Nature walks and hiking is among the most trending activities in Semuliki national park that you should not miss out on your safari in this park. Nature walks will allow you to see over 30 species of butterflies, including 46 species of charaxes and forest swallowrail plus at least 235 moth species. Over 305 tree species were recorded and 125 among these species are found only in Semuliki. The park is also home to about 441 bird species.

3 different trails are 8 kilometers Sempaya nature trail, 11 kilometers Red monkey track, and 13 kilometers Kirumia trail do exist in Semuliki national park with an amazing experience.

Red-tailed monkey.

This 11 kilometers red trailed monkey stretches to the eastern border of Semuliki national park. The trail will allow you to see the endangered de Brazza’s monkey then continue towards the Semuliki River. Red trailed monkey track is found near the road. As you move, you will hear the sound of trucks. It is called the red monkey track because there are many red trailed monkeys. This trail begins from the Sempaya tourism site and takes you through into the forest up to the Semuliki River and complete from the park headquarters. During the nature walk in this truck, you will see woodland birds, primates, and mammals such as the forest elephant, duikers, forest buffaloes, and many more. Some primates to see around here are red trailed monkeys, grey checked mongabeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, and many more.

Kirumia trail.

The 13 Kirumia trail will take you through the center of the forest along the Semuliki River which takes about 8 hours to complete and starts at 8:00 am. The trail is best for bird lovers, you will see a lot of bird species on this trail which starts from Kirumia and takes approximately 8 kilometers from the park headquarters in Ntandi.  Kurumia trail is the most recommended trail for the tourists who wish to bird-watching as a variety of birds can be spotted from here. It is also good for butterfly watching since it has a good forest canopy. During nature walks on this trail, birders are advised to carry their packed food for lunch so that to complete their bird watching activity with no disturbance. Semuliki national park is blessed with over 441 bird species and these are some of them; the white-crested hornbill, yellow-throated nicator, piping hornbill, red-billed dwarf hornbill, red-necked falcon, plus the rare shoebills, and many more.

Sempaya nature trail.

The 8 kilometers Sempaya nature trail will give you a chance to the hot springs and a lot of primate species. This hike takes about 3 hours and it usually starts in the morning and afternoon from the Sempaya tourism center. On Sempaya nature trail, you can decide to cut this trail shot as you slop down to see the hot springs and these hot springs divided into two parts, one part is male hot spring which is in a pool form, and the female hot spring which has a fountain jet. At these hot springs, some huts provide shade to visitors for rest as waiting for their boiling materials to get ready.

The trail also gives you a boardwalk which allows you to see the Rwenzori mountain ranges in the background and also view the Semuliki Valley.

The Batwa cultural trail.

This trail starts from the Ntandi park headquarters to the forest and it will take you to the Batwa cultural sites where you will enjoy ceremonial activities like circumcisions, kingship, meetings, and others.

Nyabsurogo Gorge hike.

Nyabsurogo Gorge hike begins from the reserve headquarters which covering 7 kilometers to complete the hike. This will take through the gorges including the woodland, savannah, and forest in the gorge. Nyabsurogo gorge is home to many wildlife such as primates like black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkey, baboons, and many more plus a lot of bird species such as the tropical boubal, luhdres bushrike, ground hornbills, bushrike, arrow marked babbler, and among others.

How to reach Semuliki national park for Nature Walks?

Semuliki national park is located in southwestern Uganda in Bundibugyo district, it can be accessed by road on 2 routes, especially if you’re coming from Kampala city, and 4WD vehicles are best for both routes.

Route 1:  Kampala-Fort Portal via Mubende is the shortest route than route 2 which covering over 180kilomaters and takes about 4-5 hours drive.

Route 2: you may use Kampala-Masaka via Mbarara and Kasese. It takes 465 kilometers and 7-8 hours.  The route is longer but it gives you a chance to visit other places along the way like Lake Mburo national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, and others.

After visiting Semuliki national park for nature walks, plan a visit to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park for gorilla trekking where you will get a chance to explore more about these shy primates, Kibale forest national park for chimpanzee tracking, Mgahinga gorilla national park for tracking the rare golden monkey. Or visit the majestic Rwenzori Mountains for the most trending hiking experience in Africa and many other national parks.