Mpanga Central Forest Reserve
Overview
One of Uganda's forest reserves is the Mpanga Central Forest Reserve. It is a 453-hectare (1,120-acre) tiny area of natural tropical rainforest.[1] It is located 37 kilometers southwest of Kampala City in the Mpigi District of Mpambire. Beyond Travel Africa has been running the Mpanga Forest Resort on-site since 2018.
Location
To be precise, Mpanga Central Forest Reserve is located in Mpigi District Mpabire, in the Central Region of Uganda. It is located 37 kilometers southwest of Kampala City on the route. The major Kampala-Masaka Highway makes it easily accessible in an hour's drive. Thus, the nearest natural tropical rainforest to the capital city is Mpanga Central Forest Reserve.
You can arrange private or public transportation; the woodland is conveniently located in the Mpigi area along a lengthy Masaka road.
You may walk or take a motorbike ride (boda boda) to the forest which is just about 1km away from where you will be let off at the Mpanga Eco Tourism Site marker.
The Past/History
Since 1953, the Ugandan government has safeguarded this little area of natural rainforest as a place for scientific research. It was owned by a wealthy family with the name Mpanga, according to the farmsteads nearby. In fact, it was named after Mpanga, the son of a wealthy family.
Environmental
For a little forest, it sustains a remarkable biodiversity. It is home to 112 moths, 97 butterflies, 300 bird species, and 500 tree and shrub species. The woodland is home to three different types of monkeys: vervet, red-tailed, and black and white colobus. Additionally, there are other tiny animals, such as bushabies, pottos, pangolines, banded mongoose, and squirrels. You have a possibility of seeing the uncommon nocturnal pottos and bushbabies if you stay overnight in Mpanga Forest.
The sturdy, weather-resistant Celtis is the predominant tree species in Mpanga Forest. The undesired hard Celtis trees have greatly prevented the drum makers from exploiting the forest since Mpanga Forest is bordered by a community of traditional drum manufacturers who search for soft trees that are suited for the drum manufacturing process. Nonetheless, the people continue to rely on the forest for charcoal, fuel, and medical supplies.
Activities
The two main groups into which the activities are separated are;
Activities in the Forest
To best accommodate these activities, forest trails have been created into four primary routes: the Baseline Trail, the Hornbill Trail and the Butterfly Trail.
Nature Walks: Identifying and Observing Birds
Observing Primates
Identifying butterflies, walking, racing, dirt biking, mountain cycling, hiking, running and camping.
Recreational Activities
Community Led Activities SDG Village are offered to people who are not yet prepared for the forest. An SDG model village is being implemented by an NGO called Climate Smart Youth Activities Network as a community-led project to encourage climate-smart activities along the forest borders. Technical Advisor, Peniel Rwendeire saw this need during the lockdown in 2020 and has been enlisting many partners to support the effort.
Campfire photography
Volleyball
board games
silent disco
Birdwatching:
The Mpanga forest is home to over 500 different kinds of birds. Due of its one-hour journey from Kampala, it is one of Uganda's most important birdwatching destinations. After receiving a briefing, birdwatchers follow well-marked paths to witness birds in their natural habitat. It is anticipated that over fifty different kinds of birds will be spotted at the trail's finish, which is a body of water known as the great shoebill colony.
In Mpanga Forest, you may also see the following birds: Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Black-headed Heron, Purple Heron, Hadada Ibis, Egyptian Goose, Black Kite, Palmnut Vulture, Lizard Buzzard, African Harrier-Hawk, Wahlberg's Eagle, Crested Guineafowl, White-spotted Flufftail, African Green-Pigeon, Red-eyed Dove, Grey Parrot, Great Blue Turaco, Red-chested Cuckoo, Diederik Cuckoo, Klaas's Cuckoo, Yellowbill, African Palm Swift, White-rumped Swift, Speckled Mousebird, Pied Kingfisher, White-breasted Nigrofinch, Woodland Kingfisher, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher
Climbing a hill:
The flat-topped hill to the south of the route provides lovely views of the surrounding lowlands and woodland.
Forest walks
You may schedule a day tour or an evening stroll at Mpanga stroll in the forest. You can see butterflies, insects, monkeys, tree canopies, rare tree species, and lovely birds during daytime forest hikes. As an alternative, visitors can spend the night in the forest (there are cottages and camping areas accessible). Visitors may witness owls, leopards, pottos, bushbabies, and more on guided nighttime hikes.
Walk Trails:
These three trails, which are separated into the Baseline, Butter, and Hornbill trails, provide amazing opportunities to see monkeys, common forest birds, and a variety of plant species.
Camping at night offers a singular opportunity to see bush babies come to life.
Guided Tours:
Take an educational guided tour to Nakibinge and the Kiganda shrines, which are within a kilometer from the ecotourism center.
Visit the local market
In the Mpambire trade area, which sells handcrafted goods, drums, baskets, mats, and other locally made tools.
When to Mpanga Central Forest Reserve:
Mpanga Forest Reserve welcomes visitors throughout the year, thanks to its easy accessibility from Kampala and minimal planning requirements.
Accommodation
Twelve people can be accommodated at once in a self-contained duplex, a double room on the main office block, and one tourist banda at the Visitor Reception Center in Mpanga, which is run by the National Forestry Authority. Additionally, a tent is available for hire for a little price. Although small meals can be arranged from the house caretaker, these are self-catering facilities.
Accessibility
The Forest Reserve is conveniently accessible by the major Kampala-Masaka Highway and is situated in the Mpigi District, 37 kilometers from Kampala's City Center. Using a well-surfaced dirt road, the Eco-Tourist Site is around 1 km from the roadhead. As a result, the access is on a Tarmac Road, which is also a decent dirt road that is accessible all year round.