Semuliki River

Semuliki River is one of the rivers found in the western part of Uganda. This river gets its name from the park which is found in Bundibugyo district on the borders of Uganda and DR Congo. The river is 140 km long and it flows from Lake Edward avoids mountain Rwenzori and then pours its water into Lake Albert. The mouth of this river is in Katolingo village Kanara sub country Ntoroko district in western Uganda.

does go through DR Congo on its way from Ishango on Lake Edward before pouring its water into Lake Albert. Lake Albert also named Albert Nyanza is found at the end of the western rift valley on the border of Uganda and DR Congo.

At some point, River Semuliki creates the Uganda DR Congo border. It leaves Virunga national park and flows along the western edge of Semuliki national park hence creating the Uganda DR Congo border. Because of bank erosion, it’s believed that the Uganda DR Congo border keeps changing its location especially when flooding happens.

The increase in snow melting on Mountain Rwenzori has caused bank erosion and this has changed the course of the meandering of the river. 10 meters of land is lost per year to the river due to erosion. In May 2023, River banks burst and thousands of people were displaced after water entered the houses. A number of villages among which include Rwebisengo, Kayanja, Kiraga, Masaka, Budiba, and Bweramule were affected by the water. This forced the people to leave their homes and settle in the nearby places.

Although River Semuliki flooded and many people evaded it due to floods, still the river banks are a source of support to the local communities where they graze their cattle and also get water for their crops as well as domestic use. People who benefit from this river are the Bakonjo and Baamba living in the villages where it passes.

Semuliki River is a habitat to so many water animals among which include hippos, crocodiles, fish, and much water. The river is also a source of water for the animals living in the nearby national parks like Semuliki national park, Virunga national park, and Rwenzori national park on the side of Uganda. River Semuliki is surrounded by different vegetation cover that acts as a home and source of food for birds and animals.

Tourists who visit Semuliki national park on the side of Uganda will see or carry out some of the activities that take place on this river. Inside Semuliki national park, Semuliki River passes near Sempaya hot springs who are the female hot springs within the park. Boat cruises are done on River Semuliki, especially by birders who want to see the different water birds living on the vegetation that is found on the river banks.

Viewing the Shoebill on the boat in Semuliki national park comes at a fee of $100 for foreign non-residents, $80 for foreign residents, and UGX100,000 citizens of East African member states. Apart from the Shoebill, other bird species you can see in River Semuliki include forest ground thrush, white crested hornbill, sassi’s olive greenbul, long-tailed hawk, lyre-tailed honeyguide, oberlander’s ground thrush and piping hornbill among others.

The vegetation around River Semuliki is a source of food and water for animals of Semuliki national park and these include the forest buffaloes, warthogs, hippos, sitatungas, monkeys, forest elephants, duikers, and many others. The wildlife including birds, mammals, and primates is what attracts tourists along the Semuliki river

In conclusion, Semuliki River is of great contribution when it comes to tourism in Uganda. This river has supported the growth of lowland tropical forests, swamps, animals, birds, and much more. It’s because of these things that tourists visit Semuliki national park in western Uganda Bundibugyo district.