Uganda is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Eastern part of Africa. Plenty of explorers pack for this pearl of Africa for many reasons. One of them is the abundant draws that can keep you just hoping for a revisit.

To Wildlife lovers, you are more exposed to its ten protected National parks but game reserves are other spots to count for diverse species including the rarely seen. Though these are many, we have tried to highlight below the most peculiar.

Kalinzu Forest Reserve.

On your way to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the western part of Uganda, you find Kalinzu forest reserve, a favorite spot for nature lovers and cravers of hiking adventures.

Its area is mostly occupied by tropical rainforests that coexist with small portions of Savannah, grasslands, shrubs and swampy areas. All these are home copious Wildlife species such as 379 birds, 262 butterflies, reptiles, 97 moths and Primates including the active Chimpanzees.

Besides Chimpanzees, other primates in the reserve are Blue monkeys, Black and White Colobus. Birds are plenty and you can see species like Cuckoos, sunbirds, blue Turaco, Black and White Caskets.

Though there are other attractions, Chimpanzee tracking is the main highlight in the reserve. All visitors are advised to come with packed food from their lodges of stay. There is no any provisional eatery in this locality.

Other activities to occupy your day are bird watching and hiking. The reserve is home to huge numbers of chimpanzees but only 70 are habituated and open to tracking sessions.

After chimp tracking, you can try the Kishunga hill hike – it is strenuous but rewarding once you make it. Views of forest canopies, peaks of Rwenzori Mountains National Park and nearby Queen Elizabeth Park are inspirational. 

Budongo Forest Reserve.

Perched at the top of the Albertine Rift – part of the Great Rift Valley, Budongo Forest Reserve is a continuous semi deciduous and moist tropical rainforest. It occupies over 825 square kilometers of area – part of the great Murchison Falls National Park.

The diverse flora and fauna available is due to the great efforts made by the King of Bunyoro as far as protecting this forest until it was gazette as a reserve in 1932. The reserve’s name “Budongo” is a local Bunyoro word that means fertile soil locally.

This reserve fascinates visitors with diverse biodiversity that consists of 24 species of small mammals, 280 butterflies and 9 species of primates including the famed chimpanzees.

About 600 chimpanzee individuals inhabit the lush jungles of Budongo, but few are habituated and allowed to human presence.

Other primates you can sight on your tracking expeditions are Red tailed monkeys, Blue monkeys, Grey cheeked mangabeys and Olive baboons.

Not only chimpanzee tracking, the reserve is also good at hiking and it’s a paradise for bird watching.

It features a 115 km trail system in the Jungle that all visitors follow while on chimpanzee tracking, forest walks or birding.

You can sight over 360 different species of birds such as chocolate backed kingfisher; Dusky long tailed cuckoo, chestnut crowned Eremomera and more.

Toro – Semliki Wildlife Reserve

Set amid the picturesque Lake Albert and the dramatic peaks of Mountain Ruwenzori National Park, Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve is a spot worth to explore while in Uganda.

It is located in the western region of the country at just 33km from the Uganda’s cleanest town “Fort Portal”. To the north of the reserve, is the best view point of Lake Albert, to the south bordered by the Congolese tropical rainforest and then to the southwest, you can’t stop admiring the scenic views of Rwenzori peaks. This reserve boasts a favorable habitat that consists of swampy areas, grasslands and swampy areas.

It is home to plenty of Wildlife species including forest and water bird species. The nearby Lake Albert is a fantastic birding hotspot with sights of the rare shoebill stork.

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Among Uganda’s Wildlife reserve, this is hard to beat if it is Wildlife encounters. It is the second largest protected area after the great Murchison Falls National Park. Several travelers visit to immerse its rich wide range of Wildlife species. It hides its self in the north eastern part of Uganda – Karamoja region. It covers a total area of 2800 square kilometers and it’s a prime stopover for those heading to Kidepo Valley National Park. It impresses Wildlife enthusiasts with numerous species such as Zebras, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Lions in addition to numerous bird species that are widely spotted near Loporokocho swamp. Primates like Vervet monkeys, olive baboons, reptiles and insects add to the reserve’s biodiversity.

Karuma Wildlife Reserve

Renowned mostly for its gushing Karuma Falls, this reserve is a must see if you are exceptional draws in Uganda. It is located in the western part of Uganda – Kiryandongo district and stands at an elevation of 902 m above sea level.

You are bound to take in awe-inspiring sights of the falls from the road as you are heading to northern part of Uganda. It is more stunning during the rainy season when you behold plunging waters appears white as snow. This reserve is part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. It was mainly established in 1964 to act as a buffer zone between Murchison Falls National Park, un-conserved areas and the girdling local villages. On your visit, you can observe varied Wildlife species that cross from the nearby Murchison Falls National Park. Some of these are Buffaloes, Elephants, Kobs, Antelopes, primates like Olive baboons, L’Hoest monkeys, Vervet monkeys and more.