Uganda currently branded as gifted by nature, supports all activities geared towards conservation of nature. African Pearl Safaris gladly provides for eco tour safaris that will bring out the best of Uganda and its efforts to preserve nature.
Uganda Eco-Tourism sites outside National Parks and Game reserves
In the public eye, forest reserves are associated with consumptive forms of land use especially timber logging. However, there are a number of Central Forest Reserves that undoubtedly have features and attractions that are of real interest to domestic and international tourists on a sustainable basis.
Mabira Central Forest Reserve
Mabira Central Forest Reserve is one of Uganda’s largest surviving Natural Forest covering an area of 306 sq km. The Forest is a Natural Habitat of 312 species of trees including the endangered Cordia Millenii, Mililia Exclesa.the Warbhugia Ugandanesis which has medicinal properties and is known to cure over forty ailments; and the vulnerable Prunus Africana which cures Prostate Cancer and boosts the Human Immune System. Mabira is also home of 315 species of Birds such as the Nahan’s , Francolin , Cassin Hawk Eagle , the Forest Wood hoope, the Purple throated Cuckoo, the Tit Hylia, the Red Headed Blue Bill, the Black bellied Seed Cracker, the Shining Blue Kingfisher and the Blue headed Crested Monarc. Some of these species can only be found in Mabira.
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Other unique features to be explored in the Forest Reserve include 218 Butterfly species, 97 Moth Species, 23 Small Mammal Species especially Primate Species of the Monkey Clan and the spectacular Griffin Falls!
Activities in the Forest Reserve include Forest Walks with over 68km of well developed Trail length, Mountain Biking, Bird Watching, Environmental Education and Research, Camping and Picnics, Primate Watching, Butterfly Identification and general Forest Exploration. |
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Budongo Central Forest Reserve
Budongo Central Forest Reserve is the largest surviving natural forest in Uganda with a total surface area of 825sq.km. It straddles across three districts of masindi, Hoima and the newly created Buliisa district. This is a true forest! Very little illegal activity and encroachment has ensured that the forest remains as natural indeed intended it to be. Visitors seeking the serenity and calmness of being next to nature should opt for Budongo! Professionally preserved and managed by the National Forestry Authority, the forest is divided into three zones. Its strict nature reserve is the oldest in the country while its buffer zone allows Eco-Tourism and Research to prosper and its production zone caters for commercial activities.
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Kaniyo-Pabidi Eco-Tourism Site
Kaniyo-Pabidi situated in the North Eastern part of Budongo Forest Reserve. It is a natural habitat of about 120 Chimpanzees. However only one group consisting of about 30 chimpanzees has have been fully habituated for Eco-Tourism purposes. There are also other primate species such as black and white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkey and baboons.
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Part of Kaniyo-Pabidi is contiguous with Murchison falls national park and Bugungu wildlife reserve which are managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Hence some savannah grassland species can be sighted in Kaniyo-Pabidi. These include bush bucks, red and blue duikers, bush pigs, warthogs, lions, water bucks and buffaloes.
There is prolific Birdlife especially the chocolate- backed kingfisher and the pruvels eladosis.
This area is home of a variety of tree species like mahogany and the Celtic family.
Some of the trees are known to posess medicinal qualities. Butterflies, moths and tropical flowers are abundant.
Forest trails at this site are well developed and well maintained for tourist purposes.
Tourist activities include chimp tracking, bird watching, forest walks, conservation education and chimp habituation and camping.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Kaniyo-Pabidi consists of mainly camping facilities.
However, the Jane Good all Institute is in the process of completing modern tourist cabins and bandas to be ready by mid-2007.
Boomu Conservation and Crafts Women’s Association operates simple accommodation bandas near the park entry gate.
Accessibility
Kaniyo-Pabidi Ecotourism site is located approximately 220 km. from Kampala via Masindi which is 29 km. away. The site is along the secondary road that connects Masindi with Paraa. It is roughly 5 km. from the Murchison Park boundary and entry gate.
Other Services
There are two local organizations involved in Eco-Tourism near Kaniyo-Pabidi: Boomu Conservation and Crafts Women’s Association and Asera Azora Women’s group. They provide handcrafts, community walks, cooking walks, simple traditional accommodation and camping.
