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visitors,
but those mock-attacks are more funny than scary.
Compared to montane forests, the trees here grow much higher
and reach incredible circumpherences. Broad roots support the
giants, small streams find their way through the dense undergrowth,
and once in a while, the forest opens into swampy clearings,
where buffalos and antelopes graze. The forest is also home
to Uganda's third largest population of Elephants. With its
varied flora providing a plentiful habitat to many species of
butterflies and birds, including Hornbills and Turacos, it is
a paradise for botanists and ornithologists alike.
Accommodation
There are a number of hotels in Fort Portal.
The
RuwenZori View Guesthouse is situated in beautiful and quiet
Surroundings. All rooms have hot and cold running water, shower
and toilet. In this family-run establishment the ambience is
friendly and the food is extraordinarily good. At
Ndali Lodge, each of the four cottages face the Mountains
of the Moon. On a clear morning, the snow on the peaks is
clearly visible. All cottages have private facilities. The
lodge sits near a delightful crater lake. Mark Price provides
a friendly welcome and an interesting stay.
CVK
(Crater Valley Kibale) Resort Beach Lodge, 21 km from Fort
Portal town and just on the border of the Park, 10 km from
Kanyanchu, is another alternative to the above. It is elevated
to provide beautiful views of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains
and has a myriad of crater lakes to which tourists can walk.
CVK is a beautiful example of ECO-TOURISM being practised.
Kanyanchu
Tourist Camp just 35 km from Fort Portal town. With an open
forest and large community of chimpanzee, Kanyanchu offers
an enjoyable chimpanzee tracking experience. There is an on-going
habituation project of chimpanzees and monkeys run by The
Jane Goodall Institute & Uganda Wildlife Authority. All
of the guides are actively involved with the Kibale Habituation
Project. Visitors are assured that they are supporting a sustainable
eco-tourism initiative for effective conservation of the Park.
At
the nearby villages of Bigodi and Nkingo, there are simple
Lodges and Camps, and meals are available.
A
good spot for campers and backpackers is Rwengo Lakeside Tourism
Camp.
Inside
the park, camping facilities are available. There are two,
private campsites, each with a tent which sleeps two. Bedding
is provided. There are four additional campsites, where you
must bring your own tent and bedding. At all sites, you must
bring your own food and utensils. Fuel can be provided for
cooking.
Vegetation
This is the richest forest in Uganda, in terms of the number
of plant species, as the area is one of the few large expanses
of forest in East Africa where lowland and montane communities
merge. The valley bottoms contain a dense ground cover of
herbs, vines, and shrubs with only a few trees hence its name,
the 'impenetrable forest."
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