Bigodi Swamp Walk
Alpha Rent a Car advises you to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a 4.5km trek and a key wildlife corridor in Kibale Forest that takes approximately 3 hours. This lovely place is renowned as the “Home of the Great Blue Turaco” and is home to over 200 bird species, including kingfishers, parrots, hornbills, and turacos.
The sanctuary also houses eight species of primates, including the red-tailed monkey, vervet monkey, blue monkey, red colobus monkey, black and white colobus monkey, olive baboon, and grey-cheeked mangabey.
Other mammals that call the swamp home include sitatungas, bushbucks, and otters. Alpha Rent a Car arranges for local and knowledgeable guides from KAFRED to lead you on an educational tour through the lush vegetation. This is an excellent opportunity to observe wildlife from the woodland walkways and atop a treehouse nestled high in the canopy. As you walk, they listen for distinct bird cries, spot birds, primates, medicinal herbs, and explain how life works here. The stroll is flat and does not need a high degree of fitness; it is appropriate for all ages. Where there is swamp water, there are walk boards, but such is considered part of the package.
There are two classes here: morning and evening. The morning session starts at 7.30 a.m., while the afternoon session begins at 3 p.m. You do not need to arrange in advance for the trip. When you arrive, you immediately depart for the tour given the guides availability.
Women in the communities manufacture crafts out of banana fibers and palm trees, as well as recycled paper beads, which are sold to visitors and exported. A portion of the profits from the sales go toward community development.
Since the initiative began, poaching in Kibale Forest has decreased since people now work as guides at Bigodi and sell a variety of things. The project is an excellent example of a community-driven approach to natural resource conservation. This is why we want you to know about it.
If you’re visiting Kibale Forest for Chimpanzee trekking, you can spend the afternoon walking around the Bigodi swamp. Walking allows visitors to directly and deeply experience a destination through their five senses. It also promotes meaningful interactions with local people, nature and culture.
