Among many reasons why you should visit Semliki National Park include the famous Sempaya Hot springs, a variety of birdlife, diverse wildlife, and exhilarating nature walks. Semliki National Park is a destination where only beautiful memories are made and talked about for years to come.
Anyone who has ever set foot into the soils of this park will concur that it is wonderful for families, solo and groups tours. The park provides a great opportunity of fostering love deep within every traveler’s soul.
If Semliki National Park is still not included in your bucket list for African destination, check-out the following reasons why you should visit the isolated park:-
The Sempaya Hot springs
The most amazing reason to visit Semliki National Park are the Sempaya Hot springs! There is something so magical about watching ground water oozing at high temperatures enough to boil eggs and Irish potatoes in just 15 minutes. The traditional folklore surrounding the formation of the hot springs will interest you more than even its magical powers and scientific formation.
Diverse Wildlife
Often ignored, Semliki National Park is one of the most biodiverse parks in Uganda’s National Park system. It is a haven to over 79 species of mammals, 40% of Uganda’s total bird species (about 441 species), unique tree species, reptiles and amphibian species of special interest. This is part of what makes Semliki National Park special.
Scenic Game drives
Semliki National Park is a haven to some of the most endearing wildlife on the African continent. Visitors to this spectacular park are therefore rewarded with extraordinarily scenic game drives with great chances of seeing at least a quarter of the area’s wildlife species. Such species include forest elephants, chimpanzees, buffaloes, bushbucks, waterbucks and Sitatunga among others.
Hiking Trails
Semliki National Park is a haven to several kilometers of hiking trails, thus making it more interesting and exciting to explore the park’s hidden beauty on foot. These trails cater for every skill level; easy, moderate to difficult hikes and for different age groups. The Sempaya Nature Trail, The Kirumia Trail and the Red Monkey track have all been designed and well-maintained to cater for needs of every traveler.
Chances of spotting the feathered beauties
Birders to visit Semliki National Park are guaranteed to encounter some of Africa’s most sought-after forest bird species. Species such as the yellow-throated Nicator, Ross Turaco, white-crested hornbills and the Piping hornbills can easily be found in this remote national park.
Extraordinary Chimpanzee trekking experience
Many people know Semliki National Park for the Sempaya hot springs and other wildlife species but little is known or said about chimpanzee trekking in this park. If your idea of wildlife encountered is seclusion and few numbers, then you might consider trekking the great apes from this remote destination.
More Details on Semliki National Park
Semliki National Park is a 220-square kilometer national park sprawled across the floor of the Semliki Valley, between 670 and 760 meters above sea level. Semliki Forest Reserve was established in 1932 and upgraded into a national park in 1993. This park protects the only remaining tract of authentic lowland tropical rainforest within the East African region. When it comes to diversity of species, it is a home to more than 53 species of mammals, some of which include chimpanzees, forest elephants, bushbucks, and warthogs and more than 440 species of birds to look-forward for.
High-class accommodation facilities in Semliki National Park
While exploring the hidden treasures of Semliki National Park, high-class accommodation facilities exist to offer comfort. These include Semliki Safari Lodge, Nyati Game Lodge and Ntoroko Game Lodge, rewarding tourists with cozy en-suite bedrooms, breathtaking views and private decks among others.
How to get there
If you are travelling from Kampala, the capital city, there are two main ways of getting to Semliki National Park. You can opt for air transport with flights being chartered from Kajjansi Airstrip to Kasese or Fort Portal airstrips, then connect to the park by road.
By road, two routes connect to Ntandi park headquarters. Kampala-Mityana-Mubende-Fort Portal and then 59 kilometers to the park. This is considered the shortest route.
Visitors to this park can also use the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese route, then to Fort Portal and Semliki National Park.