Birding in Semuliki national park

Birding in Semuliki national park; Semuliki national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda in Bundibugyo district. The national park began as a forest reserve in 1932 and was later upgraded to a national park in 1993. Semuliki national park is known as one of the top birding destinations in Uganda due to the fact that it harbors over 441 recorded bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics, forest birds, migratory birds, Guinea-Congo biome birds, water birds among others.

During birding in Semuliki national park you will follow different trails from Sempaya nature walk trail to Ntandi, Kirumia trail, River Semuliki and around the roadside with an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including Congo Serpent Eagle, Black-wattled Hornbill, Red-throated Bee-eater, Purple glossy-starling, Red-eyed Puffback, Blue Swallow, Toro Olive Greenbul, Cassin’s Spine tail, Swamp Nightjar, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Grants Bluebill, Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, White-tailed Robin-chat, Fire-crested Alethe, Abyssinian Ground-thrush, Common Stonechat, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Yellow-throated Nicator, Blue-headed Coucal, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Long-tailed Hawk, Black Saw-wing, Black-billed Barbet, Grey Ground-thrush, Double-toothed Barbet, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Great Blue Turaco, White-crested Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Ross’s uraco, Red-billed Helmet, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, African Picult, Ituri Batis, Black-winged Starling, Papyrus Gonolek, Caruthers Cisticola, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, White-throated Blue Swallow, Crested Malimbe, Swamp Palm Bulbul, among others.

Semuliki national park is also a home of 53 mammal species including forest buffaloes, bush pigs, bush babies, civet, Uganda kobs, warthogs, Sitatunga, waterbucks, duikers, warthogs, primates like chimpanzees, blue monkeys, de brazza monkeys, ververt monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons among others.

Best time for birding in Semuliki national park

Birding in Semuliki national park can be done all year round though the best time is during the months of late May to September and November to April because during this period you will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species.

What to pack for your birding safari in Semuliki national park

There are a number of items that visitors should pack for their birding safari in Semuliki national park including waterproof rain jacket, hiking shoes, camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, long sleeved shirt and trouser, a hat, drinking water, insect repellent, waterproof backpack among others.

How to get to Semuliki national park

Semuliki national park is located in western part of Uganda and can be accessed by both road and air transport means.

When using road transport means, you will drive from Kampala via Mubende Fort Portal and then to the park headquarters which takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive.

You can also use another route from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Kasese and then to the park headquarters which takes about 7 to 8 hours’ drive.

Semuliki national park can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with Aero link Uganda or Bar aviation from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Semuliki airstrip or Kasese airstrip and then connect to the park headquarters by road.

Where to stay in Semuliki national park

There are various accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury in and near Semuliki national park where you can stay during your safari including Semuliki safari lodge, hotel vanilla, Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas and cottages, Kirimia guest house among others.

Other activities in Semuliki national park

Apart from birding, Semuliki national park offers other interesting activities including game drives where you will be able to view different animals like forest buffaloes, Uganda kobs, duikers, warthogs, hippos, bush pigs, visiting the male and female Sempaya hot springs, nature walks where you will get up-close and personal with different wildlife species, primates, bird species, colorful butterflies among others, chimpanzee trekking where you will be able to spend one hour with the chimpanzees and view various primate species, cultural experiences where you will be able to interact with the Bamba and Bakonjo, learn about their culture, tradition lifestyle among others.

Birding is an interesting activity in Semuliki national park that can be combined with other activities like chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park for unforgettable memories. For more information about birding in Semuliki national park, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris.