Bigodi Wetland Walk

Bigodi swamp walk is one of the best places in the Kibale Forest National Park. The swamp is a biodiverse ecosystem. It is a community-managed area situated 6 kilometers from the Kanyanchu visitor center, the wetland was first called Magombe swamp traditionally meaning Graveyard swamp basically because of the number of people who lost their lives during the construction of the sanctuary bridge. During the 1990’s the natural conservation area was renamed to the present-day Bigodi Wetland. The area is a paradise of birds over 200 species of Kibale forest can be spotted while here, including other primate kinds like the vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, among others.

The Bigodi swamp is an amazing place to visit during your chimpanzee safari, it is one place you don’t have to miss, it is a perfect community project that has for years returned benefits to its members from travelers that come to enjoy the national park, Bigodi wetland walk is conducted by a trained guide of the sanctuary through a number of trails, the walk is done in sessions, at 7:30 am and 3 pm east African time, it takes 3 hours as you enjoy viewing wildlife, expect to see many birds example species include Rwenzori turaco, great blue turaco, kingfishers, sunbirds, pelicans, crested cranes, parrots, tinker birds to mention a few. There are primates that you may encounter, sitatungas through papyrus reeds, bushbucks, and otters.

Bigodi Wetland is a haven of birds; besides the walk, the sanctuary is great for birdwatching it is home to the great blue turaco, the sanctuary is managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development, during the birding guides will tell you so much about the sanctuary and stories behind the most popular bird -great blue turaco also known as the loyal bird. The village walk to the local community is also done by a local guide, you will indulge in the local community, enjoy cultural dances, and may have a chance to taste the local food delicacies of Uganda. The local communities have benefited so much from these projects as a result of having a sanctuary, it is a perfect way of giving back to society.

Bigodi wetland walk can be combined with chimpanzee tracking in the Kibale Forest National Park, Chimpanzee tracking has been done in the forest since 1993, to participate in the activity is only permitted after purchasing permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, these can be bought directly or through a tour operator. Permits are charged $200 for foreign nonresidents, $150 for foreign residents, and 150,000 shillings for East African citizens. The Chimpanzee habituation process involves an all-day looking for the primates, it is a great activity for researchers, photographers,

The best time to do the Bigodi wetland walk is all year round each season is different depending on your choice of preference however the best time is during the wet season, which is the time the region receives migratory species from all over the world, this supplements on the bird count, however the dry season between the months of June-July, December -February are ideal as well.