Birding in Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park, which is situated in the Bundibugyo district in western Uganda and borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a fantastic place to go birdwatching in Uganda. In addition, the park was created in 1932 and became a national park in 1993.

Moreover, Semuliki is home to a variety of wildlife species, including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, hippos, waterbucks, civets, bay duikers, pygmy antelopes, elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, warthogs, bush babies, and primates. Its total area is 220 square kilometers.

With over 441 known bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics, 35 Guinea-Congo forest biomes, forest species, migratory birds, and many more, the park is one of the best places to go birding in Uganda.

Seeing various bird species such as Orange-Cheeked Waxbill, Blue-headed Crested-flycatcher, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Grant’s Bluebill, Black-wattled Hornbill, Congo Serpent Eagle, and more can be a rewarding experience when visiting Semuliki National Park in the morning or evening with an expert bird guide.

Glossy-starling purpleLong-tailed Hawk, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, White-throated Alethe, Yellow-billed Barbet, Petits Cuckoo-shrike, Abyssinian Ground-thrush, Red-throated Bee-eater,Robin-chat with a white tail, Double-toothed Barbet, Cassin’s Spine Tail, White-throated Blue Swallow, Fire-crested Alethe, Swamp Nightjar, Mountain Greenbul Hairy-breasted Barbet,Common Stonechat, Toro Olive Greenbul, Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, and Little Grey Greenbul Long-tailed Hawk, Blue-headed Coucal, White-bellied Kingfisher, Red-thighed sparrow hawk, Capped Wheatear, White-tailed Robin Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Western Nicator, Purple-Throated Cuckoo-shrike, Common Stonechat, Little Grey Greenbul, Shinning-blue kingfisher, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Piping Hornbill, Swamp Palm bulbul, Red Billed Dwarf Hornbill, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Lemon-bellied Crombec, and many more.

Semuliki National Park’s Best Time for a Bird Watching Tour

While Semuliki National Park offers year-round birdwatching opportunities, the dry season (March to May and September to November) is the ideal time of year. The park often receives less rainfall during this time of year. As a result, from November through April, you will be able to see famous and migratory bird species. There may be an abundance of fruits in the park at this season, which draws a range of bird species.

In Semuliki National Park, birding is also possible during the dry season, which runs from June to February. The birding trails are simpler to follow during this time, making it the ideal place to see birds.

How Semuliki National Park can be reached

Semuliki National Park is located in western Uganda and is reachable by road; it takes roughly five to six hours to get from Kampala to the major attraction, “Semuliki,” via Mubende and Fort Portal. This is the simplest way to enter the park.

Another option is to drive from Kampala/Entebbe through Masaka, Mbarara, and finally to the park, which takes roughly seven to eight hours.

Traveling by Air to See the Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch in Semuliki National Park

Aero Link Uganda offers regular or charter flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Semuliki Airstrip, which takes 45 minutes. From there, it takes an hour to travel by road to the park or lodge.

While on safari at Semuliki National Park, you may do a variety of things besides birdwatching, such as taking a guided natural walk, going game viewing in the Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, where you can see animals including elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and many more. See the Sempaya hot springs and participate in cultural trips to engage with the Batwa, Bakojo, and Bamba people.

Things to bring;

When going on a birding safari in Semuliki National Park, you should bring a pair of binoculars, a water bottle, a field handbook, a camera and spare batteries, light clothing, a waterproof backpack, and many other necessities.

Accommodations in the National Park of Semuliki

Although there aren’t many lodging options in Semuliki National Park, there are a handful available outside the park. These include Semuliki Safari Lodge, Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge, Fort Heights Homestay, Hotel Vanilla, and Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas, among others.

For a wildlife adventure, visitors to Semuliki National Park on their Uganda vacation safari can add gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park to their agenda. It’s also easier to go between these two parks.