Mugiri River Forest is nestled in Semuliki Wildlife Reserve that lies on the southern shore of Lake Albert. The are has spectacular views of the Rift Valley escarpment to the east and DR Congo’s Blue Mountains in the west. There is a good number of primates, around Mugiri River Forest. The big game viewing and bird watching opportunities have made Semuliki Wildlife Reserve different from other National Reserves in Uganda.
Mugiri River Forest Trail
Mugiri river forest trail is one of the most beautiful trails within the Semuliki forest, providing short nature walks for travelers with very little time to spare. The trail is about 4 hours, beginning and ending at Semuliki wildlife Reserve.
You will appreciate a breathtaking view of various multicolored butterflies, cool and green under a leafy canopy, with a great chance of tracking chimpanzees. The chance of seeing chimps are over 75% but other primates are also available, including the black & white Colobus monkey, Olive baboon, red-tailed and vervet monkeys. Leopards and Owls are also relatively seen, in addition to warnings of olive baboons whose presence is commonly heard.
The Mugiri river forest harbors different bird species, therefore it gives you a big opportunity to see them. This site mainly with birds which are endemic to the forest down. Don’t miss the pretty view of river Mugiri which provides travelers with a remarkable experience. You will also stand a chance of encountering the localized forest race of elephants.
Semuliki Wildlife Reserve is Uganda’s oldest wildlife reserve, formerly known as the Toro Game Reserve which was gazetted in 1932. This large reserve abutting Lake Albert and the northern base of Rwenzori mountains are a rich mosaic of grassland, savannah forest and wetland habitats.
Other activities that take place in this area include a nature walk, primates tracking, bird watching and game viewing. Uganda is endowed with other numerous wildlife reserves including Pina Upe Wildlife Reserve, Ajai, Bokora Corridor, Bugungu, Kabwoya and Karuma wildlife reserve and among others.
How to Get to Semuliki Wildlife Reserve
Semuliki Wildlife reserve is situated in western Uganda within the districts of Ntoroko and Kabarole. There are two possible ways of reaching to Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, that is, the Kampala – Fort Portal via Mityana – Mubende highway. This is a 290km drive of about 6 hours from Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Then the Kampala – Fort Portal via Masaka – Mbarara – Kasese route. This is about 465km, that is approximately 8 hours drive from Kampala the capital of Uganda.