The Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, within Murchison Falls National Park

One of the most important woodlands for both tourists visiting Murchison Falls National Park and Uganda’s tourism business is this one.

The best woods for bird watching, including species present in Murchison Falls National Park, is Kaniyo Pabidi woodland. The Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is overseen by the Jane Goodall Institute of Research. Masindi Town is around thirty minutes away from the Kichumbanyobo entrance gate to the Murchison Falls National Park, which leads to the jungle.

Situated in the northeastern region of the Budomngo Forest, the Kaniyo Pabidi Forest functions as the principal forest core for a significant portion of the protected area. A portion of the ironwood trees of the Mahoganmy woodland, which also includes the Kaniyo Pabidi woodland, are home to chimpanzees and other primates.

The main attraction of Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is chimpanzee trekking, but while you’re there, you can also take walks to observe other species, like red-tailed monkeys, black and white monkeys, and the fascinating nocturnal primate group, which includes pottos. The unique flora of the Kaniyo Pabidi Forest has contributed to the presence of primates there.

The unique vegetation of the Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is a combination of the mid-altitude semi-deciduous cynometra celties forest, which makes up the majority of the forest, and a forest with several species of Cynometra trees. Combretum savannah, which is also present in the drier Kaniyo Pabidi forest, makes up the remaining half.

During the rip season, the monkeys gather organic materials from the trees and enjoy swinging from the limbs of enormous mahogany trees. Still, there are forests and savannah areas all around the wood.

The Wainsoke River’s savannah ecosystem is home to antelopes, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, duikers, and hippos, among other creatures. Because the forest reserve is home to a wide variety of bird species, some of which are rare, some of which are migratory, and some of which are endemic to the forest, the bird-viewing safaris in Kaniyo Pabidi are particularly unique. There are about 360 bird species that are specific to the Kaniyo Pabidi forest reserve.

Here you may find the white-thighed hornbill, western black-headed pride, ratis iturinis, yellow-spotted flufftails, zoothers, neatrapus, and white-spotted flufftails, as well as other woodland birds. To fully appreciate this gorgeous species and ensure that your bird-watching trip is one to remember, you will need to engage a birding expert.

When is the ideal time to visit Kaniyo Babidi Forest Reserve to see birds?

The best time to visit the Kaniyo Papidi forest reserve is between December and February, which is the dry season. In contrast, the park is open year-round.

It is best to visit the park during the dry season because during the wet season, several of the park’s vehicles get slick and make transportation difficult. The dry season is advantageous because the cars are dry and the forest is neither hazardous nor unsatisfactory.

Regardless, the months of March through May and August through November are great for bird watching and leisurely strolls outside throughout the rainy season. You can visit Kaniyo Pabidi Woods at any time of year, however, during the wet season, be aware of the weather and the destroyed ground. Therefore, bring an overcoat and rain boots if you want to be safe throughout the rainy season.

Accessing the Pabidi Forest of Kaniyo

Murchison Falls National Park and Kampala, the capital of Uganda, are located about 220 kilometers away from Kaniyo Pabidi. The Kaniyo Pabidi woodlands are only 29 kilometers away from Masindi, making the entire trip from Kampala to Kaniyo Pabidi via Masindi 349 kilometers long. On the other side, it’s a difficult trip from Masindi to Paraa in Murchison Falls National Park.

The primary entryway to the Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is the Kichumbanyobo Gate. There are several gates that can be used to enter the bush, including Bugungu in the south and Tangi and Wankwar in the north of Murchison Falls National Park. It is important to note that the northern portion of Murchison Falls National Park offers ferry access to Kaniyo Pabidi.