River Semuliki: One of the rivers in Uganda’s western region is the Semuliki River. Semuliki National Park, located in the Bundibugyo area between the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is where this river derives its name. The river is 140 km long, and it goes from Lake Edward, avoids mountain Rwenzori and then pours its water into Lake Albert. The mouth of River Semuliki located in Katolingo village, Kanara sub-country, Ntoroko district, in western Uganda.
The river is located in the western rift valley that links Lake Albert and Lake Edward. On its route from Ishango on Lake Edward to Lake Albert, a portion of the Semuliki River passes through the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lake Albert, also named Albert Nyanza, is placed at the end of the western rift valley on the boundary of Uganda and DR Congo.
The river eventually forms the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. River Semuliki leaves Virunga National Park and flows along the western boundary of Semuliki National Park, thereby creating the Uganda DR Congo border. Because of bank erosion, it’s claimed that the Uganda DR Congo boundary continually alters its location, especially when flooding strikes.
The increase in snow melting on Mountain Rwenzori has caused bank erosion, and this has modified the route of the meandering of the river. 10 meters of land is lost per year to the river owing to erosion. In May 2023, River Semliki banks ruptured, and thousands of people were displaced after water flooded the dwellings. The water affected several villages, including Rwebisengo, Kayanja, Kiraga, Masaka, Budiba, and Bweramule. People were compelled by this to relocate from their homes to the surrounding areas.
Although Semuliki River flooded and many people dodged it due to floods, nonetheless the riverbanks remain a source of assistance to the local communities, where they graze their livestock and also get water for their crops as well as domestic use. The Bakonjo and Baamba who reside in the communities where the river flows, are the ones who gain from it.
The river provides a habitat to so many water animals, among which are hippos, crocodiles, fish, and much water. The river is also a source of water for the animals residing in the adjacent national parks, including Semuliki National Park, Virunga National Park, and Rwenzori National Park on the side of Uganda. The river is surrounded by various flora covers that works as a home and source of food for birds and animals.
Tourists who visit Semuliki National Park on the side of Uganda will view or carry out some of the activities that take place on this river. Sempaya Hot Springs, the park’s female hot springs, are located close to the Semuliki River in Semuliki National Park. Boat tours are done on River Semiliki, mainly by birders who want to see the many water birds dwelling on the vegetation that is located on the riverbanks.
The cost to view the Shoebill from a boat in Semuliki National Park is $100 for foreign visitors, $80 for foreign residents, and UGX 100,000 for East African nationals. Apart from the Shoebill, other bird species you can view at 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 provides a source of food and water for creatures of Semuliki National Park, and these include the forest buffaloes, warthogs, hippos, sitatungas, monkeys, forest elephants, duikers, and many others. The fauna, including birds, animals, and primates, is what attracts travelers along the Semuliki River.
In conclusion, Semuliki River is of considerable contribution when it comes to tourism in Uganda. Lowland tropical forests, marshes, animals, birds, and much more have all flourished because of this river. These factors are what draw tourists to the Bundibugyo area of Semuliki National Park in western Uganda.