Please note that the National Park reopened (July 2001) again after some 4 years of being closed due to insecurity in the area.

Note also that Semliki National Park and Semliki Game Reserve should not be confused as being one and the same.

UWA New tariffs document Jan 2009 - June 2010 (148KB)

Commercial Filming Fees:
Commercial filming in this Category 'B' Protected Area is US$100- per person per day plus a refundable fee of US$1,000- when you provide UWA a copy of the film.

Fines:
The fine for those caught driving off track without permission will be fined US$150-.
Over speeding fines Ushs100,000- per offence.
Accident fee for killing animals US$500-.

Access:
Fort Portal-Semliki National Park Sempaya gate 52 km 1.15hrs
Fort Portal-Ntandi 57 km, 1.20 hrs

Getting to Bundibuygo is now much easier with the completion of the road upgrade between Fort Portal and Bundibuygo. There is now a direct bus between Kampala and Bundibugyo run by Kalita Executive. The bus travels via Fort Portal where the one way fare between Fort Portal and Bundibuygo is Ushs5,000-. The bus departs Fort Portal around 15.00hrs returning from Bundibuygo daily at 07.00hrs. The bus will stop at the Sempaya Gate to Semliki National Park for those intent on visiting the park. Pick-up trucks ply the road between Fort Portal Karugutu Trading centre and Bundibugyo throughout the day departing when full. This does imply they are very full when leaving and still continue to load passengers and baggage on the journey. The road has some hair raising bends to be negotiated so this transport should not be considered by the faint hearted. The scenery is very spectacular with views of Semliki Game Reserve and the Ituri forest into the DR Congo.

Accommodation:
For those self-sufficient there is a camp site at Bumaga inside the park close to the Park HQ at Ntandi. This site has great promise with the construction of a raised eating platform with views of the canopy forest. Currently until the construction of the new camp is complete it is possible to camp at Sempaya gate. Visitors not camping will have to consider accommodation in either Bundibuygo or Fort Portal. Banda accommodation is also proposed at this site although funding is yet to be found.

Eating:
Only basic foodstuffs can be purchased locally that would include some fruits and vegetables. Essentially you should come prepared for your stay and not rely too heavily on finding what you need locally.

Location:
Semliki National Park (220 sqkm) is located in a secluded forest area at the base of the Ruwenzori Mountains sharing a border with the DR Congo. It forms a continuation of the Ituri Forest in the DR Congo separated by one of the parks main features the Semliki River.

Semliki is the only park in Uganda composed primarily of tropical lowland forest. As well as a very dense forested area there are grasslands, wetlands and bamboo forest in the park. Adjacent to the park at Ntandi there is a small Pygmy culture living nearby. Local communities in the area are Bakonjo and Bamba peoples both of which are peoples of short stature.

Wildlife:
The Semliki River is the attraction for both buffalo and elephant both of which are difficult to see as is all game on a visit to the park. There is over 400 species of birds recorded in Semliki. Birding in Semliki is one of the main reasons to visit the park. Here you will find many West Africa forest species at the eastern extent of their range. The most spectacular of these would be 4 Hornbill species (White Crested, Red Dwarf, Black Dwarf and Wattled Casque) to be seen nowhere else in Uganda. Red Rumped Tinker Bird is also an localised endemic as is Palm Greenbul. A series of trails has been developed in the forest to provide access for birders. During the rain season these trails would be extremely wet under foot.

Activities:
The park has established trail network one of which loops around the hot springs at Sempaya. Visitors are also welcome to arrange hikes to other parts of the forest and even multi day camping trips. A guide is mandatory for such trips. There is no road network inside the park.

Mechanical Emergencies:
The National Park has no workshop facilities. If you have a major problem you will need to effect a repair or spares from Fort Portal.

Medical Emergencies:
Malaria is a major problem in the area. If you are sick you will need to return to Fort Portal for care.

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