Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve site is on the rift valley floor in western Uganda, within Ntoroko and Kabarole districts. This is approximately 290km from Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The reserve is bordering Lake Albert, Rwenzori Mountain and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The reserve covers an area of 542sqkm and was gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, making it one of the first protected areas to be established in Uganda. The reserve was billboarded majorly to conserve the large numbers of Antelopes, especially the Uganda Kobs within this area.
Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve has abundant flora and fauna species that extensive belt of riparian woodland along the main watercourses and large swamps towards Lake Albert. Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve is one of the best-stocked and most famous wildlife reserves within the East African region.
As a result of the elevated mountains, it is very possible for tourists on vacation in Uganda to proceed to the site and enjoy a number of tourist activities such as game viewing, nature walks, and bird watching.
Semuliki Wildlife Reserve is next to the Rwenzori Mountains, so it’s possible for tourists on safaris to Uganda to extend their Uganda safari to the reserve and carry out a few activities including bird watching, game viewing, nature walk and more depending on the preference on the drafted safari itinerary and requests from the guest.
What To Do in Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve
Game Drives
Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve boasts of three well-maintained game tracks that lead tourists to explore attractions like waterbucks, buffaloes, warthogs and Uganda Kobs among others. Game drives are conducted in the morning, afternoon and evening. Your night game drive can expose you to nocturnal species such as the white-tailed mongoose and bush babes. Leopards and lions can also be seen during your night game drive in Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve.
Nature Walks
Nature walks in this wildlife reserve takes you to the several habitats within the reserve while exploring the savannah woodlands. You will also explore the riverine forests and swamps to see unique bird species such as ground hornbills and mammals like primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, Olive baboons and vervet monkeys; buffaloes and warthogs among other species.
Primate Tracking
Primates tracking in Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve takes you about 4 hours next to the Semuliki Safari Lodge. Here you will get in touch with the qualified ranger guides who will lead you through the jungles where you will experience such primates like chimpanzees, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys among others. While here, you have another opportunity to spot such wildlife elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs and Uganda Kobs among others.
Birdwatching
Boat rides within this reserve are conducted on Lake Albert, and the common bird species you will find include the rare Shoebill stork, Blue-headed coucal, the Blue-breasted bee-eaters, African Pygmy Goose and Blue-cheeked bee-eaters among others.
How to Get to Toro-Semuliki Wildlife Reserve
Toro-Semuliki Wildlife reserve is situated in western Uganda within the districts of Ntoroko and Kabarole. There are two possible ways of reaching this reserve; the Kampala – Fort Portal via Mubende, which is 290 km and about 6 hours’ drive from Kampala, the capital of Uganda. And Kampala – Fort Portal via Masaka – Mbarara – Kasese, which is about 465km, that is in approximately 8 hours’ drive from Kampala.