reserves

Reserves and Forests

Uganda's forests provide one of the best places in the world for bio diversity. Amongst the huge buttressed trees and tangled vegetation of lianas and epiphytes you find the habitats and homes of literally thousands of forest species from the shy elephant shrew, to the scaly tailed flying squirrel. Not forgetting of course our closest relative, the chimpanzee. The Uganda Forest Department has set up six forest eco tourism projects at sites on popular tourist routes around the country as a means of helping to conserve these valuable wildlife havens. These eco tourism sites have been set up in collaboration with communities surrounding the forest and revenue generated through tourism employs local people to work on the projects and supports community based initiatives in the villages surrounding the forests.

The reserve forests in Uganda are:

Budongo Forest Reserve

Busingiro and Masindi Budongo forest is the largest mahogany forest in East Africa. Those huge trees grow up to 60 meters, tall with long trunks, massive crowns and often very large spreading buttresses. There is no where better to wonder at these magnificent red wood trees than the Budongo Forest Reserve. Budongo is also famous for its chimpanzees which have been studied at a research station based in the forest for several decades. Between 600-800 chimpanzees depend on the fruits and foods of the forest. Five groups have fully habituated and visitors can watch these fascinating creatures at home in their natural habitat. Budongo is a wonderful forest for bird watching especially along the Royal Mile. It has a bird list of 366 species including such rarities as the Chocolate Backed King fisher, the White Thighed Hornbill and Lemon Bellied Crombec. The forest is rich in bird species because it is so far west, and many west African species are at the eastern most edge of their rangers. Budongo is well located to combine a trip to the forest with a visit to Murchison Falls National Park or a drive out towards Butiaba where you get spectacular views from the Rift Valley Escarpment overlooking Lake Albert and the Blue Mountains of Congo. Two eco-tourism sites have been developed in Budongo forest, at Busingiro, west of Masindi on the road to Lake Albert and at Kaniyo Pabidi north of Masindi on the Paraa road. Busingiro is located 41 km west of Masindi on the road to Butiaba. The site is 40 m on the left and well sign posted from the road. From Kampala the drive takes 3 to 4 hours. Kaniyo Pabidi is accessible to visitors with their own transport. It is 29km north of Masindi. Simply follow the signposts to Para. The site is sign posted off to the right on the main road through the park to Para. Kaniyo Pabidi can easily be combined with a visit to Murchison Falls National Park.

Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Kalinzu forest offers visitors a choice of scenic guided walks along the ridges and valleys of the Rift Valley escarpment. From the forest trails amazing views open up over the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward, the Kazinga Channel and the Congo. Visit the "old man of the hills". Kalinzu forest is steeped in mysteries and rich with local legends. Learn about the folk lore and uses of the forest from a local guide. Experience the forest at night. See nocturnal primates like pottos and galagos. Search for owls and other animals that only emerge under the cover of darkness and listen to the errie shrieking of the tree hyrax. Get away from it all at the campsite retreat. The camping site is set deep into the forest far away from any settlements and although basic, offers visitors a tranquil 'back to nature' experience . Kalinzu forest is 10 km west of Ishaka on the main Mbarara to Kasese highway. It is very conveniently situated for visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park and other parks in the south west.

Kasyoha Kitomi Forest

Combining a forest adventure with stunning scenery Kasyoha Kitomi forest offers the visitor a memorable experience. The forest is set in a beautiful landscaped setting overlooking the Albertine Rift Valley and nestled amongst the picturesque hills and crater lakes of the south west region. Kasyoha Kitomi is a supberbly rich forest supporting a huge biodiversity of forest species. In conservation terms it ranks second in the country and offers visitors a chance to encounter a fabulous array of forest life with five species found in no other Ugandan forest. The visitor center and camp site are beautifully situated on a ridge overlooking the twin crater lakes Chemo and Mweru . Just 1.5 kilometers from the main Mbarara to Kasese highway the site is readily accessible to visitors travelling to Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori, Semuliki and Kibale National Parks and makes it a stunning overnight stop or perfect spot for a picnic. The 'Transparent' lake Kamunzuku, a beautiful clean and clear crater lake lies further into the forest reserve. Visitors can enjoy swimming or bird viewing from the lake edge or explore the caves surrounding the lake. A 17 kilometer trail system leads from Lake Kamunzuku along which visitors can explore the gorges and waterfalls of the Kyambura river. The trials journey through intact tropical high forest , tall 'elephant' grasslands and along hilltops and ridges offering wonderful views over the forested river valleys. Chimpanzees are common in the forest and are regularly heard as you travel along the forest trails. The visitor center is 1.5 km off the main highway between Mbarara - Kasese . Travelling from Mbarara the eco tourism site is 35km west of Ishaka past the picturesque Rwenzori tea plantations.

Mabira Forest

An attractive forest visitor complex in a beautiful tranquil forest edge setting offering comfortable facilities for a weekend break. and a relaxing environment to unwind and get back to nature. Easy access between Uganda's two largest urban centres Kampala and Jinja, the forest is one hours drive from the capital and just half an hours drive from Jinja. Mabira offers visitors with tight time schedules a tropical forest experience on their doorstep and for visitors without their own transport an easily accessed and reasonably priced public transport link A huge and beautiful forest to explore via an extensive trail network. The forest trails cater for people of all time schedules and abilities and give visitors fantastic views into the forest canopy. and opportunities to discover close up a fascinating array of forest life. Both guided and unguided trails are available. For the energetic a circular 25 km bike trail links the forest to the surrounding sugar and tea plantations (mountain bikes are advised). Mabira Forest straggles the main Jinja to Kampala highway, it is 54km from Kampala and 20km from Jinja. The forest center is on the edge of Najjembe village approximately 500m north of the main road. Coming from Kampala it is signposted to your left just before you reach the roadside market at Najjembe.

Mpanga Forest

A beautiful compact forest which has been protected as a scientific research site since 1953 and is criss crossed with an extensive network of paths from which visitors can view the prolific bird life that make this forest their home. The average height and size of trees in Mpanga is very large with impressive trees throughout. A two minute walk will place you in tall cathedral like avenue which stretches the length of the forest. Just out of town, Mpanga forest is easily accessed from Kampala and well worth a stop on a visit out West .Experience the silence of a noisy forest, witness floating paths of butterflies and enjoy the peace and solitude of a beautiful forest setting just one hours drive from the capital. The intimate and compact forest valley offers a wide range of experiences close to the visitor reception, it is an ideal spot for short visits when passing or for picnic stops or overnight camping. The drum making industry is concentrated at Mpambire village near Mpanga, the home of the Royal Drum makers. The five main tree species suitable for this traditional craft are found in the forest and at the visitor reception you can learn about the drum trees which since time immemorial have been used in Africa for communicating and calling people to festive occasion.