Kaniyo-Pabidi has knowledgeable, experienced and welcoming guides who offer interpretation and guiding services. |
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Busingiro Eco-Tourism Site
Busingiro Eco-Tourism Site is located in the south western part of Budongo Forest Reserve. Like Kaniyo-Pabidi, this area is a habitat for several primate species including chimpanzees, monkeys and baboons. However the chimpanzees in Busingiro are not yet habituated for visitor tracking.
Mahogany iron wood, fig trees, stranglers and a host of medicinal trees form a bulk of floral species in this seemingly untouched natural forest.
Birds, butterflies, reptiles, small mammals and other micro organisms form the eco system that makes this particular site enviable.
Visitors should not miss the proverbial royal mile. This is one of the highlights of Busingiro! The royal mile is a stretch of one mile with a collection of all the tree species in budongo forest reserve. King Kabalega, the former king of Bunyoro used to frequent this segment for relaxation with his queen. The segment derives its name from these royal visits. The segment is magnificently maintained by the National Forestry Authority, for historical, aesthetic and recreational reasons.
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Activities in Busingiro include forest walks, bird watching, primate identification, conservation education, and research and butterfly identification, among others.
There is a primate research station on the site of an old sawmill at Sonso.
The forest trails at this site are well developed and well maintained for tourist purposes.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Busingiro contains mainly of camping facilities: However, the Jane Good all Institute is in the process of renovating and refurbishing the tourist bandas to house at least ten visitors.
Accessibility
The site is located to the west of Masindi. It’s approximately 47 km. from Masindi town via Kinyara and Nyabyeya. Masindi itself is approximately 200 km. from Kampala on a good tarmac road. Busingiro is on the earth road that connects masindi with Paraa via Buliisa on the shores of Lake Albert. |
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Bugoma Ecotourism Site
Bugoma Central Forest Reserve is located in Hoima District. It covers a total surface area of 41,144 hectares. Eco- Tourism in the reserve is being spearheaded by African Nature Conservation Expeditions, an international private firm with vast experience in tourism development.
The firm is in advanced stages of infrastructure development at the former forest station. 10 tourist bandas to host a minimum of 10 visitors per night are nearing completion. In addition, another 10 luxury tented camps exclusively for the upper market will be ready by mid – 2007.
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The site is endowed with a variety of tourist attractions such as chimpanzees, monkeys, reptiles, birds and butterflies and tree species some of which endemic to Bugoma. Forest trails totaling 30 km long divided into loops of 200 meters each have been developed.
The reserve is near the oil exploration sites which has precipitated the migration of many grassland species due to habitat disturbance. Those that can occasionally be seen include Uganda kobs, buffaloes, and elephants.
The reserve is accessible through a dirt road 70 km. from Hoima Township. Hoima is approximately 200 km. from Kampala. There is also an Airstrip for light aircraft s at Kisaru Tea Estates 12 km. from Bugoma Ecotourism Site.
Professionally trained guides are on site to provide an unforgettable experience to visitors. |
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Lutoboka and Bujanzi Central Forest Reserves
Attractions
These Forests, found on the legendry Ssese Islands, are described as medium altitude moist forests. They form a belt along the lower ridges with a gentle slope from a lakeshore to the centre. However, the forest walks are not strenuous.
The Forest Trails are well developed. One particular tail visitors from Lutoboka should not miss stretches from the landing site up the Fort where the explorer Henry Morton Stanley pitched camp on his way to the famed mountains of the moon. There are 31 gazetted Forest Reserves in the Islands with a total 7,324 hectares under the control of the National Forestry Authority. Lutoboka Forest Reserve is 378 Ha; Kampala Forest Reserve is 80Ha.
The Ssesse Islands are a group of 84 Islands famous for their unexplored Forests some of which are completely uninhabited. They are a natural habitat for rare and endemic Birds and Butterflies. Primate Species especially the Monkeys abound .This rich and virgin Eco- system serenely blends into the equatic expense of lake, making these Forest Reserves a must visit .
Activities in the Forest Reserves include Forest Walks, Bird Watching, Primate Identification, and Butterfly Identification. In addition, visitors can also enjoy sailing, Boating, Fishing, and sun Bathing along the Lakeshores.
