The bat cave in Maramagambo forest is outstanding, not like any other normal caves you’ve ever been at. The cave is more interesting because it is near the picturesque Blue lake and hunter’s cave.
Other trails at the bat cave lead into the heart of the Maramagambo forest, surrounded by tranquil crater lakes. The forest is home to many primates including chimpanzees, blue, colobus, red-tailed, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.
Millions of bats occupy and inhabit this cave. But pythons are also often observed in the crevices of bats’ cave floors since they usually prey on these bats.
The bat cave in Maramagambo forest was shut in 2008 owing to a woman tourist who presumably contracted the Marburg Virus, after having come so near to the cave. However, later the park in cooperation with the American Centers for Disease Control (CDC) set up a safe-viewing platform outside of the cave. This is now where hundreds of bats can be seen without any fear of contracting the Marburg Virus.
About Maramagambo Forest and Bat Cave
Maramagambo forest is one of the largest natural forests in Africa. It borders Queen Elizabeth National Park in the southern part of the park and is one of the most attractive sites within this park. The forest is often visited by many visitors while on their way to see the bat cave, and hunters’ cave, and on a nature study and research tour.
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.
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 the 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.