1. Sempaya Hot Springs – Uganda’s Natural Wonder

The Sempaya Hot Springs are the most famous attraction in the park. These boiling springs are not only a natural wonder but also hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the local Bamba people.

There are two main hot springs:

• Male Hot Spring (Bintente) – A deep, steaming pool of boiling water.
• Female Hot Spring (Nyasimbi) – A powerful geyser that shoots hot water over 2 meters high.
• The water in these springs is so hot that visitors can boil eggs and cook food in just a few minutes. The local communities believe these springs are sacred and connected to their ancestors.

2. Incredible Bird Watching – A Paradise for Bird Lovers

Semuliki National Park is one of the best birding destinations in Uganda, with over 441 recorded bird species. It has 66% of Uganda’s forest birds and 46 species from the Guinea-Congo biome, which are rarely found elsewhere in East Africa. Some of the top birds to see include:

• Nkulengu Rail
• White-crested Hornbill
• Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill
• Black Dwarf Hornbill
• Yellow-throated Cuckoo
• Bird watchers visiting Semuliki always leave with rare sightings, making it an unmissable spot for birding tours.

3. Unique Wildlife – A Rare Mix of Species

Semuliki National Park is home to over 53 species of mammals, many of which are rarely seen in other Ugandan parks. These include:

• Forest elephants and buffaloes
• Leopards and other wild cats
• Pygmy antelopes
• Primates such as chimpanzees, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys
• Night creatures like bush babies and flying squirrels
• For the best wildlife experience, visitors can go on a night game drive to spot nocturnal animals that are rarely seen during the day.

4. Rich Cultural Experiences – Meet Uganda’s Indigenous Tribes

Semuliki National Park is surrounded by four indigenous tribes:

• The Batwa Pygmies – The oldest tribe, originally forest dwellers.
• The Bamba – Farmers who have lived near the park for generations.
• The Bakonjo – Known for their skills in farming and mountain climbing.
• The Batooro – A dominant tribe in western Uganda, known for their cultural heritage.
• Visitors can interact with these communities and learn about their traditional hunting techniques, dances, music, and daily way of life.

5. Scenic Nature Walks & Forest Hikes

If you love walking in the wild, Semuliki National Park offers amazing nature walks through dense forests, swamps, and open savannahs. The most popular trail is the 13-km Kirumia Trail, which takes visitors deep into the forest toward the Semuliki River. Along the way, you can see rare birds, primates, butterflies, and breathtaking scenery. Other popular trails include:

• Red Monkey Trail – Best for spotting the rare De Brazza’s monkey.
• Sempaya Nature Walk – Leads to the hot springs and offers short, guided forest treks.

6. Boat Trips on the Semuliki River

The Semuliki River runs through the park, forming part of the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Visitors can take a boat trip along the river, where they can see:

• 🐊 Crocodiles
• 🦛 Hippos
• 🦅 Water birds like the Shoebill Stork, Kingfishers, and African Fish Eagle
• Fishing is also possible for those who love adventure on the water.