Semliki National park – Uganda

Semliki National park – Uganda

Birding, Hiking, Game drives, Nocturnal walks, Hot springs

This is one of the newest National parks in Uganda which was made in 1993 with size  220 km sq. located in Bwamba county a remote part in Bindibugyo district in western Uganda. Semliki national park lies on the boarder of DRC and in the south east its boarded by the Rwenzori mountains in the north of the park its Lake Albert, the park lies in the western arm of the East African rift valley.

From March to May and from September to December is the period when the park receives rainfall with an average of 1,250mm.
The park is a home of 441  species of birds and 53 of mammals and this ark is said to be the home birders and some of species found here are :White -throated Blue shallow, Blue billed, Black Dwarf, Yellow throated Nicator, Red- billed Dwarf, Red -chested Owlet, African  Dwarf Kingfisher Red-rumped Tinker bird, Red -eyed Puff -back, Chocolate- backed, Long tailed Hawk, Forest Francolin, Green -tailed Bristlebill,  Black winged Starling, Spot -breasted Ibis, Western Bronze- napped Pigeon, Gabon woodpecker, Yellow throated-Cuckoo, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Grant’s Bluebill, Red sided Broadbill, Black-Wattled Hornbills, Black- collared Lovebird, Lemon bellied Crombec.

These are some of the species of mammals found in the park Grey checked mangabeys, Vervet Monkeys, Red tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Olive Baboon, and some times chimpanzees. Galagos and Pottos, Bush pig, Sitatunga, Buffalo, pygmy Antelopes  and some of the above are nocturnal p and mammals.

Things to see and do at Semliki National Park

Birding
Semliki National park is mostly known as a home of birds and this gives birders an opportunity to see more species here out440 species recorded and of them are: White-crested Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Blue-billed Malimbe, Lemon-bellied Crombec,  Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Red-billed Malimbe, Crested Malimbe,  Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill.

Sempanya Hot springs
They are two hot springs at Semliki National park a female hot spring called Nyasimbi where visitors can boil eggs and a male one called Bitende which is 10m+ in diameter. On this guided walk you will encounter a lot of birds and primates.
These two springs are hot so are hot and visitor are advised not to stand near them.

Game drives: Nocturnal and Daytime
These game drives are usually done g day time and at night and about 53 mammals are found in this park, Lions can be seen in this park, Leopard, Bush pig, Pottos and Galagos, checked mangabeys, and many more.

Hiking and Nature walks
These walks   are always guided and you will be able see  some aquatic animals in Semliki river, like Crocodile, Hippos, Bird species, butterflies, you may even spot forest Elephants some times, plants and many more.

Village visit ( pygmy people)
I f you got o Semliki national park you cannot miss to visit the pygmy people so that you know more their culture and their ways of living these people depend on hunting and farming mostly they grow marijuana and money collected from visitors.

Primate trekking ( chimpanzee)
When you visit this park you can decide to trek chimpanzees and other primates Red tailed monkey, Blue tailed monkeys, Black and white, Vervet, and others. Chances of sighting Chimpanzees in Semliki are lower than chances of sighting them in other rain forests where the trekking usually takes place.

accommodation  at Semliki national park
accommodation depends on visitor’s choice because they range from budget top upmarket what ever your booking choice is, is what you are provided with .