This untamed beauty is found on the edges of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was gazetted in 1941 located between Bundibugyo District and Ntoroko District in the western Uganda. The forest covers approximately grassland and bushlands its managed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) till date, to manage and develop eco-tourism. This has been possible through a number of strategies, such as carrying out bio diversity inventories, afforestation and demarcating the boundaries.
Ecology of North Rwenzori Forest Reserve
The North Rwenzori Forest Reserve is haven of a variety of species, almost similar to those in the Rwenzori Mountain National Park. Owning mammal species namely golden cat, servalline genet, leopards yellow-backed duiker, Rwenzori otter, elephants, bushbuck, giant forest hog and other primates like black and white colobus monkey, red tailed monkeys Lhoest monkey, Angola colobus, blue monkey plus the chameleon.
The forest is a home to bird species these include turacos slender billed starling barred long tailed cuckoo, blue headed sun bird, cinnamon, chested bee-eater montane sootybouboub, white starred, ribbon, Rwenzori batis hand some francolin golden winged sun bird flycatcher among others so its good place for the bird lovers At higher altitudes look out for Lammergeyer (bearded vulture) and the Verreaux’s eagles soaring overhead, as well as Alphine and scarce swifts, and the stunning scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird
The forest is a home to numerous butterfly species namely the great blue turaco butterfly, African queen butterflies, citrus swallow tail, giant swallow tail, green-banded swallow tail Uganda gilder among others.
How to Reach North Rwenzori Forest Reserve
The park can be reached by using the air and road transport means
By Air
Traveler’s fly from Kampala using the Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airstrip to land to Kasese air strip where the driver guide will transfer visitors to the North Rwenzori Central Forest Reserve
By Road
There are two routes from Kampala via Mubende to Fort portal which is 300kilometer then precede with the journey to the Forest or one can pass through Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara Bushenyi to Kasese which is about 350 kilometer the drive is approximately 6 hours then to the forest reserve.
Attractions and Activities in the Forest
Bird Watching Exprience
The North Rwenzori Central Forest Reserve is the haven sheltering a variety of bird species hence giving unforgettable birding experience. This activity is always done in the morning and evening hours because birds always leave their nests in search for food and in the evening, they are returning to sleep it’s always conducted by well trained and experienced armed rangers and guides
During birding expect seeing the Mountain Rwenzori nightjar, olive pigeons, handsome francolins, greenbuls golden winged sunbird archer srobinchat, Rwenzori double colored sunbird mountain black boubou Rwenzori batis liliopsids, montane sooty, blue headed sun bird these are perfectly spotted in the forest reserve.
And there are high chances of spotting the numerous butterfly species that live in the forest these include the great blue turaco butterfly, African queen butterflies, citrus swallow tail, giant swallow tail, green-banded swallow tail Uganda gilder among others.
North Rwenzori Forest is a good place for the bird lovers at higher altitudes expect to look out for Lammergeyer (bearded vulture) and the Verreaux’s eagles soaring overhead, as well as Alphine and scarce swifts, and the stunning scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird.
Nature Walks in the North Rwenzori Forest
North Rwenzori Forest offers an amazingly unforgettable walk on foot experience at the Mountain of Moon offering a chance to uncover the hidden treasure of this spectular and views of the surroundings during the walk tourist should keep eyes and ears open while spotting the different like squarrels, chameleons’ primates like vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkey, chimpanzee, blue monkeys red tailed monkeys, Lhoest monkeys, among others.
The nature walk offers opportunity to move through the local communities of Kichwamba to the Karangura Ridge the Ruboni Village Walk is amazing the village has composition of 2000 people and this enables tourist to learn about the life style, culture traditions and norms of the Bakonzo Local Resident who stay around the area, visitors also meet the black smith hence creating a memorable experience with locals.
Mini Hike in the North Rwenzori Forest Reserve
This hike always lasts for about 6 to 8 hours the hike crosses from the trading center of Kazinga which is 13 kilometers from Fort Portal to Bundibugyo via the northern sides of Rwenzori Mountain National Park following the Bwamba Pass.
There are several choices of routes to pass by during the hike by hiking across or through ascending through the farmland and grassland, Afro-Montane Forest and Bamboo Forest to the medial ridge before descending to Bundibugyo.
During the hike there are high chances of spotting a variety of monkey species namely the red-tailed monkey, white and black monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboon monkeys including the Angola colobus among others. Most people have abandoned the longer hikes of Rwenzori due to the high fees asked and they are now going in for the mini hike which the rates are relatively low hence making this activity popular
The guided hikes are arranged through the Ruwenzori View Guest House or you can make alternatively arrangements directly with the Abanga -Rwenzori Mountaineering Association
The mini hike at the North Rwenzori costs US$ 90 per person inclusive of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)fee for any route that crosses the national park or US$25 for any routes that cross bypass it.
Shopping and Visiting the Rwenzori Art Gallery
This activity is best to people who want to buy souvenirs during the trip, the Rwenzori art gallery displays the bronze work of the 15 Ugandan sculptors. The art pieces represent the different clan totems of Uganda as well as the soapstone and the marble carving made by the local artist.
These unique items are at sale at relatively affordable prices by international standards. Visitors can have a cup of coffee with other drinks served with biscuits and snacks, in case one wishes to have a hot supplement at a relatively affordable price this guided move to the gallery cots US$10.