Kigezi Wildlife Reserve

Kigezi Wildlife Reserve is located in southwestern Uganda in Rukungiri district next to Maramagambo forest. The reserve has an area coverage of 265 sq km (102 sq mi) dominated by moist forest, savanna grassland and woodland similar to that of Queen Elizabeth National Park. the reserve is blessed with a reasonable number of wildlife like Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes, Giant forest hogs, Uganda Kobs, Bush bucks, Water bucks, Topi, Primates like Baboons, Chimpanzees, Vervet monkeys, Black and White colobus monkeys and a variety of bird species making the reserve a perfect destination for a birding safari, bird species like Red-faced barbets, the peregrine Falcon, Saddle-billed stork, Hamerkops, Marabou storks, Grey-crowned cranes, Evreux’s Eagle Owl, Grauer’s swamp-warbler among others. The reserve acts as a barrier of Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth, Maramagambo Forest.

Kigezi Wildlife reserve just like other reserves, is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and works closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.

History of Kigezi Wildlife Reserve

Kigezi Wildlife reserve was first gazetted as a buffer zone to the Rwenzori Mountain National Park and also as a sanctuary to protect the wildlife like elephants that usually moved form bwindi Plain of Congo and South from the Queen Elizabeth National park. the reserve was declared a game reserve in 1952.

Activities at Kigezi Wildlife Reserve

Wildlife Viewing

Game drives are the best way to get a close encounter with the reserve’s wildlife in a 4×4 Safari Vehicle, and you will be in position to spot Uganda’s Kobs, Hippos, Buffaloes, Giant Forest Hog, Bushbucks, Lions, Leopards. among others.

Forest Walks

Nature walks give a great experience, this activity guided by experienced guides who know the forest’s trails well. These walks refresh your mind as well as getting rewarding encounter with the reserve’s wildlife on foot while recharging you with positive energy.

Columbus Monkey Tracking

During this activity you wake up and head to the forest with your park guide searching for the colobus monkeys and on encountering them, you’re rewarded with 30-full hours to spend with them in the forest as you experience their day to day activities, playing, feeding young ones among others.

Environmental Study

This activity is for the purpose of studying where you get to learn more about the reserve and its specific wild animals as you look at each one of it. There is so much to learn and see about the environment. This activity is a combination of fun plus studying.

Bird Watching

The reserve hosts a reasonable number of bird species and hence once they can host their birding safari in the reserve, it boosts being one of the best birding destinations in western Uganda. Bird watching can be combined with any of the other activities like game drives, nature walks, and environmental study.

How to get to Kigezi Wildlife Reserve

The reserve is 318 km southwest of Uganda via the Masaka-Mbarara highway.

Best time to visit Kigezi Wildlife Reserve

The reserve is open to visitors all year round, just like all other wildlife viewing safari destinations in Uganda, and the reserve is best visited during the dry season in the months of December to February and in late June to October.

Where to stay at Kigezi Wildlife Reserve

The reserve has a number of facilities travelers can use just nearby like Kigezi Forest Cottages.