version of the mighty Congo River. Its meandering waters are lined with West African oil palms, and the forest harbors wildlife typically found in Central rather than East Africa Semuliki National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 120 mammal species and 435 bird species making it one of Uganda premier birding destination. One of its most famous attractions is the Sempaya hot springs.
Birder who make it to Semuliki will be rewarded with some of Africa ´s best forest birding, Sempaya and Ntandi provide excellent viewing of the birds including the the white crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, PipingHornbill, Yellow-throated Nictor, Great blue and Ross´s Turacos. The shoe bill is always seen at close ranges on Lake Albert and forest walks are good for tracking water birds.
Three tracks cross the savannah grassland of Toro Semiliki wildlife Reserve. Smaller forest and larger savannah elephants are regularly seen, along with buffalo, waterbuck, crocodile, warthog and Uganda Kob. With luck you may see pygmy hippopotami, leopards and elusive bush babies.
The 13km Kirumia Trail runs through the heart of the forest to t he Semiliki River. This 8 hour round trip starts at 8am and is perfect for birding watching holiday
The hour – long trail to the outer , male” spring leads through a patch of forest where red -tailed monkeys, grey checked mangabeys and black- and -white colobus monkeys are common. A30- minutes hike through palm forest from the main road leads to the inner female spring dominated by a boiling geyser
The Batwa ´s hunter- gatherer life style means they have always been dependent on Semiliki forest for food, shelter, medicine and tools, though there are beginning to change as a result of interaction with other local communities.