If you are a nature lover, exploring Uganda’s stunning forests is remarkably one most exhilarating thing you can do while on your safari in Africa. Uganda features many forest reserves and each of them features rare species that make your time in the jungles memorable. They include among others;
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This UNESCO World Heritage site is the most famous and amazing forest in the pearl of Africa. Located in western Uganda, Bwindi is a habitat to almost half{1/2} of the world’s mountain gorillas with over 19 groups making is the best place to go gorilla trekking in Africa. Not Only mountain gorilla, the park is a habitat to other primates such as chimpanzees, baboons, monkeys and Batwa people. It is also a habitat to other wild life such as forest elephants, buffaloes, it is a good place for bird watching, nature walks, hikes and community walks.
Mabira forest
About 54 kilometers’ drive off from Kampala capital, East of Uganda straddles this magnificent natural forest along the Jinja-Kampala highway. It is one of the most incredible tropical rainforests that reward travelers with amazing experiences. A visit to this natural forest reserve offers you a great opportunity to engage in a number of exciting activities such as forest walks, cycling via trails, picnicking, bird watching and others. It is also a major stopover for most tourists on safari to Jinja or Eastern part of Uganda. It inhabits over 320 bird species including the grey long bill, Cassini’s hawk eagles and others; primates such as the red tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys; 221 butterfly species, 100 moths and others.
Budongo forest
This is one of a few most significant rainforests in East Africa and comprises largely of mahogany trees. This magnificent forest lies in northwestern side of Uganda just as you head to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest park. It is a major site for you to view variety of primates such as the red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, chimpanzees, grey cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys and others. There are also more than 300 butterfly species, 470 tree species, 6 mammal species a mention but a few. This forest is about 3-4 hours’ drive from Kampala capital city via Masindi district road.
Kalinzu Forest Reserve
This forest reserve is located in western Uganda just close to Queen Elizabeth National Park. While in this forest reserve you have a chance to engage in various activities such as nature walks, chimpanzee trekking, forest hiking, bird watching a mention but a few. Kalinzu forest reserve boasts of over 400 tree species including shrubs; about 400 bird species including the Great Blue Turaco, white casket; several primates including baboons, Vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and others; 100 moths, 270 butterflies, some reptiles and many flowering plants. Due to its close proximity to Queen Elizabeth National Park, this forest reserve also features a number of wildlife species including wild pigs, lions, leopards, waterbucks, elephants, buffaloes and others.
Mpanga forest reserve
This forest lies about 37 kilometers off from Kampala capital via Masaka road. It is mainly a scientific research center since 1953. It consists of varied trails where visitors have a great opportunity to come across its distinct wildlife species including diverse avifaunal species, butterflies, monkeys a mention but a few. Besides, visit the drum making industry at Mpambire village just close to this forest reserve.
Kibale forest
This is one of a few most rare tropical rainforests that still thrive in Africa. It is located in western Uganda just within Kibale National Park. It offers refuge to about 13 distinct primate species including over 1500 chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, red colobus monkeys, pottos, bush babies, grey cheeked mangabeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys a mention but a few. There more than 350 bird species including the green breasted pitta, yellow spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, black bee-eater a mention but a few. The notable activities for you to enjoy while on safari in this forest reserve and the park include chimpanzee tracking, nature walks, birding, chimpanzee habituation experience a mention but a few.
Others include maramagambo forest, Mpanga forest, Bugema forest, and others.