Nature Based Attractions
Sempaya Hot Springs
The Hot Springs at Sempaya are Semuliki’s most popular attraction. Two main springs are set in a lush clearing close to the south-eastern corner of the park. The hotspring is located just a few minutes walk from the park office. This is dominated by a boiling geyser (1 which spurts up to 2m-high from a white, iced cake-likE of precipitated mineral. Water also bubbles and eggs can be cooked in just a few minutes within the hot waters of the spring.
The more distant inner spring is reached by a 30 minutes trail that leads through beautiful palm forest before crossing the swamp on a boardwalk. This spring is a broad, site pool about 10m across.
Sempaya – Ntandi Road
The 5km section of public road between Sempaya and I village runs through one of the loveliest tracts in Uganda and provides clear views up into the forest c to spot birds and monkeys. The pretty Mungiro Falls lie in the North Rwenzori Forest Reserve, just off the Bundi road 500m beyond the park office.
Semuliki River
The Kirimia Trail leaves the main road near the iron bridge at Kirimia, 10 km from sempaya and runs for 11km to the Semliki River, fording the Kirimia stream a couple of times on the way. The 3-4 hour walk to the river is a must for Birders seeking Semuliki Specials.
The Red Monkey trail runs from Sempaya to reach the river as it emerges from the forest. the 6 hour round trip provides opportunities to sight grassland as well as forest birds. In dry weather it is possible to drive past the homesteads of the Batuku pastoralists east of the park to within 10-15 minutes walk of the river to look for crocodiles and waterbirds.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Semuliki National Park: Located in the remotest side of Bwamba County, Bundibugyo District Western Uganda, Semuliki National Park is undoubtedly one of the biodiverse destinations worth visiting on Uganda safaris. The park shelters unique ecosystem especially diversity of Albertine rift species.
Over 63 different species of mammals all thrive in the various habitats of Semuliki National Park making it a distinct Uganda safari destination of its own. The different mammals to see on a safari in Semuliki National Park include leopards, Uganda kobs, forest buffaloes, bush pigs, warthogs, hippos, bush bucks, elephants, Beecroft’s flying squirrel, little collared fruit bat, pygmy squirrel. There are also 9 duiker species including the red, blue and bay duikers.
Primates of Semuliki National Park: There are several interesting primates (about 9 species) to keep an eye on. They include Mona monkeys, chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys. In addition, there are nocturnal species of primates especially Galagos and pottos.
Birds of Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park’s ecosystem also comprises of over 441 bird species making it an important birding tour destination. These include 9 hornbill species, blue billed malimbe, red rumped tinker bird, shoebill storks, yellow throated cuckoo, leaf love, white crested hornbill, swamp palm bulbul, African piculet and orange cheeked waxbill. Other birds include great blue and ross’s turacos, yellow throated nicator, Congo serpent eagles, swamp palm bulbul, black casqued wattled hornbill, lemon bellied crombec, chestnut breasted negro finch to mention but a few.
Semuliki National Park is also an important destination with over 460 species of butterflies, reptiles like crocodiles, several species of trees, the Congo basin forests, distinct vegetation cover of moist evergreen to semi deciduous forest. The plant species including the Uganda ironwood and more.