the history of semliki reserve

The Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve is 543 sq. kilometres of unspoiled wilderness in the heart of the Albertine Rift, stretching from the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains to the southern tip of Lake Albert.  In 1932 it became the first protected area in Uganda, hosting one of Africa’s highest ungulate densities, herds of elephant and buffalo numbering in the thousands, and lions famous for their large numbers and large manes. 

The Semliki Valley ©WILDPLACESTRUST

Formerly known as Toro Game Reserve, the area flourished and in the 1960’s became a popular tourist destination. The abundance in wildlife prompted the following description by  Brian Herne who was a well-known guide at the time: 

Semliki has a wildlife of its own.  The area is famous for the numbers of massive maned lions that live there.  I have never seen so many big lions in any other parts of Africa, within such a relatively small habitat.  The variety of the manes carried by these lions would make Messrs M.G.M. envious:  Jet black, blond, bright rust, ginger, salt and pepper.

Such great lions prospered due to the incredible density of grazers, particularly Uganda kob.

Like other Ugandan Wildlife Reserves and National Parks, the years of civil insurrection and war lead to a pillaging of the wildlife resources until 1995.  In this same year, Green Wilderness Group, now Wild Places Africa, was granted a concession to build Semliki Safari Lodge to support the development of tourism and to assist the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) with the gradual restoration of the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve. At that time, numbers of game were so low that the previously thriving Uganda kob population was estimated to be in the low hundreds, with other animal species also experiencing a drastic reduction in numbers.

Now over 10 years later the reserve and its wildlife are making a comeback.  Each year several thousand tourists and local Ugandans visit the Reserve to view wildlife, explore the many forests, gaze at the birdlife on the shores of Lake Albert, and to enjoy the pleasure of being in a peaceful, truly wild environment. 

The introduction of tourism in the reserve has had a positive impact on its wildlife.  Currently the Uganda kob population is estimated at over 8,000 and it is steadily rising.  With improved park management practices through the Semliki Valley Conservation Project, this species has the potential to return to its peak population of 20,000 Uganda kob registered in the 1960’s. 

Historical Trends in reserve animals populations using the Uganda kob as an example

•At its peak in the 1960’s the TSWR supported an estimated 15,000-18,000 Uganda kob

•Heavy hunting and poaching during politically unstable years devastated the kob population

•A census in 1995 estimated the kob population at less than 650 animals

•A 2006 aerial survey counted 2,500 kob, but a ground census is necessary to determine actual numbers

Waterfall, Semliki ©WILDPLACESTRUST

 

FAST FACTS about the reserve

•It is 543 sq. kilometres of pristine wildlife area in the heart of the Albertine Rift

•It is the first protected area in Uganda

•In the 1960’s it boasted one of the highest ungulate populations in all of East Africa

•During the dictatorship of Idi Amin and the turmoil that followed his ousting, the Semliki Valley suffered from a devastation of nearly all species in the reserve.

•In 1995, ecotourism was introduced in the reserve

•In recent years its name was changed from Toro Game Reserve to Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve