admin June 10, 2019

Best Things to Do in the Bigodi Wetland

Bigodi wetland sanctuary is always taken as a complementary to Kibale national park safaris. Probably because the park is the primate capital of the world, and it is popularly known for its exclusive chimp trekking safaris.

Almost all trips to Kibale national park have been ending with a simple visit or walk through Bigodi wetland sanctuary. However, Bigodi is not just a swamp, it has more to offer than just any other complementary destination.

Covering a total land area of about 6 kilometers, it shelters more than 200 bird species, various primates and mammals that comfortably call Bigodi wetland sanctuary a home. It is indeed an interesting destination to visit without hesitation while on any safari in Uganda.

The Bigodi wetland is a community project run by KAFRED; a community based organization that supports eco-tourism with a major aim of improving the livelihoods of the local people through embracing tourism and all its opportunities. So a visit to the sanctuary is a sure guarantee that you are changing someone’s life in Bigodi community.

And if on a Uganda safari, and doubting the experiences that Bigodi could offer, these will prove you wrong.

Wildlife viewing. No tourist ever goes to Bigodi swamp and fails to spot primates, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The wetland harbors a number of primate species and mammals, talk of the black and white Colubus monkeys, Red Colubus monkey, Blue monkeys, Baboons, Mangabey, Grey cheeked, Red tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkey, Vervet monkeys, otters, push pigs, chimpanzees, sitatungas, mongooses and bush bucks plus so many others. Well-designed trails in Bigodi wetland are maintained so as to ensure both safe and exciting nature walks.

Bird watching. About 200 bird species dwell in Bigodi, and six of these are endemic to only this wetland. From the great blue Turaco, one of the rare bird species with an interesting story well narrated by Bigodi guides, the purple breasted sunbird, African pitta, Abyssinian ground thrush, Collared Apalis, Black capped apalis, Crowned eagle, Green breasted pitta, Kingfishers, Weavers, Cuckoos, Hornbills, Papyrus Gonoleks, Flycatchers, Black bee eater, Little greenbul, Brown chested alethe, Blue breasted kingfisher, Yellow rumpled tinker bird, Dusky crimson wing, Black bishop, Western nictor to a Spotted bardet and many others, the wetland is surely a birders’ paradise.

Community walks.  This is also one tourism activity that most travelers never want to miss on any Uganda safari. Walking through the local villages, experiencing the way of life in a totally authentic African setting, tasting Uganda unique cuisines, and watching the traditional dances and drama, moments that create lifetime memories. Having had a nature walk in the wetland, now visit the neighboring communities and see how former poachers in Kibale national park proudly became tour guides. People here have also formed groups to communally benefit from tourism in Bigodi, the most visited group is the Bigodi women’s group with about 40 ladies making crafts like beads, baskets, bags, and mats for tourists to buy as souvenirs to carry back home after a trip in Uganda.

Travelers here still have more opportunities to volunteer, engage in butterflying watching, basket weaving demonstrations and interpretive meals. On any Uganda safari, choose Bigodi as a destination of its own other than just a complementary to Kibale national park. It a destination you cannot regret.