Semliki National Park
Semliki National Park is one is conserved park in Uganda that’s not so much visited yet it has unique flora and Fauna and a must visit. It is specifically a bird haven. It’s famous for housing the largest number of birds and Uganda Kobs in Uganda. Over 435 several bird species have been recorded here. These include Albertine endemics like guinea Congo forest biome bird types like the red thighed African hawk, great blue turaco, eagles, sunbirds, Abyssinian ground horn bill, yellow-throated cuckoo, African grey parrot, shoebill stock a critically endangered bird specie and many more.
Semliki is the only lowland tropical forest in Uganda connecting to the Congo basin along the floor of the great Albertine rift valley. It boosts one of natural rare features; the Sempaya hot springs.
The park is strategically located along the border of the democratic republic of Congo covering an area of approximately 220 square kilometers one of the best bio diverse ecosystems in Uganda. It was created in 1932 and received a national park status in 1993 under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Semliki national park has a rich biodiversity composed of trees that make up the forest cover, swamps and a savannah grassland. This kind of pattern favors smooth growth of flora and fauna which attracts different mammals like elephants, buffaloes, chimpanzee, monkeys, Uganda Kobs without forgetting a rich bird life.
Sempaya hot springs are the major tourist attraction to this national park. There is both the female and male hot springs which are believed to have been formed as a result of the movement of the earth’s tectonic plates and volcanicity. According to the local people the female hot springs ‘bitente’waters are believed to be medicinal treating all sorts of ailments and skin infections. They also say they cure infertility in Woman and their water is hot enough to boil eggs. This is a common site at the springs, people bring raw eggs after a few minutes the eggs are ready.
A boat cruise along the Lake Albert is quite rewarding with one of the most sought after bird, the shoebill stork. This brings you to interact with the local communities that surround the park majorly the Batwa of western Uganda and the Bakonjo
Semliki is less crowded making it a perfect gate way if you are looking for an exclusive authentic safari. The nature trails in the park will give you stunning views of lush green forest and on a clear day the Rwenzori Mountain.
Semliki is open all year round. Best time to visit is during the dry season between June- September and December-February. One access the park through fort portal it takes approximately 6 hours’ drive to arrive at the destination. There several lodges for accommodation around the park and in the game reserve.