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Getting to Know Uganda’s Diverse Forests

From the world-known UNESCO world heritage sites of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the threatened Bugoma Forest, Uganda is rich in terms of forest cover.

With forests defined as “all types of tree-covered land, including alpine, high and medium altitude forests, savannah woodlands, wetland, and riparian forests, plantations and wood lots, whether on Government land or private land”, then Uganda has nearly 5 million hectares of forests, accounting for 24% of the land area.

Uganda Forest Parks

Unique possessions make Uganda an exceptional destination adored by many! The good climate that varies from one region to another, various vegetation to unique animal species, all make Uganda the land Gifted by Nature! Climatic dissection ranges from the tropical climate, savannah climate, and semi-arid climate making Uganda a little Africa.

Uganda’s lush rain forests are the eastern extension of the vast forests of the Congo Basin and are home to a fascinating array of wildlife and flora including an astonishing number of primate species and bird life that few other places can match.

The bio diversity in Uganda’s forest reserves is impressive. 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 chimpanzees and the mountain gorillas. Uganda’s forests provide one of the best places in the world to see these fascinating creatures enjoying their natural habitat.

Generally, Uganda has a tropical climate that has influenced the growth of tropical rain forests that are spread within the different regions of the country. There are some protected tropical rain forests of national importance to forests owned privately by people.

Several tropical forests have been gazetted as Uganda national parks that inhabit special wildlife species. Uganda’s forests have attracted great numbers of travelers to taste the experiences of these areas. The special two primate species inhabit Uganda’s forests! The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are key attractions in the popular forest parks and these attract a considerable number of tourists.

Here are some of the forests that have been gazetted into national parks;

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The popular Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an ancient rainforest that attracts most tourists to Uganda. Bwindi is covered by a unique canopy that proves its name of being impenetrable! The thick forest is situated in the southwestern region of Uganda. Recognised by UNESCO as a heritage site, Bwindi inhabits the world’s special and most endangered apes; the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas are quite unique; they are found in only four locations in Africa. Apart from Bwindi, these great apes are found in the Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, Virunga National Park in DR Congo, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.

Tracking the mountain gorillas in the misty dense forest is the major activity. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to almost half of the mountain gorillas. According to the latest census, the park is home to over 480 mountain gorillas. The montane dense tropical forest is home to several wildlife species including forest elephants, and several primate species, among many occasional sightings and numerous bird species.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the larger montane ranges of the Virunga Conservation Area. Located in southwestern Uganda, the forest shares borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The forested park has some rewards for the hiking challenges for tourists who go hiking through the bamboo forest. The park is home to three of the eight Virunga Ranges; Mount Gahinga (3474m), Mount Sabyinyo (3669m), and Mount Muhavura (4127m). Mgahinga Forest is located near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the southwards about 2 hours drive.

Mgahinga National Park is also visited by tourists. It has only one habituated gorilla family that can be tracked by tourists. The park is also home to the rare golden monkey which lives along with silverbacks raising a slogan of where silver meets gold.

Kibale Forest National park

Kibale Forest is one of the praiseworthy break-taking forests! Situated in western Uganda, Kibale is the best place to see chimpanzees in Africa. Kibale Forest National Park hosts 13 different primate species making it the world’s primate capital. The park hosts a large population of Chimpanzees! Other primates to see include olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, bush babies, L’Hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey chested Mangebey, pottos monkeys, red colobus, and De brazza’s monkey.

The forest is a popular spot for tourism. The forest has about 5 fully habituated chimpanzee families and even the habituation process is open an extra. The forest is a birding paradise with over 350 bird species inhabiting in Kibale forest. The nature walks are more rewarding with several sightings including the forest elephants, bush backs, buffalos, leopards sitatungas though some are on rare occasions.

Popular Forests for Ecotourism

As a means of helping to conserve these valuable wildlife havens the Uganda Forest Department has set up six forest eco tourism projects at sites on popular tourist routes around the country.

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.

