Bugoma Central Forest Reserve is a rich hub of ecological biodiversity and houses several species of wildlife, notably chimpanzees
The National Forestry Authority of Uganda has officially opened up and added chimpanzees tracking to the list of permissible tourism-related activities in Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
Located about 260 km to the northeast of Ugandan capital Kampala and alongside Lake Albert, the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve is a rich hub of ecological biodiversity and houses several species of wildlife, notably chimpanzees.
In a press statement, the NFA says that it has been working with the Bugoma Primates Conservation Project to habituate two communities of chimpanzees since 2015.
Chimp tracking will be a key product to promote ecotourism in Bugoma
The statement adds that the two chimpanzees communities are the Mwera North which is habituated for research purposes while Mwera south is habituated for ecotourism purposes. Each community is comprised of 60-70 individuals. Bugoma also boasts of other primate species like baboons, mangabeys and several tree species.
According to NFA, this tourism activity is expected to increase revenue, provide market for local products and avail job opportunities for the youth thus improving livelihoods for forest adjacent communities.
The statement adds that tour operators are excited that chimp tracking will be a key product to promote ecotourism in Bugoma and they appreciated the USD 80 rate that the tourists have to pay for chimpanzee tracking which is relatively affordable compared to others.
The NFA says that lodges operating around Bugoma include Bugoma Jungle Lodge, Lake Albert Safaris, Kikonko Lodge and Hoima Cultural Sites that will collaborate with NFA in promoting chimpanzees tracking in Bugoma.
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