Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve

Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve is located on the western side of the Albertine Rift Valley amidst Lake Albert and the breathtaking Blue Mountains of Congo. The reserve has area coverage of 8700 sq km (3400 sq mi). the reserve is characterized by remote savannah plains that inhabit a number of wild animals like Buffalos, Antelopes, Water Bucks, Uganda Kobs, Bush bucks, Bush suikers, Jackson’s hartebeests, Impala, Hippos, primates like Vervet Monkeys, Chimpanzees, Baboons, Black and White Colobus monkeys among others. The reserve is also home to a number of bird species like western Nicator, Yellow-billed Oxpeckers, Black-headed Weavers, Grey Parrot, Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, Strip breasted-tit, Dwarf honey guide, Bare faced Go-away bird to mention but a few.

History of Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve 

The reserve was first gazetted as a conservation area in 1963 as part of the Kaiso-Tonya Controlled Hunting Area (KTCHA) because most of the wild animals were wiped out by poachers during the long years of Civil War, it was upgraded to a reserve status in 2002.

Activities at Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve 

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing is done on a game drive in a 4×4 WD Safari vehicle, giving you a chance to get a close encounter with the reserve’s wildlife species like Buffaloes, Antelopes, Water bucks, Uganda Kobs, Bush bucks, Bush duikers, Jackson’s hartebeests, Impala, Hippos etc.

Nature Walks

What a safari in Kabwoya wildlife reserve without a nature walk. Walks are usually done at rift valley escarpment, rewarding travel with views of several antelopes, warthogs, primates, bird species and more.

Bird Watching

The reserve is home to over 460 bird species making it a great birding destination, the reserve a migratory, permanent resident and Albertine rift endemic. You will spot a number of bird species hence carry binoculars and cameras.

Mountain Biking

The savannah plains of the Reserve offers magnificent biking trails where participants can ride through easily, which is a must do for tourists who enjoy exercise because it will come with wildlife viewing.

Fishing

The reserve offers fishing activities with in at Lake Albert where tourists can catch different bird species like the Nile Perch, for safety reasons only three anglers are allowed in each boat.

Fossil Hunting

This is one of the best activities in the reserve, tourists are allowed to hunt for fossils in the reserve, the animals have existed for generations.

Quad bike rides

Quad biking is only conducted in this reserve among Uganda’s wildlife reserves, this is your opportunity to view wildlife in an extraordinary way as you relish breathtaking scenery and wildlife species plus birds.

Horseback rides

Besides Lake Mburo National Park even Kabwoya Wildlife reserve offers relish horseback riding. Horseback riding is another way to watch wildlife in Kabwoya Wildlife reserve like Uganda Kobs, Warthogs, Duikers, Buffaloes among others.

where to stay at Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve 

Travelers shouldn’t worry about where to host their stay while in Kabwoya Wildlife reserve because the reserve has some facilities like Lake Albert Safari Lodge.

How to get to Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve 

The easiest route to get to the reserve is the Kampala-Hoima road via Busunju-Kiboga road for 240 km.

Best time to visit Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve 

The reserve is open all year round, though the best time to visit is between the dry months of June and September and December to February.