Accommodation
Accommodation in the Reserves, especially in Lutoboka, is largely in the hands of Private Developers. There are a number of well developed Beaches and Resorts for both the Upper Market and Middle Market. Some of them include Mirembe Resort Beach , Ssesse Palm Beach Hotel , Pearl Gardens Beach and Panorama Camping Site. All these have access to the White Sand Beaches ideal for relaxation after a Forest Walk.
Budget Travelers are advised to seek modesty lodge Accommodation readily available in Kalangala Town Council a few kilometers from Lutoboka Landing Site.
Accessibility
Accessibility to the Islands is by Ship departing from Nakiwogo Landing Site near Entebbe at exactly 14 hours daily. The Ship starts its return journey from Lutoboka Landing Site at exactly 8.
Alternatively, one may approach the islands by Ferry from Bukakata/Kachanga Landing Site near Masaka. The Ferry docks at Luku Landing Site near Kalangala, four times a day starting at 8 Hours. |
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Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve
Attractions
Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve is a Natural Forest teeming with terrestrial Bio-Diversity in Bushenyi District in Western Uganda. The forest is famous for 414 Species of Trees and Shrubs including the Ficus, Prunus Africana, the Stroboia, and Parinari among others. The forest also harbours378 Species of Birds such as the Great Blue Turaco, Black and White Caskets, Cuckoos and Sunbirds. Six different Species of Primates can be identified in Kalinzu including the Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White colobus Monkeys, and Chimpanzees. The 2001 Primate Census put the total number of Chimpanzees in the Reserve at approximately 240. However, only two Groups of about 70 can be accessed by both Researchers and Tourists.
Other varieties of species include 262 Butterflies, 97 Moths, Reptiles and Flowers. Standing at the Kishunja Hill Viewpoint, one can behold the entire Forest Canopy, great parts of the Queen Elizabeth National Park and some Peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Because of its proximity to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Forest Reserve occasionally provides refuge to Savannah Grassland Species such as the Duikers, Leopards and Wild Pigs.
Therefore, activities in the Reserve include Forest Walks, Research Trails and Tourist Trails have been developed.
Pitched on top of an escarpment on the eastern edge of the great Albertine Rift Valley, Kalinzu Forest Reserve is 147 sq.km.adjuscent to the famed Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Maramagambo Forest. It lies at an average altitude of 1,400 m above sea level.
Accommodation
Accommodation in the reserves is still informal with only a do-it-yourself camping site at the forest station at Nkombe. Visitors are advised to carry their own tents. Visitors can also seek modest accommodation inBushenyi/Ishaka townships.
Accessibility
The forest reserve is located in Bushenyi District in Western Uganda. it is approximately 375km (5 hours drive) from the capital city Kampala. It is only 30km from the district headquarters of Bushenyi along the main Kasese highway. Because of the Albertine Terrain with old logging and winding roads, a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended.
Other Services
Kalinzu forest reserve has very professional, experienced and knowledgeable local guides who will make your forest visit a thrilling experience. |
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Kasyoha – Kitomi Central Forest Reserve
Located 35km from Bushhenyi, Kasyoha-Kitomi central forest reserve is 433 sq. km.
Ecotourism in the reserve is just beginning to develop under the umbrella of Ndekye Women’s Development Association. The main attractions in the reserve include primates such as chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys and baboons. The reserve also boasts of spectacular crater lakes such as twin lakes of Kamweru and Kyema as well as the transparent lake Kamunzuku. Eing adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the reserve hosts a number of small mammals like duikers, antelopes, bush pigs and the Uganda kob.
Migratory elephants can occasionally be seen.
Other attractions in the reserve include waterfalls, water gorges birdlife, butterflies and moths, reptiles and flowers.
Visitors to the reserve may enjoy forest walks, canoeing, bird watching, sightseeing, conservation education, camping and community walks.
A three; hour walking trail has been developed from the camping site at Magambo to the transparent lake kamunzuku.
Facilities in the reserve are still modest with a camping site at magambo parish headquarters overlooking the amazing twin lakes. Please bring your own tents and camping gear. A four wheel drive vehicle is a must. |
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