Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve- Wildlife Tours In Uganda
Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve- Wildlife Tours In Uganda
Best Things to Do and See While at Semliki Game Reserve
Semliki Game Reserve, formally Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve is the oldest game reserve. It is among the first protected areas that UWA and the government gazetted in Uganda. The Semliki game reserve is in the Ntoroko and Kabarole districts of western Uganda. It covers an area of 542 sq Kilometers. Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve’s establishment was purposely to protect Wildlife in the area. This includes a large number of Uganda kobs.
The game reserve has a dramatic setting within a rift valley between Rwenzori Mountains, Kijura escarpment, and Lake Albert. UWA manages Semliki Wildlife Reserve and Semuliki National Park. They are a large part of the Kibale Conservation area.
The local people in the area around the Toro Semliki game reserve live in 4 neighboring communities. These include; the Kasesenge-Kyakabaseke Community, Karugutu-Kyabandara Community, Ntoroko fishing Community, and Rwebisingo Community.
Vegetation of Semliki Wildlife Reserve in Uganda comprises Savanna grassland. It also has scarce acacia woodland and Palm trees, especially in swampy areas.
Generally, the Semliki game reserve is one of the best safari tour destinations in Uganda. Tourists can go for their trip and enjoy mammal watching Safari. If you are wondering where to go for animal viewing around Fortportal, make Semiliki your choice now.
Activities to do in Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
Game drive
Go for a morning or evening game drive safari to spot a variety of Uganda wildlife in the reserve. You will see animals such as; Uganda Kobs, African Elephants, Waterbucks, buffaloes, and warthogs. You also have chances of seeing leopards and bush babies.
Primate walk
Primate lovers can enjoy a walk while at Semliki game reserve. The walk will offer the best opportunity to see different types of primates. The primate Species to see on this walk include; Chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Nature walk
You can also do a Nature walking Safari which takes approximately 3 hours. It is along the riverine forest and in savanna grassland. This walking will reward you with many chances to see colobus monkeys, hornbills Uganda kobs, and vervet monkeys.
Community Tour
Visiting Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve also allows visitors to do Community tours and meet the local people. Join the Karugutu Community Conservation Association (KCCA) to enjoy music dance and drama. You will also have the opportunity to support the locals. This is by shopping in their locally made handicraft set at the entrance of the Semliki game reserve.
Boat ride
A Boat trip can also happen on Lake Albert with chances to see the Shoebill stork as the main attraction. Birders will also get to see African pygmy goose, blue-cheeked bee-eaters, blue-headed coucal, and blue-breasted bee-eaters.
Hiking
Tour Experience
You can also do Hiking, especially for travelers with an interest in birding tours. Take a 7-kilometer trail that starts at the park headquarters. This hiking trail will take you through the diversity of habitats with the opportunity to see tropical boubals and Black-headed bushshrike. You will also see Arrow marked babbler among others. While on the same walk, you may see monkeys like baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, if lucky chimpanzees.
Where to Stay while Visiting Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
Best Accommodation in Semliki Wildlife Reserve includes Semliki Safari Lodge, Ntoroko Game Lodge, and the nearby town of Fort Portal. You can also stay at Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Rwezori View Guest House, Fort Motel, and many others around Fort Portal.
Toro Semliki game reserve can be accessed by road or air. By road from Kampala to Fort Portal followed by a 31 km journey along Bundibujjo road, turning right at Karugutu Trading Center.
