Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is among Uganda’s most fascinating tropical forest ecosystems with rich biodiversity, towering mahogany trees, and exceptional chimpanzee tracking experiences. The Forest is located in the larger Budongo Forest Reserve in found in Northwestern Uganda and part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Kaniyo Pabidi Forest covers the Northeastern part of Budongo Forest Reserve approximately 29 kms north of Masindi town and near the Kichumbanyobo Gate along the Masindi–Paraa road.

It is part of a vast forest system covering over 800 km² along the Albertine Rift escarpment offering beautiful views of the Rift Valley and even the distant Congolese mountains.

Physical Features

Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is a known to be a moist semi-deciduous tropical forest comprising of Massive mahogany and ironwood trees some reaching 50–80 meters tall and over 400 years old. There are also dense canopy layers which form a cool, shaded forest environment with mixed vegetation zones i.e Cynometra–Celtis forest, Swampy areas, Savannah patches and woodland clearings. There are streams like Waisoke which run through the forest supporting both plant and animal life.

Wildlife and Biodiversity

Kaniyo Pabidi Forest consists of biodiversity including flora and fauna like primates which include; chimpanzees that are trekked here oftenly, Black-and-white colobus monkeys, Blue monkeys, Olive baboons.

Budongo Forest overall is home to around 600 chimpanzees, many of which inhabit Kaniyo Pabidi. Other mammals you can watch in the forest include; Buffaloes,

Bushbucks, duikers, occasionally elephants and antelopes. There are various bird species you can watch too and these include; Chocolate-backed kingfisher, White-thighed hornbill, Yellow-footed flycatcher, Puvel’s illadopsis (a rare species) as well as Insects, butterflies, moth species and trees like Mabira Forest, Lutoboka and Bujanzi Forest, Busingiro Ecotourism Site.

Ecotourism and Activities

Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is ideal for ecotourism and the activities you can do in the forest include; Chimpanzee tracking, guided Nature walks, Bird watching. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes a period of 2–4 hours allowing visitors to observe the chimpanzees feeding, grooming and interacting in their natural habitat.

Permit Fees: Tracking costs roughly US $60 per person for foreign non residents and US $45 per person for foreign residents.

Best Time to Visit the forest is during the dry season in the months of December to February, June to September for easier trekking, though it is open year-round.