Kigezi wildlife Reserve Uganda is found in south western Uganda in the Kigezi region. This stunning wildlife reserve is found in the district of Rukungiri and is next to Queen Elizabeth national park and lake Edward. Kigezi wildlife reserve is found in the western arm of the East African rift valley. Kigezi wildlife reserve is characterized by savannah grassland similar to that of Queen Elizabeth national park, forests mainly containing acacia trees and shrubs. Kigezi wildlife reserve is approximately 318 km from Kampala capital city of Uganda by road passing through masaka, mbarara, Ntungamo to Rukungiri district where Kigezi wildlife reserve is found. Kigezi wildlife reserve was established in 1952 and is under the management of Uganda wildlife authority. Kigezi wildlife reserve has a ground surface area of 256 square kilometers. Kigezi wildlife reserve is filled with numerous flora and fauna. It has a relatively high number of mammals, especially primates such as eastern black and white colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys and chimpanzees. Other wild animals at Kigezi wildlife reserve include; elephants, warthogs, giant forest hogs, hippopotamus, buffalo, Uganda Kob, waterbuck, bush bucks, Topi, Oribi to mention but a few. All the wildlife species at Kigezi wildlife reserve are numerous and similar to that of Queen Elizabeth national park. Kigezi wildlife reserve also has numerous bird species such as Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Red – Faced barbets, saddle billed stork, Marabou storks, Grey – crowned cranes, Peregrine Falcon to name a few. All these varieties of animal and bird species make Kigezi wildlife reserve a great tourist destination.
Tourist attractions at Kigezi wildlife reserve include;
Wildlife viewing; Kigezi wildlife reserve is filled with beautiful species of wildlife that can be viewed while on game drives. Tourists can use a pair of binoculars to clearly view the various wildlife species that are found in at Kigezi wildlife reserve some of the wild animals at Kigezi wildlife reserve that tourists can view while on a Uganda wildlife safari at Kigezi wildlife reserve include; eastern black and white colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys and chimpanzees, elephants, warthogs, giant forest hogs, hippopotamus, buffalo, Uganda Kob, waterbuck, bush bucks, Topi, Oribi to mention but a few. All these beautiful wildlife species can be spotted while on a game drive or guided nature safari at Kigezi wildlife reserve.
Bird watching; Kigezi wildlife reserve is a home to a variety of bird species making it a birders haven. While at Kigezi wildlife reserve a tourist can get the opportunity to spot numerous bird species like Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Red – Faced barbets, saddle billed stork, Marabou storks, Grey – crowned cranes, Peregrine Falcon to name a few. These bird species can be spotted while relaxing at the lodge or while taking short guided nature walks around the wildlife reserve one can be able to spot the beautiful bird species at Kigezi wildlife reserve. These bird species shall indeed make one’s safari at Kigezi Wildlife Reserve incredible.
Guided nature walks; There are numerous walking trails in Kigezi wildlife reserve. These trails provide for an intimate opportunity for people to view the different wildlife and bird species. However guided nature walks must be carried out in the presence of a well-trained and armed tour guide to be able to offer required help while walking through the different trails. Additionally, tourists need to put on protective clothing while moving through the jungles of Kigezi wildlife reserve to be able to protect themselves from cuts from grass and the insect bites. Therefore, putting on long sleeved shirts, trousers and safety boots are one of the safe ways of protecting oneself while on a nature walk in Kigezi wildlife reserve.
Primate viewing; Kigezi wildlife reserve is a home to numerous primates such as chimpanzees, black, white and red colobus monkeys and baboons. These can be tracked while on a primate viewing safari at Kigezi wildlife reserve. These Chimpanzees have human DNA making them fun to interact with and as they have some understanding capacities. While carrying out primate viewing safaris, tourists move through out the habitats of these primates such as chimpanzees, Black, white and red colobus monkeys in the forests aiming at getting an opportunity to spot some. Some of these chimpanzees live as a family that is mother, father and children which makes Chimpanzee trekking even much more fun.
The best time to visit Kigezi wildlife reserve is during the dry months of the year which includes months of January, February, June, July, August and December. This is because during these months, there are lower down pours of rain and therefore tourist activities are not interrupted.
There are also numerous accommodation options that are found at Kigezi wildlife reserve these accommodation options range from Luxury, midrange and budget options that are available. However, tourists are encouraging to book in advance.
