Bugungu Wildlife Reserve

Bugungu Wildlife reserve is located in western Uganda at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpments in the districts of Buliisa and Masindi bordering Murchison Falls National Park to the east, Karuma Wildlife reserve to the north-east, Budongo Forest Reserve in the Northwest and Kyabatwa hill in the west. Bugungu reserve is part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Bugungu Wildlife has an area coverage of 473 sq km (183 sq mi) which is dominated by savannah grassland and seasonal wetlands.

Bugungu Wildlife reserve shelters a number of wild life species and some of which include Leopards, Elands, Hippos, Uganda Kobs, Lions, Oribis, Herds of Buffaloes, Warthogs, Oryx, Topis, Waterbucks, Elephants, Dik-dik, Reedbucks, Topis, Warthogs, Reedbucks, Bushbucks, Rothchild’s giraffes, Sitatungas and primates are also in the park like Olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, Patas monkeys, Black and White colobus monkeys. The reserve is also a birder’s paradise and birds to be spotted include Yellow-throated barbet, Black-billed barbets, Black-billed wood dove, Double-toothed barbet, Saddle-billed stork, Giant kingfisher, Swamp Flycatcher, Black-headed Gonolek, Abyssinian, Speckle-breasted woodpecker, Eastern grey plantain-eater, Sparrow weaver to mention but a few.

History of Bugungu wildlife reserve

Bugungu Wildlife reserve was first gazetted as a controlled Hunting Area and in 1968 was established as a buffer zone.

Activities at Bugungu Wildlife Reserve

Wildlife Viewing

Game drives are the best way to get a close encounter with the reserve’s wildlife species like impala, primates, giraffes, Sitatungas, Bushbucks, Rothchild’s, Reedbucks among others.

Nature walks

Tourists can nature walks in the reserve and get a close encounter with the reserve’s small wildlife species.

Community Visits

Visitors to the reserve can visit the reserve’s neighboring villages of Bulisa and Masindi, this activity is led by experienced guides who know the locals best.

Camping

Being that the reserve has no established accommodation facility, the camping is the only accommodation option that is provided in the reserve and campers are required to carry their own camping gear.

Picnics

Bird Watching

The reserve has countless number of bird species making it a birder’s paradise and some of the birds to stop on a birding safari include Yellow-throated barbet, Black-billed barbets, Black-billed wood dove, Double-toothed barbet, Saddle-billed stork, Giant kingfisher, Swamp Flycatcher etc.

How to get to Bugungu wildlife reserve

The distance from Kampala to Bugungu on the road is approximately 292.5 km (5 h and 16 min) via the Kampala-Hoima highway or use the Kampala-Masindi 313 km (5h and 10 mins drive).

Best time to visit Bugungu wildlife reserve

Bugungu wildlife reserves welcome visitors all year round, but for a smooth and satisfying experience it’s best to visit the reserve during the dry season between the months of late June to mid-September and December through February. The wet season is not favorable because of the bad roads in the months of February to May and Mid October to November.

Accommodation at Bugungu Wildlife Reserve

The reserve has established accommodation facilities and guests at the facility can use accommodation at Murchison Falls National Park or opt to camp in the reserve.