Flora in Uganda

With 49,000 km2 or 24% of the total land area covered in forest and woodland, Uganda is teeming with flora. Of these, 9,242.08 km2 are tropical rain forests, 350.60 km2 plantation forests and 39,741.02 km2 is woodland. Above 30% of these areas are protected as national parks, game reserves and central forest reserves. We surely say Uganda is a green country. Over 5,793 plant species exist in the Albertine Rift. Of these over 567, are endemic to the Albertine Rift itself. The different forests avail different opportunities to you as a tourist given their richness in Eco-diversity. Below are a few details about a few of the most popular ones:

Mabira Central Forest Reserve

Mabira tropical forest one of Uganda’s largest surviving forest covering an area of 306 sq km.  The forest is a natural habitat of 312 species of trees and some of them are endangered.

It is one birding spot in the country that you’ll want to catch up with. It is a home of 315 species of Birds such as the Nahan’s francolin, the Great Blue Turaco, the African Grey Parrot, 3 kinds of hornbill species, the Purple throated Cuckoo, etc. Some of these can only be found in this forest. Mabira forest is also home to the Red-tailed monkey.

Mpanga Forest

The most outstanding tree species in Mpanga forest are the Celtis Ffamily with large buttress, the Ficus family and the popular Mahogany. The forest is home to variety of both and animal species especially the Red-tailed Monkey and the Bush Babies. Bird species include the Ross Turaco, Weaver birds, Owls, Cuckoos and Grey parrots.

Kalinzi Forest

Kalinzi forest is famous for 414 species of trees and shrubs including the ficus, prunus Africana, the strboia and parinari among other. The forest is also home to the Red-tailed and Colobus monkeys. It also harbors 378 species of Birds such as the Great Blue Turaco, Black and White Cascket, Cuckoos, Black Bee-eater and Sunbirds.

Budongo Forest

Covering 817 km2, Budongo forest has a counted number 1064 plant species, 449 tree species 29 of ehich are endangered. Another 360 bird species live in the forest as well. If you love butterflies, brace yourself for 290 species. Being near a near game park, the forest has a lot to offer and is surely a popular eco-tourism site. More information on flora in Uganda can be found at the National Forestry Authority (NFA) website here.