National parkWestern Uganda
Kibale National Park
East Africa's primate capital: 13 species and about 1,500 chimpanzees.
National park
Semuliki National Park
A slice of the Congo Basin with boiling hot springs.
- Western Uganda
- Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb
- Entry from US$35
Overview
- Area
- 220 km²
- National park since
- 1993
- Altitude
- 670 – 760 m
- Bird species
- 435+
- Mammals
- 120+ species
- Butterflies
- 300+ species
Semuliki sits on the remote western side of the Rwenzoris. It became a forest reserve in 1932 and a national park in 1993, and it is dominated by the easternmost part of the Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin.
Its wildlife and landscapes are closer to Central Africa than to the rest of Uganda. The Semuliki River forms the border with the DR Congo, and the forest holds elephants, chimpanzees, hippos and crocodiles.
It is one of Uganda's best birding sites, with over 435 species including 35 Guinea-Congo forest species. At Sempaya, the male and female hot springs boil up through the forest.
- Sempaya hot springs
Boiling springs hot enough to cook eggs.
- Lowland forest birding
Central African species found nowhere else in East Africa.
- Batwa experience
Meet Batwa communities on the forest edge.
Things to do
- Birding and nature walkFrom US$40
Forest trails.
- Batwa experienceFrom US$10
Cultural visit.
- Sempaya hot springs walk
Guided boardwalk trail.
Prices are the foreign non-resident rate per person. Resident and East African rates are lower; see the full table below.
Wildlife and nature to look for
When to go
Driest from December to February and June to September. Parts of the forest flood in the wet season.
- Jan: Best
- Feb: Best
- Mar: Good
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Wetter
- Jun: Best
- Jul: Best
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Good
- Nov: Wetter
- Dec: Best
Fees and permits
Official rates from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA Conservation Tariff, July 2024 – June 2026). Children, vehicle and accommodation rates are in the full tariff.
| Item | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult)per person, valid 24 hoursChildren 5–15: US$5 / US$5 / US$5 / UGX 2,500. Under 5s enter free. | US$35 | US$25 | US$20 | UGX 15,000 |
| Birding and nature walkper person | US$40 | US$30 | — | UGX 30,000 |
| Batwa experienceper person, entry not included | US$10 | US$10 | — | UGX 10,000 |
- Park entry (adult)per person, valid 24 hours
- Foreign non-resident
- US$35
- Foreign resident
- US$25
- Rest of Africa
- US$20
- East African citizen
- UGX 15,000
Children 5–15: US$5 / US$5 / US$5 / UGX 2,500. Under 5s enter free.
- Birding and nature walkper person
- Foreign non-resident
- US$40
- Foreign resident
- US$30
- East African citizen
- UGX 30,000
- Batwa experienceper person, entry not included
- Foreign non-resident
- US$10
- Foreign resident
- US$10
- East African citizen
- UGX 10,000
- UWA bandas at Bumaga cost UGX 52,000–122,000 per night.
Getting there
- By roadFrom Fort PortalAbout 1½ hours
About 52 km over the Rwenzori foothills to Sempaya.
- By roadFrom KampalaAbout 5–6 hours to Fort Portal
On tarmac via Mubende, then on to Bundibugyo.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- The springs are scalding; stay on the boardwalks and follow your guide.
- Combine with Kibale and the Fort Portal crater lakes.
Frequently asked questions
What is special about Semuliki?
It is East Africa's only true lowland tropical rainforest, so it has birds and animals otherwise found only in Central Africa.
What are the male and female hot springs?
Sempaya has two springs: the male spring in an open swamp and the female spring, a bubbling geyser, in the forest.
Sources
Checked on 23 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
- Uganda Wildlife Authority park page
- UWA Conservation Tariff 2024–2026
- UWA tariff changes, 26 February 2026
Combine your trip
Places to pair with Semuliki National Park
National park
National park