Game Reserve Semliki
Semliki Game Reserve, a birder’s dream and a haven for several wildlife species, is situated close to the western border between Uganda and Congo. Semliki is situated in the Tooro sub-region’s Kabarole district. It is located on the Great Rift Valley floor, in the rear of the Kijura escarpment of the western rift valley, and in the foothills of the spectacular Rwenzori mountain.
Located in western Uganda, Semliki Game Reserve, formerly known as Tooro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, is a conservation protected area. One of Uganda’s first gazetted protected areas, Semliki Game Reserve was created in 1926. Semliki was gazetted as a lion conservation area in Uganda in 2005. On numerous occasions, Semliki Game Reserve has caused confusion by being mistaken for Semliki National Park. But rather than being Semliki National Park, it is Semliki Game Reserve.
Semliki’s wildlife
Because it is home to several wildlife species, including monkeys, birds, insects, and mammals, Semliki is a relatively small protected area of high importance. Although buffaloes and elephants are rarely seen in the fields, the Semliki Game Reserve is a secure sanctuary for them, and you can clearly hear the elephants’ cries from a distance.
Many leopards can be seen during game drives, particularly at night when the reserve hosts game drives. Primates, such as chimpanzees, are the most popular wild animals, albeit they are rarely seen. Among the primates that inhabit the trees at Semliki Game Reserve are the grey-checked mangabeys, black and white colobus, red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, de Brazza, vervet, and dent’s mona monkeys. During the night game drives in the Semliki, you may also enjoy the night primates, such as the pottos and bushbaby.
The Semliki climate
Semliki Game Reserve has a year-round hot climate, just like any other tropical region in Uganda. But as the sun sets in the evening, the temperature drops by half. The greatest time of year for safaris in the Semliki Game Reserve is during the dry season, despite the scorching heat. Even though some months have more rain than others, rain is always expected in the Semiliki Game Reserve. In the Semliki game reserve, the first wet season lasts from March to May, while the second one lasts from August to November. The valley becomes somewhat cooler during Semliki’s wet season.
Semliki Game Reserve scenes
One of Uganda’s most picturesque protected areas is Semliki Game Reserve, which is well situated along the mountain and rolling hill borders of a lush valley. With the stunning Rwenzori highlands to the southwest, the Congolese blue mountain ranges to the west, and the Kijura escarpment to the east, Semliki is located in the Albertine Rift Valley.
The Semliki landscape is enhanced by the area’s vegetation cover. Savannah grassland perches and woodland-type vegetation predominate throughout the valley. A variety of primates, including baboons, bush babies, and monkeys, can be found in the Semliki Valley’s forests. Numerous water birds can be found in the glossy patches of Borassus palms and riverine woods that border the rivers that flow through Semliki Game Reserve.
Things to do in Semliki
You get the chance to take a boat trip around the lengthy Lake Albert, which borders Uganda and the Congo to the west, on your safari to Semliki. You will have the opportunity to witness the shoebill stork, a highly sought-after prehistoric bird, along with various shorebirds, pelicans, and fishermen throughout the boat ride. around with the picturesque view of the rift valley escarpment tumbling into Lake Albert, you also had the opportunity to watch the numerous hippos around the lake’s borders.
Another fascinating thing to do in Semliki is to track chimpanzees. Even though they are less common than the other primates, spending time with chimpanzees in the treetops of Semliki Game Reserve is incredibly fulfilling. Two expert guides lead the tracking trail through the forest to assist with chimpanzee tracking in Semliki.
Using a flashlight to help you observe the nocturnal critters that make the woodland come to life after the sun sets, the night game drives are held in an open landrover. You can observe a variety of wild species on the night game drive, including spotted genets, mongooses, eagles, owls, nightjars, lions, and leopards.
In Semliki, the woodland walks are also fantastic experiences. In reality, these are led nature walks in the forest where you may view a variety of tree types, as well as wildlife including red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, primates, and butterflies.
Accessibility
Semliki may be reached by the Kampala Fort Portal route, which is roughly 52 km from Kampala and over 300 km from Kampala. The drive to Karugutu in the Bundibugyo area takes approximately one and a half hours. You can take a taxi or rent a private vehicle from Karugutu Trading Center to the Karugutu Visitor Center in Semliki, which is approximately 11 kilometers away. As an alternative, you can take a Kalita bus from the Kampala bus terminal via Fort Portal Town to Karuugutu, which would take you directly to Bundibugyo.
