According to the Luganda word the name “Zika” means some thing that has over grown, this protected hidden gem is gifted with tropical forest restricted to scientific research, located in Kisubi along the Entebbe Road 23 kilometer from Kampala city, next to the Warya Bay this wetland extends to Lake Victoria which is the largest Lake in the African Content. This treasure is managed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) till date, it has managed to develop eco-tourism this has been possible through a number of strategies, such as carrying out bio diversity inventories, afforestation and demarcating the boundaries.
Zika Central Forest Reserve owns a 120 feet steel research tower that serves the purpose of studying mosquitoes’ ethics, earlier on it was done in Mpanga Central Forest and later in 1962 it was transformed to Zika Central Forest Reserve.
Size Of Zika Central Forest Reserve
The entire Ziika Central Forest Reserve covers an area of approximately 25 hectares and 62 acres although the size of the research area of the forest is about 12 hectares and 3 acres.
Ecology Of Zika Central Forest Reserve
The Zika central forest reserve is a haven to a variety of mosquitoes, about 40 types of mosquitoes are being recorded in the forest namely the malaria mosquitoes, yellow fever mosquitoes silver mosquitoes, mansonia mosquitoes, psorophora mosquitoes, black- tailed mosquitoes, coquillettidia mosquitoes, western encephalitis mosquitoes, souther house mosquitoes, tree hole mosquitoes, flood water mosquitoes, eastern salt mosquitoes among others. Most of the study of the mosquitoes are done in this beautiful forest by the Uganda Virus Research institute and it maintain an insectrium.
Zika Central Forest reserve is a home to wildlife and primate species namely the wild cats, alligators, wild rabbits, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, sitangunga among others, with a variety of reptiles namely the snakes, lizards, tortoise, terrapins, chameleons among others.
The forest owns a rich bio diversity in plants and tree species namely the Mvule tree, Nkoba tree, musizi tree, jackfruit and mango trees among others with a variety of moths and butterfly species namely the great blue turaco butterfly, African queen butterflies, citrus swallow tail, giant swallow tail, green-banded swallow tail Uganda gilder that look so nicely dotted with attractive colors and bats in plenty.
And some people visit the forest for bird watching because it has different unique bird species namely the coland, white -collared olive back, grey parrot, fly catcher grey capped warbler, black bee eater, dusky long- tailed cuckoo, blue throated roller, blue headed sun bird white winged tern malachite, pied kingfisher, African fish eagle, papyrus gonolek papyrus canary, African mourning dove among others.
Bird Watching
For the bird enthusiasts Ziika Forest Reserve is one of Uganda birders paradise site, that you can easily reach even when you are within the city. The forest harbors over 200 bird species, there are various birds to excite the mind with, as you get in to the forest the birdwatchers will be captivated by the sheer diversity and the beauty of these avian creatures.
The birding experience always takes about 3 hours, with the guidance of well trained and experienced armed rangers and guides, where you will have the opportunity to watch some of the bird species, that are popularly known to live in this remarkable forest, these include the coland, white -collared olive back, grey parrot, fly catcher grey capped warbler, black bee eater, dusky long- tailed cuckoo, blue throated roller, blue headed sun bird white winged tern malachite, pied kingfisher, African fish eagle, papyrus gonolek papyrus canary, African mourning dove among others.
Nature Walk In The Forest
The walk is a fabulous experience through pristine forest giving ultimate opportunity to explorer the African wilderness on foot, while enjoying seeing the various unique wildlife, primates and butterfly identification. It’s done always in the morning and the afternoon hours taking almost three to four hours accompanied with well experienced and trained guides with armed rangers for security purpose.
During the walk expect seeing different wildlife and primate species namely the wild cats, alligators, wild rabbits, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, sitangunga among others, with a variety of reptiles namely the snakes, lizards, tortoise, terrapins, chameleons among others that are remarkably seen in the forest premises.
Visitors are to see the unique butterfly species namely the great blue turaco butterfly, African queen butterflies, citrus swallow tail, giant swallow tail, green-banded swallow tail Uganda gilder to mention but a few that look so nicely dotted with attractive colors and bats in plenty.
Mosquito Studies
This is a recognized center where mosquito studies are being carried out in Uganda, in 1964 the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) carried out the studies of mosquitoes and it was aimed on the vertical distribution of mosquitoes this activity enabled them to know the comprehensive population of mosquitoes.
It always takes long period of time to do the study again an update of the mosquito collection was done in 2009 and 2010 this made the forest notorious because of the Ziika Virus.
When Best One Can Visit The Zika Forest Reserve
Ziika Central Forest Reserve can be visited all year round however mostly good during the dry seasons of June to August and December to February because during these periods the weather is more favorable for outdoor activities, with less rainfall making the forest trails easier in navigate and the wildlife more visible. Birdwatching is particularly rewarding in these months as many bird species are more active and easier to spot.
How to Reach Zika Forest Reserve
By using road transport
One can take the direct route using Entebbe express way to reach the Ziika central forest reserve at Kisubi village the drive can take approximately one hour depending on the traffic state.
Around the Ziika Central Forest reserve these are accommodation facilities, also one can decide to sleep in Kampala city because it is near and has beautiful hotels as analyzed below.
Imperial Heights Hotel
This hotel is located close to Entebbe International Airport and Kampala City, it’s so convenient to the people who visit the Ziika Forest Reserve the hotel has 33 comfortable rooms overlooking the shores of Lake Victoria, provides free internet parking space to clients.
The hotel owns a well – established restaurant that offers both local and international meals to clients, bar with both soft and hard drinks is available, swimming pool, bar gym and spa are available with a very hospitable service providers.
2 Friends Hotel
This accommodation facility is located at the shores of Lake Victoria it comprises of established rooms each room has a flat screen television with satellite channels, mosquito nets on the beds and private bathroom with free toiletries. it provides an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant that prepares both local and international dishes.
At the hotel visitors are provided with enough space where they can have golfing, biking and kayaking hence creating good memories for the stay at the hotel.
K Hotel Entebbe
This hotel is located within the Nambi Road close to Entebbe, with well-established restaurant, garden, bar longue with better room service, 24-hour front desk along with free Wi-Fi, free parking swimming pool so spending a night in this place is un avoidable and the services are at relatively affordable prices.
Arcadia Suites
This accommodation is located in the heart of Kampala City, offering very vibrant services to the visitors owning beautiful comfort bed rooms, with a flat screen television mosquito net on the beds and private bathroom with free toiletries and air conditioners.
Arcadia Suites also include a fitness center, visitors can enjoy both local and international meals since they are prepared in their well-established restaurant, offering free internet and parking to clients to mention but a few staying at the hotel it will be so rewarding and amazing.