Semuliki National Park and Semuliki Forest Reserve are closely related areas in western Uganda, each offering unique features and attractions. While the Semuliki Forest Reserve focuses on the preservation of lowland tropical forest, the Semuliki National Park offers a broader range of ecosystems and wildlife experiences. Both areas contribute to conservation efforts and provide opportunities for sustainable tourism, benefiting both the natural environment and local communities. Here’s a breakdown of both.

Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is a national park in Bwamba County, a remote part of the Bundibugyo District in the Western Region of Uganda that was re-established in October 1993. It encompasses 219 km² of East Africa’s only lowland tropical rainforest. The park is situated on the remote western side of the Rwenzori Mountains, bordered by Lake Albert to the north and the Semliki River to the west (forming the international boundary with the Democratic Republic of Congo). The national park is Uganda’s true birders’ haven with about 40 percent bird species of Uganda’s birding destinations. The park has recorded about 441 different bird species. Exploring this park and its reserve is a special experience for birders looking for scientific importance. 

Semuliki National Park is a home to approximately 441 bird species and 53 mammal species (such as chimpanzees, baboons, forest elephants), and diverse flora. Also known for its exceptional biodiversity, including lowland tropical forests, grasslands, and wetlands. The national park is surrounded by four ethnic groups: Bwamba farmers, Bakonjo cultivators, Batuku cattle keepers, and Batwa pygmies. The park is also very famous for the Sempaya Hot Springs, demonstrating powerful subterranean forces, the hot springs are divided into two sets – the female “Nyasimbi” and the male “Bintente.” Semuliki National Park offers opportunities for chimpanzee tracking. Visitors can go on guided treks to observe and learn about these primates in their natural habitat 

Semuliki Forest Reserve

Semuliki Forest Reserve, located in Uganda, is a protected area known for its unique biodiversity and ancient lowland tropical forest. It is situated on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori in the Semuliki Valley. Semuliki Forest Reserve was established in the 1932 and and was upgraded to national park status in 1993, it is part of the great Ituri Forest extension of the Congo Basin, one of Africa’s most ancient and biodiverse forests. It is the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa, hosting 441 recorded bird species and 53 mammals. While Semuliki National Park is a protected area with a focus on conservation and tourism, Semuliki Forest Reserve contributes to the overall biodiversity of the region. Visitors to the area have the opportunity to explore the national park’s diverse ecosystems, witness the hot springs, and engage in activities like bird watching and primate tracking. The forest reserve, on the other hand, provides insights into the ancient rainforest and the traditional lifestyle of the Batwa pygmies, who traditionally lived as hunter-gatherers on the forest margins.

The reserve hosts 441 recorded bird species and 53 mammal species and notable wildlife includes baboons, chimpanzees, elephants, antelopes, hippos, and crocodiles. There are around 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. The reserve also contains evidence of ancient geological processes, with hot springs bubbling up from the depths, it showcases powerful subterranean forces that have shaped the rift valley for millions of years. The reserve offers opportunities for bird watching, primate tracking, nature walks, and cultural encounters with local communities. Tourists can experience the diverse ecosystems and wildlife, including the Semuliki hot springs. While on this trip you will enjoy the rich natural and cultural experience in Uganda while contributing to the conservation and well-being of the Semuliki region.