Maramagambo forest is one of the largest natural forests in Africa. It boarders Queen Elizabeth National Park in the southern part of the park and is one of the most attraction sites within this park. The forest is often visited by many visitors while on their way to see the bat cave, hunters’ cave and on a nature study and research tour.
The term ‘Maramagambo’ is a gahinga word that means ‘short of words’. This is drived from a customary story in which two slender youngsters got lost inside this epic woodland forest as they were in for a walk. It is believed that the further they went in search of direction back home, the more they got lost in this large forest. It took them several days to follow their way back to the neighboring village from which they had originated, with a mysterious story that befell the entire village – a sort of African ‘Hansel and Gretel’ story.
On returning back to the village, these youngsters couldn’t represent or speke any sort of word since a long time had passed since they saw anyone and they were to a greater degree exhausted, thus the word, ‘Maramagambo’ for ‘short of words’.
Tourist Activities in Maramagambo Forest
The forest is a preferred site for a hiking safari and nature walks which take roughly one and a half hours to as long as a large portion of the day. The half-day trekking offers an opportunity to investigate a portion of amazing crater lakes nearby. The significant tree overhang shaded trails, through this sublime verdant woods shall offer you a somewhat extraordinary ordeal contrasted with that you get while investigating the open savannah.
Nature Walks
During your nature walk, you will be able to sight a number of tree species and wildlife which habit in this epic forest. Don’t miss primates such as chimpanzees; black and white colobus, L’Hoest’s, red-tailed, blue, and velvet monkeys, and baboons. There is also much more diversity of bird species, insects, and butterflies.
Two common species of nocturnal do exist and live within the forest; these include the bush babies and pottos.
As you do your nature walk, you may run over broadened segments of coordinating soldier ants commonly known as the safari ants. Some segments have been occasionally spotted to be 100 meters in length and 6 meters next to each other. In any case, it is advised to evade these warrior ants since their chomp is stinging yet fortunately their nibble has no enduring effect on individuals other than the difficult sting. You are always advised to tack in your pants to avoid any contact, since these ants may access your privacy and cause you a mysterious jump abruptly.
Still on the nature walk you may be exposed to different wildlife. You may encounter pythons on your lucky day, which may create a positive experience. Different snake species are also present within the park but they are however, encountered on rare occasions.
Bird Watching
In line with bird watching, there are different forest bird species found here in awesome numbers, so enthusiastic birders will observe an assorted varieties. These include exceptional species like the Rwenzori turaco, the white naped pigeons, lesser and greater flamingos, papyrus canary, African broadbill, white – tailed lark, and Papyrus Gonolek, among others.
The Bat Cave in Maramagambo Forest
The Bat Cave is an outstanding spot in Maramagambo forest. The caves were shut in 2008 owing to a woman from Netherlands who presumably contracted Marburg virus and died after their return from a Ugandan trip. Later, the park, in cooperation with the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set up a safe-viewing platform outside of the cave where millions of bats can be seen without any fear of contacting the Marburg virus.
How to Access Maramagambo Forest
The forest is well accessible through the gate of Queen Elizabeth National Park near Jacana Lodge. The jungle is found 12 km off the main highway from Katunguru to Mbarara.
There are several public buses which do travel on daily basis from Kampala bus parks as they head to Kasese via Mbarara or Fort Portal. You can always use these to reach Kasese town where you can hire a vehicle to take you through the park and to the forest.
However, we can organize your visit as part of the inclusive package and you have a chance to see the real hidden beauty of the forest which will help you to venture the epic forest. The journey is roughly a 7-hours drive from Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
There is an airstrip at Mweya found in Queen Elizabeth National Park which can also be used if fly from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airstrip. Domestic flights operate on daily time table and shall help you to land into the park within a shorter time.
Besides nature walks and birding in Maramagambo forest, you can also opt to visit Bwindi Impenetrable forest further south, for not only birdwatching but an amazing gorilla trekking safari. Don’t miss chimpanzee trekking and forest walk in the nearby Kibale forest, as well as an exploration at Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre in Mount Elgon National Park, on the eastern side of Uganda.