Nestled in the Albertine Rift at the northern base of the Rwenzori Mountains, the forested Semuliki Valley is a haven for rare birds and mammals.
Protecting an eastern extension of the Congolese Ituri Forest, Semuliki National Park is one of the most alluring ornithological destinations in Uganda, with roughly one-tenth of the 400 recorded species being Guinea-Congo biome endemics known from no other locality in East Africa. For short-stay visitors, the main focal point is the steaming Sempaya hot springs, which are reached via a short walking trail along which a full seven species of forest hornbill may be seen, among them the immense black-wattled hornbill, along with the likes of Nkulengu rail and swamp greenbul. Common primates include grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus, black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkey, and bush pig, forest buffalo, chimpanzee, sitatunga, white-bellied duiker and water chevrotain are also present. Some five kilometres from Sempaya, a community of Bambuti Pygmies is based at Ntandi.