Within the park, there is Sempaya Hot springs Semuliki’s most famous attraction. The male spring known as Bintente measures 12m in diameter and is set in a lush swampy clearing. The female spring Nyasimbi meaning “the female ancestors” is a boiling geyser which spurts bubbling water and stream up to two meters high. The stream cloud can be seen from as far as 2km away. Local people used to cook their food in these boiling pools.
The 160km long Semliki River carries runoff from the Rwenzori Mountains to Lake Albert and the Nile providing ancient geographer’s claims that the Nile flows from a snow capped mountain in the heart of Africa. Broad, muddy, forest fringed and home to hippos and crocodiles. The Semliki is a miniature version of the Congo River. Visitors can watch the river meander across the rift valley floor from road side view points and hike through the forest to its bird-rich banks.
Inside the park, there is Toro Semliki wildlife reserve. Uganda’s oldest reserve, tropical rainforest meets grassy Savannah and the flat plains are punctuated by deep river valleys. The unique geography is reflected diversity of wild life which includes the mammals of central Africa.
The forest is a home to 53 mammals of which 27 are large mammals. 11 species are endemic to the park including the pygmy antelope and two flying squirrel species. It is also home to the peculiar water chevrotain known as the fanged deer.
The park is also a home to forest elephants and buffalos which are smaller versions of their savannah dwelling relatives. It is also remarkably rich in primates including the chimpanzee, baboon, grey cheeked Mangabey, black and white Colobus central African red Colobus, blue, red tailed, de Brazza’s, Vervet and Dent’s Mona monkeys. Nocturnal primates include the Potto and Bush baby. Hippos and crocodiles are common along the Semuliki River.
Sempaya and Ntandi provide excellent viewing of the birds including the White crested Hornbill, Yellow throated Nicator, Great blue and Ross’s Turacos. The area around Kirumia River is another top birding spot. The shoebill stork is regularly seen at close quarters on Lake Albert and forest walks are good for tracking water birds.