Eco Tourism

Mpanga Central Forest Reserve

Mpanga Central Forest Reserve

Attractions:Mpanga Central Forest Reserve is a Natural Forest with unique Tree Species and other Flora. The Forest also boasts of a number of Primates especially the Red – Tailed Monkeys, an array of birdlife, Grey Parrot, Owls, Hornbills and Cuckoos, Butterflies and Moths.

Activities: they include Forest Walks and Forest Exploration, Bird Watching and Identification, Primate Watching and Butterfly Identification, and Forest Trails are well developed into four main routings namely: The Baseline Trail, the Hornbill Trail, the Butterfly Trail.

Accommodation
There is one tourist banda at the Visitor Reception Centre at Mpanga under the management of the National Forestry Authority, a Self – Contained Duplex, and a Double Room on the main Office Block can accommodate 12 visitors at once. There is also a Tent for hire at a modest fee. These are self – catering facilities although light meals can be ordered from the House Caretaker.

Accessibility
Located in Mpigi District 37km from the City Center of Kampala, the Forest Reserve is easily accessible through the main Kampala – Masaka Highway. The Eco – Tourism Site is approximately 1 km from the road head using a well – surfaced dirt road. The access therefore is on a Tarmac road and a good dirt road passable throughout the year.

Lutoboka, and Bunjazi Central Forest Reserves

Lutoboka, and Bunjazi Central Forest Reserves

Attractions: these Forests, found on the legendary Ssesse Islands, are described as medium altitude moist forests. They form a belt along the lake and the lower ridges with a gentle slope from the lakeshore to the center. Forest Walks, Bird Watching, Primate Identification, and Butterfly Identification. In addition, visitors can also enjoy Sailing, Boating, Fishing, and Sun Bathing along the Lakeshores.

Activities: Forest Walks, Forest Trails are well developed, visitors to Lutoboka should not miss stretches from the landing site up to the Fort where the explorer Henry Morton Stanley pitched camp on his way to the famed mountains of the moon.

Area coverage:378 ha, there are 31 gazetted Forest Reserves in the Islands with a total of 7,324ha under the control of the National Forestry Authority. 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 aquatic expanse of Lake Victoria , Africa’s largest fresh water lake, making these Forest Reserves a must visit.
Activities in the Forest Reserves include

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.

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 Hours daily. Alternatively, one may approach the Islands by Ferry from Bukakata/Kachanga Landing Site near Masaka. The Ferry docks at Luku Landing Site near Kalangala.

Kalinzu

Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve

Attractions:The Forest is famous for 414 Species of trees, it harbours 378 Species of Birds, six different Species of Primates, Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys and Chimpanzees, 262 Butterflies, 97 Moths, Reptiles and Flowers

Activities: they Forest Walks, Research, Conservation Education, Birding, Butterfly Identification, Chimp Tracking, and small Mammal viewing.

Area coverage:147 sq. km. adjacent 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 in the Reserve 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 in Bushenyi/Ishaka Townships.

Accessibility
The Forest Reserve is located in Bushenyi District in western Uganda. It is approximately 375 km. (five hours drive) from the Capital City of Kampala.

Kasyoha-kitomi

Kasyoha – Kitomi Central Forest Reserve

Area coverage:Kasyohakitomi Central Forest Reserve is 433 sq. km.

Attractions: they include Primates such as Chimpazees, Blue Monkeys, Red – Tailed Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys and Baboons, spectacular Crater Lakes, Transparent Lakes, and small mammals, waterfalls, Deep Gorges, Birdlife, Butterflies and Moths, Reptiles and Flowers.

Activities: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.

Accommodation: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.

Budongo Central ForesReserve

Area coverage:is the largest surviving Natural Forest in Uganda with a total surface area of 825 sq. km.

Attractions: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 ProductionZone caters for Commercial Activities.
Budongo has two Eco – Tourism sites namely Kaniyo – Pabidi and Busingiro.

Kaniyo – Pabidi Eco – Tourism Site

Attractions: Kaniyo – Pabidiis a natural habitat of about 120 Chimpazees, species of Black and White Colobus Monkey, the Red – Tailed Monkey, Blue Monkey, Vervet Monkey and Baboons, savannah grassland Species, wild animals,Birdlife, variety of tree species Butterflies, Moths and Tropical Flowers.

Activities: include Chimp Tracking, Bird Watching, Forest Walks, Conservation Education, Chimp Habituation and Camping.

Accommodation
Accommodation at Kaniyo – Pabidi consists of mainly Camping Facilities. However, the Jane Goodall 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.

Busingiro

Busingiro Eco – Tourism Site

Attractions: habitat of several Primate Species likeChimpazees, Monkeys and Baboons. However, the Chimpazees, habituated for visitor tracking. Mahogany, Iron Wood, Fig Trees, Stranglers and a host of medicinal Trees form the bulk of Floral Species, Birds, Butterflies, Reptiles, Small Mammals and other Micro Organisms.

Activities: they include Forest Walks, Bird Watching, Primate Identification, Conservation Education, Research, and Butterfly Identification among others.

Accommodation: consists mainly of Camping Facilities. However, the Jane Goodal Institute is in the process of renovating and refurbishing the Tourist Bandas to house at least ten Visitors.

Bugoma Ecotourism Site

Area coverage: 41,144 ha,Bugoma Central Forest Reserve is located in Hoima District. Eco – Tourism in the Reserve is being spearheaded by African Nature ConservationExpeditions,

Accommodation:10 Tourist Bandas to house a minimum of 10 Visitors per Night are nearing completion and another 10 Luxury Tented Camps exclusively for the upper market.

Attractions: they include Chimpanzees, Monkeys, Reptiles, Birds and Butterflies and Tree Species some of which are 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. away from Hoima Township. Hoima is approximately 200 km. from Kampala. There is also an Airstrip for light aircrafts at Kisaru Tea Estates 12 km. from Bugoma Ecotourism Site.
Professionally trained Guides are on site to provide an unforgettable experience to Visitors.

For Further Inquiries on the ecotourism sites, please contact:
National Forestry Authority,
P.O Box 70863,
Kampala.
Tel: 256 - 031 – 264035/6 or 256 - 041-230365/6
Fax: 256 – 041 – 230369
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.