Semuliki National Park at a glance
Semuliki National Park covers 220 km² of lowland rainforest in western Uganda, at 670 to 760 m. It was a forest reserve from 1932 and became a national park in 1993. The forest is the eastern edge of the Ituri forest, which continues into DR Congo. You may also see the name spelled Semliki.
The park is a full day from Fort Portal. If you are building a route, see the Fort Portal guide for the other day trips and Kibale tours from Kampala and Fort Portal for combined plans.
Sempaya hot springs
Boiling water and steam, with the forest behind.
The Sempaya hot springs are the main sight in Semuliki. There is a female spring, called Nyansimbi, and a male spring, Bintente. Water boils out of the ground and steam rises with forest behind. Both springs are in the park, and the paths include a boardwalk across wet ground.
The female spring is the shorter walk, about 15 minutes. The male spring is a longer walk of about an hour through forest and over a swamp boardwalk. Treat those times as rough, and ask the rangers about the paths on the day.
The water is boiling. Do not treat the springs as a place to bathe, and keep to the paths and boardwalk.
Our pick: Semuliki with Kibale
Semuliki and Sempaya, Kibale and Bigodi in five days.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Semuliki tours and day trips from Fort Portal
Day trips to the Sempaya hot springs and combined plans around Fort Portal, with live prices and availability.
Forest and birds
The park is lowland rainforest on the eastern edge of the Ituri forest. Over 435 bird species are recorded, so the day nature walk suits birders.
This is a forest park, so do not expect savannah game drives. Those belong to the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, described below.
Semuliki fees and Toro-Semliki
Base tariff for 2026. Check the current amount before you book, and when you book a tour, check whether the permit and park fees are included.
| Fee | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult entry, per 24 hours | $35 | $25 | $20 | UGX 15,000 |
| Child entry, ages 5 to 15 | $5 | $5 | $5 | UGX 2,500 |
| Day nature walk or birding, per person (entry extra) | $40 | $30 | – | UGX 30,000 |
| Batwa experience | $10 | $10 | – | UGX 10,000 |
Children under 5 enter free. A vehicle fee is charged separately. For most visitors, adult entry plus the day nature walk is the plan to budget for: $75 for a non-resident foreigner. Ask whether a Batwa experience is running on your day before you count on it.
Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve
The Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve is a different protected area. It is savannah of about 545 km², roughly 20 km east of the national park. A shoebill boat trip there costs $100 for three people for foreign non-residents, with $20 for each additional person, but check that it runs before you plan around it.
People near the park
Communities who live next to the forest.
The Bwamba, Bakonjo, Batuku and Batwa live near the park. The Batwa have long been linked with the forest. Treat any visit with them as time with people, not an attraction, and follow your guide on photographs and manners.
Getting there and travel advice
From Fort Portal it is about 60 km along the Bwamba Road, roughly an hour in good conditions. Check the road on the day. The border with DR Congo is closed to most travellers, so do not plan a crossing from here. Travel advice for western Uganda also warns of security risks in border areas, including attacks in Kasese and Bundibugyo in November 2025. Read the current advice before you go, and ask your driver or operator about the Semuliki road.
Fort Portal
Things to do and day trips.
Crater lakes
Walks and fees near Kibale.
Kampala to Fort Portal
Road, bus and flights.
For hikes in the Rwenzori range, see the Rwenzori Mountains guide.
Semuliki: frequently asked questions
Can I swim in the Sempaya hot springs?
No. The water boils out of the ground. The springs are for looking, and you stay on the paths.
How long is the walk to the hot springs?
About 15 minutes to the female spring and about an hour to the male spring. Treat the times as rough.
How much is the entry fee?
For adults, $35 for foreign non-residents, $25 for foreign residents, $20 for the rest of Africa and UGX 15,000 for East Africans. Children are $5 or UGX 2,500. Check the current amount before booking.
Is Semuliki the same as Toro-Semliki?
No. Semuliki is a forest national park. The Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve is a separate savannah reserve about 20 km east.
How far is Semuliki from Fort Portal?
About 60 km, roughly an hour on the Bwamba Road. Check the road on the day.