Semliki safari packages
“Sir Fredrick Jackson, former governor of Uganda protectorate, and keen ornithologist described the country as a “Hidden Eden…and wonderland for birds”
Semliki Wild life Reserve
The magnificent scenic Valley at the base of the Albertine Rift to the west of Fort Portal, where it is hemmed in by the Rwenzori foothills to the south, Lake Albert to the north and the Semliki river along the border with the DRC. the reserve is 545 km2 and was gazzeted in 1932 as Toro game reserve and is still marked as such on many maps. it lies northeast of the Bundibugyo road, extending to Ntoroko on the southern shore of Lake Albert. The dominant vegetation type is open acacia-combretum woodland and grassy savanna , interspersed with patches of borassus palm forest, significant belts of riparian woodland along the main water courses as well as some extensive swamps towards Lake Albert. The reserve itself is topographically unremarkable, set at a relatively low altitude of around 600-700m above sea level, but on a clear day the setting is truly astounding, with the sheer Rift escarpment rising sharply from the eastern shore of Lake Albert, the 2,500m-high Congolese Blue Mountains on the western horizon, and the mighty glacial peaks of the Rwenzori visible to the north.
For the average tourist, Semliki is arguably more attractive for its vast scenery and wild, untrammeled atmosphere than for its game viewing. However primates are well represented with black-and white colobus, olive baboon and red-tailed and vervet, chimpanzees in Mugiri River forest, all regularly observed. Leopards, lions and many other Cat species are also available. The reserve is highly alluring to birdwatchers with over 300-400 species recorded and it is one of the most reliable sites in Uganda for shoebill.
Getting There and Away:
There are two major roads from Kampala to Fort portal: Kampala to Fort portal via Mubende is about 300 kms (4-5 hours drive) while Kampala to Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese is about 510 kms (7-8 hours). While the Kampala –Fort Portal via Mubende is much shorter, the Kampala –Fort portal via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese gives you opportunity to see or Visit Lake Mburo National Park, Kyambura wildlife Reserve, Queen Elizabeth and Rwenzori National Park. From Fort portal, it is two hours drive on murram road to Sempaya gate and 4WD is recommended.