Birding Safaris in Semuliki National Park Uganda | Top Bird Species
Embarking on birding safaris in Semuliki National Park lets you explore your favorite bird species in their natural habitats. Semuliki National Park currently contains a total of 441 species of birds. They include the Albertine rift endemic birds with over 46 Guinea-Congo biome species of birds. This ultimate guide to birding safaris in Semuliki National Park allows you immerse yourself into the lush jungle and different habitats that guarantee amazing bird sightings.
Semuliki’s Top Bird Species for You to Explore
A Uganda birding safari in Semuliki National Park comes with astonishing bird sightings. The common birds to expect spotting on birding safaris in Semuliki include black dwarf hornbill, Nkulengu rail, chestnut-breasted negrofinch, swamp palm bulbul, African piculet, red-rumped tinker birds, black & white casqued hornbill.
Semuliki’s diverse birds comprise Maxwell’s black weaver birds, piping hornbills, blue-billed malimbe, crested malimbe, yellow-throated nicator, orange-cheeked waxbills, lemon-bellied crombec, leaf love, and red-chested sunbirds.
During birding safaris in Semuliki, expect to also identify birds such as regal sunbirds, Eastern Congo forest birds, Kivu ground thrush, handsome francolins, western green tinker birds, Rwenzori batis, red-faced woodland warblers, olive woodpeckers, crowned hornbills, montane sooty babou, elusive shoebill storks, and streaky seedeaters.
Semuliki National Park also provides refuge to avifaunal species such as cape robin chat, black-headed waxbill, brown-crowned tchagra, olive thrush, dusky turtle doves, and bronze sunbirds, to mention but a few.
When to Go for Birding Safaris in Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park offers all year-round birding safari experiences. But the dry season offers the best weather conditions, favorable for birding and walking tours in Semuliki.
On the travel calendar, the peak dry season start from June to September or you can go birding during the 2nd dry season from December to February.
Birding excursions to Semuliki can be organized around the off-peak months (dry season). It is during the wet or off-peak months when avid birders can spot a diversity of migratory species. Semuliki welcomes migratory avifauna in November to April.
What else to do in Semuliki besides birding safaris
While in Semuliki, visitors are assured of diverse experiences beyond birding or bird watching. The extra or add-ons to birding tours in Semuliki include game drives, nature walks, and a visit to the Sempaya hot springs. You can also embark on a cultural safari to interact with the Bakonjo, Batwa, or Bamba residents.
Packing for Birding Safaris in Semuliki National Park
Packing right is crucial when planning for a successful birding safari to Semuliki National Park. The essentials to consider include a waterproof daypack, a camera, waterproof hiking or walking boots, a bottle of drinking water, sun hat, and a pair of binoculars. You should also have an additional camera battery, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, and a rain jacket.
Accommodation Options to Stay during Bird Watching Tour in Semuliki
Places to book for overnight stay after or before birding safaris in Semuliki National Park range from budget to luxury. Semuliki’s available lodges and camps include Semliki Safari Lodge, UWA Bandas, or book any of the hotels in Fort Portal City.
The hotels to book for your stay in Fort Portal, a tourism city, include Nyaika Hotel, Sky Ways Mansions Hotel, Top of the World Lodges, Reinah Tourist Hotel, Koi Koi Cultural Village Hotel, & Fort Motel.
Other hotels in Fort Portal city include Kyaninga Lodge, Ataco Country Resort, Sunrise Apartments Hotel, Tooro Fairway Hotel, Princess Court Apartments, Mountains of the Moon Hotel, and Relief Motel.
Budget accommodation in Fort Portal city includes the Ruwenzori View Guesthouse, Fort Heights Homestay, Fort Breeze Hotel, Dika Apartments, Azimut Hotel, Raja Excelsior Hotel, Kluges Guest Farm, and New Fortview Hotel.
What else to see in Semuliki beyond the Bird Species
In addition to bird species, Semuliki National Park also holds a range of other wildlife. The wildlife species in Semuliki National Park include bushbucks, hippos, forest buffaloes, flying squirrels, waterbucks, bush pigs, leopards, pygmy squirrels, Uganda Kob, and warthogs. Semuliki also protects elephants, little collared fruit bats, civets, and more.
Beyond wildlife, Semuliki is also popular for its scenic Sempaya hot springs. The Sempaya is Semuliki’s iconic attraction and can be explored during a guided walk with an expert from Uganda Wildlife Authority –UWA. This comprises male and female hot springs, credited for their powerful energy. Guests who get here get a chance to perform an experiment, and like others, you can carry some plantain or eggs to boil. It can take you a few minutes to have it ready for eating.
Nature walks are best for birding safaris in Semuliki
Semuliki National Park is one of the best Uganda safaris and tour destinations with enriching nature walking trails. Each of the park’s promises unique encounters not only with bird species but also with other wildlife, including primates. Below is a checklist of rewarding nature walking trails to conquer during birding safaris or bird watching tours in Semuliki.
Kirumia Trail 13 km long
To enthusiastic birders, Kirumia is a must to explore. Get ready for a full day trek, about 8 hours of round walking excursion while you unearth the wonders that reside in this nature walking trail.
A guided walk through the Kirumia nature walk trail introduces you via the lush forest and also to the Semliki River. Kirumia is highly recommended for birders on the Semuliki birding safari. You can explore this enriching birding trail with an experienced guide.
Sempaya Trail
If you have limited time, you could embark on the Sempaya trail, which is 8 km long. This trail ushers you to the Sempaya hot springs and also comes with astonishing sights of primates plus bird species.
The Red Monkey Track/Trail
Enjoy 11 km long nature walk trail in the Semuliki, an amazing trail that can spark your travel spirits. Along the red monkey track, expect to get exposed to a diversity of primates, including the red-tailed monkeys and DeBrazza’s monkeys.
How safe is Semuliki for a birding safari?
Semuliki National Park is safe and secure for avid birders to explore during their birding safaris. During the guided birding safaris, birdwatchers are accompanied by trained ranger guides. The park ranger guides are knowledgeable about the park’s attractions, safe sites to visit for bird watching, and also skilled in protecting visitors from buffaloes or elephants.
Peaceful destination –Semuliki is one of the stable destinations in Uganda. It has not experienced major incidences and remains a favorite birding destination for most birders on Uganda birding tour. Even accommodation facilities are set in a safe place with easier access for guests to enjoy their birding excursions.
Official confidence from UK government. As 2025 came to an end, UK removed its ‘all but essential travel’ advisory for Semuliki and Queen Elizabeth National Park. This signifies enhanced security and safety for tourists to carryon with their safaris in the respective parks come 2026.
Best practices for safety during birding safaris in Semuliki
Hire a guide
Ensure you embark on a birding tour with the lead of an experienced guide on the ground. The local guides are better informed about the security of the area, sites to visit, and also the risks that come with birding safaris in Semuliki.
Respect the ranger guide’s advice
The park ranger guide attached to you during the birding safari can provide you with detailed information. Do not ignore what your guide tells you for safety purposes and also to ensure that you have a memorable birding experience.
Plan for accessibility of Semuliki
Hire a 4×4 safari for your road connectivity to Semuliki National Park. This park is situated in Western Uganda and can be reached in a 6-7-hour drive from Kampala via the Mityana–Mubende–Fort Portal route. Or take a flight to Semuliki Airstrip or Kasese Airstrip and drive up to the park.
Conclusion: Semuliki National Park offers outstanding birding experiences. Plan and book your next birding safari to Semuliki with Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd. We are the best birding safari company in Uganda any avid birder should consider booking with us.
