Uganda is at the heartland of Africa’s equatorial tropical rain forest zone. Trekking through one of these jungles, you won’t simply discover a myriad of tree species. Much like the country’s national parks—and often paired into forest parks to give you a great adventure—these forests are rich in wildlife, from small mammals and endemic bird species, to the much spectated tree climbing lions.
Mabira Forest Reserve
Covering about 300 square kilometres (120 sq mi) along the Kampala – Jinja highway, the thick rain forest is home of 312 species of trees; 315 species of birds (such as the Nahan’s Francolin, cassin Hawk Eagle, the forest wood hoope, the purple throated cuckoo, the red headed blue bill—to mention a few), as well as 218 species of butterflies; 97 moth species and 23 small mammal species.
Rwenzori Mountains Forest Reserve (and national park)
Spanning 996 sq.km, the Forest Reserve and National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. The park itself covers most of the centre and eastern half of the Rwenzori Mountains, an ice-capped mountain range (higher than the Alps) rising above dry plains located just above the equator. The park has many species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift system, and there are several endangered species in the park. It has a high diversity of plants and trees. The park is noted for its botany, which has been described as some of the most beautiful in the world.
There are five distinct vegetation zones in the park, which change according to changes in altitude. The park has 217 species of birds, 15 species of butterfly, and four primate species. The park’s wildlife varies with elevation, and its species include the forest elephant, chimpanzee, hyrax, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, duiker, and Ruwenzori Turaco.
Kashoya – Kitomi Central Forest Reserve
With an area of about 399 sq.km, Kasyoha Kitomi Forest lies South of Lake George and Kazinga channel in the Albertine Rift eco-region, 35km from Bushenyi. Besides its characteristic high number of endemic species, the reserve has several primates like chimpanzees, blue monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and Baboons. Its proximity to Queen Elizabeth National Park also makes it home to a number of small mammals like duikers, antelopes, bush pigs and the Uganda Kob. While here, you can engage with canoeing, bird watching, waterfalls walks, chimp tracking or Crater Lake exploration among others.
Mount Elgon National Park
Located on the border of Eastern Uganda and Kenya, Mount Elgon Forest Reserve hosts a variety of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, Defassa’s waterbuck, oribi, bushbuck, leopard and spotted hyena. However, as is usual in forest environments, most of these species are rarely seen. The most commonly seen creatures are black and white colobus, blue monkey, duiker and tree squirrel.
The mountain is home to 296 birds including 40 restricted range species. Birds whose Ugandan range is limited to Mount Elgon include Jackson’s francolin, moustached green tinkerbird, and black collared apalis, the Ugandan ranges of which are limited to Mount Elgon.
The bronze-naped pigeon, Hartlaub’s turaco and tacazze sunbird are limited to Mount Elgon and a few other mountains in eastern Uganda. Mount Elgon is also one of the few places in Uganda where the endangered Lammergeyer can be seen, soaring above the caldera and Suam gorge.
5. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This is a large primeval forest in the Virunga Volcanoes mountain range, and is located in south-western Uganda in Kanungu District on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. It is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world, where half the world’s population of highly endangered Mountain Gorillas live in its jungles.
6. Budongo Forest Reserve
Budongo Forest harbors the largest Population of chimpazees throughout Uganda and is among the most significant birding destinations in Uganda. It is situated approximately 3 hours drive northwest of the capital city Kampala on the way to the prominent Murchison Falls National Park. This is the biggest Mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa. The major tourist sites within this forest are: the Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site, Busingiro Ecotourism site and Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site which are located at boundaries to Murchison Falls National Park and dominated by Mahogany and Iron-wood trees. The 115 kilometer expanse is a remote chunk of the Budongo forest. Its isolation once in a while offers a safe haven for the Lions, Leopards as well as Buffaloes. Early in the morning is the ideal time to set out touring because then you will have an opportunity to find a number of the forest inhabitants licking salt by the forest glades. River Waiga offers refreshment to the various wildlife species within this forest.