Maramagambo Forest

Maramagambo Forest
Interactive map of Maramagambo Forest
LocationBushenyi District, Western Region, Uganda
Nearest cityBushenyi
Governing bodyUganda Wildlife Authority
National Forestry Authority

Maramagambo Forest is located in Bushenyi district in south western region of Uganda.[1] It adjoins the Queen Elizabeth National Park to the north.[2] It is jointly managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the National Forestry Authority.[3]

Within the forest is a bat cave which has been the source of virulent diseases. In 1987, a tourist from the Netherlands was exposed to Marburg virus present in the bats that live in the volcanic tube cave and developed Marburg virus disease.[4] Following this outbreak, the cave was closed until the construction of a viewing platform with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The forest is bordered by two crater lakes, Lake Kyasanduka and Lake Nyamasingiri. Many chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, and Bates's pygmy antelopes can be found here.[5][6]

In 2023, the government of Uganda made a move to convert the forest into a national park because of rumours of illegal deforestation and lumbering,[7] and for wildlife protection.[8]

Geography

Maramagambo Forest covers part of Queen Elizabeth National park and stretches all the way from Kichwamba escarpments to Lake Edward.[9] Its ecosystem is connected to the rift valley. It lies along the following coordinates 0.3575°S, 29.9278°E with an area coverage of 750km².[10]

Wildlife

A medium-altitude rain forest, Maramagambo supports a rich selection of birds, along with forest mammals, including a population of at least 300 chimpanzees, several types of monkey,[11] and the likes of potto, giant forest hog, and yellow-backed duiker.[12]

Tourism

Maramagambo forest is known for its bat caves and python caves, these house bats and pythons respectively.[13] It is also known for magnificent crater lakes especially the Blue lake also known as Kilimanjovu. It favors nature walks & hiking, primate encounters and cultural experiences from the near by villages via different acts such as local life, farms, traditional healers.[14][15][16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Maramagambo Forest". Beyond Travel. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  2. ^ "Maramagambo forest - attractions around queen elizabeth national park". Queen Elizabeth National Park. 2019-03-03. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  3. ^ Uganda Wildlife Authority: Planning Unit (26 July 2012). Buhanga, Edgar; Namara, Justine (eds.). Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Kigezi Wildlife Reserve-General Management Plan (2011 - 2021) (Report). Uganda Wildlife Authority. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  4. ^ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (December 2009). "Imported Case of Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever". MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 58 (49): 1377–81. PMID 20019654.
  5. ^ "Maramagambo Forest". QueenElizabethGamePark.com. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Maramagambo Forest - NFA Uganda". 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  7. ^ Reporter, Independent (2020-10-15). "National forest authority, UWA accused of destroying forests in Kigezi region". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  8. ^ "Government moves to turn forest reserves into National Parks". Monitor. 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  9. ^ Consult, Ultimate Multimedia. "GEO3/5: GEOGRAPHY PAPER 3 UGANDA: FORESTRY". Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  10. ^ Makanga, Samuel (2022-08-14). "Maramagambo Forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park". Queen Elizabeth National Park. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  11. ^ admin (2022-01-05). "Maramagambo Forest Uganda – Nature Walks, Python and Bat Caves". Silverback Gorilla Tours. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  12. ^ Briggs, Philip; Roberts, Andrew (2020). Uganda: The Bradt Travel Guide (9th ed.). Bradt Travel Guides Ltd. p. 490. ISBN 9781784776428.
  13. ^ "Maramagambo Forest". Inside Queen Elizabeth National Park. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  14. ^ "Activities to do in Maramagambo forest". Beyond Travel. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  15. ^ "17 Days Uganda Birding Safari & Primate Trekking | UGANDA BIRDING SAFARIS". UGANDA BIRDING SAFARIS. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  16. ^ kawlaw (2022-01-06). "Maramagambo forest | Primates in Maramagambo forest | Uganda Tours". Achieve Gorilla Tours. Retrieved 2025-12-15.

0°33′S 29°53′E / 0.550°S 29.883°E / -0.550; 29.883

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