Maramagambo Forest Safari in Uganda
The word “Maramagambo” was derived from a traditional tale in which a team of young people got lost within the forest, and it actually took them a number of days to trace their path back to the local village from which these had come from. A kind of African-Hansel as well as Gretel Story; however on returning back to the village these young people couldn’t speak for long since they were extremely worn out – hence the word “Maramagambo” for ‘the end of words’.region of Queen Elizabeth Park from the escarpment of Kichwamba all through to Lake Edward.
The forest is the ideal destination for hiking as well as nature walk which can take anything from one and a half hours to as long as half the day – the half day trekking offers a chance to explore some of the stunning crater lakes. The majorly tree canopy shaded trails through this glorious verdant forest offers you a rather different experience compared to that you get when exploring the open savannah. The forest has seven different primate species which you may spot during your guided nature walk among which are Chimpanzees, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Baboons, Red Tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, as well as the Vervet Monkeys. The forest is in addition habitat to 2 nocturnal species which are: the Pottos plus the Bushbabies.
There are various Uganda safaris Forest Bird species found here in great quantity and certainly birders will find this forest to be the ideal destination to see a diversity of species among which are some uncommon species like the Rwenzori Turaco, the White Naped Pigeons plus the Forest Flycatchers among many others.
Furthermore you may come across extended columns of matching Soldier Ants which columns have been at times spotted 100 meters long and 6 meters side by side. However it is advised to avoid these soldier ants since their bite is stinging but the good news is that their bite has no lasting effect on people other than the painful sting.
The most well-liked destination here are the impressive Bat Caves which in 2008 were closed because a woman contracted the Marburg Virus however in collaboration with the American – Center of Disease Control a secure viewing center has recently been established just outside of these cave and there you can actually view the numerous of bats that reside there and as well the pythons that feed on bats; quite the view and today all enjoyed safely without any threats of contracting the odd Marburg Virus.
In case you are exhausted from sitting within the safari vehicle, the Maramagambo Forest is the ideal place for enjoy a leisure forest walk although you should always watch out for the biting soldier ants.
Activities:
Kayaking at the gorgeous Kyasanduka Crater Lake
Guide nature walks
Getting there:
There are Buses at the Baganda bus-park as well as at the new established bus station found near Nakivubo stadium within Kampala. These Buses travel in to and fro. The closest route is that from Kampala through Mbarara and Bushenyi route. On the other hand, you can decide to take that from Kampala via Fort-Portal, Kasese and Bushenyi route. There is an airstrip at Mweya found in Queen Elizabeth National Park served by charter flights privately arranged from Entebbe international airport.
