Six hours' drive west of Kampala, Semliki Wildlife Reserve is in a flat bowl bordered by the escarpment of the Rift Valley which rises 1,500 metres on the eastern side; the dramatic Rwenzori foothills to the south, and Lake Albert and the Congo to the north and west. Habitats in this area include papyrus swamps, lakes, rivers, marshes, gallery and tropical forest and savannah.
Semliki protects mammals such as chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, giant forest hog and leopard. There are also populations of Uganda kob, lion, elephants, buffalo, reedbuck, bushbuck, sitatunga and waterbuck. Visitors should note that much of the large wildlife is still fairly shy here.
Semliki is the only Ugandan park where visitors can take night drives. Of particular significance to birders are 16 species from the Guinea-Congo forest belt, which reach their easternmost limit here. Lake Albert is one of the best sites for the prehistoric-looking shoebill.
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