The Semliki Valley, deep in the heart of Uganda’s Western rift valley, is a prime conservation area. Situated in the Albertine Rift Valley between the Rwenzori foothills to the south and Lake Albert to the north, Semliki Valley is Uganda’s oldest wildlife reserve. The reserve is a classic geographic crossroads - tropical rainforest meets grassy savannah, wetlands spill over into Lake Albert and the flat plains are punctuated by deep river valleys. This unique confluence is reflected in the diversity of wildlife, too. The Central African forest elephant lives alongside the savannah species - lions, leopards and antelope.

There are 11 recorded species unique to Semliki, including the pygmy antelope, two types of flying squirrel and six types of bat. Visitors to the park can track illusive chimps in the forest, game drive on the savannahs and cruise Lake Albert in search of the bizarre-looking shoebill.