Nursery Bed & Tree Planting Project
Nursery Bed & Tree Planting project was founded to rehabilitate degraded areas of the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve. The project was open officially in July 2016 in Nyakafunjo
Objectives of the Nursery Bed & Tree Planting Project
The objective is to avail farmers and other institutions typical indigenous tree seedlings which are not easily available in the area with the purpose of supporting agro-forestry and the protection of water sources. The nursery bed also plays a role as a stock of seedlings for the reforestation and restoration programs in the zone.
The objective is to educate locals on the disadvantages of encroaching on the forest reserve for biomass, timber, agricultural expansion as these threaten the existence of the natural forest reserve.
The objective is to fight against illegalities like charcoal making and illegal logging which are options for making economic benefits. Some of the trees targeted by illegal logging are mahogany, Nkorati, Kisanda, Omusanda and Omuhagu due to high demand and no commercial market.
The objective is educate locals on the importance of the Rivers so as not to run out of water supply which is attained from the Rivers i.e (R. Nkusi and R. Rutoha). When the water bodies are protected with rehabilitation of covered buffer zones, this re-introduces activities like agro-forestry related activities i.e beekeeping, availability of biomass for household consumption (firewood), keeping the water clean.
The objective is to protect the buffer zone areas of the water bodies through planting indigenous trees in collaboration with the households and so as to increase the capacity and knowledge by farmers so that they sustainably grow indigenous trees in agro-forestry activities like beekeeping.
The Association established a number of contacts with farmers and other institutions like public and private schools and churches (Catholic and Protestants), which is the basis for building up our conservation efforts. Engaging in tree planting, supporting agro-forestry, supporting valid alternative livelihood activities.
About Bugoma Forest
Bugoma Forest is a 41,144-hectare tropical forest in Western Uganda (Hoima/Kikuube districts) managed by the National Forestry Authority. It was founded in 1932 protecting over 600 chimpanzees, 34 mammal species, and 260+ bird species.
Bugoma Forest includes a medium altitude with and it is largely a semi-deciduous forest with iron wood also referred to the Muhimbi. In the forest are 4 small rivers that drain the vegetation and these include; River Sonso, River Rubwa, Wake and Waisoke. These rivers flow and empty their water into Lake Albert.
Bugoma Forest is a medium-altitude, moist, semi-deciduous tropical forest shaped by moderate rainfall (about 1,200–1,800 mm annually) and elevations between 990 and 1,300 meters. The vegetation of Bugoma is highly diverse with over 220–260 species of trees and shrubs making it one of the richest forests in the region in terms of plant composition. The forest is semi-deciduous in nature i.e some trees shed leaves during dry periods, others remain evergreen creating seasonal variations in the canopy cover.
The forest is typical of tropical moist forests that experience alternating wet and dry seasons. The vegetation is of stratified structure into layers i.e the Emergent layer with Trees that exceed 40 meters and these include; large hardwood species like mahogany, canopy layer (20–30 m) with dominant tree species that control light penetration, Understorey layer with smaller trees and shrubs that adapt to low light, Forest floor which include; Herbs, ferns, seedlings, decomposing organic matter.
From Hoima city, Bugoma Forest is 70kms away and it requires you to drive to the forest reserve from Kampala through Hoima-Fort Portal route and branch off to Kabwoya sub-country then finally Bugoma Forest passing through Kasindi Forest Station.
Getting to Bugoma Forest by Road
Main route from Kampala
Kampala – Hoima (via Kampala–Hoima highway)
Hoima – Kabwoya Sub-county
Getting to Bugoma Forest by Air
Air travel is possible to Bugoma Forest as you get domestic flights which depart from Entebbe International Airport/ Kajjansi Airfield to fly to Hoima Airstrip for about 1 hour to Bugoma Forest.
Tracking is the most prominent safari activity carried out in the park with two communities that have been habituated for trekking by all travelers. This is an alternative to Kibale Forest National Park. The trekking procedure here offers a quieter, less crowded adventure experience.
There are over 500-600 chimpanzees in the forest and these are trekked as you get to be briefed on conduct around the chimpanzees, rules and regulations around the chimpanzees
then later you shall trek the chimpanzees for a period of 2 to 4 hours.
En-route, you watch other primates like the red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Uganda mangabeys. After you shall meet the chimpanzees and stay in their presence taking photos in an hour to keep.
To participate, visitors must obtain a chimpanzee tracking permit which costs US $80 per person interested and this includes; Guided nature walk trek with the chimpanzees.
Best Time to Visit
Dry Seasons in the months of June – August and December – February.
Wet Seasons
In the months of March – May and September – November.