Birding List in Semuliki National Park
Birding List in Semuliki National Park
Birding List in Semuliki National Park : Birding in Semuliki national park is one of the major done tourist activity here, located in a remote areas of southwestern Uganda. Semuliki national park is one of the best birding safari destination on Uganda safaris, it boosts with over 441 species of birds of which 40% of the total number of bird species live in Uganda and 66% of the total represents the number of the country’s forest bird species.
There are over 46 Guinea Congo biome bird species which cannot be seen anywhere else in East Africa and 35 species only found in 2 to 3 other parts of Uganda. Then 5 are Albertine Rift endemic species. The park being hoven to bird species will leave you with quite unforgettable experience of birding from Sempaya to Ntandi around the roadside up to Kurumia trail.
Semuliki national park is one of the top bird watching sites on Uganda birding safari. The park is partly covered with part of Congo-Basin vegetation stretching from the Albert part of Congo Area thus ranking Semuliki to be the richest forest birds in the pearl of Africa. Not less than 131 of the 144 Guinea Congo forest Biome species have been listed in Semuliki Forest national park.
Such Bird species include; White tailed /Piping Hornbill are also recorded in Budongo forest reserve, the Capuchin Babbler and Blue-headed, Crested flycatcher can be seen in Mabira forest. The Orange weaver is a common species that can be spotted along the Northern shores of Lake Victoria and the Red billed Malimbe are recorded in Kibale Forest National park a renowned destination for Chimpanzee tracking experience.
Inside the park there is River Semuliki that forms ox-bow lakes in some places along the western border down to Lake Albert and also surrounded by swamp where four Lake Victoria biome species can be seen including Papyrus Gonolek and Caruthers’s Cisticola among others. The birding site also offers two restricted range species.
A visit made to Semuliki national park is a visit you will never forget since it’s one of the Africa’s best forest birding. Of which Sempaya and Ntandi provides perfect viewing of the birds such as the White Crested Hornbill, Red billed Dwarf Hornbill and Piping Hornbill, Yellow throated Nicator Ross’s Turacos and Great blue.
Below are the Highlight of Bird list in Semuliki National Park as follows;
They include; Black wattled Hornbill and Lyre-tailed Honeyguide ,Ituri Batis ,Red- billed Helmet –Shrike, Red –eyed puff-back ,Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed ,Crested and Red bellied Marimbas ,Black Dwarf Hornbill, Great blue and Ross’s Turacos ,Black casqued Wattled Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinker bird ,African piculet ,Yellow throated Nicator ,White –throated Blue Swallow ,Swamp Palm Bulbul, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe and Blue billed malimbe ,lemon bellied Crombec,Congo Serpent Eagle ,Long tailed Hawk,Nkulengu Rail ,Black wattled Hornbill ,Ituri Batis, Red billed, Helmet Shrike ,Red-eyed Puff back, Black winged Staring few listed.
Those who wish to see the unique shoe bill stork can opt for a boat ride in search for them guided with a local guide who leads you through the Lake in search for the rare shoe bill stork.
What to carry with on Uganda Birding Safari?
On your visit to Uganda birding safari never forget to carry essentials like; Pair of binoculars, Field guide book, digital camera with full battery, field bag, filed clothing, energy eating snacks, insect repellent as the best way of enjoying Uganda’s birding adventure.
Where to Stay on Birding safari in Semuliki National Park
There is no worry of where to stay while on your visit to Semuliki national park, because the park offers perfect lodges ranges from Luxury to budget such as;
Luxury Accommodation
Nyati Game Lodge, Semuliki Safari Lodge
Budget Accommodation
Hotel Vanilla
You can opt to sleep in UWA Bandas and Cottage or do camping because there is preserved camping site for visitors.
