Kalinzu Forest Reserve was founded in 2004 under the National Forestry and Tree Planting act. It is Managed by the National Forestry Authority which has the mandate of managing Forest reserves on a sustainable basis and supplying high quality forestry products and services. The Forest lies at an average altitude of 1400m above sea level and is a center for research and conservation education in this region. It covers an area of about 147km2, and is home to 414 tree species most prevalent of which are the Strombosia schefflera, Parinari excelsa, Carapa grandifolia, Musanga leo-errerae,and Myrianthus holstii.
It lies in the Districts of Bushenyi and Rubirizi in western Uganda approximately 375km from the Kampala City Centre on Bushenyi Kasese Road. It is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park, only 62.8 Km from Mweya.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Kalinzu forest is known to have over 320 chimpanzees with over 50 individuals habituated for tourism purposes.
This location close to Queen Elizabeth National Park makes it a favorite stop over for tourists doing safaris along the western circuit, making it one of the most sought-after alternatives to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking with chances of sighting chimpanzees of up to 95%
Other Attractions in Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Kalinzu Forest Reserve habours 378 species of birds like great blue turaco, black and white casket, cuckoos, and sunbirds, 262 butterfly species, 97 moths, reptiles, flowers and 6 different species of primates such as Black and white colobus monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys baboons and Chimpanzees. Small mammals such as galagos, pottos and bushbabies can also be spotted in the forest.;
Some mammals such as duikers, antelopes, bushpigs and the Uganda Kob can be found in Kalinzu as its forest cover provides shelter from the harsh savanah grasslands in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Activities in Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Aside from Chimp tracking, other activities that can be engaged in by visitors include forest walks, Birding, Research, Conservation Education, Butterfly identification as well as small mammal identification.
Accommodation in and around Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Accomodation within the forest is largely camping, but accommodation can be found in the nearby towns of Ishaka and Bushenyi.
