Fort Portal is a vibrant town located in western Uganda, known mostly for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and proximity to various natural attractions. Fort PortalCityserves as a gate to various or several national game parks and is famous for its scenic hills, coffee plantations, and warm hospitality for its people. Some of the parks Fort Portal serves as a gate include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, and Bwindi National Park, Rwenzori National Park, to mention a few. Fort Portal City is also known for its historical importance with remnants of colonial architecture and local markets that reflect the traditions of the Bakiga and Bakonzo people. Fort Portal City was named after Sir Gerald Portal a British counsel general of Zanzibar at the time and the fort that was constructed in the late 1800s. The fort was built as a form or way to protect the Toro kingdom from King Kabalega of Bunyoro who wanted to take over the kingdom.
What is there to see in Fort Portal City
Some very many different things or attractions can be seen or you should look up to see when planning to visit Fort Portal City or visiting either of the parks that are accessed through Fort Portal. Some of these attractions may include,
Tooro botanical gardens
Tooro gardens were established to help conserve the risked plants and crops that were under the threat of extinction due to the high rate of deforestation. These botanical gardens as you read today cover approximately 100 acres and are a perfect place for study research and conservation areas. These gardens are also good for bird watching and butterflies since many of them call it home attracted to the plants and flowers in the area. The Tooro Botanical Gardens happens to also be a good place for nature walks
Tooro palace
Tooro Palace was constructed in the year 1963 but was destroyed as a result of the abolishment of the Uganda kingdom policy brought by Idi Amin the president of that time. Tooro kingdom was built to take back its glory in 2001 using the money that was given by General Gadhafi after he had visited the palace. The palace is a very spectacular place to visit when you visit Fort Portal City so that you get to learn more about the history and the rich culture of the kingdom and its people.
Also, from Fort Portal City you can easily access and decide to visit different game parks that are located near or close to the city. You can also decide to carry out or participate in different activities such as chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, and birding in Bigodi wetland, to mention but few.
Speaking about the nearby game parks that can be accessed from Portal City, Semuliki National Park is one of them. Semuliki National Park is located in the western part of Uganda in the district of Bundibugyo a bordering district of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Semuliki started as a national reserve in 1932 and was later turned into a national park in 1993.
What is there to see in Semuliki National Park?
Just like any other tourist destination, Semuliki National Park is blessed with a lot of attractions to marvel at, and different activities can also be done from there. Some of the attractions that can be seen or marvel at in Semuliki National Park include,
Birds in Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park is considered to be one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. Semuliki National Game Park happens to be home to approximately 410 different bird species and a percentage of about 67 of these are forest birds. Some of these birds include blue-headed crested, flycatcher, orange weaver, capuchin babbler, and white-tailedhornbill, to mention but a few. So, this is the perfect place to go for birding during your Uganda safari.
Wildlife in Semuliki National Park
When it comes to wildlife in Semuliki National Park, this national park happens to be home to approximately 60 different wildlife animals or mammals. Some of the animals or wildlife include Uganda kobs, dwarf antelopes, warthogs, leopards, and pygmy hippos, to mention but a few.
Primates in semuliki national park
Semuliki National Park also happens to be home to primates such as chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, Mona monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons, to mention but a few. These primates can be easily spotted during trekking activities and nature walks in Semuliki National Park.
Communities near Semuliki National Park
You can also include visiting different communities that are around or close to Semuliki National Park. Visiting any of these communities should be done so that you get to learn more about the lifestyle or culture of these local people. Learning can be done through storytelling, cultural dance, and food, to mention but a few. You will be free to participate in any of the activities if you are interested.
Sempaya hot springs
Sempaya hot springs are one of the things that you should be looking up to see when you visit semuliki national Park. Semuliki National Park happens to have two hot springs both male and female, these hot springs have contributed a lot to the fame of the park. The female hot spring is approximately 12 meters in diameter called Bintente and the female hot spring in Nyasimbi. The water in the hot springs that gushes out is very hot to the extent that it can boil an egg or eggs in not more than 10 minutes. Through the past years, the local people used to cook their food using the hot springs but they are now restricted by the national park. This was done to give tourists enough space and time to come and visit the hot springs. During your path to the hot springs, you will be able to encounter different attractions along the way. Some of them may include primates like monkeys, baboons, and birds, to mention but a few.