Kigezi Game Reserve lies in western Uganda in Rukungiri district. It was established in 1952. This game reserve covers an area of 256 square kilometers and is composed of savannah grassland, vast plains, and forests.
Kigezi Game Reserve’s existence acts as a barrier among the areas surrounding Queen Elizabeth National Park and Maramagambo forest, the Ishasha area, and the southern parts. The fact that this reserve has woodland and savannah grassland, It serves as a buffer zone to the Rwenzori Park to the north.
This reserve is a sanctuary to protect t the big number of elephants that usually move from East of the Rwindi plains within the Democratic Republic of Congo and south of the Queen Elizabeth National Park at the beginning of the rainy season in that area.
Wildlife in Kigezi Game Reserve.
Kigezi game reserve is home to various animals, like lions, Buffalos, Leopards, and Elephants, Uganda kobs, giant forest hogs, waterbucks, Bushbucks, Topis, Hippopotamus, Or ibis, bush Duikers.
The reserve also has Vervet monkeys, Baboons, Chimpanzees, and black and white colobus monkeys.
Different bird species also reside in this reserve the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Hammerkop, Marabou storks, like the Red-faced barbets, the Peregrine Falcon, cranes, and the Saddle-billed stork, the Grey-crowned among others.
The stated animals and bird species give you a range of activities you can engage in while at the game reserve like birdwatching, nature walks, and game drives.
When to visit Kigezi game reserve.
Although most game reserves are best visited in the dry season, the Kigezi game reserve is an exception since you can visit this place both in the rainy and dry seasons. Kigezi game reserve is known for big numbers of Elephants. Visits in the rainy season give you a fascinating view of the Elephants migrating from Rwindi Plains in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The best season for viewing other wildlife species is the dry season (June to September and December to February).
Where to stay at Kigezi Wildlife Reserve
There are no accommodation facilities within the Wildlife reserve however, tourists who wish to explore the attractions can get nice and comfortable accommodation facilities within the Rukungiri district such as Rondavels Hotel, Savannah Resort Hotel, the Rukungiri Inn, and Ishasha River Lodge. Camping services are also available at the game Reserve.
How to get to Kigezi Game Reserve
Coming from Kampala city, you can use the Kampala- Masaka-Mbarara-Ntugamo- Rukungiri route the distance is approximately 318 Kilometers which is about a 5 hours drive.