The “Switzerland of Africa” is one of Uganda’s most beautiful locations, Kigezi Game Reserve, located in the western region of the country in Rukungiri district. It was established in 1952 and is one of the country’s oldest conservation areas, close to Maramagambo Forest and Omuruyenzhe, and it has a total area of 265 square kilometres.
With its open grassland, woodland, and savannah vegetation, Kigezi Game Reserve was created as a safe zone to the north of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. It is home to a variety of animal species, including the giant forest hog, bush bucks, kobs, water bucks, antelopes, and a variety of bird life, including the hammerkop, red-faced barbet, and grey-crowned cranes.
The wildlife reserve serves as a barrier between the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Maramagambo forest, where a large number of elephants migrate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Rwindi plains and south of Queen Elizabeth National Park at the start of the rainy season. One may really take a side excursion to the Kigezi highlands, travelling through the stunning plantations of tea and agriculture as well as gorgeous rolling hills. The game reserve offers activities including game drives, nature hikes, and birding; it is advised to bring warm clothing, boots, and insect repellents.
The ideal moment to contact someone when visiting is merely to make sure you’re safe. Depending on your interests, Kigezi is open all year long. If you want to see the elephants migrate, the best times are during the rainy seasons of March through April and October through November. For other game, the best times are December through February and late June through September. However, because of Uganda’s unpredictable weather, it could rain at any time.
There are no lodging options within the Kigezi Game Reserve; instead, tourists who intend to include this location will have a choice between staying in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Rukungiri, both of which provide a wide range of cheap lodging options, from luxury to budget. Via the Kampala-Masaka route, it is about 318 km from Entebbe. In addition to visiting the Kigezi Islands, one may also go to other game reserves, such as Bokoro Game Reserve, Bugungu Game Reserve, Kyambura Game Reserve, and others, or go on a safari in nearby national parks. There are ten parks in Uganda, each with unique sights to behold.