About

Maramagambo forest is a tree canopy section of Queen Elizabeth national park located the southern region of the park in bushenyi district, the forest is famous chimpanzees and caves. The Maramagambo forest is well grounded on Kichwamba escarpment stretching to Lake Edward, the forest boasting an extensive concertation of biodiversity is considered to be among the mature and diverse tropical forests in the Albertine rift in western region of Uganda.

The Maramagambo is a local dialect meaning ran out of words, Maramagambo forest derives its name from a local legendary tale. The tale states that a group of young boys entered the forest unfortunately they lost their way out of the forest, after a reasonable period of time (days) they traced their way back to their community. Their return was a jubilating situation but people/ villagers were shocked when the boys were unable to say a word as they had gone dumb, they attribute the dumbness to being extremely worn out from trying so had too trace their way back thus the name Maramagambo.

Activities

Nature walks

Maramagambo forest offers the best nature walk experience in Queen Elizabeth national park, nature walks in this forest takes you through the beautiful forests tree species following various demarcated trails which lead to various attractions such as waterfalls, river kajojo and you get to spot many animals like chimpanzees, verve monkey, baboons, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Baboons, Red Tailed Monkeys. As you navigate through the forest you are bound to encounter columns of matching soldier ants stretching t width of 100 meters, if you’re not careful you might realise that you’re in their territory when they are already up in your clothes. Bites from the ants are painful though not poisonous either way you should always be on a look out for them while in the forest.

Palm trail

Palm trail is a relatively flat trail of approximately 5 kilometers, a walk of 2 hours. This trail is the most suitable trail and loved by tourists as it is easy to navigate, walk on this trail you will be blown away by the numerous tree species such as frame tree which is believed to responsible for sexual desires in women, there is also raphia palms used for making mats and the dragon tree among many more.

Valley trail

Valley trail is a trail of an estimated 3 hours walk through a distance of 3 and half kilometers in the valley, a walk in this valley will take you through the fascinating ridges filled with forests trees like Viagra tree and many more.

Waterfall trail

Waterfall trail is a trail of 11 kilometers through the valley leading to the magnificent kilyantama waterfalls, this trail is a 4-5 hours walk through the hilly section of Maramagambo forest through a wet train. While on a walk/ hike on this trail you will encounter local men making black cloths from figs, the falls and many more.

Birding

Maramagambo forest is a great birding site as it is a home to a variety of bird species which are amazing and interesting to look at. Bird species which are encountered in the forest include Rwenzori Turaco, Forest Flycatchers and White Naped Pigeons. Other species include the African green pigeon, bat hawk, black-headed batis, dark-caped yellow warbler, fawn-breasted wax-bill, red-tailed bristle bill, Ross’s turaco, Sulphur-breasted bush shrike and white-naped pigeons and many more.