Kigezi game reserve is located in Rukungiri district, south western Uganda and south of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Situated on the western arm of the African rift, the reserve was established in 1952 and covers an estimated 265 square kilometers of land area. At an altitude of about 1,050m, the landscape of the reserve provides for the survival of numerous wildlife species that roam freely within the woodlands, forests and grasslands. Some of the animals carryout routine inter-protected area migrations between the reserve and queen Elizabeth national park as well as the Rwindi plains in DRC. While there is no zonation within the reserve itself, it still acts as a buffer zone between Queen Elizabeth National Park, other populated areas and the North of Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
The area within which the reserve is located is known as the Kigezi sub-region that is dubbed the Switzerland of Uganda. It was called so because of its coldness and spectacular hilly nature.
Kigezi game reserve diversity.
Kigezi is home to a variety of fauna and flora. It has a number of mammalian species that are caught up within the hunt and hide framework. Some of them include: lions, leopards, warthogs, Uganda kobs, buffalos, hippos, giant forest hog, bushbuck, waterbuck, oribi and topi among others. Importantly, the reserve is also known as a sanctuary for large populations of elephants.
Other animal species in the reserve include primates like the eastern black and white colobus, red colobus and the chimpanzees among others. Ther are also numerous species of birds. These include: the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Red-faced barbets, the Peregrine Falcon, the Saddle-billed stork, Hammerkop, Marabou storks and the Grey-crowned cranes among others.
Vegetation
The vegetation of the reserve is similar to what one can find within Queen Elizabeth National Park. There is an acacia and albizia dotted savannah that complimented by moist deciduous forests and other tree species. The grass and undergrowth are also diverse in form and kind. Some of the grass species include: Cymbopogon, Hyparrhenia, Imperata and Beckeropsis.
Getting there.
Kigezi Wildlife Reserve is located in Rukungiri, approximately 318 kilometres (198 miles) from Kampala. The most commonly used route is the Kampala-Mbarara highway, through which you can reach Ntungamo and then Rukungiri.
Accommodation at the Kigezi game reserve.
There are currently no accommodation facilities within the reserve. However, the areas in the neighborhood contain some hotels and lodges that some adventurers could use during their visit.
Best time to visit.
Kigezi Wildlife reserve is a destination that can be visited all year round. Those interested in viewing the animal migrations ought to catch the grandeur during the months of October to November and March to April when there are rains. Normal wildlife viewing is possible in all seasons but best during the dry ones.
Some of the fascinating things to come across on a Kigezi safari are the Kigezi highlands, forests and the different buildings around the town among others