Hiking and nature walks in Semuliki National Park are some of the most famous activities that visitors under take on their visit to this pristine park.
More than 30 species of butterflies have been identified in Semuliki National Park. These include 46 species of forest Swallowtails and Charaxes (75% of Uganda’s total) and at least 235 species of moths have been classified as restricted. There are also 305 species of trees recorded, of which 125 species are restricted within Semuliki National Park alone. Over 441 species of birds have been recorded.
Three different trails including the 13km Kirumia Trail, 11km Red Monkey track and 8km Sempaya Nature Trail exist within the park. These provide the most amazing nature walks within the park premises.
Kirumia Trail
The 13km Kirumia Trail passes through the middle of the forest towards River Semuliki and takes about 8 hours, beginning at 8am. Kirumia trail starts from Kirumia, which is just about 8km from the park headquarters in Ntandi.
This trail is very appropriate for birders, that’s why most birders follow this trail. Because a variety of bird species can be spotted on this trail, that’s why it is most recommended for bird watching and butterfly watching. A variety of butterflies breed on this trail because it has a good forest canopy. There are also a number of woodland birds such as the black and white casqued hornbill, which can be spotted on the trees alongside the rails.
Visitors normally carry their packed lunch as they follow the trail for their bird watching activities.
Semuliki National Park has more than 441 recorded bird species such as the shoebill, piping Hornbill, White-crested hornbill, Red-billed dwarf hornbill, Great blue and Ross’s turacos, Yellow-throated nicator, Red necked falcon, Black-billed barbet and Abyssinian ground-hornbill among others. More than 40 bird species are only restricted in this park.
Red Tailed Monkey/Primate Trail
The 11km Red Tailed Monkey track extends to the eastern border of the park. Along this, you can spot the endangered de Brazza’s monkey then proceed towards the Semuliki River. This trail is just near the main road, so sounds of moving trucks can be heard as one follows the track. It’s more populated with the red tailed monkeys, hence the name.
The Red-tailed monkey trail starts from Sempaya hot springs site and stretches into the forest, which gives you the provision to reach the Semuliki river. You will end up at the park headquarters.
On this trail, you will also able to see a number of forest and woodland birds along. In addition, primates and some mammals such as the duikers, forest elephants, forest buffaloes and some other antelopes can be seen within the same location. Different primate species such as the baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and grey-cheeked mongabeys can be spotted.
The trail has a good canopy, however, its muddy due to the fact it is a tropical forest situated in the Congo basin. There are a lot of trees having with roots on the ground surfaces, as a means of breathing. Care should always be taken on where to step, if not so, your shoes might end up being swallowed by mad.
Sempaya Nature Trail – Part of Nature Walks in Semuliki
On this 8km Sempaya Nature Trail you will spot the Sempaya hot springs as well as primates. The hike takes about 3hrs starting from morning to afternoon. You may opt to cut this trail shot by just moving from the Sempaya tourism center and slope down to view the hot springs. Two hot springs exist within this area, which include the male hot spring (Bamaga) in a swimming pool form, and the female hot spring (Nyansimbi) which has a boiling fountain jet.
Both hot springs have shades as resting points for visitors viewing the hot springs.
The route to the male hot spring has a provision of a boardwalk which gives you a great chance of viewing the Rwenzori mountain ranges, in the back ground view of Semuliki valley.
The Batwa Cultural Trail.
This trail stretches near Ntandi park headquarters to the forest where it will lead you to the Batwa Cultural site. Here is where traditional ceremonial activities such as circumcisions, meetings, kingship and other cultural matters are performed from.
Nyaburogo Gorge Hike – Part of Nature Walks in Semuliki
The Nyaburogo gorge at Semuliki National Park starts right away from the reserve headquarters which is roughly a 7km hike. This goes through the gorges including the savannah woodland and a forest within the gorge. The gorge inhabits a number of wildlife including a number of bird species such as ground hornbills. Other bird species like the Arrow marked Babbler, Tropical Boubal, Black-headed, Bushrike and Luhdres Bushrike can be spotted.
There are also a number of primates that can be sighted as you hike through the rails in Nyaburogo gorge. Some of the primates to be spotted here include the Vervet monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys and Baboons which are common alongside the rod as you start the trails.