Budongo forest reserve

Budongo Forest is located in the Murchison falls national park. The forest lies in the southern part of the park and it is accessible from the main entrance of the Kichumbanyobo gate. This is the second most populus chimpanzee destination in Uganda. At a relatively lower cost of about US$85, you can go chimpanzee tracking during your safari in Uganda. Chimpanzee tracking starts at 8:00 am and all activities start at the Ecolodge.

Budongo rain forest is rich in flora though it is well known for its Mahogany! It is blessed with about 450 tree species, has over 360 bird species and 9 primate species, and 300 butterflies. The moist forest covers the thick savannah woodland and medium altitude.

Activities in Budongo forest include Chimpanzee tracking, bird watching, nature walks, and ecological research activities.

Bugoma Forest Reserve

The moist rain forest is located in western Uganda south of Lake Albert in the Hoima district. The forest is managed by the national forest authority. It is rich in flora and fauna with about 300 bird species, over 250 butterflies, and about 400 tree species. It hosts an incredible population of primates that include chimpanzees and baboons among others.

Bugoma Forest Reserve has about 32 mammal species including the forest elephants, buffalos, kobs, and golden cats among others.

Mabira Forest

One of the most adventurous forests and for centuries the biggest tropical rain forest in Central Uganda. The forest is situated in the central region eastern direction of Kampala. Though developed for ecotourism, the forest is faced with the biggest challenges of encroaching for timber farmers and sugarcane planting.

The forest is characterized by tall tree species that have grown older and sprouting out their buttress root. The forest is located in the Lugazi Buikwe district. The forest is inhabited by several wildlife species including primates like baboons, white and black colobus, and mangabey. Other species include the red short-tailed bats, about 210 butterfly species, and several bird species. Other mammals including kobs, bush backs, and leopards sighted on rare occasions among others.

The forest has several adventurous activities including forest nature walks rewards with the sighting of forest creation hug buttress tree species, bird watching, etc. Other activities include Mangabey tracking, birding, butterfly identification, and the adventurous zip lining flying over the tallest tree canopies.

For a traveler wishing to go on nature retreats, Mabira forest reserve is the best recommendation for you. And lovers of nature the unpolluted nature breathtaking forest is worth your visit and nature camping activities listening to birds melodies.

Mpanga Forest

Situated along Masaka road in Mpigi district is Mpanga forest. It’s situated at about 37Km from Kampala city. It’s among the best birding site and a great site for nature Lovers and researchers among others. Mpanga forest was reserved for scientific research in 1953 covering 45sqKm.

Small but rewarding with 500 scrub and tree species, over 200 bird species, butterflies, and much other wildlife. Mpanga forest is known for hosting trees aged 100 years and the size is quite impressive.

The frequently seen primates in the Mpanga forest include vervet, red-tailed, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. There is also a number of small mammals including banded mongoose, squirrels, pottos, pangolins, and bush babies. Lucky visitors can site the rare nocturnal pottos and bushbabies in the Mpanga forest.

Echuya Uganda Forest Reserve

The Echuya Forest Reserve is located in Kabale and Kisoro Districts , Southwest Uganda and managed by the community. Echuya Forest covers an area of 40 sq km and is ranked among the top 10% of 65 sites visited worldwide by Forest Biodiversity Inventory Team of conservation value of over 100 bird spices represented.

Kalinzu -Maramagambo Forest

Kalinzu – Maramagambo forest is located in Bushenyi / Rukungiri Districts , South West of Uganda. Maramagambo Forest is one of the largest forests in Uganda, covering an area of 580 sq km, on the floor of the Rift, in the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Bugoma Uganda Forest Reserve,

Located in Hoima District, Mid Western Uganda, covering 365 sq km.

Kasyoha – Kitomi Forest Reserve,

Located in Bushenyi and Mbarara Districts Western Uganda, covering 399 sq km.Sango Bay Forest Reserve, Located in Rakai District, South Western Uganda, covering 151 sq km.

Mt Elgon Forest Reserve,

Located in Kapchorwa and Mbale Districts Eastern Uganda, covering 1,145 sq km.

