Birding Tours in Bigodi Wetland

Birding tours in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary: Located in Magombe Swamp/Bigodi Village, Western Uganda is Bigodi Wetland a home to several species of primates, birds, butterflies, and floral species. Bigodi is one of the main areas of interest for visitors on chimpanzee tracking safaris in Kibale National Park to end or begin their exploration.

Bigodi Wetland is 6kms away from Kanyanchu Tourism Centre, a briefing point for visitors on chimpanzee trekking tours in Kibale Forest National Park. Bigodi takes its name after Rutooro word “Kugodya” meaning walk wearily.

Birds of Bigodi

Over 138 bird species live in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary making it an important birding area in Uganda. Bigodi is managed by Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development- KAFRED. The different birds to look out for in the different Bigodi Wetland habitats include the Great Blue turacos, Shinning blue kingfishers, Papyrus gonoleks, Yellow-billed Barbet, Joyful greenbul, Uganda spotted wood-pecker, White-tailed ant-thrush, White-spotted fluff tail, and others.

Bigodi also supports several brown crowned chakra, grey winged robin chat, hairy breasted flycatchers, western nicator, black and white flycatchers, white-breasted negrofinch, purple breasted sunbird, black gonoleks, brown chested alethe, Abyssinian ground thrush, collared Apalis, and more.

Primates

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a special primate paradise of its own, protecting up to 9 primate species. The primates of Bigodi include grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, etc.

The other mammal species of visitor interest while on birding tour or nature walk in Bigodi Wetland include Sitatungas, Mongooses, otters, bushbucks, bush pigs, and others. Note, Bigodi Swamp/Wetland Sanctuary is a typical example of a community-based tourism/approach to sustainable management of natural resources.

Cultural/community walk

In the surrounding of Bigodi Wetland are local communities or villages worth visiting for cultural encounters. Cultural walks can be combined with birding tours here and you get to explore different cultural experiences. You get to learn cultures, traditions, how to prepare local dishes, get entertained by local dances, music.

Primate walk & butterfly watching

Other than birding, Bigodi Wetland is also ideal for primate walks or butterfly spotting. The wetland is blessed with a diversity of primates ranging from L’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys to red-tailed monkeys, etc.

Benefits of Bigodi Wetland Conservation

Compared to most wetlands in Uganda, Bigodi Swamp has played a significant role in the livelihoods of local communities adjacent to it and Kibale National Park. A number of local projects have been achieved as a result of conserving Bigodi Wetland benefits they have enjoyed from tourism including the construction of schools, clean water, bridges to ease connectivity, sponsorships given to children, and a lot more.

What to carry for the Bigodi Wetland birding safari?

The essentials to carry for your Bigodi Wetland bird watching safari include a pair of binoculars, a camera, a rain jacket, long pants. Others include bottled water, hiking boots preferably waterproof, shirts- long-sleeved, insect repellent, first aid kit, sweater, and others.

Best time to visit Bigodi for birding

Bigodi is open for birding tours all year-round though the dry season is the most favorite time. The drier months occur from December, January, February, and June, July, August to September- the ideal months characterized by low rains and nature trails kept drier hence making it easier for birders to navigate through the swamp and forest.

Getting to Bigodi Wetland

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is 40kms away from Fort Portal city and from Kampala, it is a 5-6 hours’ drive. After chimp tracking in Kibale, it is easier connecting to Bigodi for an afternoon nature walk or primate walk.