BIRDING

BIRDING EXPERIENCE IN SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK

One of the best birding opportunities in Uganda may be found in Semuliki National Park. Birding on a Uganda birding safari is a remarkable experience due to the park’s vast bird diversity.

Located in the Bundibugyo area of Bwamba County in western Uganda, it is one of the country’s newest national parks.

The park is the only place in Africa to visit a lowland tropical rainforest that is abundant in wildlife. Semuliki, one of Uganda’s national parks, is known for its diverse array of bird species, earning it the title of “true birders haven.” More than 400 species of birds can be found in the park. Forty percent of Uganda’s avian population can be found in the park’s woodland. There are 216 species of forest birds in the park.

Trails for Birding

Semuliki National Park offers stunning bird trails for birdwatching, where a variety of bird species can be seen. The Semuliki National Park is home to several rare bird species that live in the fringe grassland and riverine habitat.

Birding in Semuliki National Park provides views of authentic woodland birds in the afrotropical rainforest. 46 species of Guinea-Congo forest birds have been identified in the park over the years! Six species from the afro-tropical highlands biome, as well as species from the Lake Victoria biome and others, have also been identified in the park.

The Sempaya trails in the park are excellent places to go bird watching in Semuliki National Park. Birding in the area occurs along pathways that meander through a swamp.

A quick introduction to the many bird species is given at the park headquarters before birdwatching. The park guide leads guests on the best birding areas for their birding experience in Semuliki Park.

It takes exciting hours to search and scan for different species of birds during this trip. Finding the species of bird is facilitated by the sounds and echoes produced by the birds.

Available Species of Birds

There are many different species available. It’s possible to witness around 441 different kinds of birds while birding in Semuliki National Park. The most prominent birds in the park are the Yellow-throated Nicator, the Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, the Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, the Papyrus Gonolek, the White-throated Blur swallow, the African Piculet, the Red-rumped Tinkerbird, the Red-cheeked Waxbill, the Blue-billed Malimbe, the Maxwell’s Black Weaver, the Lemon-bellied Crombec, the Swamp palm Bulbul, Leaf-love, and the Yellow-throated Nicator.

Additional Attractions

While on a Uganda safari, Semuliki National Park is worth seeing for more reasons than just being a birdwatcher’s paradise.

One of the main sights worth seeing is the Sempaya hot springs. These can be reached by taking an intriguing stroll through the park’s woodland, which leads to the stunning hot springs, and they are situated in the center of the Semuliki National Park.

Eleven of the more than 53 mammals in the park are indigenous to it. Among them are pygmy antelope and species of flying squirrel. Buffalo, forest elephants, leopards, African civets, bushbabies, hippos, duikers, and many more mammal species can be found in the park.

Eight different kinds of primates can be seen in Semuliki, a popular site for primates. Dent’s Mona monkeys, black-and-white Colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, baboons, central African-red Colobus monkeys, Potto, and numerous other primates can be found in Semuliki National Park.

In addition to birdwatching, Semuliki National Park offers nature treks, the Batwa experience, boat rides on the Ntoroko, and a unique shoe-bill view boat ride.

When to go
The best times to go birding in Semuliki National Park are February through April and June through September. Even though there are a lot of birds in these months, Semuliki National Park offers year-round bird watching.

All areas of Uganda can be reached by road from Semuliki National Park. The 387-kilometer drive to the park from Kampala takes about 6 hours.

Semuliki National Park is one of the options for the ideal birding trip in the pearl. for an unforgettable lifetime of birding.