Bigodi wetland sanctuary walks and tours – primate walks, community visits and nature walks
Bigodi wetland sanctuary walks and tours – Bigodi village is situated in the highlands of western Uganda, in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains, the famous “Mountains of the Moon”. The Bigodi community is located about 40 kilometers outside of the town of Fort Portal, and borders Kibale forest National Park, which is regarded as the primate capital in the world.
The revenues generated from tourism flow back to the local community in form of different projects like clean water, schools, local health care and the sanctuary has also provided a lot of jobs to the local community like guides, the people at the activity sites and many others.
KAFRED (Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development) is a community registered NGO working together with South Carolina zoo in the United States of America. And the one that manages the Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
Activities at the Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
- Nature walks in Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
The “Home of the Great Blue Turaco” is a real bird watcher’s paradise. This wonderful place shelters over 200 species of birds including Hornbills, Turaco, Parrots, Cranes, Kingfishers and many more swamp endemics. Furthermore, the sanctuary is the home of 8 species of primates, including the Black and White Colobus, Red Colobus, Red Tailed Monkey, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Olive Baboon, L’Hoest Monkey, Vervet Monkey and the Blue Monkey.
- Birding in Bigodi wetland sanctuary
Bigodi village is situated in the highlands of western Uganda, in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains, the famous “Mountains of the Moon”. The community is located about 40 kilometers outside of the town of Fort Portal, and borders Kibale National Park, which has the highest density of primate life the world.
Some of the birds in Bigodi include: Papyrus Gonolek, white winged warbler, Shining blue kingfisher, white spotted flufftail, Great blue Turaco, White tailed ant-thrush, Yellow billed barbet, Uganda spotted wood-pecker (speckled breasted wood pecker), Joyful green bull
- Primate walks in Bigodi wetland sanctuary
- Bigodi wetland sanctuary is a home to about 9 primate’s species, it’s second to kibale forest national park which has a total of 13 primate species. However due the dense forest cover inside kibale forest national park Bigodi swamp has become a top destination for seeing and photographing primates. These primates include gray cheeked Mangabeys, red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus, Red tailed monkey and baboons and during scarce food seasons in kibale forest chimpanzees have been seen feeding in the swamp on season fruits and other vegetation in the swamp. Cultural/village Walk in Bigodi town.
Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, KAFRED offers as well and cultural/village walk to experience and Explore the beautiful culture of the people living in Bigodi who called Batoro and they belong to the toro kingdom one of the kingdoms in Uganda, you will learn the culture of the people and also enjoy the delicious traditional meal of the people
The walk will take up to 3 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group. According to your interests.
How to get to Bigodi wetland sanctuary?
Bigodi wetland swamp is about 40 kms from fort portal town, and the road is perfect so any vehicle can manage and its 45-1 hour drive through kibale forest national park.
Best time to visit Bigodi wetland sanctuary
Bigodi wetland sanctuary is visited throughout the year. December to February and the months of June and July are the driest months and are therefore the best times for this activity. Walking the trails is easier at this time and the overall experience tends to be more enjoyable.
Where to stay on Bigodi wetland sanctuary walks and tours?
There are many options around Bigodi to stay those include kibale forest camp, kibale home stay, primate lodge, Turaco tree tops, chimpanzee forest guest house, isunga lodge are all accommodation facilities in the area.
