Semuliki Valley National Park lies in the outcasts of Bwamba County in Bundibugyo district in the western Region of the country Uganda. Semuliki Valley National Park is a nature lover’s paradise which is situated in the obscure Bundibugyo District. Hence making it a treasure trove of biological and cultural. It was established in 1960 covering an area of 220 square kilometers. It is located in the Albertine Rift System, a branch of the East African Rift System. It is a lowland tropical rainforest and is part of the Ituri Forest that is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is thus part of one of Africa’s oldest natural environments with a diverse biosphere. Semuliki is one of Uganda’s national parks that was only established in 1993. However, the history of this park goes above 25,000 years revealing evidence of the species of the Pleistocene epoch.
This condition puts the park at the crossroads of several ecological regions. It has some peculiar climatic factors and several ecosystems. Generally, its climate is hot and wet with the temperature ranging from 18-30 °C and 64-86 °F for most of the year. The region gets good rainfall with the two rainy seasons extending from March to May and September to December. The average rainfall in these months is about 1500 mm per annum. Such climate supports a great deal of plants and animals. This is evident with more than 400 bird species, over 300 butterfly species, and many sorts of mammals like elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and primates such as chimpanzees and red-tailed monkeys.
Another viewpoint is that one of the specific attractions of the park is the Semuliki River that divides Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The river applies a serpentine course in the park. Hence providing food to the alluvial forest and other species like trees and plants that are used in the preparation of medicines. Yet another interesting feature of the park is Sempaya Hot Springs geysers and boiling springs perform here that can fry an egg in five minutes. These hot springs are culturally and religiously valued by the Batwa people who are native Pygmies depending on the forest for existence.
Attractions in Semuliki Valley National Park
- Semuliki National Park Hot Springs
The Sempaya Hot Springs are the highlights of Semuliki Valley National Park. These hot springs are like nature’s own little spa but way more epic and natural. These hot springs are split into two main chill zones. There is the male hot spring Biteete and Nyasimbi the female hot spring. The Bamaga clan comes here to do their spiritual things like rituals and ceremonies that have been going on for ages. Therefore, the Sempaya hot springs are not just a pretty place but also a cultural and healing place for the locals.
- Bird Watching
Semuliki Valley National Park is an ornithologist’s delight with confirmed 400+ bird species of which 216 are epidemics. The habitats within the park include tropical rainforests, swamps, and grasslands which are favorable for the birds of different species. Famous birds are the shoebill stork, Nkulengu rail, yellow-throated cuckoo, and red-billed dwarf hornbill. Bird watchers can take different tracks in the park, though the Kirumia trail is recommended as it covers the interior of the forest and the Valley of Semuliki River. This park is among Uganda’s IBA, it embraces bird conservation hence providing importance to bird lovers and nature lovers to visit the park.
- Primate Watching
Semuliki Valley National Park is characterized by densely wooded hence is regarded as one of the best places to watch the different kinds of primates in Uganda. Tourists can be faced with species such as chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys. Among the attractions the readiness to visit and considered a privilege is the De Brazza’s monkey with a white beard and orange halo on its head. Such forest tourist trails allow tourists to see these varieties of them. These also provide them with information about the habits, socishing patterns, and the current endangered state of the primates. The show of how the primates move in the trees and relate to each other proves to be interesting and informative. It enhances the view and the knowledge of the primate thereby encouraging conservation.
- Game Drives
Although Semuliki Valley National Park mostly covers forests, it also has marvelous game drives through the savannah. The game drives presented here allow the visitors to witness a variety of animals. These following animals include forest elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and even antelopes like the bushbucks and the shy sitatugas. Night game drives are especially preferred in the park. Things to view at night include the genet cat, the white-tailed mongoose, and several owls. Different areas of the park make it possible for the game drive to be a new experience every time you go for it due to the variations in the systems of the park. Sightings of large animals and predators are particularly exciting for tourists for obvious reasons of respect to the wildlife.
- River Semuliki
The Semuliki River is located on the park’s western edge bordering Uganda and the DRC. You can take a boat ride on the river and enjoy the cool breezes entangled with beautiful vegetation and landscape. You will encounter hippos and crocodiles in the river, and birds of all sorts in their natural habitats. Semuliki River is surely a birdwatcher’s paradise. You will also enjoy incredible views of the Ituri Forest under the beautiful shade of the Rwenzori Mountains. A boat ride across the Semuliki is a great way to get up close and personal with the park’s diverse hangouts without disturbing anyone.