Semliki national park
Semliki national park is located in western Uganda on the border of Uganda and Congo in the remote areas along the foot hills of the northern region of the famous Rwenzori Mountains. In its north is Lake Albert and it also lies within the western arm of the rift valley. It was gazatted as a forest reserve in 1932 and gained the status of a national park in 1993. It is also the only lowland tropical forest in the whole of East Africa and also very rich when it comes to the flora and fauna
Semliki being a low –laying park often experiences a lot of flooding during the rainy seasons thus making a great home for the water dwellers and an amazing ever green vegetation cover because of the constant supply of water to the plants.
The park is just next to the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve and therefore they have the same kind of climate and vegetation. There is unspoilt thick rain forest bordered by the Semliki River in the northwest and it flows along our border with Congo. This river supports the formation and survival of the Semliki tropical lowland forest and the Ituri Forest which extends past Uganda’s border to the east into the famous Congo River.
These forests and all the other vegetation types across the whole park support the survival of a variety of amazing wildlife species and some of these only exist in this part of E. Africa. The park is a home to over 53 different mammals. This amazing vegetation diversity does create breathtaking sights and sounds from both the birds and animals that find safe refuge in such places.
You need take a walk or drive around the park to meet animals like the forest elephants, buffaloes, different species of antelopes like waterbucks and Uganda kobs, there giant forest hogs, water chevrotains, warthogs, hippos and crocodiles are very common in area with permanent water like in the rivers. There are also 9 different duiker species and many more others. Other mammals living in Semliki national park include the 8 species of primates like the baboons, chimpanzees, monkeys like black and white colobus monkeys, re d tailed monkeys and the most common ones are the vervet monkeys.
Bird lovers can also choose this park as a birding destination. Semliki is a home to about 435 different bird species according to Uganda wildlife authority records and these include birds like the spot breasted ibis red thighed sparrows, there are about 35 different guinea-Congo forest blome birds that cross from Congo and many more. Swamp dwellers and water birds are also very common including the commonly sought shoebill stork bird, the hartlaub’s duck, among others.
More to the attractions are the beautiful &colorful butterflies which make the jungle look really colorful. There are over 300 butterfly species flying around Semliki, among these are 46 forest swallowtail species and about 235 species of moth.
There is also about 305 different tree species and 125 them are only be found in Semliki national park. To fully explore the potential of this park, you have go for a jungle walks and hikes through the jungles as this is best way for anyone to explore its beautiful features. This is also one of the best park to do a night game drive.
The walks can take you to the famous Sempaya hot springs and all the tropical rain forests including Ituri forest which is shared with Democratic Republic of Congo.
When you choose to visit the park doesn’t really matter because t it is open all year through. it is always less congested and you will almost have the park to yourself. The drier seasons however the best are because the park is a bit dry/less flooded therefore easier to do game drives and nature walks. Animals also do come out of their hideouts and stay in the open closer to sources of water. Also all trails including the Kirumia trail, Sempaya trail and Red Monkey trails are much accessible during the dry season.
