Country Safaris
Semuliki National Park (SNP)
The 220km2 National Park occupies a flat, gentle rolling landscape and is about 720 meters above sea level.
It is the only of its kind in East Africa that is a lowland tropical rain forest classified as humid and semi-deciduous.
Situated in the extreme west of Uganda, in Bundibugyo District, is Semuliki National Park (SNP). SNP lies along the Uganda/Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley.
SNP is an eastern extension of the vast Ituri forest in DRC and borders with the Rwenzori Mountains in the southeast, DRC in the west and Semuliki Flats and Lake Albert in the North.
Accommodation facilities are available in fort Portal and Bundibugyo. One can also camp at Bumaga campsite which is about 3kms from Sempaya gate. Meals are also served on order.
Flora and Fauna assortment
The Park has 63 species of mammals. There are diurnal forest primates that include chimpanzees, blue monkey, vervet monkeys and olive baboon. Pottos and galagos are some of the nocturnal primates that you will watch. forest buffaloes, blue duiker, beeecroft's flying squirrel, pigmy squirrel, little collared fruit bat, water chevrotain and target rat are other mammals found in the park.
435 bird species are present, some of which can not be found elsewhere in East Africa. The fabulous hornbills and lyre tailed honey guide are also available.
Although 24 species of trees are limited to Semuliki National Park, the Park has 336 tree species. They include; Isolona congolana, Nesogordonia kabingaensis, Ejacis guineesis and Cordia millenii and Lovoa surymertonii considered to be endangered.
SNP has 374 species of butterflies and moths, 46 species of forest swallowtails and charaxes and 81 species of large moth.
Tourist Activities
Birders, primate, butterfly, sport fishing and plant lovers will have an awe-inspiring experience once a visit to Semuliki National Park is made. You will observe the unique meandering Semuliki River, forest buffaloes, sitatungas, leopards, crocodiles, and a great number of primates, various tree species and water birds.
On your way to Semuliki National park, you will experience the exhilarating meandering road of Bundibugyo through the escarpments of Rwenzori.
Along the road, scenic views of fuming hot springs, the tropical rain forest that extends to the Ituri forest in Democratic Republic of Congo and the meandering Semuliki River can not be missed.
There are two mesmerizing hot springs situated in an expanse of hot mineral encrusted swamp land. Here, you will see a meter jet of hot water and a pool of oozing boiling water. If you are interested, boiling eggs in this naturally hot water can be done.
The Local People
The Bamba, Bakonjo, Bakutu and the Batwa (pygmies) are the four ethnic groups living around the park. A tour around the local community can also be rendered on request. |
