Semiliki national park is one of the oldest conservation areas in Uganda, its situated in Bundibugyo district in western Uganda gazette in the 1993 to protect the endangered tree and animal species in the national park, the 220square kilometer national park stretches along the floor of the Albertine rift valley an extension of the Ituri forest of the democratic republic of Congo most of its residents are central Africa species this implies that one can find central Africa while in Uganda, Semiliki national park is elevated at an altitude of 670-760m high above sea level comprising of swamps, forest, savannah, rivers and wood popularly iron wood decorated all over the national park.
The national park is evidenced with old findings like hot springs, it’s one of the forests that survived the last ice age, there are two hot springs the female and male ones called sempaya, these are a few kilometers apart from each other, the plunge rises 2 meters above the ground oozing hot water due to natural causes, they are a major attraction in this conservation area the water of the hot springs boils at 100 degrees celicious its able to boil an egg, travelers at most times don’t follow up the scientific explanation of the hot springs but rather amazed by the local traditional story attached to the hot springs, they are believed to cure diseases and other human complications for example the female hot spring women traditionally know it’s a healing to infertility. The park is well distributed by trails to access the hot springs like the Sempaya trail.
Besides the hot springs, the park is endowed with different kinds of animal species these include elephants, antelopes, crocodiles, pygmy hippos, buffaloes and over 400 species of birds, 24 of which are true forest birds and restricted to the Semiliki region, it’s a great birding destination popularly known as the haven of birds second after the queen Elizabeth national park , there are several activities that can be participated in while at the national park these include game drives, birding, primate tracking, guided nature walks among others.
The national park receives an annual rainfall of 1250mm during the wet seasons of March-May and September –November, it is best visited in the dry months of December –February and June-mid-September, it is during this time that tourism is at its peak because it’s a wonderful time to see game with ease, it should be noted that the dry period is not dry as stated but it sometimes rains during this time. There is available accommodation in the national park for example the Semiliki safari lodge was among the first upmarket lodges to be constructed in Uganda, availability is ranged from luxury to the best budget, despite the few facilities in the national park, one can opt for accommodation in Bundibugyo or fort portal town. Semiliki national park is can be accessed all year round, its approximately 7 hours’ drive from Kampala Uganda’s capital by road.
Please book with Lionking safaris Uganda.