Lodges Semuliki National Park Accommodation Uganda Africa

February 27, 2008

Accommodation:
A campsite at Bumaga 3km from Sempuya gate is available. However, the space is limited. Other  accommodation facilities are extended to Bundibugyo and Fort Portal.
Preparation of meals at the park is made on order basis. However, one can prepare his or her  food since utensils for cooking are provided on hire basis.

Access:
There are two major roads from Kampala to Mubende to Fort Portal.
(1).    Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal (300km). 4-5 hours drive.
(2).    Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara and Kasese is about 510km (7-8 hours drive).
This route gives you a chance to see Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth
National Park, Rwenzori Mountain National Park and Kyambura Wildlife
Reserve, than the Kampala-Fort Portal via Mubende route.

To Sempuya gate from Fort Portal, its 52km (2 hours drive) on a murram road.
A drive to Sempuya takes you to the lower ranges of Rwenzori Mountain, hence a 4WD vehicle may  be recommended since the road is winding.
On this road, one can view the Rift Valley floor, Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, Ntandi park  headquarters and Semiliki flats.

Another alternative may be by means of a taxi or bus from Kampala to Fort Portal while at this  point, you may board a taxi for Bundibugyo and stop at Sempaya gate. However, you should avoid  leaving too late by the same means, not to exceeding 4:00pm since you might fail to get  transport back to Kampala.

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Semuliki Tours Uganda, Expedition, Wildlife Safari Semuliki Attractions Africa

February 27, 2008

Tourist Attractions:
Among the attractions are the primate, birds, butterfly and plants. One will reach a meandering  river when jungle walk is taken.

Visitors will also be able to see the buffalos, leopards, crocodiles, sitatungas, elephants as  well as water and forest birds. For visitors interested in spot fishing along the river should  come with their own fishing facilities.

For marvellous and breathtaking views, try a trip to Semuliki National Park and experience a  thrilling meandering road via the Rwenzori escarpment. Once on the mountain you will also be  able to view River Semuliki, fuming hot springs, Ituri forests in the DRC.

Other attractions include 2 hot springs situated in a pool of hot minerals within the swampland.  Here, visitors can view a two-meter jet of hot water (1300C) and a pool of 12m diameter. This  water boils at 1060C and its good for boiling food fro a few minutes.

While at Semuliki Park, visitors can as well arrange trips to nearby National Parks like  Rwenzori Mountains, Kibale and Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.

Local people:
There are different ethnic groups near the park, of which only 4 are common around the park.  Among them are the Bakonjo who live in the mountains and the Bamba who live in the valley. These  two groups are basically agriculturalists depending on cash crops mainly i.e. cocoa, coffee and  not forgetting the food crops i.e. bananas, rice, beans and potatoes.
Another group are the Batwa (Pigmies). These are generally gatherers and hunters and they are  under the Ituri ethnic group. Due to the impact of tourism and intermarriages, their life style  is now changing.

The Adventist Development Relief Agency once convened the Batwa to resettle them into  agricultural and local cultural life near Ntandi. However, the plan failed and some fled back  into the forest to hunt and gather fruits, while others were left in their new homes,  contributing to tourism when they interact with the tourists, as well as assisting the local  communities.

The final group around the park are the Batuku, who settled on the Rift Valley floor. They are  generally pastoralists and depend on cattle products, which they trade with the neighbours.

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Semuliki Safari Uganda,Vacation Ideas, Travel and Safari Trip Africa

February 27, 2008

Semuliki National Park is a home for only small birds, mammals and butterflies according to the  research carried by the forest department in 1999.
Among the 63 species of mammals, 9 of which have diurnal forest primates which include; Vervet  monkey, chimpanzees, olive baboons and blue monkey as well as the nocturnal primates e.g.  galagos and pottos.

Mammal species include; forest buffalos, beecroft’s flying squirrel, pygmy squirrel, little  collared fruit bat, chevrotaain, target rat and blue duiker.

At least 435 bird species, some of which cant be found else where in East Africa including the  most sought after birds such as the Lyre tailed honey guide, horn bills and many others.

Over 374 butterfly species and moths have been recorded and 46 species of swallow tails and  charaxes.
There are 81 large species of moth, of which 12 are unclassified.
Other species are not only restricted to the forest’s location, but also to the habitats forest  swamps, hot springs, savannah woodland, warm swamp and bush land as well as the savannah  grassland.

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Semuliki National Park Uganda Safari Africa, Adventure Holiday Uganda

February 27, 2008

SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK  (SNP).

SNP is located in the far West of Uganda, ear the border of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)  and Uganda. The park is surrounded by Rwenzori Mountains in the Southeast, DRC in the West,  Semuliki Flats in the North and within the border of the East African Rift Valley.

The park further extends in the vast Ituri Forest in the DRC, Hence making the park well vast  with enough fauna and flora in the whole of Africa.
The park was gazetted in 1993(October) and covers 220km2 of gently flat undulating land form and  above sea level, it ranges from 670m to 760m.

Due to poor topography and drainage, many areas are flooded especially during the rain season  since all streams and rivers drain through the park.
The park has a 1250mm average annual rainfall, with the highest being in the months of March to  May and September to December and temperatures ranging from 180C to 300C.

Fauna and Flora:
In East Africa, Semuliki is the only tropical rain forest on a low land with poor drainage  landscape.
The park supports a tremendous 336 different species of which, only 24 are not found else where  in Uganda’s parks.
With the neighbouring forests sharing a few species,which include Nesogordonia kabingaensis,  Isolana congolana, and Ejacis guineesis. However, some of the endangered species in Semuliki  include Lovoa surymertonii and Cordia mellenii.

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