Semuliki

Semuliki refers to a river and a protected area in western Uganda. The Semuliki River rises in the Rwenzori Mountains and flows westward to Lake Albert, forming part of the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The river valley includes wetlands and riparian forests that support rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes. The name Semuliki is tied to the surrounding ecosystem and the communities that live along its course.

Semuliki National Park lies along the lower Semuliki River in western Uganda’s Bundibugyo District, near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The park was established in 1993, having previously operated as a wildlife reserve since 1964. It protects one of Uganda’s remaining tracts of lowland tropical rainforest within the Congo Basin, contributing to regional biodiversity and conservation. The park is known for its high species richness, including more than 400 bird species and a variety of mammals such as chimpanzees, buffalo, and forest-adapted species. Its habitats range from evergreen rainforest to riparian zones and swamps, supporting a wide array of flora and fauna.

A major feature within the park is the Sempaya hot springs, a pair of boiling springs that attract visitors and researchers alike. The area is a focus for ecotourism, scientific study, and conservation efforts, with management responsibilities handled by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Access is primarily via roads from nearby towns, and the park remains one of Uganda’s important but less visited biodiversity hotspots.

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