Kalinzu Forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Introduction

Kalinzu forest is a forest Reserve situated in southwestern Uganda in Bushenyi district close to Queen Elizabeth National Park consisting of dense tropical rainforest vegetation. This tropical rainforest covers an area of about 147 square kilometers characterized by a diverse ecosystem with over 414 tree species, over 378 bird species, 262 butterfly species, reptiles and up to 6 primate species including the chimpanzees. Kalinzu forest is adjacent to the Maramagambo forest of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The history of this majestic rainforest is rooted to the British colonial efforts to protect its biodiversity. In 1932, Kalinzu forest reserve was established to preserve and protect the forest’s natural resources and wildlife that was deteriorating due to heavy deforestation since large portions of the forest were being cleared for tea plantations. Kalinzu forest is currently managed by the National Forestry Authority as mandated by the Ugandan government to manage all central forest reserves in the country. The National Forestry Authority works in conjunction with other organizations like the Uganda Wildlife Authority to ensure the forest’s conservation and the visitors’ safety during activities such as chimpanzee trekking, nature walks and many more.

Attractions in Kalinzu forest

Chimpanzees and other primates

Chimpanzees are one of the key attractions in Kalinzu forest with about 300 individual chimpanzees of which 70 of them are habituated and readily available for tracking making it a popular destination for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. Other primates that reside in this forest include red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and the L’Hoest’s monkeys. These primates are easily seen by visitors undertaking several activities such as chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, nature walks and many others. However there is a possibility for visitors to embark on primates viewing if they are typically interested in primates.

Bird species

Kalinzu forest is a bird lovers’ paradise housing up to 378 bird species with the most notable birds being the black-bellied turaco, black and white casqued hornbills, sunbirds, African Emerald cuckoos and the great blue turaco. Other bird species that can easily by spotted during a bird watching excursion in Kalinzu forest include the red-faced cisticolas, yellow-bellied barbets, green-breasted pitta, alpine swifts, crowned eagles, Verreaux’s eagles, purple-headed starlings, barn swallows, black-bee eaters to mention but a few.

Tree species of up to 414 different types

Kalinzu forest is famous for its diverse tree species with over 414 different species. Some of the common tree species in the forest include the Ficus, Prunus, Stroboia, Africana as well as several others that contribute to the forest’s rich biodiversity. These trees are the foundation of the forest’s ecosystem providing shelter, nesting sites and food source for diverse wildlife species for example some trees are important for fruit eating animals like the monkeys, chimpanzees and several others. Visitors are also attracted to this forest to carry out research on its tree species most of which are still of a cultural and medicinal significance to the local communities.

Tourist activities at Kalinzu forest

Chimpanzee trekking

Other than Kibale National Park, Budongo forest and Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest is another popular destination for chimpanzee trekking housing to more than 500 chimpanzee individuals amongst which 70 of them are known to be habituated as mentioned earlier. Chimpanzee trekking just like in other chimpanzee destinations starts in the morning with a briefing from ranger guides at the visitors’ center about the rules and regulations of this activity. Trekkers are then led into the forest by ranger guides through trails to encounter our closest cousins in their natural habitats. The trek typically lasts between 2 to 4 hours depending on the chimpanzees’ movements and an hour is guaranteed close to the chimpanzees for trekkers to clearly observe their social interactions such as grooming, playful infants, feeding and other behaviors. Chimpanzee trekking at Kalinzu forest is done in two shifts that is to say the morning and afternoon shifts offering a budget option compared to the price of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale National Park.

Bird watching

As earlier mentioned Kalinzu forest is a spot for bird enthusiasts housing up to 378 bird species making it one of the best destinations to see a variety of forest birds in Uganda. Bird watching at Kalinzu forest is also possible in two shifts namely in the morning and the afternoon or evening sessions. Bird watching is done with the guidance of an experienced birder guide to aid in bird species identification and an armed ranger for security in case of any attack or threat from wild animals. Travellers on a bird watching excursion in Kalinzu forest have an opportunity of encountering several other wildlife species such as giant forest hogs, bushbucks, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, forest elephants, blue monkeys and many more that make their bird watching experience enticing and incredible.

Guided nature/forest walk

This is one of the most exciting and rewarding activities in Kalinzu forest offering an opportunity to visitors to thoroughly explore the forest’s beauty and natural wonders. Nature and forest walks are done with the guidance of an experienced forest guide and an armed ranger for security through the Park’s forest trails namely the valley trail, the Palm trail, the waterfall trail and the river trail with each offering totally a different experience in the jungle. Following these trails during a nature walk, expect to spot a variety of plant and tree species, several primate species, butterflies, bird species, reptiles and other mammals.

Nature and conservation education/ research

Kalinzu forest offers opportunities to learn about the forest’s local ecosystem. This forest is therefore one of the best destinations for researchers interested in areas such as biodiversity and ecosystem studies, community-based conservation, conservation and management, impact of climate change on forest ecosystems and food availability for frugivores like chimpanzees and several other research fields and topics.

Camping

A camping site has currently been set up in the forest where visitors can have a touch and feel of nature while enjoying the sounds and calls of nature.

Butterfly identification

Visitors interested in butterflies can easily identify a variety of butterfly species with the help of an experienced guide. The forest is known to protect up to 200 butterfly species and the activity is either done in the morning or evening hours of the day.

Best time to visit Kalinzu forest

Kalinzu forest can be visited during any time of the year though the best time is during the two dry seasons of the year namely June to September and December to February. During this period of the year, trails are dry and easily accessible than during the wet season when they are muddy and slippery. However for the best bird watching experience, we advise travellers to visit Kalinzu forest during the rainy season since there is plenty of food and fruits for birds making them to easily be seen. Several other migratory birds are attracted to this forest during the wet season.