SEMILIKI NATIONAL PARK - Bird watching Uganda

BIRDING TOURS

MABAMBA BAY – Uganda Birding Swamp MABIRA FOREST BIRDING LUTEMBE BAY BIRD WATCHING BUSO FOREST BIRDING WATCHING BUDONGO FOREST RESERVE BWINDI IMPENETRABLE CONSERVATION AREA – Gorillas and Birding in Uganda KIBALE NATIONAL PARK – Uganda Birding Site LAKE MBURO – Uganda Birding Spot SEMILIKI NATIONAL PARK - Bird watching Uganda

Semliki National Park is found in the extreme west of Uganda near Bundibugyo District. It lies along the Uganda - Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley. In the Southeast are the Rwenzori Mountains, to the west is the DRC and to the north are the Semliki flats and Lake Albert further on. The Park is an eastern extension of the vast ituri forest in DRC. It forms part of the forest range resulting out of the climatic upheavals of the Pleistocene and therefore one of the richest areas for both plants and animals in Africa.
Semliki covers 220sq kms with an Elevation at 670 to 760 Meters Above Sea Level and 435 recorded bird species. Semliki is a Moist semi deciduous forest, most iron wood-dominant with patches of swamp forest and aquatic habitat represented by forest streams and ox bow lakes with neighboring swamps. The forest life in Semuliki National Park is spectacular mainly for bird watchers, primate, and butterfly and plant lovers. The jungle walk takes one up to the meandering River Semliki, the only one of its nature in East Africa. You may also see forest buffaloes and elephants, sitatungas, leopards, crocodiles, various primates and a broad collection of forest and water birds. Visitors can also come with fishing facilities for sport fishing along the watercourse.

Birding in Semliki Conservation Area.
Semliki woodland represents the only model of Congo-Basin vegetation in Uganda. A large number of Guinea-Congo biome species reach their eastern limits here, which is one of the richest for forest birds in the country. No less than 131 of the 144 Guinea -Congo forest species have been recorded in Semliki Forest, as well as 31 Guinea Congo Biome species, and 39 others that are only known from Semliki national park in Uganda. Additional species like the White-tailed/Piping Hornbill as well recorded in Budongo forest reserve, Capuchin Babbler and Blue-headed, Crested flycatcher are now known from Mabira forest reserve, the Orange weaver is common along the northern shores of Lake Victoria and the Red-billed Malimbe has been recorded from Kibale National Park.

Semliki forest is near to the Mt. Rwenzori ranges, and the River Semliki meanders that form ox-bow lakes in some places along the western border down to Lake Albert and is bordered by swamp where four Lake Victoria biome species, including Papyrus Gonolek and Caruthers's Cist cola are recorded. The site also has two restricted range species, and amazingly, six Afro tropical highlands biome species; all widespread elsewhere. Other fascinating species include some of the continents most impressive and sought-after birds like the Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Nkulengu Rail, Lyre-tailed Honey guide and the Black-wattled Hornbill.