Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is a unique destination with many geographical findings. The hot springs are more than evident that the protected area has lasted a long time to have these earth features happen, the hot springs are both female and male called sempaya. The locals attach traditional stories to the area like the female spring has blessings for fertility in women and are used for medicinal purposes.

Our friends ran the lodge in Tooro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, on the way to Semuliki National Park, for several years, so their home became our respite from the forest on many occasions. Both the reserve and the park are quite low-key - don't go expecting to see the big 5 (though lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo do still remain in the reserve). Go for the quiet, for the chance to relax in wilderness without always bouncing around on a game drive, for the open expanses and privacy that few national parks anywhere in the world can offer. Probably not a stop for your first safari if it only lasts 2 weeks. Definitely to be included on your second or third, which should last at least a month. There's also chimps here, living in a ribbon of riverine forest. Not 100% that you'll see them, which makes it more of an adventure, more wild. And, the best place in the world to see the elusive Shoe-billed stork. After a few days at the reserve, before heading back to the main circuit, spend a day in the national park to see the hot springs and waterfalls and a great drive through the Rwenzoris.

The Semliki valley is a small corner of the DRC poking into Uganda. This outstanding valley lies at the foot of the Albertine Rift to the west of Fort portal, and it is the only lowland rainforest making a continuation to the huge Ituri forest in the DRC. The valley is magnificently divided into two by the Rwenzori foothills hence offering the best view of Mt. Rwenzori slopes, Lake Albert and the Semliki River making its way to DRC. Bird- watchers come from all regions of the world to view the central African bird species residing in the forest such as the Congo serpent eagle found nowhere else in East Africa. Meet the elusive mammals of Semliki like Zenker’s flying mice, dwarf antelopes alongside the forest variety elephants and buffalo, but they are quite smaller in size compared to their brethren in other open savannah areas. Most visitors come here to see the hot springs. Although the hot springs are worlds away from the geysers of Rotorua (New Zealand) and Iceland. Notice that there are female and male hot springs of the Semliki, the female just behind the Sempaya entrance, features a little of the geyser while the male spring which is roughly 30 minutes walk from the female can fill a 12m pool. To enjoy your trip to the hot springs, carry some eggs and enjoy preparing your meal in the boiling water. There are two other hiking options in Semliki, Kirimia trail which is a full day trail through the thick forest and a favorable destination for the bird-watchers and the shorter trail though very hilly, the red monkey trail. Both trails end at Semliki River which majestically forms a border between Uganda and DRC. Outside the Semliki Park is the Batwa pygmy village which was relocated here after the park was established.

Named for the river which forms the Congolese border and established in 1993, Semuliki National Park is Uganda's newest park. The locals say it is the only real jungle in east Africa, the over 300 tree species recorded in the park back this fact. I was here for a day , having visited most of Uganda's national parks, I couldn't miss this expedition before leaving. What greets you when you enter the park is a damp cold ghostly atmosphere (if you traveled without company you wont like it). I was provided an armed guide by the Uganda Wildlife Authority on entry. Arm yourself with some bug spray and take an anti malaria shot as this is a swampy tropical area. I had come here for the jungle walk but as I found out there were no camping facilities or accommodation within the park so we had to hasten the famed jungle walk so I could go and find accommodation in the nearby town.The jungle walk took us to the river Semuliki banks, this offered scenic views of the forest with the hot springs fuming and oozing hot waters two meters high, you can boil eggs or other food in a natural boiler within the springs. There were tonnes of beautiful birds swaying across the river, from the water birds to egrets and kingfishers. I tried a bit of fishing on the river bank to no avail. I did not see any game animals except for a few monkeys jumping here and there.At the end except for some awesome photographs I took the walk was a bit boring but the guide made up for that with his spot on jungle facts and humorous conversations. All in all if you have some spare time you can visit Semuliki national park for a relaxed atmosphere, modest hike and good scenery . You can access Semuliki national park by road. There are two major roads from Kampala : Kampala – fort portal via Mubende which is about 180km. (5 hr drive) while Kampala via fort portal via Masaka and Kasese is about 460km (7 hr drive).