Things to do at Semuliki National Park : Have you ever imagined having sauna and steam bath in the natural set up, in a bigger and better way or rather have you ever boiled eggs in a natural and open place which eggs eventually get ready within 20 minutes? Semuliki National Park is uniquely and naturally endowed with the best tourism activities that will thrill your stay in Uganda for any Uganda safari. Let’s explore this great and peculiar tourist destination called Semuliki National Park. There are so many activities to participate in while in Semuliki National Park. Tourists activities to participate in while in Semuliki National Park are quite different from that in the rest of Uganda, characterized by the original inhabitants of the ancient rainforests-the Batwa Pygmies and other communities who migrated to this area over the centuries such as the Bamba farmers, the Bakonzo who cultivate the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon) and the Batuku cattle keepers/pastoralists who live on the open plains of the Semuliki Valley. Semuliki National Park also protects the female and male hot springs, wildlife, bird species, ancient forests, insects like butterflies and several others. There are several activities that will keep you lively and definitely not regret having chosen to visit Semuliki National Park for your Ugandan safari out of the many opportunities foregone and indeed, a safari to the Pearl of Africa will confirm to you that you made the right decision when you dropped the rest of the tourism destinations and visited Uganda and more wisely you explored Uganda with the most rated tour company-Jewel Safaris Limited. You can’t fail to write a beautiful story about Uganda after your visit to Semuliki National Park. Lots of wonders await you in this beautiful destination. Let’s look at some of the activities to participate in while in Semuliki National Park.
What to see and do in Semuliki National Park
Sempaya Hot-Springs
While in Semuliki National Park, the most looked out for attractions are the male and female hot springs and a Uganda safari to this park without visiting them is counted as incomplete. You will have your natural sauna and steam bath for the whole time you will spend here. The people living near the hot-springs used to boil food in the hot-spring pools, and even to date you can bring some eggs along and have them boiled here. This is one of the interesting things to do while at Semuliki National Park.
However, don’t get too excited and forget to be cautious enough for the safety of your well-being as the water is extremely hot, boiling at about 100 degrees Celsius hence you should be extremely careful when near these attractions. While on a trek to these hot springs, you will pass through the tall, thick, and cool forest cover, with beautiful vegetation and primates like the black-and-white colobus monkeys, olive baboons and may also come across a few reptiles like snakes. Let Jewel Safaris Limited organize and execute your safari.
Things to do at Semuliki national park : Birding
If you randomly ask for the best birding sites in Uganda, you will be surprised that Semuliki National Park will be mentioned several times. It is for this reason that is also known as “The True Birder’s Haven”. The park is every birder’s favorite destination to do birding among other activities. Semuliki National Park is gifted with over 400 bird species which represents 40% of Uganda’s total bird species and 66% of the forest birds found in Uganda.
While in Semuliki National Park, excellent bird viewing sites include Sempaya and Ntandi for incredible birds species like White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, Great blue and Ross’s turaco, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Piping Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, African Piculet, White-throated Blue Swallow, Yellow-throated Nicator, Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Blue-billed Malimbe, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Orange-cheeked Waxbill among several other species.
The close quarters of Lake Albert are always associated with the great shoebill stork. Waterbirds can also be tracked during forest walks. If you love and enjoy bird watching safaris, book with Jewel Safaris Limited to Semuliki National Park or any other birding destination of your choice for the ultimate birding experience. For more information, reach out to us through info@jewelsafaris.com.
Things to do at Semuliki national park : Cultural Experience
Four indigenous tribes live on the edges of the park. Visitors interested in a cultural experience can visit any of these tribes which are; The Batwa pygmies who are traditionally hunters and fruit gatherers. Their counterparts the Bakonjo and Bamba live on the slopes of Mount Rwenzori where they grow crops. The Batuku who are pastoralists inhabits the Northern part of the park. The cultural experience will give visitors an insight into the traditional way of living of these unique tribes.
Things to do at Semuliki national park : Nature Walks and Hiking
The best way to explore the beauty of Semuliki is through taking a guided nature walk. The park has three main trails which visitors follow during the nature walk. The 8km Sempaya nature trail leads to the Sempaya hot springs and offers spectacular views. The 13km Kirumia trail is perfect for bird watching, taking you through the centre of the forest to the Semuliki River. On the easterly margin of the park lies the Red monkey trail which also leads to the Semuliki River and presents an opportunity to see birds, mammals, butterflies and plants. During the nature walk, you may also encounter other species such as baboons, black-and-white colobus, De Brazza’s monkey, grey-cheeked Mangabey, and the Central African red colobus.
Walking options include the 13km Kirumia trail found in the heart of the forest, which requires a full day to have it explored thoroughly and it’s the best choice for birdwatchers as it takes them through the honeypot of various most looked out for bird species. The second trail that one can explore here is the Red Monkey Trail which is the shorter one from the Kirumia trail but both meeting at Semuliki River the border point between Uganda and D.R. Congo as the end point.
Red Monkey Trail
This is a wilderness trail through the Eastern margin of the Park to the Semuliki River. It also offers exposure to more than just a variety of localized birds and the trail to the springs where you will be exposed to see a variety of mammals, birds. Butterflies, and plants. This is the home to the beauty of Uganda and exceptionally offers the best experiential moments peculiar to it alone. Jewel Safaris Limited is awesomely ready to make your trip a reality. Travel with us today. You may also opt for any kind of safari in Uganda but we recommend you try gorilla trekking safaris too as the best way to seal the best moments of your stay in Uganda by taking a visit to the gentler giants in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Kindly send your inquiries and bookings through info@jewelsafaris.com and our highly trained and experienced team will attend to you.
