​Overview – Toro-Semliki WR

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Uganda.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Uganda.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Uganda.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Uganda.

The Semliki Valley is mainly of interest to bird-watchers. The reserve has an impressive checklist, which includes many birding specials. Other attractions are the hot springs at Sempaya and a Pygmy village in the adjacent Semuliki National Park. The only lodge in the reserve offers a very exclusive bush experience with guided activities.

Best Time To Go December to February and June to July (Dry seasons)
High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Size 543km² / 210mi²
Altitude 619-1,462m / 2,031-4,797ft

Pros & Cons

  • Excellent birding
  • Seven primate species including chimpanzee
  • Night drives and boat trips on Lake Albert are available
  • Animal densities are low
  • Chimp sightings are rare as they are only semi-habituated
  • Limited accommodation options
  • Some roads become impassable in the rainy season

Toro-Semliki WR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

Buffalo and elephant are rarely seen. Leopard can sometimes be spotted on night drives, but lion are more often heard than seen. The park is home to many primate species, including chimpanzee, but encounters are rare. Grey-cheeked mangabey, black-and-white colobus, Central African red colobus, baboon, blue monkey, red-tailed monkey, de Brazza's monkey, vervet monkey, and Dent's mona monkey can all be found along the forest trails.

Scenery

The reserve, located in the Albertine Rift Valley, has an amazing setting between the Rift Valley escarpment on the east, the Congolese Blue Mountains on the west and the Rwenzoris on the southwest. The dominant vegetation is woodland and savannah. There are several rivers running through flanked by riverine forest, and patches of borassus palms are dotted around.

Weather & Climate

Toro-Semliki is characterized by a hot climate, with the temperature halving after the sun sets, and the constant prospect of rain. Its two Wet seasons (March to May and August to November) bring little relief from the heat, despite lots of rain – particularly from March to May when local roads get washed out. You’ll get slightly less soaked during what passes for the Dry seasons (December to February and June to July).

Best Time To Visit

If you’re into birding, bring your binoculars during the drier, sunnier period from January to March. This is also a good time for chimp trekking, as is the mid-year dry stretch (June to July). At other times of year, you can expect rain, rain and more rain, so bring plenty of wet-weather gear.

Want To Visit Toro-Semliki WR?

Toro-Semliki Safaris

Toro-Semliki WR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Philip Briggs  –  
South Africa ZA

Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.

Uganda’s forgotten valley
3/5

Toro-Semliki suffered from heavy poaching during the civil war of the 1970s and 1980s, and despite some promising indications around the turn of the millennium, wildlife numbers have never fully recovered. As a result, it isn’t a reserve...

Full Review

Latest User Review
Hannele  –  
Finland FI
Reviewed: Feb 3, 2023
5/5

Even though the birds were not easily seen, some of them only heard, much of beautiful butterflies and a very good guide.

Full Review