Bigodi Wetland is situated in Magombe swamp, rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty, the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is a must visit. A 4,5km long walk will take you through this important wildlife corridor of Kibale Forest and will take up to 3h. Its name “Bigodi” was derived from a local Rutooro word, “kugodya”, that means ‘to walk tiredly / wearily’. It is supposed that when visitors reached the Bigodi swamp on foot, they actually were at all times too tired to go on and visit the jungle; and for this reason, they decided to rest there.
Bigodi wetland is the Home of the Great Blue Turaco and a real bird watcher’s paradise. This wonderful place shelters over 200 species of birds including Hornbills, Turacos, Parrots, Cranes, Kingfishers and many more swamp. If you are looking to a birding safari in Uganda, this is one of the places that you should not miss in your travel itinerary.
For bird lovers, Bigodi swamp is a must visit once you visit Kibale National Park. For more information, the sanctuary protects eight species of primates, including the Black and White Colobus, endemics Red Colobus, Red Tailed Monkey, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Olive Baboon, L’hoest Monkey, Vervet Monkey and the Blue Monkey. Currently, 138 species of bird have been recognized within the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Other mammals in Bigodi Swamp include sitatungas, bushbucks and otters. Local and knowledgeable guides will take you on an interpretive tour as they escort you through the lush vegetation. This is the perfect opportunity to view the wildlife from the forest pathways, boardwalks and atop a tree house tucked high in the canopy.
Only guided walk into Bigodi swamp is allowed, you can report to the office from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Bigodi Swamp walk takes a maximum of 3 hrs. However, visitors are free to enjoy the walk whenever they like. The benefits from Bigodi swamp helps to promote communities around the area.
Conservation of this swamp has its real benefits, since it receives more than $150 000 got from tourists each year. A fraction of this earning was used to build Bigodi Secondary School as well as a nursery school, in addition to pay salaries of the school teachers; furthermore, bridges have also been constructed over swamps plus streams within the village.
This actually offers tourists a closer encounter of the day-to-day lifestyle of the local resident people;
The women in here have created the Bigodi Women Group that consists of 40 members presently, who make good-looking beads using re-cycled paper plus additional materials got from this swamp like rafia plus phoenix-palm leaves used in weaving baskets and making bags respectively. A number of their local products are also exported to as far as Europe;
Fortunately Poaching within this region has tremendously reduced, nearly to stoppage, since the poachers themselves are today serving as tour guides, that take Uganda safari tourists through the impressive swamp as well as guide during the community walks in the villages;
In addition, the road that runs through this village was also constructed by the funds earned by the Bigodi swamp project.
Like other chimpanzee trekking and other activities, bird watching tours start with briefing at 7am at Kanyanchu; you are advised to book in advance. Rare bird species include the Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, White-collared Olive back and Papyrus Canary.
Covering a total land mass of 560 sq km, the Kibale Forest National is dominated with a dense verdant forest in the north that gives way to the medium altitude damp, ever-green, semi-deciduous forest in the south all together covering about 77 percent of the total land mass. The remaining 23 percent consists of a number of plantations having exotic conifers, grasslands as well as swamps. All these serve as a diversity of habitats to the various species of birds living within this park.
Things to do in Bigodi swamp:
Birding – Bigodi swamp is home of the Great Blue Turaco is a real bird watcher’s paradise. This wonderful place shelters over 200 species of birds including Hornbills, Turacos, Parrots, Cranes, Kingfishers and many more swamp endemics.
Primates walk in Bigodi swamp – Bigodi swamp protects 9 primate species. It’s the second to Kibale National ark with 13 primate species. Primates in Bigodi swamp include Baboons, Red tailed monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys, ververt monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Red Colobus Monkeys, Gray Cheeked Mangabeys.
Cultural walk in Bigodi swamp – The guided cultural walk will enable you reach a traditional healer who will happily share his knowledge about spirits, herbs, plants and local medicines. Secondly, the visitors will visit the homes of elderly men and women who tell interesting stories about birth, marriage, ceremonies, clans and their traditional life. Learn more about the history and issues that they face as a developing community of rural Uganda. Along the way, you will also be given the chance to experience the Ugandan school system, visit a local church and Bigodi’s trading centre, a hub of rural life and activity. The field-guides are ready to answer any questions during the walk.