Size
220 km²

Location
Located in the extreme West of Uganda, near Fort Portal.

Description
The great Semliki National Park (or Semuliki National Park) – earlier called Toro Game Reserve – is an easterly branch of the Congolese Ituri Forest and is regarded as the result of climatic change during the Pleistocene time. It is a laid-back forest area between Lake Albert and the underside of the Rwenzori ("Mountains of the Moon") - Mountain Range on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is truly one of the most beautiful regions of Uganda, directly on the East-African Rift Valley.

Semliki is the only National Park in Uganda that consists mainly of lowland forest. It is the only lowland forest in East Africa classified as moist and semi-deciduous. It also in addition shows some grassland, savannas, marshlands and one of the rare bamboo forests too. The land is quite flat here and thus forms a marked contrast between the steep rock slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains and the thick neighbouring forest.
The region contains a wide palette of the most diverse micro-biotopes, whose amazing diversity is available to the wild. The Semliki River is therefore a water-artery for many animals. Fauna recorded here include 435 bird species (about 34% of Uganda’s total), some of which cannot be found any where in East Africa, including some of the continents most spectacular and sought after birds such as Hornbills, Lyre tailed, Spotted, and Zenker's honey guides, Shoe bill stork, Black-winged Starling, Yellow-throated Nicator, Red-chested Owlet, Black-collared Lovebird, African Piculet, Red-billed Dwarf, Spot-breasted Ibis, Grant's Bluebill, African Dwarf Kingfishers, Black Dwarf, Capuchin Babbler, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Cassin's Spinetail, Forest Francolin, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Xavier's, Swamp, Simple and Eastern Bearded Greenbuls, Red-bellied Malimbes, Pale-fronted and Chestnut-breasted Negro finches, Hartlaubs's Duck, Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, Long-tailed Hawk, Nkulengu Rail, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Northern Bearded Scrub Robin, Forest and Grey Ground Thrushes, Bates' Nightjar, Chocolate-backed, White-bellied and, White-crested, Ituri Batis, Red-billed Helmet -Shrike, Red-eyed Puff-back, Maxwell's Black Weaver, Blue-billed, Brown-crowned Eremomela, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Red-sided Broadbill, Sassi's Olive, Gabon Woodpecker, White-throated Blue Swallow, Piping and Black-wattled Hornbills.

For the nocturnal birders; the cliffs behind the ranger post are home to the crepuscular Freckled Nightjar and these can be spotted gliding around the clearing with Black-shouldered Nightjars. You will definitely also listen out to the bizarre dawn and dusk duets of the elusive Nkulengu Rail. Other nocturnal birds include the African Wood Owl, Buff-spotted Flufftail and White-spotted Flufftail. It is also possible to spot the Crested Guinea fowl, African Goshawk, Great Sparrows, Crested Guinea fowl, Red-thighed, and Ayres Hawk-Eagle.

There are 63 species of mammals, 9 species of which are diurnal forest primates (e.g. Chimpanzees, Bushbabies, blue monkeys, and olive baboon), while nocturnal primates include Pottos and Galagos. Also in the mammal list is the Forest Buffaloes, Blue buiker, Beecrofts, Flying squirrel, Pigmy squirrel, Little collared fruit bat, water chevrotain and Target rat. The animal presence also includes real rarities like the Bush elephants, Dwarf-hippos and the Sitatunga-Antelop. There are also Buffaloes, Leopards, Broom-cat, the Uganda Kob and Elands.

At least 374 species of butterflies and moths have been identified including 46 species of Forest swallowtails and Charaxes plus at least 81 species of large moth, 12 of which are classified as restricted. The wide range of species is attributed not only to the forest’s location but to the varied habitats, forest swamp, grassland, bush land and an extensive system of hot springs, warm swamp and savannah woodland. Semliki offers a number of natural hot springs, which give the animals important mineral salts and attracts friends of birds from all over the world.

The park has a walking path, which runs nicely round the Sempaya hot springs and it is possible to visit a small pygmy settlement living in the neighbourhood in their village.

The not so easily accessible region is an ideal place for spending a couple of restful days away from the rest of the world and for relaxing.

Activities

Forest Walks
Primate-Tracking
Bird-Watching
Game-Viewing
Boat Tours
Nature Walks
Butterfly- Watching
Sport-Fishing

Visiting Time

All year round is a good visit. However, it is necessary to travel with a Four Wheel Drive especially during the rainy season (March to May).

Please contact us for more information and further inquiries:
office@equatorialwildsafaris.com.

Yours- EWS Team