Bugoma Forest
location
The Bugoma Forest is a protected tropical forest that is situated southwest of Hoima town and northeast of Kyenjojo town, and east of Lake Albert, in the Hoima district of western Uganda. It was gazetted in the 1932 and came under the mandate of the National Forestry Authority in 2003. But it was expanded in 1965, 1968 and 1998. Its surface area is given as between 41,144 hectares (411.44 km2) and 65,000 hectares (650 km2).
Wildlife
The forest has 23 species of mammal, 225 species of birds (which include Nahan’s partridge, grey parrot and African crowned eagle), butterfly species (such as Anthene ituria) and 260 plant species (such as Afrothismia winkleri, Brazzia longipedicellata and Dialium excelsum), 20 species of forest amphibians are known to occur in the reserve. The forest is home to a considerable number of chimpanzees which started to undergo the habituation process in January 2016.
Vegetation
The Landscape of Bugoma Forest Reserve is characterized by medium altitude semi-deciduous Forest. Around half of the forested section of the Forest Reserve is dominated by Hard wood (scientifically known as Cynometra alexandri and locally known as the Muhimbi). This Forest Reserve is drained by four small rivers that include River Bubwa, River Wake, River Sonso and River Waisoke that pour their water into Lake Albert.
accessibility
This magnificent Forest Reserve is found at 70 km away from Hoima district, and can be accessed using road transport through a dusty road. You will use the Kampala-Hoima-Fort portal Road, then to Kabwoya to access Bugoma via the Kasindi Forest Station. You can reach the forest on either a guided tour or a self drive.