Emuliki National Park is located in Bwamba County, a remote part of the Bundibugyo District in western Uganda. It was made a national park in October 1993, and is one of Uganda’s newest national parks. 194 km2 (75 sq mi) of East Africa's only lowland tropical rainforest is found in the park. It is one of the richest areas of floral and faunal diversity in Africa, with bird species being especially diverse. The park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

 

 

 

 

 

Contents  

1 Location

2 Flora and fauna

3 Human population

4 See also

5 References

6 External links

 

Location

 

Semuliki National Park lies on Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Rwenzori Mountains are to the south-east of the park, while Lake Albert is to the park’s north.The park lies within the Albertine Rift Valley, the western arm of the East African Rift Valley. The park is located on a flat to gently undulating landform that ranges from 670 to 760 m (2,200 to 2,490 ft) above sea level.

The park experiences an average rainfall of 1,250 mm (49 in), with peaks in rainfall from March to May and from September to December. Many areas of the park experience flooding during the wet season. The temperature at the park varies from 18 to 30 °C (64 to 86 °F), with relatively small daily variations.

The Park borders the Semuliki and Lamia rivers, which are watering places for many animals. The park has two hot springs in a hot mineral encrusted swamp.One of the springs - Mumbuga spring - resembles a geyser by forming a 0.5 m high fountain. These hot springs attract a large number of shorebirds and they are a source of salt for many animals.

From 1932 to 1993, the area covered by Semuliki National Park was managed as a forest reserve, initially by the colonial government and then by the Ugandan government’s Forest Department. It was made a national park by the government in October 1993 in order to protect the forests as an integral part of the protected areas of the Western Rift Valley.