Visit Bigodi Wetland sanctuary — Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest

Visit Bigodi Wetland sanctuary – Kibale forest National park

Visit Bigodi wetland sanctuary is one of the best destinations for bird watching and nature walks in Uganda. It is located in the western part of the country adjacent to Kibale Forest National Park just off the road that connects Fort Portal town and Kamwenge district. The wetland is part of the former Magombe swamp which is now known as Bigodi swamp. A visit to the Bigodi wetland is recommended for all travellers who go for Chimpanzee tracking and Chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale Forest National Park.

The name “Bigodi” was derived from a Rutooro word “kugodya” which means walking in a tired manner. It was named so because people used to pass through this wetland when heading to the forest ant it was tiring to cross it. The wetland is under the administration of the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED), a community based organization that was formed to enhance local capacities of the local communities as they protect the environment.

Bigodi wetland is popular for its biodiversity and beautiful natural vegetation and the communities around the area that are protecting the wetland. This wetland is a home to about 200 different bird species and about 8 species of primates. Bird species sighted at the wetland include the famous Great blue Turaco, Black bee-Eater, crowned Eagle among others. Primates spotted at Bigodi wetland include the velvet monkeys, red-tailed monkey, L’Hoest monkey, red colobus monkey, blue monkey and sometimes Chimpanzees visit the area. Mammals such as bush pigs, sitatunga, bush bucks and more are also sometimes spotted there.

Bigodi wetland Activities

Visit Bigodi wetland sanctuary is something you ought not to miss on your Kibale Forest National Park safari. Visitors can book for their activities to be done either in the morning at around 8:30am or the afternoon at 3:00pm. It is a beautiful natural landscape that has been protected by the community and is a wonderful destination for a number of activities. These activities start from the visitor’s centre. Activities at the wetland include the following:

Bird watching in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Bigodi wetland is a natural habitat for about 200 species of birds that can be spotted on the guided walks around the wetland with the well experienced local guides at this wetland. Bird watching is conducted on clearly marked areas like the board-walk trail and the viewing platforms where more sightings of the birds are expected. The popular bird species in Bigodi is the Great blue Turaco which the guides will also tell you interesting stories about it. Other species of the birds at Bigodi wetland are the African pitta; Green breasted Pitta, Black caped Apalis, Abyssinisn ground thrush, Black gonolek, White spotted fluff tail, Blue breasted kingfisher, Yellow billed barbet, Black crowned waxbill and many more. Bigodi wetland is a birder’s haven in the Pearl of Africa.

Nature walks and Primate viewing

Nature walks in Bigodi wetland are guided by the local guides through the trails in the swamp. They are done either in the morning or afternoon and last for about 3 hours. As you move around the wetland, you will see primates especially monkeys, some mammals like bush pigs, sitatunga, bush bucks and others and very beautiful butterflies.

Community Walks and Culture Experience

With the guidance of a local guide, you move around the village to see how people living around the wetland carry on their activities. You can participate or watch how they cook, how children play, how farming is done in this area and you can also visit the women group of Bigodi wetland who make craft items using materials from the swamp. You’ll also learn about the projects that have been established due to the presence and protection of Bigodi wetland.

Where to stay on your visit

Since the wetland is just close to Kibale Forest National Park, visitors stay at the same lodges that they use while at the national park.

Luxury lodges include Primates Lodge located inside the park, Kyaninga Lodge, Turaco tree tops, Ndali Lodge and mid-range lodges are Crater Lodge and Chimpanzee Guest house.

Bigodi wetland has been of great impact to the surrounding communities because of developments put in place from what is earned from the above activities. there are a number of things that have been done such as construction of schools, construction of bridges connecting to areas across the wetland, formation of Bigodi women’s group that helps women to earn and take care of their families, construction of health centres and most of it all creation of employment opportunities.

Visit Bigodi wetland Sanctuary while on your African Safari to Uganda and enjoy a thrilling nature experience.