Semuliki National Park
Everything Uganda
Semuliki National Park is Uganda's most biologically distinctive protected area — the only place in East Africa where the Congo Basin rainforest extends beyond the DRC border. This is not simply a Ugandan forest: it is a finger of Central African jungle that has pushed east across the Semliki River, bringing with it Congo Basin plants, birds, and wildlife that are found nowhere else in Uganda and very rarely in East Africa.
The park's signature landmark is the Sempaya Hot Springs — two boiling geothermal vents in the forest floor. The male vent (Biteete) shoots a column of boiling water up to two metres into the air; the female vent (Nyasimbi) is a broad, bubbling pool where local communities have traditionally cooked food in the scalding water. Beyond the springs, the park is defined by its extraordinary birding: 400+ species including 60 that are found only in this Congo Basin forest and nowhere else in Uganda, making it the country's most important birding location for Central African species.
What to Do
Sempaya Hot Springs walk — a short guided trail through the forest to the two boiling geothermal vents. The female spring (Nyasimbi) reaches temperatures of up to 103°C. One of Uganda's most unusual natural spectacles.
Birding — 400+ species including 60 Congo Basin endemics found nowhere else in Uganda: African Piculet, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Nkulengu Rail, Shining Blue Kingfisher, White-crested Hornbill, and many more. Widely considered one of the top birding destinations in Africa.
Forest walks — guided nature walks through the dense Congo Basin understorey, with opportunities to see forest elephants, chimpanzees, pygmy hippos (rare), red river hogs, and buffaloes.
Bwamba cultural visits — meeting the Bwamba and Bakonzo communities on the forest edges, the indigenous peoples of the Semliki valley.
Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve — adjacent to the park, a wildlife reserve of open savanna and forest with game viewing complementary to the park's forest experience.
Key Facts
Bird species: 400+, with 60 found nowhere else in Uganda. The only place in East Africa to see Congo Basin forest endemics.
Sempaya Hot Springs: two active geothermal vents — Biteete (male) shoots boiling water up to 2 metres; Nyasimbi (female) is a broad boiling pool at up to 103°C.
Wildlife: chimpanzees, forest elephants, red river hogs, buffaloes, 53 mammal species total.
The park lies in the Albertine Rift Valley at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains, with Fort Portal 52km to the east.
Getting there: 6–7 hours from Kampala via Fort Portal (380km). 52km from Fort Portal to the park gate.
Best time: June–September and December–February. The forest is worth visiting year-round for birding.