Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is located next to Kibale Forest National Park is famous for its large chimpanzee population, and just outside Fort Portal. Kibale Association for Rural and Environment Development (KAFRED) is a community based organization that strives for the conservation of biodiversity and the development if its local community through ecotourism and other environmentally sustainable businesses. Step into a gem of biodiversity as you explore the Bigodi wetland and partake in other exciting activities that promote the conservation of natural and cultural heritage while benefiting the local people and to experience this visit this website.
Directions
Bigodi village is located 6 km from the Kibale National Park visitor’s centre and 39km from Fort Portal on the Kamwenge road.
Guided Nature Walk (3 hours)
Rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty, the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a must visit. The 8km long wetland acts as an important wildlife corridor of Kibale Forest.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a bird watcher’s paradise nicknamed, ‘Home of the Great Blue Turaco’, the wetland has about 200 species of birds including horn bills, Turaco, Parrots, Cranes, Kingfishers and other swamp endemics. The sanctuary shelters 8 species of primates including the black and white Colobus, red Colobus, red tailed monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboon, L’Hoest’s monkey and the blue monkey.
The swamp is haven for other mammals including sitatunga, bush bucks and otters. Local and knowledgeable guides escort you through the lush vegetation as you view the wildlife from the forest pathways, boardwalks and atop a tree house tucked high in the canopy.
Interpretive village walk
Go on a tour through the village of Bigodi. Visit a traditional healer, and hear stories from wise elderly men and women as they tell the traditional life, ceremonies and the issues that they face as a developing community of rural Uganda. Along the way will be given the chance to experience the Uganda school system and visit Bigodi trading centre, a hub of rural life and activity.
Traditional meal
Indulge in a traditional Kitooro lunch of fresh, organic food under a thatched roof, with warm company to the background melodies of song birds.
Dance and Drama
Sit back and watch local dancers and dramatists give traditional and educational performances. You can also join and dance.
Handicrafts
A local women’s group will demonstrate their meticulous crafts skills, using environmentally sustainable materials like agricultural residue and recycled paper to make basket, and other craft items. Baskets come in many shapes, size, and patterns and are available for onsite sale as well as export.
Homestead tourism
Spend a night living the Kitooro way, in a community member’s home. Rooms and traditional meals provided. Food is organic and stories and dancers as complements.
KAFRED promotes conservation by reinvesting tourism revenues into community development projects such as education, health, sanitation, roads etc. By allowing the community to benefit from conserve the wild lands for the future generations.
Where to stay
- Stay with the Tinka family and experience Kitooro culture.
- Safari Hotel, a locally run accommodation provides beds and excellent food.
- Ndali lodge in the Crater Lake area for high market accommodations.
- Primate Lodge Kibale, a middle class tented camp
- Crater Valley Kibale beach resort, across the forest
- Kibale Forest Lodge
Other activities in the area
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Par
- Crater Lake walks, village biking
