Semuliki National Park

For a taste of Central Africa without leaving Uganda, there’s Semuliki National Park, the country’s newest park, which was confirmed in 1993. Semuliki sits in a wide, flat valley to the west of the Rwenzori Mountains, right along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Geologically, this is the eastern edge of the Congo Basin’s vast and ancient Ituri Forest, which is notable for its biodiversity.

The park is home to 441 known bird species and 53 types of mammals and is one of the few African forests to have survived the last Ice Age. There are also four ethnic groups that live near the park, including the Batwa (formerly known as pygmies). Semuliki’s 220 square kilometers include a true lowland tropical forest (the only one in East Africa) and savanna grassland, much of it prone to flooding during the wet season.

Visitors can take this in during birdwatching and game-viewing drives, and while hiking the 13km Kirumia Trail. They’ll also want to check out the well-known hot springs, such as Sempaya Hot Springs (which run so hot, they can hard boil an egg in 10 minutes) and the Mumbuga spring geyser.

Park access

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Park gates

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Park attractions

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Park wildlife

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