Rwenzori Forest Reserve

Located in Kasese, Kabarole and Bundibugyo Districts in Western Uganda, covering 996 sq km.

Semiliki Uganda Forest Reserve

Located in Bundibugyo District, Western Uganda, covering 212 sq km.

Otzi Forest Reserve

Otzi Forest Reserve is found 18km northeast of Moyo Town and covers an area of 188km2 with an altitudinal range of 760–1,667m. The forest is located on an escarpment overlooking the White Nile as it flows northward, and is bounded to the northeast by the international border with Sudan.

Things to Do in Uganda’s Forests

Not one Ugandan forest looks exactly like another, even inside each forest there are important differences according to rainfall, altitude, soil, slope and history. The forest eco tourism sites reflect these differences and offer visitors a diverse range of experiences from chimpanzee tracking in the Mahogany forests of Budongo, to cycling through the deciduous tropical moist forest of Mabira.

Uganda’s tropical forests hide an intricate web of life. When visiting one of our rainforest sites be patient, take some time, rest a while on a fallen tree trunk and listen to the ‘silence’ of the noisy forest.

It is recommended visitors take a trained forest guide on a journey into the forest. Their eyes are more accustomed to searching out the more elusive wildlife in the heavy forest cover and they can reveal some of the secrets of the forest passed down through the generations in the local villages.

The six sites offer a range of experiences for visitors;

  • gentle meandering forest walks for all ages, abilities and time schedules, or challenging forest treks for the more adventurous traveller
  • a chance to learn about the mysteries of the forest plants and trees and the legends and folklores of the forests from trained local guides.
  • Fabulous bird watching along specially designed easy viewing trails allowing glimpses of some of Africa’s rarest birds.
  • Primate tracking on specially designed grid trail networks, allowing visitors the best possible chance to view our closest relatives in their natural habitats.
  • A chance to relax and get away from it all , enjoy local refreshments and hospitality in a beautiful forest setting.

Visitors are welcome at any of our sites at any time of year. There is no need to book simply follow the directions and turn up. All (except Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo forest) are accessible by public transport see details for each individual site.

Most of the ecotourism sites provide basic camping facilities in idyllic forest settings. Basic provisions can be brought in nearby trading centers or meals arranged via the guides. Mabira and Budongo forest reserves also have traditional African banda accommodation which it is advisable to book by faxing or writing to the Reserves directly (see details under individual sites).

Each site is staffed by Forest Rangers and local guides. They will welcome you on your arrival and explain what is on offer at the site. The guides will tailor a program to meet your needs and provide you with all the information you need to enjoy your visit to the forest.

Charges are made for forest entry permits, guide services and accommodation and camping. These vary between sites and reflect the level of facilities available at each site. Current prices are shown for 1999.

Greening Uganda

Aptly themed ‘Greening Uganda for Prosperity’, this exercise is intended to replenish this country’s rapidly vanishing forest cover. Uganda’s rate of deforestation is said to be one of the highest in the world. According to NFA estimates, over 80,000 hectares of Uganda’s forest estate is lost annually.

The untenable tree cutting and encroachment on forest reserves have comprehensively affected efforts to plant and sustain our forests.
The remedy to this lies in forest conservation. The national tree planting program is the first step that, we hope, will rescue the vulnerable forestry sector.
This effort will however require a strong push from government environmental bodies as well as support from all Ugandans.

The devastating effects of climate change, worsened by deforestation, are evident in the erratic weather patterns experienced in most parts of the country like the protracted drought and recurrent floods that have led to crop failures and subsequently, famine.

By spearheading tree planting, the government has shown a willingness to protect the environment. The authorities must now move to heavily punish forest encroachers. It is crucial that local and national refrain from inciting encroachers for political gain at the expense of the forest sector.

NFA welcomes support in this exercise. Ugandans should plant as many trees as possible. We should not just aim at planting the targeted three million trees this financial year. We must strive to surpass this goal and double the target in the next phase of this exercise.