About the Reserve
The Toro Semliki wildlife reserve is a conservation-protected area located in the western region of Uganda. This reserve was established in 1926 which makes it the very first protected area to be gazetted. It is also believed that the reason to protect this area was to protect the large number of Uganda kobs that were roaming in this particular area.
The wildlife reserve covers an area of 542 km in the district of Kabarole and Ntoroko districts of Uganda.
Unique features like the great rift valley and Lake Albert surround the Toro Semliki wildlife reserve.
The reserve is endowed with a large number of bird species, which majorly attract tourists to this place. The Sempaya hot springs and the pygmy village in this reserve make it outstanding for tourists.
Vegetation
The vegetation in this reserve is majorly woodland and savannah, with many rivers that pass through and are surrounded by patches of Borassus palms. The Ugandan iron wood is the frequent main canopy riverine tree species, followed by Milletia duria, and Kigelia Africana.
Communities
Toro Semlike wildlife reserve is surrounded by four amazing communities, these include the Rwebisengo community, Karugutu- the Kyabandera community, Ntoroko community, Kasesenge-kyakabaseke community.
The Rwebisengo community is located in the west and also on the northwestern edge of the wildlife reserve. The community comprises the Batuku tribe who are majorly pastoralists and they are also believed to be the descendants of the Abarusala who were the royal army of King Kabalega of the Bunyoro Kingdom.
The Karugutu- Kyabandera community, on the other hand, is located in the south of the reserve at a distance of 18 km from Fortportal town. The tribe of people who occupy this community are the Bakonjo and these are known for being cultivators. Their main cash crops are cassava, maize, beans, and rice which they sell to their nearby communities.
Another interesting community is the Ntoroko community, it is located on the southeastern tip of Lake Albert between the estuaries of Wasa and Muzizi rivers and the people who reside in this community depend mainly on fishing.
The Kasesenge-kyakabaseke community is located on the eastern side of the rift valley. The people who live here are Bakiga migrants and it is believed that they came in the 1960s, they are also farmers, and their main crops are maize, bananas, beans, and groundnuts.
Activities are done in Toro Semliki Wildlife reserve
Toro Semliki wildlife reserve prides itself on a variety of wild animals that live within. While visiting this lovely reserve, you will notice several wild animals like the Uganda kobs, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, giant forest hogs, chimpanzees, Buffalos, and Elephants, however, these are rarely seen, Leopards also are most times spotted roaming at night and lions that are more heard than seen.
This wildlife reserves a specialty in harboring a variety of bird species, and bird lovers can not miss visiting g this place because it will fulfill their heart desires when it comes to birds. The reserve has about 460 Bird species and these include the shoebill, red-throated bee-eater, African open bill, Malachite kingfisher, Great white pelican, Abyssinian ground bill, and black-billed barbet among others.
Bird watching can be done all around Toro Semliki wildlife reserve, however, March to May and August to October is the best time to carry out this activity, after the dry season of December to February.
The rainy season will interfere with Birdwatching especially due to slippery roads in this area.
Another notable activity in Toro Semliki wildlife reserve is hiking, this can be done on the Nyabugogo Gorge which is about 7km with passes through a variety of ecosystems which include the open acacia combretum forest and the grassland.
The climate condition in Toro Semliki wildlife reserve
The climate in Toro Semliki wildlife reserve is hot, the daytime temperature is approximately 30° c/ 86° F while night temperatures are approximately 18° C / 64° F. Therefore, while visiting this place you are e expected to carry light clothes to prevent yourself from heating up so much.
How to travel to Toro Semliki wildlife reserve
You can travel to Toro Semliki wildlife reserve by road, using the Kampala-Mubende-Fort portal route, the distance is 290 KM and that’s approximately a 6 to 8 hours’ drive and you need to drive with a 4×4 vehicle for easy navigation of the remote areas of the reserve.
Accommodation in Toro Semliki wildlife reserve
The accommodation in this wildlife reserve gives you a variety of options right from luxury lodges to camping. Among the lodges, you can find the Semliki safari lodge and this one is a luxury lodge that will give you the comfort that you truly deserve, giving you a beautiful view of nature in this wildlife reserve.
Another option is the Aramaga rift valley lodge found situated in Kabarole district and it is friendly and convenient.