Echuya Central Forest Reserve

Echuya Forest Reserve

The Echuya Central Forest Reserve is a Forest Reserve in Uganda. This typical tropical rain forest covers approximately 34 km² and is located at the intersection of Kisoro and Rubanda districts. It is one of the few magical rain forests that still exist in Uganda.

Location

Echuya Central Forest Reserve is located in the South Western part of Uganda. It is found in Bufumbira County of Kisoro district and Rubanda county in Kabale district. This forest reserve can easily be accessed through the Kabale-Kisoro road, the drive from Kampala to Echuya Central forest reserve is about 8 hours.

Trees in Echuya Central Forest Reserve

Ecology

This forest is a Global bio-diversity site. It is popularly for being an important bird area. This is because of the high and rich diversity of bird species of which are threatened and endemic. It has an estimated population of 153 bird species; 18 of these are endemic. Birds to expect to sight on birding tour in Echuya Central Forest Reserve are; the red throated alethe, collared apalis, mountain masked apalis, kivu ground thrush, red faced woodland warblers, dwarf honeyguide, archer's robin chat, strange weavers, Doherty's bushshrike, regal sunbird, Rwenzori batis, white eyed slaty flycatcher and others. Grauer's warbler is a globally threatened bird species.

The forest has a total of 127 tree species, 72 species of herbs, and 46 species of shrubs. Approximately 80% of the forest cover is mature macaranga kilimandscharia and hagenia abyssinica and 20% of high-quality mountain bamboo known as Yushania alpina.

This forest was also once a home to the Batwa pygmies who used to hunt animals, gather fruit and firewood.

It is also a home to large and small mammals; 10 species of mammals were recorded to be living there. Three carnivore species were recorded: African golden cat (Caracal Aurata), serval cat (Leptailurus Serval) and side striped jackal (Canis Adustus). The forest also has 53 butterfly species and 43 moth species.