Birders must visit Semuliki National Park to discover over 441 species of birds that have been recorded. These are 40% of Uganda’s total species and 66% of the forest birds found in Uganda. There are also many birds found in this area that are normally found in the Congo region of Africa, but also some that are only found in the Albertine Western Rift, including the rare shoebill stork. This makes Semuliki the number one birding destination in Uganda. Semuliki National Park is the best spot for bird watching - species such as Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, Red-thighed Sparrow hawk, Long-tailed Hawk, Forest Francolin, Nkulengu Rail, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Red-chested Owlet, Bates’ Nightjar, Chocolate-backed, White-bellied and African Dwarf Kingfishers, White-crested, Black Dwarf, Red-billed Dwarf, Piping and Black-Wattled Hornbills, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Spotted, Lyre-tailed and Zenker’s Honeyguides, African Piculet, Gabon Woodpecker, Red-sided Broadbill as encountered. Most of these birds are forest bird species.
Semuliki National Park
Background
Semuliki National Park is one of the virgin destinations that cuts across Semuliki valley, western of Mountain Rwenzori an eastern extension of the vast Ituri forest and forms part of a forest continuum that stretches across the Democratic Republic Of Congo (DRC), to the Zaire River. The Semuliki valley contains numerous features associated with central rather than eastern Africa. Existing thatched huts are shaded by West African oil palms, near the Semuliki River, which forms the international boundary as a miniature version of the Congo River. Semuliki has over 30 species of butterflies which have been identified, including 46 species of forest Swallowtails and Charaxes (75% of Uganda’s total). At least 235 species of moths have been classified as restricted. Semuliki has over 305 species of trees recorded, of which 125 species are restricted within Semuliki National park alone.
Wildlife Experience
Semuliki national park is famous for being home to the largest population of Uganda kobs and birds. The park is a rich wildlife destination with a variety of tourist attractions. The reserve hosts a number of mammals approximately 53 species for example antelopes, buffaloes, Uganda knobs, waterbuck, leopards, lions and forest elephants, primates such as black and white colobus monkey, olive baboons, red tailed monkey, and vervet monkey. Semuliki national park a bird haven and perfect destination for birding as it hosts a variety of bird species approximately 420 species in lowland tropical forests with in the park such as Blue Swallow, White-throated Blue Swallow, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Spotted Greenbul, White-starred Robin, Lowland Akalat, Red-throated Alethe, Fire-crested Alethe, Snowy-headed Robin-Chat, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Red-eyed Puffback, White-tailed Robin-Chat, Northern Bearded Scrub-Robin, Capped Wheatear, Common Stonechat, Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, Oberlaender’s Ground-Thrush including the rare shoe bill, Abyssinian ground hornbill and sunbirds among others. Semuliki national park is an extension of the vast Ituri forest making it one of the wealthiest areas in Africa for flora and fauna. Semuliki National Park is consists of savannah grassland, low and tropical forests (one of the ancient and bio-diverse forests) consisting of approximately 336 tree species with 3 endangered species and 24 restricted tree species Euphorbia, Chrysophyllum begui. Semuliki national reserve is a natural overwhelming wonder consisting of Semuliki River and ever bubbling hot springs.
