THE KALINZU FOREST IN QENP
Just like the other forests in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kalinzu is a thicket known for chimpanzee tracking covering 147square kilometers of land. It contains over 350 tree species and harbors over 300 bird species in it, as well as baboons and various types of monkeys and over 200 species of butterflies The hiking experience is easy for beginners as there are no hills to climb, and the primates can be tracked within 1-2 hours of hiking, and the rest of the time can be used to study the chimpanzees. The main attraction to Kalinzu forest is the chimpanzees, whose behavior is similarly interesting as that of humans, given that they also share up to 98percent DNA with man. Chimpanzees should be sighted while they still can as they are only in 21countries worldwide, yet, there is a possibility of the being extinct in 10 of those 21 countries in about two decades, unless of course a lot of caution is taken. Chimpanzees’ habitat is forests, yet there is great deforestation in Africa hence their extinction in some areas. Luckily, Kalinzu is a forest reserve protected by Uganda Wildlife Authority and deforestation is prohibited, as is poaching.
Getting to the forest would require one to navigate for 5-6 hours through the 375kilometreroad from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Then through the Mweya sector to the forest is a 45minute drive. The Chimpanzee tracking experience can then start, after briefing and being led by an official guide, because chimpanzees, just like most humans, are shy to strangers/new face. There is a 95percent chance of spotting a chimpanzee, and the trek here is charged at $5o per person.
Besides chimpanzee tracking, the forest is also a good place to take nature walks amidst the several tree species. You will continue a totally different world, welcomed by the chirping of the birds, relaxed by the sight of the waterfalls, and awakened by the sounds that the different primates make as they go about the da.it is a stress relieving activity. Of course, nature walks must be taken with a guide who will take and or show you the trails from where these walks can occur that are four namely; the valley trail– where you view the magnificent canopies and valleys, the river trail from where you will encounter river kajojo where elephants relax from and chimps quench their thirst, the waterfall trail blessing your eyes with the splendid kilyantama waterfall and the palm trail which is a flat terrain that exposes you to tree species.
Also, game viewing is recommended in the forest as we know most game like to live in the thickets. The forest harbors leopards, antelopes, wild-pigs among other animals. Then, birding is a fun experience to be carried out here with over 300 bird species, best for birders.
Having carried out those activities and more not mentioned, the least of your worries should be where you will rest as Queen Elizabeth has a lot of inexhaustible accommodation facilities to choose from. Camping too is available for those that would love a wild wild experience.
Enjoy your safari.
