5 Great Places to Enjoy Nature Walks & Hikes in Uganda

Do you love nature? Uganda is incredibly the loveliest destination for you discover the best nature walk experiences. Small as it is, but it is the most endowed country in Africa with the most magnificent tropical rain forests that offer authentic African experiences on nature walks. For ecotourists, visiting Uganda is worthy for you to explore the untouched forest reserves in Uganda as you catch a glimpse of Africa’s biodiversity. They include the following:

Mabira Forest:

This lies 54 kilometers from Kampala and 20 kilometers from Jinja and its trails are majorly located along Jinja – Kampala highway. Mabira forest center is located along the boundary of Najjembe village about 500 meters north. The tourism project this spectacular forest started in 1995 with a view of promoting sustainable revenue from the forest by creating an educational resource and recreational resource for Ugandans and other residents. There are various extensive trails that have been set for tourists experiences in the forest. There is a 25 kilometer bike trail that connects the forest to the surrounding sugar and tea plantations. The popular activities that tourists participate in the forest include nature walks, birding, cycle trails, mountain biking and others can choose to relax in the while enjoying the picnic lunch at the forest centre.

Budongo Forest:

This remarkable forest lies in Northwestern Uganda just 3-4 hours as you travel to Murchison Falls National Park for your wildlife safaris. For those who are interested in nature walk experiences in this incredible forest, there are several nature trails within the forest which provides tourists opportunity to explore numerous Apes like chimpanzees, red and black colobus, monkeys and others. There are also several tree species that are of significance to scientists and researchers. As well, tourists can enjoy several forest birds like white thighed horn bill together with puvel’s illadopsis species. Budongo is the largest forest reserve that offers tourists opportunity to explore its mahogany and iron forest trees in only two sectors of Kaniyo padidi and Busingiro ecotourism site which is the main tourist site in the forest.

Mpanga Forest Reserve:

For eco-tourists, Mpanga Forest Reserve can be the best place for you to realize your dreams. It is located 37 kilometers from the city western Uganda. For those traveling for gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi, Mpanga forest is an added opportunity for you to enjoy nature walk experiences. There are many trails that have been set for you to explore incredible bird species, monkeys as well as other spectacular forest species.

Kibale Forest reserve:

This is one of the most incredible tropical rain forests with spectacular biodiversity. It forms the magnificent Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda. It is a renowned park with the biggest population of endangered chimpanzees together with threatened red colobus monkey and unique L’Hoests monkeys. It is credited for its 13 primate species that are all ingrained within its jungles including the black and white colobus monkeys, blue and grey checked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, bush babies and pottos. There are also more than 325 bird species which includes yellow spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinker bird, little green bull, breasted pitta, the African pitta and black bee eater. There are also numerous magnificent mammals like elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, duikers and bats. For those who will be keen enough, they can sight at forest reptiles and amphibians and various beautiful butterflies. There are more than 250 tree species and over 1500 chimpanzees. Your nature will start at Kanyanchu visitor center.

In conclusion, Uganda is rich in forest reserves that offer tourists opportunity to explore the country’s untouched forest species. These forest reserves are the main habitats for various forest species that are worthy exploring while in a safari in Uganda. Enjoy your nature walks in Uganda’s dense forests.