UGANDA SAFARI NATIONAL PARK | SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK

INTRODUCTION

Semuliki National Park (SNP) is situated in the extreme west of Uganda, in Bundibugyo District. It lies along the Uganda / Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley. In the southeast are the Rwenzori Mountains, to the west is the Democratic Republic of Congo and to the north are the Semuliki Flats and the Lake Albert further on.

Semuliki National Park is an eastern extension of the vast Ituri forest in Democratic Republic of Congo. It forms part of the forest continuum resulting out of the climatic upheavals of the Pleistocene and therefore one of the richest areas for both flora and fauna in Africa (especially for birds)

Semuliki National Park (220 km2), was gazetted in October 1993. The park occupies a flat with gently undulating landform ranging from 670 metres to 760 metres above sea level. Since all streams and rivers from the surrounding areas drain through the park, coupled with the poor drainage and topography, many areas in the park are flooded during the rainy season. The average annual rainfall is 1,250 mm with peaks from March to May and September to December. The temperatures vary from 18 o C to 13 o C with relatively small daily variations.

Species Diversity

Semuliki National Park is the only lowland tropical rain forest in East Africa classified as moist and semi-deciduous. There are 336 tree species recorded of which 24 are restricted to Semuliki National Park, to the eastern part of the range, or are shared with only one or two neighbouring forests; they include Isolana congolana, Nesogordonia kabingaensis and Ejacis guineesis. Some tree species in Semuliki National Park such as Cordia millenii and Lovoa surymertonii are considered to be endangered.

A survey carried out in 1999 by the Forest Department determined that, compared to other forest parks in Uganda, Semuliki is of exceptional diversity for small mammals, birds and butterflies. Fauna recorded include 435 bird species (about 34% of Uganda’s total), some of which cannot be found elsewhere in East Africa, including some of the continent’s most spectacular and sought after birds such as horn bills and lyre tailed honey guide.

There are 63 species of mammals, 9 species of which are diurnal forest primates (e.g. chimpanzees, blue monkey, vervet monkeys and olive baboons), while nocturnal primates include pottos and galagos. The following species of mammals are also found in Semuliki National Park: forest buffalos, blue duiker, beecroft’s flying squirrel, pigmy squirrel, little collared fruit bat, water chevrotain and target rat.

At least 374 species of butterflies and moths have been identified including 46 species of
Forest swallowtails and char axes plus at least 81 species of large moth, 12 of which are classified as restricted. The wide range of species is distributed not only to the forest’s location, but to the varied habitats, forest swamp, grassland, bush land and an extensive system of hot springs, warm swamp and savannah woodland.

Local people

There are four ethnic groups living around the park. The Bamba and Bakonjo are found in the valley and mountain slopes respectively and both are agriculturalists depending on cash crops like coffee, cocoa and food crops mainly bananas, rice and potatoes.

The Batuku who occupy the rift valley floor, north of the park are pastoralists who depend entirely on cattle products which they trade in with their neighbour (in both Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo).

 The Batwa (Pigmies) are hunters and gatherers, and are an Ituri ethnic group who historically depended and still depend on Semuliki Forest. Their life style is now changing due to interaction with other local communities and the impact of tourism. In 1993, the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) convinced the Batwa and resettled them near Ntandi in a bid to integrate them into local cultural and agricultural life, but the project failed. The Batwa now spend part of their time in their new homes and the other in there traditional homes (the forest). All in all, they now live by hunting, fruit gathering, assistance from local communities and contributions by tourists who go to interact with them.

Tourist activities
Jungle life in Semuliki National Park is breathtaking especially for birders, primate, and butterfly and plant lovers. The jungle walk takes one up to the meandering River Semuliki, the only one of its type in East Africa. You may also see forest Buffalos and elephants, sitatunga, leopard, crocodiles various primates and a wide range of forest and water birds. Visitors can also come with fishing for sport fishing along the river.

A trip to Semuliki National Park has the most marvellous and breathtaking views. Come and experience the thrilling meandering Bundibugyo through the Rwenzori escarpments. While in the mountains, the road offers scenic views of the meandering Semuliki river, fuming hot springs and the tropical rainforest extending to Ituri forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Two hot springs are situated in a tract of hot mineral encrusted swamp land, where visitors see a two meter jet of hot water (130o C) and a pool (12 m diameter) of oozing boiling water (160oC). One can boil food especially eggs in a natural boiler in ten minutes and eat it. While in Semuliki National Park, visitors can arrange trips to nearby Protected Areas like Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Kibale National Park and Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve.

 

Access
You can travel to Semuliki National Park by road. There are two major roads from Kampala to Fort Portal: Kampala to Fort  Portal via Mubende is about 300 Kms (about 4-5 hours drive) while Kampala to Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese is about 510 Kms (7-8 hours). While the Kampala – Fort portal via Mubende is much shorter, the Kampala – Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese gives you opportunity to see or visit Lake Mburo National Park, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

From Fort portal, it is two (2) hours drive on a murram road to Sempaya gate (52kms) and a 4WD vehicle is recommended. The drive to Sempaya takes one through a winding road through the lower ranges of Rwenzori Mountains where at several places one can view the rift valley floor where the Semuliki flats and Toro-Semuliki wildlife Reserve are located. The park headquarters at Ntandi is 5 km further from Sempaya gate along the same routs.
Using public means, one can take a taxi (minibus) or a bus from Kampala to Fort Portal. At Fort Portal Taxi Park, board one of the pick-up trucks or bus for Budinbugyo and stop at Sempaya gate. Return trip will be by the same means but avoid leaving too late (not later than 4:00 pm) because you may fail to get transport. Alternatively, while in Fort Portal you may contact Kabarole Tours on plot 1 Molidina Street to organise for your excursion to Semuliki National park.

Accommodation
The park has limited accommodation facilities, however, there are a number of accommodation facilities in Fort Portal and Bundibugyo. There is a campsite at Bumaga, about 3kms from Sempaya gate.
Preparation of meals is on order. There is also provision for one to bring and prepare his/ her own food at the site. Cooking utensils are also available