DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK

Semuliki National Park sprawls across 220 sq km of the floor of the Semliki Valley on the remote, western side of the Rwenzori. The park is the only tropical lowland rainforest in East Africa and is the easternmost extension of the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. This is one of Africa's most ancient and bio-diverse forests; one of the few to survive the last ice age, 12-18,000 years ago.

The park harbours some intriguing wildlife and birdlife. These include 53 mammals, though sightings are difficult due to the thick vegetation and an impressive 441 bird species – a majority being true forest birds such as the rare Sassi's Olive Greenbul Forest Ground Thrush. Butterfly species abound, with a majority being the Charaxes butterfly geneses. But it is most famous for its primordial hot springs.

The Semliki Valley contains numerous features associated with central rather than eastern Africa. Thatched huts are shaded by West African oil palms; the Semliki River (which forms the international boundary) is a miniature version of the Congo River, the forest is home to numerous Central African wildlife species, and the local population includes a Batwa pygmy community that originated from the Ituri. As a result, this park provides a taste of Central Africa without having to leave Uganda.

Other activities:

• Cultural tours – Four distinct ethnic groups live near the park – Bwamba farmers live along the base of the Rwenzori while the Bakonjo cultivate the mountain slopes. Batuku cattle keepers inhabit on the open plains and Batwa pygmies, traditionally hunter gathers, live on the edge of the forest.

• Ruhija (Eastern / Central) Sector

• Rushaga (Southern Sector) Sector

• Nkuringo (Western / Central) Sector

NOTE: The rugged terrain makes gorilla trekking strenuous, thus, visitors should be prepared for up to 8 hours of hiking (good physical fitness is a must).

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