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Situated between Bufumbira County, Kisoro District and Rubanda County in Kabale District, Echuya Forest is one of the few natural forests that still exist in Uganda. This lush forest reserve supports a variety of flora and birds. It is considered among the Important Birding Areas (IBAs).
In Southwestern Uganda, Echuya Forest Reserve is found in the Albertine rift side of the Eastern afro montane hotspot. This area is rich in endemic species in Africa, covering a land area of 34 sq. km. It encompasses the high-elevation swamp known as Muchuya, and 80% of its forest cover consists of macaranga and hagenia, while 20% consists of bamboo forests.
This forest reserve was re-gazetted in 1964 under the statutory instrument 11 of 1963. It lies at an altitude of 2270 and 2750 meters, close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, and Kisoro town.
Muchuya Swamp hosts about 30-50 pairs of the endangered grauer’s swamp warblers. More than 153 bird species and several wildlife species reside in Echuya Forest. There are also 20 tree species, 46 shrubs, and more.
Fauna species in Echuya Forest Reserve
The common mammal species that thrive within Echuya Forest Reserve include serval cats, slender mongooses, African golden cats, blue monkeys, side-striped jackals, rodents, and more.
Bird species- the numerous birds to be spotted include the Rwenzori batis, Archer’s robin chat, Doherty’s bush shrikes, red-throated alethe, strange weaver, white-eyed slaty flycatchers, dwarf honey guide, Kivu ground thrush, mountain masked apalis, regal sunbird, collared apalis, and others.
The main activities to expect to engage in on the Echuya Forest safari include birding (Grauer’s swamp warblers, stripe-breasted tit, Archer’s robin, regal sunbird, dusky crimson wing, red-faced woodland, blue-headed sunbird, Ruwenzori turacos, Kivu ground thrush, handsome francolins, red-throated alethe, yellow-eyed black flycatchers, purple-breasted sunbirds and many others.
When to visit Echuya Forest Reserve
The dry season is the best time of the year to travel to Echuya Forest for forest/nature walks. The drier months to plan your Uganda safari to Echuya are June, July, August, and September & the other phase runs from December, January to February.
Where to stay
While on an Uganda safari to Echuya Forest, visitors can book lodges around Mgahinga NP & Bwindi, especially in the Rushaga sector. At Rushaga sector, the nearby lodges to book for a night stay include Gorilla Safari Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and Mutanda Lake Resort.
Getting to Echuya Forest Reserve
Leave Kampala for Echuya Forest, about 8-9 hours’ drive from Kigali city to Chanika/Katuna border. You can also connect to this forest after gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga.
Location: Plot 124, Kikumbi
P.O Box 100667, Kampala
+256759033541
+447 572778124
[email protected]