Semuliki National Park - Uganda

Semuliki National Park lies on the floor of the remote Semliki Valley, on the western side of the Rwenzori Mountains, and is dominated by the easternmost extension of the vast Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. This ancient and exceptionally biodiverse rainforest is among the few in Africa to have survived the last Ice Age, between 12,000 and 18,000 years ago. The park’s landscapes and cultures reflect strong Central African influences, from West African oil palms and Congo Basin wildlife species to the Semliki River—forming the international border with the DRC—and the presence of Batwa pygmy communities originally from the Ituri Forest. As a result, Semuliki offers a rare Central African experience within Uganda.

Covering 219 square kilometres in Bundibugyo District, Semuliki National Park forms part of the Congo Basin forest system and lies within the Albertine Rift, one of Africa’s most important biodiversity hotspots. The park sits at the crossroads of multiple climatic and ecological zones, creating a rich mosaic of habitats and high species diversity, with many plants and animals reaching the eastern edge of their range here. Hot springs rising from deep underground reveal the powerful geological forces that have shaped the rift valley for over 14 million years, while a warm, humid climate with annual rainfall averaging 1,250 mm supports the park’s distinctive ecosystem.