|
|
The park is situated in the extreme west of Uganda in Bundibugyo
District. It lies along the Uganda/ Democratic Republic of
Congo border within the western arm of the East African Rift
valley. In the south east are the Rwenzori Mountains, to the
west is Democratic Republic of Congo and to the north are
the Semliki Flats and Lake Albert.
The park is 220 square kilometres and occupies flat and gently
undulating terrain raging from 670metres - 760metres above
sea level. The average annual rainfall is high at 1,250mm
that peaks from March to May and again from September to December.
The temperatures vary from 18 degrees centigrade to 30 degrees
centigrade with relatively small daily variations.
Wildlife
diversity
The park is the only lowland tropical rainforest in East
Africa classified as moist and semi deciduous. There are
336 tree species recorded, 374 species of butterflies, 63
species of mammals and 9 species of primates. These include:
chimpanzee, blue monkey, vervet monkeys and olive baboons
while the nocturnal primates include pottos and galagos.
Also to be found are Forest buffalo, blue duiker, bee croft’s
flying squirrel, pygmy squirrel, little collared fruit bat
and target rat.
Other attractions include the Batwa people (pygmies) hunters
gatherers that live a simple life style and depend on Semliki
forest for food. The meandering river Semliki, Sempaya hot
spring. River Semliki is a shelter of water birds and crocodiles.
Activities
- Game viewing
- Bird watching
- Nature walks
Access
The park is accessed via the town of Fort Portal in the
west of the country. The Bundibugyo road that skirts the
Rwenzori escarpment offers a wonderful scenic view at Munu
ni Mkubwa where the road has promintary over the Semliki
river and Sempaya hot springs. Driving time from Kampala
6 hours.
|
|
|
