Location: Kyegegwa
Animals: Elephant, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Columbus monkeys and River otter and Sitatunga.
Activities: Canoe trips, Visiting the community, Guide walks, Birding.
Main Attraction: Camping
Only recently developed for tourism, the reserve protects a network of forest-fringed wetlands along the Katonga River.
Best explored on foot and by canoe, Katonga supports some 40 mammal and at least 150 bird species, many specific to wetland habitats.
Most visible are elephant, waterbuck, reedbuck, colobus monkeys and river otter. This is one of the best places in Africa to look for the elusive sitatunga, a semi-aquatic antelope with webbed hooves that forages almost exclusively in swamps.
Katonga Wildlife Reserve is a national park in western Uganda, along the banks of River Katonga. The wildlife reserve was established in 1998. The reserve is a recent addition to Uganda’s list of protected wildlife areas. It protects a network of forest-fringed wetlands along the Katonga River. It is best explored by foot and by canoe. It is home to over forty (40) species of mammals and over one hundred and fifty (150) species of birds; many of them specific to wetland habitats. Most visible are elephant, waterbuck, reedbuck, Columbus monkeys and river otter.
This is one of the best places in Africa to look for the elusive Sitatunga, a semi-aquatic antelope with webbed hooves that forages almost exclusively in swamps. Glimpses of the shy Sitatunga can be best experienced with an early morning start 1 hour before the sunrise. Follow the ‘Sitatunga Trail’ with your guide down to and along the fringes of the swamp. Move in groups not exceeding 3 persons very quietly using any vegetation as cover. Wear clothing that blends with the bush.
Sitatunga is very shy and viewing time can be measured in seconds. They are however majestic animals with a large concentration of males that are often seen.
The terrain of the Katonga Wildlife Reserve is mixed Savannah with acacia scrubland or woodlands. A large portion of the reserve is either permanent or seasonal wetlands. There are also pockets of riverine and tropical forest. A troop of Black and White Columbus monkeys inhabits the riverine forest adjacent to the canal. Bird life is excellent with wetland, savannah and forest species.
Getting there and away:
Katonga lies within a distance of four hours drive from Kampala, branching from the Fort Portal or Mbarara Road. Buses connect Kampala to Kabagole, a short canoe ride and walk from the entrance gate.
Katonga Wildlife Reserve is 4 hours drive from Kampala. The most direct route is to use the Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal Road. From Mubende proceed to Kyegegwa. Follow sign posting for Katonga Reserve. Marrum road for 42 kms (1 hour) to the Reserve HQ. This road would be impassable after heavy rain.
Alternative access or departure route via Kaso: From Mbabara an excellent tarmac road heads north for 62 kms to Ibanda. The tarmac continues after Ibanda for 2 kms where a right turn will lead to Kaso on fair marrum roads. From Kaso ask directions at all main junctions for Kabagole. Mbarara-Katonga 3 hours.
The approach to Kaso from Nakaiita on the Lyantonde-Mbarara Road is entirely on marrum. There are several matatu’s (minibus taxis) that make this journey in each direction daily from Lyantonde. Travel time 2 hours.
Where to eat and sleep at Katonga
Accommodation is available at the visitor’s center. It also acts as a campsite. Bush camping is also possible if you carry your own gear.
Activities and Attractions
Canoe trips
There are canoe trip which follow a narrow channel through the swamp and gives visitors opportunities for seeing various water and papyrus associated birds, the Sitatunga and the river otters. The wetlands canoe trail is a two kilometer ride through the reed and papyrus swamp guided a local boat operator allowing the best opportunities to spot kingfishers and storks like shoebill storks.
Guided walks
There are three guided half day walking trails which can be arranged by the park staff. The Kisharara trails takes you through main habitats within the park comprising of grassland, Savanna and swamp fringes and is a good trail for seeing Sitatungas, birds and monkeys. The kyeibale trail takes you through an area with tall rock formations as well as forested valleys and caves. The Sitatunga trail takes you through a mixture if grassland and wetland habitats offering more chances of seeing the rare Sitatunga for which it is named.
Visiting the community
Surrounding the reserve Banyankore peoples keep large herds of the impressively long horned cattle known as Ankole. A visit to a Banyankore homestead is an interesting opportunity to consider whilst visiting Katonga Reserve. Production of butter from the cow milk is their main source of income as well as selling the milk locally.
Bird watching
Katonga has over one hundred and fifty (150) species of birds; many of them specific to wetland habitats. This is one of the best places in Africa to view the different species of birds.
Tours and Safari Holiday to Katonga Wildlife Reserve
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