Bugungu Wildlife Reserve | |
---|---|
Location | Buliisa District and Masindi District, Western Uganda |
Nearest city | Masindi, Masindi District |
Coordinates | 1°58′33.636″N 31°31′8.4″E / 1.97601000°N 31.519000°E |
Area | 473 km2 (183 sq mi) |
Elevation | 600m - 1300m[2] |
Established | 1963 |
Governing body | Uganda Wildlife Authority |
Bugungu Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in both Buliisa District and Masindi District in Western Uganda. It covers an area of 473.0 km2.[1] It is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority under the supervision of Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.[3] It was declared a Wildlife Reserve in 1968 but it was originally established as a Controlled Hunting Area in 1963.[4][2] Its WDPA ID is 1438.[1] It is IUCN Management Category III.[1]
It is located in western Uganda near to a village called Bugungu Fr (Bugoigo) at coordinates1°52′10″N 31°27′12″E / 1.8694°N 31.4532°E.[5] It borders with Murchison falls National Park in the east side, Karuma Wildlife Reserve in the North-East, Budongo Forest Reserve in the North West, Kyabatwa hill in the west.[4][6][2]
Its altitude is 600 - 1300m.[2]
Bugungu has many wildlife forms which include animals such as Uganda Kobs, Buffalos, leopards, reed-buck; plants such as Savannah woodland and over 240 bird species which include Shoebill stork, the White-browed Sparrow Weaver, the Black-billed barbets, the Eastern grey Plantain-eater, the Speckle-breasted woodpecker, the Yellow-throated greenbul, the Black-billed wood dove, the Double-toothed barbet, the Giant Kingfisher [7][8]
The reserve has roads that enable tourists to go for nature walks, camping, bird watching, game drives among other activities.[7][8]