Echuya Forest Reserve in Uganda
Though still virgin and untamed, Echuya Forest Reserve is one of the least visited forest reserves in the country. It is located in the southern region of Uganda in Bufumbira county of Kisoro district and Rubanda county of Kabale. Echuya Reserve is one of the best and still purely existing tropical rainforests in the country. It is located between Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Lake Bunyonyi giving visitors a unique experience of enjoying two of Uganda’s incredible destinations. The Echuya Forest Reserve stretches for over 34 square kilometers along the Eastern Afromontane side of the Albertine Rift Valley area.
Echuya Forest Reserve is located at the northern border with Rwanda. It was gazette in 1939 as a Crown Forest to protect the natural species and the entire forest from being invaded and later it was named Echuya Forest Reserve. The forest protects a variety of flora and fauna species including the bamboo forest at the lower altitude of this forest and the Muchuya swamp. Other species harboring the Echuya Forest Reserve include the following.
Flora species
Of course, being a forest reserve, the Echuya Forest Reserve houses various flora species that range from trees and ferns to herbs and shrubs. The recently recorded statistics show that Echuya Forest Reserve has about 127 tree species, 72 herb species, and 46 shrub species. Common trees present in the reserve include African alpine bamboo, Macaranga kilimandscharia, and East African rosewood. Other plants in the forest include Beech tree, Lady’s mantle, Albizia gummifera, Wild pepper, Polyscias fulva, Wild cinnamon, etc.
Mammals
Echuya Forest Reserve with its huge size of about 34 square kilometers, does not stop at harboring our flora species but also hosts mammal species including primates too. These can be encountered while on a guided nature walk in the forest. Some of the mammals in the Echuya Forest Reserve include the African golden cat, serval cat, and side-stripped jackals. Most of the mammals in the forest a nocturnal hunts and are very active a night. Primates in the forest include blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons. The Echuya Forest Reserve also hosts 53 butterfly species and 43 species of moth.
Bird species
With over 153 bird species in the Echuya Reserve, it is considered among the 30 important birding areas in Uganda. The reserve hosts 18 species of the Albertine endemic and some endangered species. Bird species in the reserve include the red-throated alethe, regal sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, white-eyed slaty flycatcher, collared apalis, mountain masked apalis, red-faced woodland warbler, Kivu ground thrush, dwarf honeyguide, Doherty’s bushshrike, Archer’s robin-chat, and strange weaver to mention but a few. The Forest Reserve also hosts the globally endangered Grauer’s warbler.
What to do in the Echuya Forest?
Echuya Reserve is an important destination and has a variety of activities that would interest visitors. Below are some of these activities done in the forest reserve.
Guided nature walks
This is the main activity in the Echuya Forest. Visitors get a chance to build a bond with nature. There are several designated walking trails. Guides lead the visitors through the forest as they educate them on several flora and fauna species in the forest reserve. Walking through the forest reserve is like therapy. The fresh breezes of nature feed your soul with calmness and the birds sing you sweet lullabies from the skyline.
Birding
Birding is a commonly done activity in the reserve. The reserve is listed under the 30 important birding areas in Uganda. The reserve provides well-designated trails that with the help of an experienced birder guide lead you to habitats of most birds. Equipped with knowledge of most of the birds in the reserve, the birder guide will feed you on this knowledge.
Other activities around Echuya Forest Reserve
The Echuya Forest is strategically located between Lake Bunyonyi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, hence a chance for visitors to explore these two incredible destinations. Here are some of the things visitors can engage in around Echuya Forest Reserve.
Gorilla trekking
The process of encountering the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and spending an hour in their presence is called gorilla trekking. In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the only areas that offer gorilla trekking. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the closest park to the Echuya Reserve hence easy access for trekking. The park has over 100 mountain gorillas and offers a guarantee of encountering these primates. Visitors off their trip to Echuya Forest can trek gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Boat cruise
A boat cruise experience around the Echuya Forest Reserve can be done at Lake Bunyonyi. This is the deepest lake in the country. A boat cruise experience at this lake offers an impressive time to explore the lake and its 29 islands. The spanning views and folk stories will interest you even more.
