Birding in Semuliki National Park, is one of the most popular tourist activity in this park. Situated in a remote corner of southwestern Uganda, Semuliki National Park is one of the top birding destinations in Uganda, boosting of over 441 bird species. This total represents about 40% of the total bird species recorded in Uganda, and 66%, that is 216, of the country’s forest bird species.
There are 46 Guinea-Congo biome bird species which cannot be found anywhere else in East Africa and 35 of these are only found in two or three other parts of Uganda. In addition, there are 5 Albertine Rift endemic species. So, being rich in bird species, this park leaves a smile for birders who would walk into it for birding. From Sempaya to Ntandi, around the roadside, up to Kirumia trail, the park is well endowed.
Semuliki National Park still ranks as one of the greatest and most important bird watching sites in Uganda. The park is partly covered with Congo-basin vegetation stretching from the Albert side to Congo Area. A large number of Guinea-Congo biome species reach their eastern limits when they touch to Semuliki Forests, so, this has made Semuliki National Park the richest in forest birds in the Pearl of Africa.
Of the 144 Guinea-Congo forest biome species, not less than 131 have been recorded in Semuliki National Park. Such bird species like White-tailed/Piping Hornbill (also recorded in Budongo forest reserve), Capuchin Babbler and Blue-headed, Crested flycatcher are now known from Mabira forest. The orange weaver is common along the Northern shores of Lake Victoria and the Red-billed Malimbe has been spotted in the nearby Kibale Forest National Park famous for chimpanzee trekking experience.
Accessibility for Birding in Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park is very accessible through the western tourism circuit that includes national parks like Mt. Rwenzori National Park and Kibale National Park, allowing a perfect bird watching experience.
Come and experience super birding in Semuliki National Park, because birders who make it to Semuliki are rewarded with some of Africa’s best forest bird species. Sempaya and Ntandi trails provide excellent viewing points for such birds like the White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill and Piping Hornbill. Don’t miss the Yellow-throated Nicator, Great blue and Ross’s Turacos.
While birding in Semuliki National Park you may be lucky to spot some of the rarest bird species, including; Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Nkulengu Rail, Black-wattled Hornbill and Lyre-tailed Honeyguide.
More species like Ituri Batis, Red-billed Helmet -Shrike, Red-eyed Puff-back, Black-winged Starling, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed, Crested and Red-bellied Malimbes and Black Dwarf Hornbill, can’t be missed. There others like the Great blue and Ross’s Turacos, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, the African Piculet, Yellow-throated Nicator and the White-throated Blue Swallow among other bird species in Semuliki National Park.
River Semuliki that meanders, forming ox-bow lakes in some places, along the western border down to Lake Albert is surrounded by a swamp. This is where the four Lake Victoria biome bird species can be spotted, including Papyrus Gonolek and Caruthers’s Cisticola. The site also has two restricted range species and surprisingly, six Afrotropical highland biome species; all these are widespread elsewhere.
You can opt for a boat ride in search for the rare shoebill stork with a local guide who will take you through the lake and swamp, in search for the shoebill.