Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest.
Kalinzu Forest Reserve is an amazing natural forest situated in Bushenyi district in south western Uganda around the confines of Queen Elizabeth National Park, it’s also famous for chimpanzee trekking. A visitor can have an entire day trip at this Forest Reserve by hitting the magnificent four climbing trails in the forest plus birding for those interested in bird watching since Kalinzu Forest is home to more than 414 types of trees, bushes and 379 types of birds including the Great Blue Turaco, Black and White Cascket, Cuckoos and Sunbirds.
There are also six distinct Species of Primates found in Kalinzu Forest Reserve including the Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys and Chimpanzees and there number ranges to more than 220 Chimpanzees of which 70 or more chimpanzees have been habituated one can also find 262 Butterflies, 97 Moths, Reptiles, Leopards, pronghorns, wild pigs and Flowers.
The best place to view this forest reserve canopy is by climbing up the Kishunja Hill Viewpoint plus one can view Queen Elizabeth National Park and a few Peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.
There are also four distinctive guided forest trails. There is trail along River Kajojo, where you will see different sort of trees along the nature walk. There are also other trails like the valley trail, waterfall trail or the Palm trail.
The River Trail
The River Trail is a short 2½ km roundabout trail that takes around 60 minutes. The attraction along this walk is the River Kajojo or ‘elephant waterway’ purported on the grounds that elephants used to bathe here. The trail goes past some fine examples of ‘Parinari excelsa’ the peak tree in the timberland and an enormous strangler figure plus a few primates like Chimpanzees.
The Palm Trail
The Palm Trail is a 5 km roundabout trail taking between 1½ – 2 hours over moderately level territory. Guests visiting this trail will find some intriguing woodland trees including the ‘Fire tree’ with its huge, red, tulip-like blazes.
The Valley Trail
The Valley Trail is a 3½ km round trail that takes around 2 hours and offers stupendous perspectives into this precarious valley. A visitor can climb along an edge and past various intriguing woods elements, for example, the ‘Mutragyne rubrostipuleta’ or “viagra” tree.
The Waterfall Trail
The Waterfall Trail is an 11 km circle trail taking in the vicinity which takes a visitor 4 to 5 hours over some uneven and in some parts wet landscape. In this trail one will see the wonderful waterfall which is called Kilyantama.
What a Visitor Should have to Visit Kalinzu Forest Reserve.
The Kalinzu Forest Reserve is an incredible day excursion. A guide will disclose to you the legends and myths of old about the Forest plus the untamed life, winged animals and primates like Chimpanzees.
– For Birders this is an incredible timberland to visit and those that need to hit the Hiking Trails You can spend all days in the woodland to see a variety of wild life especially habituated chimpanzees.
– One should bring parked lunch and also make certain to have Hiking Boots, long pants, long sleeved shirt, a cap and a light Rain Jacket.
– One should also move with 2 liters of drinking water plus parked lunch as there are no nearby restaurants.
