Bird Watching in Semuliki National Park

Bird watching in Semuliki National Park; Semuliki National Park is situated in the western region of Uganda, within Bundibugyo District, adjacent to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Semuliki National Park was established in 1932 and subsequently designated as a national park in 1993. The national park encompasses an area of 220 square kilometers and serves as a habitat for various wildlife species, including elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, warthogs, hippos, bush babies, waterbucks, civets, bushbucks, bay duikers, pygmy antelopes, and primates such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and grey-cheeked mangabeys, among others.

Semuliki National Park is a premier birdwatching location in Uganda, housing over 441 known bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics, 35 Guinea-Congo forest biome species, and other migratory birds.

Birdwatching in Semuliki National Park can be conducted either at dawn or dusk with a knowledgeable bird guide, allowing for the observation of various avian species, including the Black-wattled Hornbill, Congo Serpent Eagle, Purple Glossy-starling, Red-throated Bee-eater, Long-tailed Hawk, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, White-throated Alethe, and Mountain Greenbul. Hairy-breasted Barbet, Swamp Nightjar, Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, Yellow-billed Barbet, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Abyssinian Ground-thrush. White-tailed Robin-chat, Fire-crested Alethe, White-throated Blue Swallow, Double-toothed Barbet, Cassin’s Spinetail. Toro Olive Greenbul, Common Stonechat, Little Grey Greenbul, Long-tailed Hawk, Blue-headed Coucal, Western Nicator, Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, Common Stonechat. Shining-blue Kingfisher, White-bellied Kingfisher, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Capped Wheatear, White-tailed Robin-chat, Red-throated Alethe, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Crested Malimbe, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Piping Hornbill, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, and Lemon-bellied Crombec, among others.

Best time for bird watching tours in Semuliki National Park

Birdwatching in Semuliki National Park is feasible year-round, however the optimal periods are during the dry season, specifically from March to May and September to November. In this period, reduced rainfall in the park facilitates the observation of vibrant and migratory bird species from November to April.

Birdwatching in Semuliki National Park is feasible during the dry season, specifically from June to July and December to February, when the birding trails become dry and accessible, facilitating the activity.

Directions to Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is situated in the western region of Uganda and is accessible by road. The journey from Kampala involves traveling through Mubende and Fort Portal, taking around 5 to 6 hours.

An alternative route to Semuliki National Park is via Masaka and Mbarara, leading to the park headquarters, which requires approximately 7 to 8 hours of driving.

Semuliki National Park is accessible via air travel, with scheduled or charter flights available through Aero Link Uganda or Bar Aviation from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Semuliki Airstrip, followed by a road transfer to the park headquarters.

Additional safari activities in Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park provides additional engaging activities beyond bird watching, including guided nature walks with an experienced park guide, game drives in the Toro Semuliki Wildlife Reserve to observe various wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, and warthogs, visits to the Sempaya hot springs, and cultural interactions with the Batwa, Bakonjo, and Bamba communities.

Items to include in your packing list

Essential items for your birdwatching expedition in Semuliki National Park include hiking boots, a field guidebook, a camera with additional batteries, binoculars, a water bottle, a waterproof rain jacket, lightweight clothing, and a waterproof backpack, among others.

Accommodation options in Semuliki National Park

Accommodation options within Semuliki National Park are limited; thus, we recommend that travelers secure lodging in Bundibugyo town or Fort Portal. The lodgings include affordable, midrange, and premium options such as Semliki Safari Lodge, Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas, Hotel Vanilla, Fort Motel, Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge, and Fort Heights Homestay, among others.

For remarkable and indelible experiences, avian observation at Semuliki National Park can be integrated with additional activities such as game drives, lion tracking, boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, and chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, among others.