Kalinzu Forest initially an eastern extension of the Maramagambo Forest is famous for chimpanzees. These attract a great number of tourists to the area. The 137 km² forest reserve is traversed by a number of scenic trails along the ridges and valleys of the Rift Valley Escarpment. These offer views of the Rwenzori mountain ranges, Lake Edward, and the Kazinga channel.
Alongside chimpanzee tracking, a number of activities such as nature walks, bird watching, and hiking are done in the area. There are over 220 chimpanzees, of which more than 70 have been habituated so they can be tracked.
Kalinzu Forest Reserve is just a 2 hours drive from Mbarara. The forest encompasses 137 sqkm while the Kasyoha – Kitomi Forest Reserve, adjacent to Kalinzu, encompasses an additional 399 sqkm. At an elevation of 1,000 – 1,500 m above sea level, the forest habitat is broadly classified as medium altitude. This is moist in an evergreen forest.
Wildlife Species in Kalinzu Forest
The forest is famous for 414 species of trees and shrubs including the ficus, prunus Africana, stroboia, and parinari among others. It also harbors more than 378 bird species such as the great blue turaco, black and white casket, cuckoos, and sunbirds among others.
There are over 262 butterfly species, 97 moths, reptiles, and flowers. There are nocturnal primates like pottos, galagos, owls, and other animals that only emerge under the cover of darkness. and listen to the eerie shrieking of the tree hyrax. More than six different species of primates are also found here, that is, red-tailed, blue, vervet, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee trekking permits at the forest can be booked prior to arrival in the park.
Visitors can also enjoy chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest. This is just north of Queen Elizabeth National Park and can be accessed in just 2 hours on smooth surface roads.
Others always complement their visit with a gorilla trekking safari in the nearby Bwindi Forest National Park. You could also opt for a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to Murchison Falls.