Location
Kalinzu forest is in Busheyi District, 10 kilometres west of Ishaka Town on the main Mbarara to Kasese Highway. Kalinzu is a natural forest in Bushenyi District – western Uganda. Pitched on top of an escarpment on the eastern edge of the Great Albertine Rift Valley and the forest reserve is 147 Sq.Km adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Maramagambo Forest.
Kalinzu Forest lies at an average altitude of 1,400 m above sea level it covers 399 km2
Importance of Kalinzu forest
Wildlife in the forest include 378 species of Birds such as the Great blue Turaco, Black and White Casqued hornbill, Cuckoos and Sun birds. It enjoys six different species of primates including the blue Monkeys and chimpanzees.
Vegetation
The Forest is famous for variety of species of trees and shrubs including the ficus, Prunus African, the Strobia and parinari.
Tourist sites
From the forest trails amazing views open up over the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward, the Kazinga Channel and the Congo. Visit the “old man of the hills”. Kalinzu forest is steeped in mysteries and rich with local legends. One can learn about the folk lore and uses of the forest from a local guide.
Tourist attractions in Kalinzu Forest Reserve
- Kalinzu forest offers visitors a choice of scenic guided walks along the ridges and valleys of the Rift Valley escarpment.
- Amazing views of the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward, the Kazinga Channel and the Congo.
- Visit the “old man of the hills”. Kalinzu forest is steeped in mysteries and rich with local legends. Learn about the folk lore and uses of the forest from a local guide.
- The Forest is a home of 378 species of Birds such as the Great blue Turaco, Black and White Casqued hornbill, Cuckoos and Sun birds. It enjoys six different species of primates including the blue Monkeys and chimpanzees.
- Nocturnal primates like pottos , galagos, owls and other animals that only emerge under the cover of darkness and listen to the errie shrieking of the tree hyrax.
Accommodation
- Campsite
- Homeland Hotel 10 km away from Ishaka.
Eco tourism site
Kalinzu forest reserve is an eco tourism site of natural forest teaming with 414 species of trees and shrubs, 378 species of birds such Great Blue Turaco, Sun Birds and Black and White Casket. Six different species of primates are found here like Blue Monkey, Vervet Monkey, Black and White Colobus and Chimpanzees.
Summary of the information
Size 147 sq km
Vegetation medium altitude moist evergreen
Altitude 1000-1500m