Bugoma forest reserve – Discover the undiscovered Beauty of this forest….
Bugoma forest reserve is a lowland forest along Uganda’s Western rift escarpment. Bugoma forest reserve is believed to have been one ecological stretch connected to the present Ituri forest in present day neighboring DR.Congo. Bugoma Forest Reserve stretches approximately 40km and is located 30 km south of Hoima town along the popular Murchison fall to Kibale forest connecting route of hoima – Kagadi. People enroute murchison fall – Kibale transit route and are intending to visit Bugoma Forest reserve will branch off at Kabwoya trading centre. Bugoma Forest Reserve is an ideal enroute stop point for a picnic lunch break for persons travelling the Murchison fall – Kibale forest route.
Bugoma forest is rich in biodiversity and boasts of up-to 23 species of mammal, 225 species of bird, and 221 species of trees. The forest is host to a number Of primate species including; chimpanzees, the endemic Ugandan mangabey, balck and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, and the Blue Monkeys. Bugoma forest reserve present a mammal listing that includes; forest Elephants, golden Cats and side Stripped jackals among others.
Bugoma forest reserve has up-to 221 bird species recorded. Among these are the critically endangered Bird species like; Nahan’s Francolin and the African grey parrot.
With all the interesting things mentioned above about the Bugoma forest reserve, comes the sad bit.
The forest is threatened by illegal logging, and it is feared that it may succumb to settlement and agriculture. The situation is worsened by an influx of Congolese refugees, and burgeoning large-scale tea and tobacco farms on its outskirts that infringe on the reserve boundaries.
In March 2012 some 1,500 land invaders were evicted, but by December 2013 some of them were returning to start subsistence cultivation and pit sawing.
In the year 2014, a campaign to redeem Bugoma forest was started with a group of organisations, private Sector companies and individuals sharing the interest of conserving Bugoma forest reserve have built a conservation Coalition called “Association for the conservation of Bugoma Forest Reserve”. Today the the campaign has become a motivating permanent membership Association with the purpose to create community awareness on conservation of Bugoma forest.
How can i contribute towards the Conservation of Bugoma Forest Reserve?
National forest Authority and Association for the Conservation of Bugoma forest have introduced a number of eco – tourism activities with-in Bugoma forest Reserve to allow visitors explore the forest whilst supporting the conservation efforts to protect this bio-diversity.
Guided nature walks.
Nature Walks are conducted at the Northern block of the forest along the road between Kaseeta and Kisaru trading centers at the Rwera eco-tourism site. The walks follow already existent forest trails for variable distances ranging from 01 to 5 hours and are highly customizable.
While on these National Forestry guided walks, you stand chances of spotting lots of forest dwelling birds, butterflies and animal species. The main animal encounter every visitor that comes to Bugoma forest Reserve looks forward to is a sighting of the Ugandan Mangabey a primate endemic to this forest. Other monkeys to look out for include; red tailed monkey, black & white colobus Monkeys. Bugoma besides having the birds, butterflies and the common monkey species, also has a population of wild chimps. The Bugoma chimps are wild and therefore not familiar to human beings however you might see marks or even hear them calling from a distance within the forest.
Bird Watching:
Bird watching in Bugoma forest reserv is a very rewarding. Trained Bird guides from the community will help you check off a couple of birds. Look out for the following birds in Bugoma Forest reserve; Little green bul, Green hylia, Yellow billed barbet, Yellow –whiskered greenbul, Western Nicator, Buff-throated apalis, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Rufous flycatcher thrush, Olive sun bird, White-thighed horn bill, Black and white Casqued Horn bill, Black-billed Turaco, speckled Tinker bird.
How to get to Bugoma forest Reserve .
Bugoma Forest Reserve is approximately 70km away from Hoima town. It is accessible through a dirt road. You could also enter Bugoma through Kasindi Forest Station, after a drive along the Hoima- Fort Portal road to Kabwoya Sub -County.
Interested in adding Bugoma forest Reserve to your Uganda Safari, please contact us and we Will be more than happy to help you plan a memorable safari.
