Katonga Wildlife Reserve

Only recently developed for tourism, the reserve protects a network of forest-fringed wetlands along the Katonga River.

Best explored on foot and by canoe, Katonga supports some 40 mammal and at least 150 bird species, many specific to wetland habitats.

Most visible are elephant, waterbuck, reedbuck, colobus monkeys and river otter.

This is one of the best places in Africa to look for the elusive sitatunga, a semi-aquatic antelope with webbed hooves that forages almost exclusively in swamps.

Size

207 sq km

Location

Central, 200km west of Kampala.

Getting there

Katonga is three hours from Kampala, branching from the Fort Portal or Mbarara Road. Buses connect Kampala to Kabagole, a short canoe ride and walk from the entrance gate.

What to do

Day hikes, overnight hikes and canoe trips can be arranged.

When to visit

Any time of year.

Where to stay

The campsite, or a budget hotel in Kabagole.