1952
The reserve is a southward annex to Queen Elizabeth National Park, separated from Lake Edward by a 7km wide sector of the park. 0°30’S, 29°50’E.
Altitude About 1,050m
Area 265km2 (33,000ha); contiguous to Queen Elizabeth National Park 2056km2 (197,800ha) and its associated reserves
Situated on the western arm of the Central African rift valley.
The moist deciduous forest and grass savanna are similar to the sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park south of Maramagambo Forest with dominant trees of Acacia and Albizia spp., and grasses such as Imperata. Cymbopogon. Hyparrhenia, and Beckeropsis.
Mammals usually occur in small numbers and include: eastern black-and-white Colobus Colobus guereza and some red colobus Colobus badius, the eastern subspecies of chimpanzee Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, lion Panthera leo, leopard Panthera pardus, elephant Loxodonta africana, warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus, giant forest hog Hylochoerus meinerlzhageni, hippopotamus Hippopotamus artjphibius, buffalo Syncerus caffer, Uganda kob Kobus kob thormsi, waterbuck Kohus ellipsiprymnus, bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus, topi Darttaliscus lunatus and Oribi Ourebia ourebi. The abundant birdlife is similar to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The reserve acts as a buffer zone between Queen Elizabeth National Park and the well-populated areas to the south and east. There is no zonation within the reserve.
Settlement and cultivation in adjoining areas are encroaching on the reserve and local people poach for meat. A road from the national park to Kabale, which provides access to Kayonza Forest, crosses the reserve.
Word from the Executive Director
Welcome to the official website of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). I am honored to serve as the Executive Director of this remarkable institution, entrusted with the stewardship of Uganda’s unique and diverse wildlife heritage.
Uganda’s protected areas are home to some of the world’s most iconic species and landscapes, from the mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Bwindi, to the roaring waterfalls of Murchison, the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains. These natural wonders are not only vital to our national identity but also to our economy, environment, and global biodiversity.
At UWA, we are committed to conserving wildlife and ecosystems through inclusive, innovative, and science-led approaches. We place a strong emphasis on community involvement, tourism development, environmental education, and combating wildlife crime. Our mandate goes beyond protection, it includes ensuring that wildlife conservation contributes to the well-being of communities and the sustainable development of our nation.
This website is a gateway to understanding our work, accessing real-time information, and discovering how you can support conservation efforts. Whether you are a tourist, researcher, investor, conservation partner, or passionate citizen, we invite you to engage with us and be part of this shared responsibility.
Together, let us ensure that Uganda’s wildlife and wild places continue to thrive for us and for future generations.
Conserving for Generations
Dr. James Musinguzi, PhD
Executive Director
