This is the most quite park in Uganda.It was formerly called the Toro Game Reserve.Semliki Game Reserve is a large reserve abutting Lake Albert and the northern base of the Rwenzori mountain ranges.It is a rich mosaic of grassland, savannah, forest and wetland habitats.

History of the park

The Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve (formerly Toro Game Reserve) was the first protected area to be gazetted in the country and had historically been a very popular destination on the safari circuit. It was also well loved for its hunting. The game at Semliki was bountiful. A lodge, run by Uganda Hotels, did good business but unfortunately during the troubled years of civil war, Semliki was truly plundered.

Game was shot and carried out daily by the truckload. Elephant were machine-gunned and lions poisoned by herders who wanted the land for grazing. The lodge burnt down for a time - Toro Game Reserve was silent.

In more recent times, with the war behind it, the Ugandan authorities, recognising that the game reserve attention, signed a concession agreement with The Uganda Safari Company (USCo). Part of the agreement was the right to build and operate Semliki Safari Lodge.At this time the reserve had been, heavily poached. Game guard morale was low. They did not have uniforms, many were barefoot and they did not have the means to patrol the area. Some had not been paid in many months.

It was apparent that raising money would not be the best course of action, so the USCo. raised donations of goods instead. During that time, donations of hiking boots (150), socks, backpacks, binoculars, compass, trousers and shirts, tents, and sleeping bags were raised. Another plea to parks in Canada resulted in over 500 uniforms being donated, and hand held radios were donated by a telecommunications company to ensure communications between base and mobile patrols.

What was not used on Semliki was given to other Game Reserves and National Parks and is still being used today. The response was phenomenal.

Morale soared, poachers were caught, patrols were done regularly and at last the reserve was beginning to rehabilitate. Uganda kob numbers doubled, at least one new herd of elephants migrated into the reserve, and lion and hyena, believed to be extinct in the area, have made a remarkable return. Semliki is thriving again.

Note also that Semliki National Park and Semliki Game Reserve should not be confused as being one and the same.Click here to visit Semliki National Park and feel the difference between Semliki game reserve and Semliki National Park

Location

It is located in the Western Rift Valley in Uganda between the Ruwenzori Mountains and Lake Albert . Semliki is a reserve of dramatic contrasts with miles of acacia savannah dotted with borassus palms. The shimmering shores of Lake Albert and the steep green slopes of the foothills of the Ruwenzori leading up the escarpment, borders the reserve.

How to reach Semliki Game Reserve

Getting to Semliki Game Reserve is now much easier with the completion of the road upgrade between Fort Portal and Karugutu trading centre. There is now a direct bus between Kampala and Bundibugyo run by Kalita Executive bus Co.

The bus will stop in Karugutu trading center at the junction to Semliki Game Reserve for those intending on visiting the park. Pick-up trucks ply the road between Karugutu and Ntoroko throughout the day departing when full.

Accommodation

Semliki Game Lodge:

The lodge offers the only accommodation in the reserve in a luxury tented camp aimed at up market clients. Private camping is not entertained

Karugutu:

If you get stranded in this trading centre there is a small hotel where basic rooms are available.

Night Drive

A night game drive will take you in an open Land Rover equipped with a spotlight to explore the creatures of the night.

You can see species such as leopard, lion, spotted genets, white-tailed mongoose, eagle owls. Semliki Lodge is the only place in Uganda that offers Night Game Drives

Forest walk

Guided nature walks in gallery forest where you can see primates, birds, butterflies and different species of plants. Over 40 Kms of walikng trails have been developed. Guests are invited to wake early and join our chimp researcher on his habituation work.

Boat trip

Boat trip on Lake Albert - Excellent opportunities to see the rare Shoebill Stork, shore birds, hippos, and the rift valley escarpment plunging into the lake. A longer day trip, which includes a visit to the remote and spectacular Nkusi Falls is also possible.

Ntoroko landing site

At Ntoroko you can camp at the Police Post or in any one of several very basic hotels for a nominal amount.

These hotels are catering for persons traveling to the DR Congo across Lake Albert from Ntoroko. You can get basic meals, cold drinks and beers in Ntoroko. Pick-up trucks ply the road between Karugutu and Ntoroko throughout the day departing when full.

ACTIVITIES AT NTOROKO

At Ntoroko you can contract a local motorized fishing boat to take you on the lake to search for Shoebill Stork which nest in the area.

Note that you will be within the reserve on such a trip so ensure your park permit is valid should you be approached by rangers.

Related Pages

mgahinga National Park

Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda

Katonga Wildlife Reserve

Kibale forest National Park

Kidepo National Park

Mount Elgon Park

Murchison Falls National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Semliki Game Reserve

Semliki National Park

Rwenzori Mountain National Park

Click to other National Parks