Only recently developed for tourism, Katonga Wildlife Reserve protects a network of forest-fringed wetlands along the Katonga River.

Best explored on foot and by canoe, Katonga Wildlife Reserve supports some 40 mammal and at least 150 bird species, many specific to wetland habitats.

Most visible are elephant, waterbuck, reedbuck, colobus monkeys and river otter. This is one of the best places in Africa to look for the elusive sitatunga, a semi-aquatic antelope with webbed hooves that forages almost exclusively in swamps.

Glimpses of the shy Sitatunga can be best experienced with an early morning start 1 hour before the sunrise. Follow the 'Sitatunga Trail' with your guide down to and along the fringes of the swamp. Move in groups not exceeding 3 persons very quietly using any vegetation as cover. Wear clothing that blends with the bush.

Sitatunga is very shy and viewing time can be measured in seconds. They are however majestic animals with a large concentration of males that are often seen.

On a 2 day visit I recorded 5 sightings the first day and 6 the next.

However a following visit accounted for no sightings but this was more likely due to extremely heavy rain throughout the nature walk.

The terrain of the Katonga Reserve is mixed Savannah with acacia scrubland or woodlands. A large portion of the reserve is either permanent or seasonal wetlands.

There are also pockets of riverine and tropical forest.A troop of Black and White Colobus monkeys inhabits the riverine forest adjacent to the canal. Bird life is excellent with wetland, savannah and forest species

Getting there.

Katonga is 4 hours drive from Kampala. The most direct route is to use the Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal Road.

From Mubende proceed to Kyegegwa. Follow sign posting for Katonga Reserve. Marrum road for 42 kms (1 hour) to the Reserve HQ.This road would be impassable after heavy rain.

Alternative access or departure route via Kazo: From Mbabara an excellent tarmac road heads north for 62 kms to Ibanda.

The tarmac continues after Ibanda for 2 kms where a right turn will lead to Kazo on fair marrum roads. From Kaso ask directions at all main junctions for Kabagole. Mbarara-Katonga 3 hours.

The approach to Kaso from Nyakaihita on the Lyantonde-Mbarara Road is entirely on marrum. There are several matatu's that make this journey in each direction daily from Lyantonde.

Travel time 2 hours.

Katonga Wildlife Reserve accommodation

In Katonga Wildlife Reserve, you can only camp In Kabagole 2 km from the Reserve HQ basic accommodation is available at Katonga View Hotel and Lodge, meals and cold drinks are available for those unable to camp.

HIKING

Surrounding the reserve Banyankore peoples keep large herds of the impressively long horned cattle known as Ankole.

A visit to a Banyankore homestead is an interesting opportunity to consider whilst visiting Katonga Reserve.

Production of butter from the cow milk is their main source of income as well as selling the milk locally.Entertaining the needs of local peoples and ensuring the existence of the reserve, its wildlife and habitat is a challenging task for the Reserve.Poaching and cattle encroachment are persistent problems

Other national parks in Uganda

mgahinga National Park

Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda

Katonga Wildlife Reserve

Kibale forest National Park

Kidepo National Park

Mount Elgon Park

Murchison Falls National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Semliki Game Reserve

Semliki National Park

Rwenzori Mountain National Park

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