Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park lies in Bundibugyo District, on the far side of the Rwenzori Mountains, along the Semliki River and the border with DR Congo. It was a forest reserve from 1932 and became a national park in 1993.

Why go

Semuliki is East Africa’s only true lowland tropical rainforest, the eastern tip of the Congo’s great Ituri forest. It feels like Central Africa. More than 435 bird species have been recorded, including 35 Guinea-Congo forest species such as several kinds of hornbill and the Nkulengu rail. More than 300 kinds of butterflies live here too. At Sempaya, boiling water and steam burst straight out of the ground.

What you can do

• A walk to the Sempaya hot springs, where local guides tell the stories of the “male” and “female” springs.
• Birding and nature walks, including the long Kirumia trail (a full day).
• Next door, the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve offers primate walks, game drives in the rift valley, the Nyaburogo Gorge hike and boat trips on Lake Albert, where the shoebill lives in the marshes.

The people side

Near Toro-Semliki, the Karugutu Community Conservation Association shares traditional dance and crafts with visitors. Batwa families resettled at Ntandi, close to the park, also share music, dance and crafts. Their situation is difficult, with little land and health problems, so we keep the visit small and respectful. Both visits are run by the communities themselves and are included in your trip, so what you pay goes to the hosts.

Best time to visit

The drier months, December to February and June to August, are best. In the wet seasons some trails flood.

Getting there

From Fort Portal it is about 1.5 to 2 hours over the Rwenzori foothills, and that drive is a highlight in itself. In total allow 6 to 7 hours from Kampala, and about 1 hour more from Entebbe. Charter flights can use Fort Portal.

Good to know

It is hot and humid here, at only 670 to 760 metres. Forest elephants, chimpanzees and de Brazza’s monkeys live in the park but are shy and seldom seen. Trails are flat, so walks are easy to moderate. Facilities near the park are simple, so most guests stay in Fort Portal. Semuliki works best as a one or two-day add-on to Kibale or Fort Portal, especially for birdwatchers. UWA’s current prices are valid to 31 December 2026; new UWA prices start on 1 January 2027.