Hiking in Uganda
Hiking in Bwindi forest
To get close to Bwindi’s nature, you must consider hiking around as part of your vacation. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is widely thought to support the greatest diversity of any East African forest, and the Buhoma area in particular has more to offer than Gorilla tracking.
The forest offer five different trails, ranging from 30 minutes to eight hours lead from Buhoma, offering the opportunity to enjoy the humility of the forest and several different monkey species. The trails include the, The Munyaga River trail that is ideal for short walks for visitors with little time, The waterfall trail that provides an attractive feature of the forest with a profusion of tree ferns, epiphytic ferns, orchids and colorful array of butterflies, and the Muzubijiro Loop Trail that offers breath taking views of Bwindi Forest, Western Rift Valley and the Virungas.
The other two include the Rushura Trail that take about 3 hours and offers good views across the western rift valley floor and the Buhoma Village Tourist walks, also a three-hour stroll through Buhoma and its margins to see the customs and practices of the Bakiga and Batwa.
Hiking in Mgahinga forest
For those travelers with a great passion for hiking adventure, any visit to Uganda will be incomplete without Hiking in the Mgahinga National Park. A hike, which takes you about, six hours round trip, goes through a good example of a pure Bamboo forest.
A hiking trip in Mgahinga will face you with challenges such as the three challenging peaks climb to mountain Sabinyo that is about 366m following its crown being eroded and the Garama Cave exploration, which is one of the caves where once the crafty Batwa (who were warriors) lived and fought their neighbors, the Bantu among others.
Nature Walks in Uganda
Uganda is endowed with beautiful forests where activities such as hiking, treks and nature walks can take place. Therefore, visitors and travelers to Uganda are exposed a variety of environmental activities and curiosities in and around Uganda.
Some of the forest ideal for nature walks include; Mabira Forest, Budongo Forest, Kibale Forest, Bwindi Forest, Mpanga Forest Reserves.
For any traveler, it will be a biggest miss of total adventure to go back without taking a nature walk in Uganda.
Quick Tips before embarking on a nature walk
You should not forget to wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat before any nature walk in Uganda. Hiking boots are recommended for hikes. Bring adequate water and food; even the short or easy hikes can demand liquid and energy resources.
You may also wish to bring a jacket, binoculars, and field guides. Bring rain gear if rain is a possibility and do not overlook the common rules of courtesy and safety. Dogs or other pets are not permitted on the walks, as they interfere with observing wildlife.
Most importantly, take along a really good attitude and leave yourself open to whatever the experience brings.
Where to take a nature walk while in Uganda
Mabira Forest
Mabira is just 54km from Kampala and 20km from Jinja and trails the main from Jinja to Kampala road. Mabira Forest can be discovered via extensive trails with a 25km bike trail for the vigorous people that links the forest to the nearby sugar and tea plantations. Several other activities are carried out in the forest that include birding, cycle trails, mountain biking. You can after relax and have a picnic lunch at the forest center.
The forest is governed by the Mabira Forest Tourism Project that was set up in 1995 to facilitate sustainable revenue from the forest.
Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest is approximately 3-4 hours’ drive on the way to Murchison falls National Park. It is the biggest forest reserve where you can walk below older mahogany and iron forest trees. Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro Ecotourism site are the major tourist site within Budongo Forest Reserve.
Chimpanzee tracking is the most famous activity here alongside bird watching. Chimpanzee tracking is charged $100.
Mpanga Forest Reserve
Mpanga forest is located 37 Kms west from Kampala along the Masaka Rd. It is a beautiful forest which has been conserved as a scientific research site since 1953. It has trails from which visitors can view the abundant bird life, butterflies, monkeys and so many other attractions.
This is where trees for making local drums are got from at the drum making industry in Mpambire village
Kibale forest
Nature walks can also be taken in this most beautiful and stunning tropical forest of Kibale. You will see the intelligent chimpanzees in the forest alongside the threatened red colobus monkeys and the rare L’Hoest monkeys among others such as black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkey and grey-checked manangabey, red tailed monkey, bush babies and pottos.
The park also hosts over 335 species of birds including the yellow spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinkerbird, little greenbul, breasted pitta, the African pitta and the black bee eater.
A keen observer may also see a number of reptiles and amphibians as well as colorful variety of butterflies plus over 250 tree species.