Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Vibrant Holiday Safaris brings you Kalinzu forest which is one of the natural forest reserves located in Southwestern Uganda, Bushenyi district near Maramagambo forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kalinzu forest lies at an altitude of about 1400 meters above sea level and harborsa variety of wildlifespecies which include 6 primate species like Chimpanzees, Baboons, Blue Monkeys, Vervetmonkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos, galagos,over 379 birdspecies like the great blue turaco, sunbirds,261 butterfly species,98 moths,414 tree
species, flowers, reptiles and other animals that come from Queen ElizabethNational park like the elephants, giant forest hogs, warthogs, leopards, wild pigs,buffaloes, waterbucks that can be spotted during the visit to Kalinzu forest.
THINGS TO DO AT KALINZU FOREST RESERVE
Chimpanzee trekking
This is the most popular activity that is done by the tourists who come to Uganda
on a safari after mountain gorilla trekking.
Chimpanzee trekking is an amazing activity done in Kalinzu forest where tourists
embark on the search of the habituated chimpanzee families. The forest is home to
over 300 chimpanzees and the forest is the second-best Chimpanzee trekking
destination after Kibale National Park. The activity is done into two sessions in the
morning that starts at 8:00 am and in the afternoon at 3:00 pm whereby all the
sessions start with a briefing about the rules and regulations, and expectations at
the park headquarters. When the briefing is done, the guests are grouped into 8
people to trek each habituated chimpanzee family the grouping is done according
to physical fitness and age, and each group is assigned a park guide who will lead
the group and also share information about the chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on
where the chimpanzees are situated since they usually move searching into the
forest for food, especially during the dry season. During the trekking activity, you
will have the opportunity of viewing other primates like the red-tailed monkeys,
black and white colobus monkeys, and bird species, and when the chimpanzees are
found, you are allowed to spend one hour with them in the natural habitat as you
learn more about their lifestyle, behaviors, habitats, taking plenty of photos and
recording the moments which gives you a breathtaking and incredible experience.
Bird watching
The reserve is home to over 378 bird species making the place a birding haven for
bird lovers the activity is mostly done in the morning and in the evening while
following the birding trails where you will be able to spot the different birds like
the sunbirds, black and white casket, great turaco and during the bird watching
activity, you will be to also spot the different animals like the warthogs, baboons,
monkeys, giant forest hog, elephants among others.
Wildlife viewing
Kalinzu forest reserve is blessed with a variety of wildlife species because of its
closeness to Maramagambo forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park, the second
largest and most visited national park in Uganda. During the wildlife viewing
activity, you will have the chance to spot the leopards, buffalos, giant forest hogs,
bushbucks, warthogs, waterbucks, and primates like Chimpanzees and monkeys.
Guided nature walk
This is the most appreciated activity since you get to explore the forest on foot in
the company of a park guide who will be giving you different information
concerning the attractions like the beautiful scenery, waterfalls, wildlife, and butterflies. The forest has amazing trails which you have to follow during the
nature walk and these include the waterfall trail for the Kilyantama waterfall which
takes 4 to 6 hours to reach, Valley trail that passes through the forest canopies
taking about 4 hours to complete with the opportunity of viewing the different
animal species, primates, birds, river trail, palm trail.
During the nature walks, you can also hike the Kishunja hill viewpoint where you
will be able to view the forest canopy, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rwenzori
mountain peaks, and some wild animals like leopards, warthogs, wild pigs,
elephants among others.
Camping
There is a camping site in the middle of the forest where tourists can spend their
memorable nights with the wild animals at a close range, listening to the sweet
sounds of the primates and birds.
WHEN TO VISIT KALINZU FOREST
Kalinzu forest can be visited throughout the year but the best time is during the dry
season in the months of June to September and December to February. Since
during these months, there is no rainfall, the shrubs are short for viewing the
animals and primates, Chimpanzees. Though tourists can also visit during the wet
season, especially for bird lovers where you can spot migratory bird species.
HOW TO GET TO KALINZU FOREST
The forest is found in western Uganda in Bushenyi district which is 375 kilometers
from Kampala city. While heading to Kalinzu forest reserve, you will drive for
about 5 hours from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, Bushenyi, and then to the
headquarters.
The forest can be accessed from Queen Elizabeth National Park since the forest is
near the National Park it takes only one and a half hours to reach Kalinzu forest
headquarters.
Kalinzu forest can also be accessed by public means of transport where you have
to board a bus from Kampala bus station to Butare where you will get to hire a
private taxi that will drop you at the forest headquarters.
Kalinzu forest is best for tourists who love to engage in Chimpanzee trekking at an
affordable price and other activities like butterfly identification, nature walking,
and birding, wildlife viewing.
Vibrant Holiday Safaris offers you a great experience that will leave you greatly amazed, we ensure to offer what you desire.