The name “Bigodi” is from a Rutooro word “kugodya” which means walking tiredly. Meanwhile, the locals named it so so because people used to pass through this wetland when heading to the forest and it was tiring to cross it. The wetland is under the administration of the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED). It is a community-based organization that a native formed to enhance the local capacities of the local communities as they protect the environment.
Bigodi Wetland is popular for its biodiversity and beautiful natural vegetation. Also, the communities around the area are protecting the wetland. This wetland is home to about 200 bird species and about 8 species of primates. Birds sighted at the wetland include the famous Blue Turaco, Black bee-eater, and crowned eagle among others. Primates you can spot at Bigodi Wetland include the vervet monkey, the Uganda mangabey, the red-tailed monkey, and the L’Hoest monkey. Also, you can see the red colobus monkey, blue monkey, and sometimes chimps visit the area. Additionally, you may have narrow chances of spotting mammals such as bush pigs, sitatunga, bushbucks, and more.
Activities to do at Bigodi Wetland
A visit to Bigodi Wetland is something you ought not to miss on your Kibale Forest National Park tour. Visitors can book the activities that they’ll do either in the morning at around 7:30 am or at 3:00 pm. It is a beautiful natural landscape that the community has protected. Also, it is a wonderful destination for several activities. These activities start at the Visitor’s Center at Bigodi. Activities at the wetland include the following;
Birding in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Bigodi wetland is a natural habitat for about 200 species of birds that you can spot on a walk with the help of a guide. The guides conduct Birding on the board-walk trail and the viewing platforms where more sightings of the birds are expected. The popular bird species in Bigodi is the Blue Turaco which the guides will also tell you interesting stories about. Other species of birds at Bigodi wetland are the African pitta, Green-breasted Pitta, black-capped Apalis, Abyssinian ground thrush, and black gonolek. Also, you can see white spotted fluff tails, blue-breasted kingfishers, yellow-billed barbet, black-crowned waxbill, and many more.
Bigodi is a birder’s haven in the Pearl of Africa.
Nature walks/wildlife, primate and butterfly viewing
Local guides lead the Nature walks in Bigodi through the trails in the swamp. You can go for a nature walk either in the morning or afternoon and last for about 3 hours. As you move around the wetland, you’ll see primates, especially monkeys. Also, you’ll see some mammals like bush pigs, sitatunga, bushbucks, and others, and very beautiful butterflies.
Community/village walks and culture
With the guidance of a tour guide, you move around the village to see how people living around the wetland carry on their activities. You can participate or watch how they cook, how children play, and how they farm. Alternatively, you can also visit the women’s group of Bigodi who make craft items using materials from the swamp. You’ll also learn about the projects that KAFRED has established due to the presence and protection of Bigodi Wetland.
This village walk lasts for about 3 hours and costs 30,000 UGX. Meanwhile, those who wish to see how local people prepare food pay an extra 15,000 UGX.
Where to stay when you visit Bigodi Swamp
Since the wetland is just close to Kibale National Park, visitors stay at the same lodges that they use while at the national park.
Luxury lodges include Primate Lodge which is inside the park, Kyaninga Lodge, Chimpundu Lodge, and Ndali Lodge. Mid-range lodges are Crater Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, and Turaco Treetops Lodge. Budget lodges include Chimps Nest and others.
Bigodi Wetland has had of great impact on the surrounding communities because of developments put in place from what is earned from the above activities. Meanwhile, several things have been done such as the construction of schools, the construction of bridges connecting to areas across the wetland, the formation of the Bigodi women’s group that helps women to earn and take care of their families, the construction of health centers and most of it all creation of employment opportunities.
Visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary while on your Uganda Safari and enjoy a thrilling nature experience.
