Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Kalinzu Forest, near Queen Elizabeth National Park is a popular destination for birding. The forest is known for its diverse biodiversity and birdlife and offers an opportunity to spot variousest bird forspecies. The forest habours

about 414 tree species. Animals in Kalinzu include chimpanzees, blue monkeys, baboons, l’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, galagos, pottos and bush babies among others.

Kalinzu Forest attracts a number of animals because it is located adjacent Queen Elizabeth National Park and Maramagambo Forest also in the same park. The animals in the forest include leopards, antelopes and warthogs that cross to eat in the forest.

Other Activities in Kalinzu Forest

Chimpanzee tracking

Chimpanzee tracking is the main activity carried out in Kalinzu forest as the forest is home to the one of the largest chimpanzee colonies in Uganda after Kibale National Park. The forest hosts 320 chimpanzees with about 50 habiatuated chimpanzees open to tourism.

A drive from Wueen Elizabeth National Park to Kalinzu Forest through the Mweya sector takes about 40 minutes. Kalinzu chimpanzee tracking permits are cheap compared to elsewhere in Uganda. Chmpanzee tracking usually takes 3-4 hours.

Birding

For birders, Kalinzu is home to over 380 bird species. There are various birding trails in the forest.

Bird Species in Kalinzu Forest

Great blue turaco, Black-billed turaco, Black and white casqued hornbill,

Verreaux eagle, African emerald cuckoo, Alpine swift,

Birding is best done in the morning.

List of birds in Kalinzu Forest

Source eBird

Nature walks

Guided nature walks in kalinzu forest offer an extensive understanding of the dense forest filled with breathtaking views of the water falls, primate calls and singing birds. Hiking the kishunja hill view point offers panoramic views of the top of the forest as well as the Rwenzori mountain ranges and Queen Elizabeth national park. The orest has 4 different nature walk trails which include;

The river trail; best trail for chimpanzee tracking and also leads to river kajojo where elephants bath from.

The valley trail; leads to spectacular views of the valley and forest canopies, and takes about 4 hours to complete.

The waterfall trail; offers breath taking views of kalinzu forest and takes 4-6 hours leading to the exceptional kilyantama waterfall. The trail traverses through high elevation areas that display a beautiful landscape of the forest reserve.

The palm trail; takes 2 hours of hiking the flat terrain with chances of seeing unique tree species such as the flame tree, the dragon tree and the Raphia palms which are used to make traditional mats.

Camping

The forest offers camping activities, in the center of the forest sleep close to nature.

Research and Conservation Education

The Nkombe visitor’s center located in the northeastern part of Kalinzu forest reserve facilitates research and conservation education activities for students and visitors alike.

The Best Time to Visit Kalinzu Forest

Bird watching is during the dry seasons, from December to February and June to September. During these months, the trails are more accessible, and birds are more active. Migratory species also visit, enhancing the birding experience. However, bird watching is great year-round, with the rainy seasons (March to May and October to November) bringing lush greenery and breeding birds, though trails may be more challenging due to the wet conditions.

Kalinzu Forest Reserve

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