An enthusiast birders’ version of a little paradise!

Semuliki national park is situated in one of the remote parts of Bundibugyo district named Bwamba county in Western Uganda. The park covers 220km² and raises to an altitude of 670-760m. The forest where Semuliki national park is located is the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa, an ultimate spot for a Uganda birding tour.

The forest Sprawls across the floor of Semuliki valley on the western side of the Rwenzori mountains. Its dominated by the eastern most extension of the great ituri forest of the Congo basin, in the Western arm of the East African rift valley. This is one of Africa’s most ancient and bio diverse forests, that survived the last ice age. This diversity makes it inevitable for survival of many bird species.

Bird species in Semuliki national park

This park has a number of over 441 species (40% of Uganda’s total and 66% of the forest species) in its riverine forest and grasslands avian habitats. The bird species obviously seen on birding Uganda safari tours there include African Piculet, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed Malimbe, Yellow-throated Nicator, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Nkulengu rail, Piping Hornbill, Yellow Throated Cuckoo, Dwarf honey guide, Great Blue and Ross’s Turaco, Purple Breasted Sunbird, Orange Weaver, White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, and Swamp Palm Bulbul.

Other beautiful birds of the forest for Uganda bird watching safari tourists are birds like the Crested Malimbe, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, White-throated Blue Swallow, Leaf-love, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Red-bellied Malimbe, Blue-billed malimbe, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch to mention but not limited to.

The park also hosts 46 Guinea-Congo biome species in its lowland forest like the Congo serpent Eagle.

Best Uganda birding tour spots in Semuliki national park

Some of the important birding spots for a memorable birding safari in Uganda at Semuliki national park include Sempaya, Ntandi, River Kirumia and Mungilo waterfall.

A passionate birder will find the “bird paradise” in Semuliki National Park Uganda, just plan a safari to Uganda and see more than 50% of Africa’s bird species. DO NOT forget your binoculars, have the best time.