Uganda’s lush rainforests 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.
There are several forest reserves in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Uganda’s Forests and woodlands cover approximately 4.9 million hectares. This constitutes to 24% of the total land area of Uganda. This comprises of 19% as woodlands and 5% as tropical moist forest. Some of these forests have been gazetted as national parks, forest reserves while some have been developed into ecotourism destinations.
Listed Below are the protected forests within Uganda;
- Budongo forest reserve
- Bugoma Forest Reserve
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Echuya Uganda Forest Reserve
- Kalinzu Forest Reserve
- Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve
- Kibaale Forest
- Lutoboka & Bunjazi Forest Reserves
- Mabira forest
- Maramagambo Forest
- Mgahinga Forest
- Mpanga Forest Reserve
- Mt Elgon Forest Reserve
- Rwenzori Forest Reserve
- Sango Bay Forest Reserve
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 chimpanzee. Uganda’s forests provide one of the best places in the world to see these fascinating creatures enjoying their natural habitat.
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
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.
All of the 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.