CHAPTER Yl 

 THE SE3ILIKI VAZLEY AND THE CONGO FOB EST 



THE present boundary between the Congo Free t^tate and the Uganda 

 Protectorate is somewhat unsatisfactory, as it does not coincide with 

 the natural features of the country. It consists of the thirtieth degree 

 of east longitude from the vicinity of the ■Nlfumbiro mountains to the 

 south of Lake Albert Edward, and thence northwards past the western 

 flanks of the Ruwenzori range, and across the Semliki River to the water- 

 parting between the Nile and Congo systems on the Bulega heights to 

 the north of the Semliki. Thence the boundary is carried north-west 

 along this line of water-parting to Mahagi, on the north-west corner of 

 the Albert Nyanza. Why the course of the Semliki River from Lake 

 i\lbert Edward to some point near the Albert Nyanza was not chosen 

 as the boundary over part of this line instead of a degree of longitude, 

 it is difficult to understand. The result is, however, that both sides 

 of the Tapper Semliki are within the Congo Free State, while both sides of 

 the northern half of the Semliki belong to Great Britain. 



The traveller who desires to reach tlie north-eastern portion of the 

 Congo Free State from Uganda at the present day would almost certainly 

 follow the safe and fairly well-made road which runs from Fort Portal to 

 the south end of Ruwenzori, and thence turns north-westwards to the ferry 

 of the Semliki River, opposite Fort ^Mbeni. This is preferable, as far as 

 convenience of travel is concerned, to journeying round the north end of 

 Ruwenzori and through the dense, hot Semliki Forest, which stretches 

 between the Bulega heights and the north-western flanks of the Ruwenzori 

 range. I have already explained that any one reaching the south end of 

 Ruwenzori is surprised to meet with a certain amount of aridity in the 

 landscape, to encounter streams flowing often with a mere trickle, and 

 scanty grass and poor vegetation, generally of a burnt-up aspect, in between 

 the watercourses. This somewhat desert appearance may be partially due 

 to the extent to which the soil is impregnated with salt. But this dry 

 East African appearance of the landscape and flora continues along the 

 north coast of the Albert Edward Nyanza and over the southern half of 



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