Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest is located close to the vast Queen Elizabeth National Park with vegetation, wildlife, tropical forests situated in the Southwestern part of Uganda close to the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. The Forest is found in Bushenyi District adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park close to towns like Ishaka and Bushenyi. Getting to the park requires you to travel for a distance of 330–360 kms from Kampala in a period of 5 to 6 hours. In the forest, you watch large population of chimpanzees, rich biodiversity of plants and animals, scenic landscapes and accessibility. The Forest covers an area of 147 square kilometers and can be accessed using the Kampala – Mbarara – Bushenyi – Kalinzu Forest.
Vegetation of Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest is a medium-altitude tropical forest with vegetation cover that includes moist evergreen forest, semi-deciduous forest, secondary forest in disturbed areas with tree species like Parinari excels, Ficus, Albizia that form a dense canopy, diverse understorey and Forest structure with trees i.e
Emergent trees, Canopy layer, Understorey, Forest floor.
Wildlife in Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest is rich in fauna especially primates which are incredible to trek and watch. The Forest inhabits the rare Chimpanzee which are trekked in the thick green forest vegetation and are watched. There are over 300 individuals that are watched by travelers. Other than the chimpanzees, the forest inhabits other primates i.e Black-and-white colobus monkey, Red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey as well as mammals like the Forest elephant, Bush pig, Duiker as well as Bird species i.e over 370 bird species which include; the Great blue turaco, Black-and-white casqued hornbill, butterflies (over 250 species), Reptiles and amphibians.
Activities to do in Kalinzu Forest
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee Tracking is the mainsafari adventure carried out in the forest and this offers you a chance to trek and watch the rare species of chimpanzees in their natural forest habitat. The chimpanzee tracking adventure starts with briefing at the headquarters where you are welcomed by a park ranger guide who takes you through precise briefing on conduct around the chimpanzees then later he shall allocate you rangers that lead you to the starting points where you leave to enter the green forest to trek the chimpanzees for a period of 2 to 4 hours. After a while, you shall meet the chimpanzees and stay in their presence for 1 hour taking many photos. After trekking the chimpanzees, you shall return back to headquarters for certificate to take back with you.
Guided nature walks
Guided Nature Walks are exceptional and done in the forest as you follow varying trails from one point to another. You follow Forest trails, Plant species, wildlife animal species. The guided nature walks are conducted in company with experienced park rangers who inform you about the vegetation terrain, mammals and wildlife.
Birdwatching
Bird watching is amazing to do in Kalinzu Forest and many bird species are watched by travelers on safari adventure. The bird species you watch in the forest include; Great Blue Turaco, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, African Emerald Cuckoo, sunbirds, greenbuls, Dusky Crimsonwing, Black-billed Turaco, and Crowned Hornbill, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, White-spotted Flufftail, African Broadbill, Purple-breasted Sunbird.
Forest hikes
Forest Hikes are exceptionally done in the forest and these offer you views of the green terrain, bird species as well as wildlife animals and primates. The walks include the 11km Waterfall Trail (4-6 hours) to Kilyantama Falls, the 1-hour River Trail for chimpanzees and primates, the 2-hour Valley Trail (ridge views), and the 2-hour Palm Trail.
How to Get to Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest can be accessed by use of road It is one of the most accessible tropical forests in western Uganda and is especially popular for chimpanzee tracking and nature walks.
- Getting to Kalinzu Forest by Road
Road transport is the main and most convenient way to reach Kalinzu Forest.
Main Route from Kampala
Kampala – Mbarara – Bushenyi – Kalinzu Forest for a period of 5 to 6 hours. follow routes i.e Kampala to Mbarara – tarmac road, Mbarara to Bushenyi – tarmac road, Final stretch – short murram (dirt) road.
Alternative Route via Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kampala – Mbarara – enter Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kalinzu Forest
Access from Bushenyi/Ishaka
Bushenyi and Ishaka are the closest towns.
From these towns the distance takes 10–20 kms for a period of 20–30 minutes via Katerera trading center. Kalinzu Forest lies along the Bushenyi–Katerera road.