Bugungu Wildlife Reserve
Bugungu wildlife reserve is a small protected eco-system situated in the north-western region of Uganda between Bulisa and Masindi district, this reserve is part of the great Murchison falls conservation area which also includes Karuma Wildlife reserve, and the great Murchison falls national park. Bugungu wildlife reserve lies at the base of the Great Rift Valley covering an area of 501 square kilometers, the reserve shelters savannah grasslands and seasonal wetlands which are habited by animals and birds.
Bugungu wildlife reserve was gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1968 purposely to conserve and protect the ecological system in the area, the reserve is a must visit while on a safari in Uganda
Tourist attractions in Bugungu wildlife reserve
Wildlife
The reserve is relatively a small protected area but regardless of the size, the reserve is a home to a reasonable population of wildlife species. Bugungu wildlife reserve hosts a huge population of Uganda kobs, Oribis, lions and leopards. In the reserve there are over 600 Uganda kobs and over 200 Oribis, other animals in Bugungu wildlife reserve include herds of Buffaloes, waterbucks, topis, Oryx, elands, warthogs, reedbucks, Rothschild’s giraffe, sitatunga, elephants, dik-dik and many more. Apart from mammals there are also primates living in the forests sections of the reserve, these primates include L’Hoest monkeys, the patas monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and olive baboons.
Birds
This wildlife reserve is a thriving home for birds hosting for about 240 bird species, among the birds in Bugungu reserve is the elusive and most sought for bird the shoe bill. Other birds in Bugungu reserve include black headed batis, dark chanting goshawk, the white browed sparrow weaver, black bellied bustards, black billed barbets, eastern – grey plantain eater, speckle-breasted woodpecker, yellow throated greenbul, dove, double-toothed barbet, saddle-billed stork, giant kingfisher, swamp flycatcher, black headed gonolek, Abyssinian and many more.
Tourist activities in Bugungu reserve
Game viewing
Bugungu reserve is a home to many wildlife species which spotted on a game viewing safari experience, game viewing in Bugungu is done on a drive through trails running through savannah plains of the reserve and on this experience you get to encounter many animals such as herds of Buffaloes, waterbucks, topis, Oryx, elands, warthogs, reedbucks, Rothschild’s giraffe, sitatunga, elephants, dik-dik and many more.
Bird watching
Bugungu is important birding area habiting over 240 bird species and an excellent bird watching site in Uganda, birding watching in Bugungu reserve is an opportunity for you to spot many colorful bird species such as black headed batis, dark chanting goshawk, the white browed sparrow weaver, black bellied bustards, black billed barbets, eastern – grey plantain eater, speckle-breasted woodpecker, yellow throated greenbul, dove, double-toothed barbet, saddle-billed stork, giant kingfisher, swamp flycatcher, black headed gonolek, Abyssinian and many more.
Primate tracking
Bugungu reserve offers excellent primate tracking experience, the reserve’s forest galleries host species of primates which are tracked while in the park. On this safari experience you hike through the forests tracking for L’Hoest monkeys, the patas monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and olive baboons which are encountered in their natural habitat.
Nature walks
Bugungu reserve is naturally beautiful reserve with scenic landscape dominated by savanna grasslands which support amazing nature walk safaris, this experience is done of foot with a guidance of a game ranger/guide. As you walk you walk through the reserve you will spot many animals such as Buffaloes, waterbucks, topis, Oryx, elands, warthogs, reedbucks, Rothschild’s giraffe, sitatunga and birds such as black headed batis, dark chanting goshawk, the white browed sparrow weaver, black bellied bustards, black billed barbets, eastern – grey plantain eater, speckle-breasted woodpecker, yellow throated greenbul and many more.
Where to stay in Bugungu wildlife reserve
Bugungu reserve has no established accommodation facility expect for a camping site open for campers, tourists can get accommodation for lodges situated in Murchison falls national park and these include Chobe safari lodge, Paara lodge, Bwana Tembo safari lodge, shoebill campsite and many more.
How to get to Bugungu wildlife reserve
Bugungu wildlife reserve is situated in between Bulisa and Masindi districts, this is easily accessed by used of road and air means of transport. From Kampala where many safaris to Bugungu reserve begin from the reserve, there are two prominent routes which connect Kampala to Bugungu wildlife reserve that are Kampala – Hoima route of 292.5 kilometers taking a drive of 5-6 hours and Kampala –Masindi route of 313 kilometers taking a drive of approximately 5 hours. By air means of transport, domestic flights are offered by Aero link Uganda from Kajjansi airstrip and Entebbe international airport to Bugungu airstrip.
Best time to go for a safari in Bugungu wildlife reserve
Bugungu wildlife reserve can be visited throughout the years but as tourists maximize more on the perfect time for a memorable safari experience, the best time to visit Bugungu reserve is in the dry season which is experienced from late June to Mid- September and December to February. it is good to note that Bugungu reserve receives its rainy season in from late February – May and mid-October to November, this period is characterized with slippery and muddy routes that is why dry season is more preferable for a best safari experience. Because of the routes which are expected to get slippery and muddy you are advised to use a 4X4 wheel car which can maneuver through these routes.
