FORESTS IN UGANDA

“The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness” John Muir. An inspiration quote that remind us, of how true beauty of the world, can be explored through the forests.

A forest in the eco system has helped to balance the bio diversity on land. With a large number dominated trees, and fauna.  Forest in Uganda, are a home to any tree species, have are habitat by a number of other species that include birds and wildlife.

In Uganda currently, 20% of land is covered by woodland and forests. The total area of forest cover and woodland is 49000km, where 924.08 km are tropical rain forests, 350.60km are forest plantations, 39742.02 k m are woodlands and 30% in protected areas that include wildlife reserves and national parks

Some forests in Uganda are located within the preserved and protected areas are. Making them home to a number of significant wildlife that attracts tourists.

Budongo forests

The Budongo forest is located in the western region of Uganda, in the north western region near a protected area; Murchison falls national park.   It is located on north eastern side of the Lake Albert escarpment.

The forest has four streams that input into Lake Albert these include, Siba, and Kamirambwa, sonso and waisoke stream.

Budongo forest is dominated by medium altitude, moist semi –deciduous vegetation.  The forest covers an area of 435 km, rolling into the East African rift. The forest is well known for the huge growing mahogany trees with other 465 tree species.

Budongo forest is a home to 24 mammal species, 360 bird species 290 butterflies and 9 primates. Chimpanzee tracking in the Budongo forest is a major high light on Uganda primate safari.  For the tourists that visit Murchison falls national park, chimp tracking is wholly done in the Budongo forest.

The chimpanzee experience in Budongo forest avails a chance to witness and feel the presence of the robust, chimpanzees in the forest. The track takes about three hours with one hour of full interaction with the chimpanzees, feeding, swinging from the tree branches and the echoing vocalizations, of the chimpanzees make the whole experience lively and heavenly.

Chimpanzee tracking can also be done from kibale forest in fort portal or in the Kyambura gorge of Queen Elizabeth national park.

Bwindi impenetrable forest

It is located in the Kanungu district in south western Uganda. The forest sits at the western branch of the Albertine slopes of the East African right valley. The forest covers an The forest is part of Bwindi impenetrable national park, which is a major attraction on Uganda safaris. area of 334 kilometers occupied by bamboo, vines, ferns and many more. The forest is part of Bwindi impenetrable national park, which is a major attraction on Uganda safaris.

The thick vegetation, temperature and biodiversity, enables the stay of many beautiful flora and. Due to its richness in biodiversity, Bwindi impenetrable forest is currently listed as a UNESCO heritage site.

Bwindi impenetrable forest is famous for being a home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The gentle species of the mountain gorillas found home into the thick forest of Bwindi. The different habituated gorilla families of Bwindi enable the gorilla trekking activity.  .

The gorilla trekking experience exposes the interesting livelihoods of the gentle primate. The trek through the thick forest in Bwindi takes about 2 to 8 hours depending on the location of the mountain gorillas. Different gorilla families are disrupted at different locations of the forest. Divided into sectors, the thick forest can be easily accessed for trekking.

The forest holds half of the remaining mountain gorilla population, with the other population in volcanoes national park of Rwanda and Virunga national park of Democratic republic of Congo.

Mabira forest

It is the largest semi-green rain forest in the Victoria basin, it covers an area of 300 square kilometers. Mabira forest is located north of Lake Victoria in Buikwe district between Jinja and Lugazi. This forest is rich in biodiversity with over 9 primate species where we find the endemic Ugandan mangabey and 300 bird species.

Mabira forest has been established to accommodate touristic activities, especially for the adventure lovers. Activities such as zip lining across the forest canopy, camp fires, bird watching, mangabey tracking, nature walks and many more

Accommodation facilities have also been constructed to facilitate tourists that intent to stay at the forest preferences after engaging in the activities.