Bigodi wetland sanctuary information guide

For the lovers of primates and birds combined, Bigodi wetland sanctuary is your perfect destination.

In the outskirt serenity of Kibale National Park lies the great Bigodi swamp sanctuary, prominent for bird watching and primates’ viewing. Bigodi wetland is full of great biodiversity.

Bigodi swamp walk and community experience

It is home to over 200 bird species inclusive of the Gray-crowned crane, Great Blue Turaco among others. Bigodi swamp also has varied plant species that include the dominant Egyptian papyrus but above all, the Bigodi swamp is the primates’ favourite feeding ground.

Eight (8) primate species have been sighted and recorded here. These include: the baboons, blue monkeys, grey cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red colobus monkey, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among others.

Other animals found in the wetland include mongooses, wild pigs, antelopes and otters which be seen around the swamp. Don’t you miss already visiting this small but well blessed with wildlife wetland?

Contact Jewel Safaris today and have your safari arranged.

Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is located between the districts of Kamwenge and Fort Portal in the western part of the Pearl of Africa “Uganda.” It is operated as a community development initiative whose efforts are directed to help protect the former Magombe Swamp.

Historical background of Bigodi wetland in Uganda.

Surprisingly, Magombe literally translates as “Graveyard” The wetland was referred to as Magombe swamp because of the number of people who once died there while constructing a bridge.

However in the 1990’s, the name was changed to Bigodi wetland. Bigodi Swamp is four square kilometres large and is considered to be one of the major primates and birds habitat. “Bigodi” was borrowed from a Rutooro word ‘kugodya’. Kugodya means to walk in a sluggish manner. The term was coined because whenever people were going to Kibale forest, they passed through Bigodi wetland.

Walking past the swamp was very tiring that they often had to sit down and rest before proceeding to the jungle.

The Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is under the administration of the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED), a community-based organization established in 1992.

The establishment was purposely to sensitize the locals about the environmental benefits and to also make locals live harmoniously with wildlife, support Eco-tourism and a lot of other touristic activities.

These activities like cultural tourism, making souvenirs among others help to lift them from severe poverty while minimizing effects on the environment.

This has increased the number of literates within this area, wildlife and human relationship has strengthened, conservation efforts supported among others. Your visit to this community will help conserve the environment, take someone to school among other benefits. It is adjacent to the popular Kibale National Park (Primate Capital of the world) in western Uganda. There is more than you can expect to see and do in Bigodi swamp. You can engage us at Jewel safaris for more details.

Activities in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

The dense forest shelters most of the primates and birds. While in Bigodi, it is possible to have a clearer view of all these creatures. Your visit to the Bigodi swamp directly offers support to the local community while also helping them realize the benefits of preserving the Eco-system for posterity.

Usually, Bigodi swamp sanctuary is visited in the afternoon after an early morning chimpanzee trekking safari in Kibale National Park.

The Bigodi swamp experience lasts about three hours, walking for about 4 to 5 kilometres through swamp boardwalks, villages and forest pathways. It’s perfect for complimentary experience which allows visitors to admire the parks biodiversity.

Some of the activities in Bigodi Swamp are bird watching, nature walks, community walks, butterfly viewing and wildlife/primates tracking.

Below are the activities that you can take part in this attraction-filled swamp.

Nature Walks:

Expect to encounter rich vegetation, wild plants and flowers. This is led by trained local guides who are very knowledgeable of the local terrain. They are able to identify all the animal, bird and plant species and describe their behaviour in depth.

You can ask to view the forest and vast wetland from a tall tree house. There is a well-established network of board walks through the vast wetlands to allow tourists visit the best spots.

Nature walks are best done in the morning and afternoon, lasting almost three hours. Come and test your fitness level by visiting the wetland sanctuary. Contact Jewel Safaris to help you smoothly arrange this.

Bird watching:

Birding in Bigodi wetland sanctuary will leave even the most seasoned birder impressed. The sheer variety and density of birds is difficult to describe. Most of the birds find the swamp a perfect sanctuary and breeding ground (fewer predators).

Birding in Bigodi

The Bigodi wetland sanctuary is also a great feeding ground because it attracts insects and frogs which are favourites of the birds. The main species found in the sanctuary include the Abyssinian ground thrush, African pitta, Black bee-eater, Black-capped apalis, Black-eared ground thrush, Blue-breasted kingfisher, Brown-chested alethe, Black-collared apalis, Crowned eagle, Dusky Crimsonwing, Green-breasted pitta, Little greenbul, Purple-breasted sunbird, Yellow-spotted nicator and the Yellow-rumped tinkerbird.

Cultural and Village Walks:

There is no other unique way of meeting up with the local occupants of the area surrounding Kibale National Park other than doing the cultural tour which definitely draws you closer.

The things you will learn at their community will leave you mesmerized because you would miss if you didn’t visit them. For more about the culture experience here, contact Jewel Safari today.

Visit the new Snake Park:

This is home to both venomous and non-venomous snakes. Unfortunately, it is rare to see them unless you spend more time in the area. To allow tourist see all the different types of snakes found in the area, the project has come up with an interesting preposition – start a small snake park. This park will house all kinds of snakes and will be offered as a free package as long as one books for the nature or village walks. One can also choose to visit the snake park alone without going for any of the other activities.

What activity do you find enjoyable and fun to do here? Just let us at Jewel Safaris know and all will be arranged for you. Our team is ready to attend to your requests.