Kasyoha Kitomi Forest Reserve is located in the Bushenyi district in western Uganda. The forest reserve covers an area of 392 sqkm and is situated south of Lake George and Kazinga channel. This is in the Albertine Rift eco-region, within a few kilometers of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve is one of Uganda’s few remaining medium-altitude moist forests. This is part of the core landscape surrounding the primary conservation area. The forest offers beautiful spectacular crater lakes view like the twin lakes of Kamweru and Kyeema. You will also see the transparent Lake Kamunzuku among others.
Interestingly, the forest is visited by tourists compared to other areas like the Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest Reserve. This makes it a truly authentic safari destination that Uganda offers to world travelers.
The Kasyoha-Kitomi forest reserve features among the few most stunning destinations that offer visitors incredible wildlife species. These range from antelope families, birds, and mammals to primates and many more.
Birdlife at Kasyoha Kitomi Forest Reserve
Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve is home to over 308 bird species. Of these, the white-napped pigeon (Columbia albinucha) and grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) are considered globally near-threatened.
The forest reserve has one of the confirmed Albertine Rift endemic bird species (the blue-headed sunbird). The other biome-restricted species include the Afep pigeon, Black Bee-eater, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Blue-throated Roller, and Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo among others.
The reserve also features several species of mammals including different primates such as chimpanzees and olive baboons. There are red-tailed, vervet, red colobus, black and white colobus, blue, and L’Hoest’s monkeys. There are quite a variety of butterfly species within the forest reserve.
Activities in Kasyoha Kitomi Forest Reserve
Kasyoha Kitomi Forest Reserve offers you numerous activities in which one can engage. These include guided nature walks that take you through a 3 hours forest trail while observing different mammal species. Most of these species are also commonly sighted in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The notable wildlife species for you to catch a glimpse at include antelope families like Uganda kobs, bush duikers, topis, oribis, bushbucks, and many others. The other mammals include forest elephants, giant forest hogs, forest buffaloes, leopards, bush pigs, lions, and warthogs among others.
Bird watching also thrives within the forest most of which include those that are endemic to the Albertine rift mountains. The most common bird species are the white-collared olive back, the collard grey parrot, the blue-throated sunbird, and many more. For bird enthusiasts, the reserve is truly a birders’ haven. It is also the best spot for you to get thrilled with a variety of distinct birdlife.
Other activities include canoeing, swimming in the crater lakes, camping, and exploring the legendary close-by cave. Don’t miss primate adventures, fishing, boat cruising, hiking, and sightseeing at the twin lakes. Visit the Kazinga channel and Lake George in Queen Elizabeth National Park, as well as conservation education and many more. If you are searching for the best areas to chill out with nature, there is a camping site at Magambo, with transparent views of Lake Kamunzuku.
Where To Stay
Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve features incredible accommodation facilities like Nyanzibiri Eco-community Camp at Magambo Parish headquarters. This overlooks the amazing twin lakes. It’s advisable to come with your camping gear and a 4-wheel drive car. This is an ideal vehicle to move through the remotest routes to this forest reserve.
Nearby places to complement your visit to Queen Elizabeth National can be Bwindi Impenetrable forest. This is famous for gorilla trekking tours since it is one of the homes for mountain gorillas in Uganda. Kibale forest national park, located north of Queen Elizabeth is so popular for chimpanzee trekking safaris in Uganda. Get the best of primates safaris while in Uganda and go tell unique stories.