Katonga Wildlife Reserve
Encyclopedia
Katonga Wildlife Reserve is a national park
in western Uganda
, along the banks of River Katonga
. The wildlife reserve was established in 1998. It measures approximately 211 square kilometre. Many of the species of plants and animals in the reserve are unique to the reserve's wetland environment.
in the east to Lake George
in the west.
and Kamwenge
in western Uganda, along the banks of the Katonga River
. In kamwenge, it borders with Biguli subcounty and part of Mpara subcounty in Kyenjojo district. The location is approximately 200 kilometres (124.3 mi), by road, west of Kampala
, Uganda
's capital city. The coordinates of the wildlife reserve are:00 02N, 30 25E.
The reserve is best explored on foot or by river canoe. The Uganda Wildlife Authority
maintains a camping site
with guides and a restaurant
, within the reserve.
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
in western Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, along the banks of River Katonga
Katonga River
The Katonga River is a river in Uganda, in East Africa.-Location:River Katonga is located in the southwestern part of Uganda. It starts from Lake Victoria and flows, first, northwards into Lake Wamala...
. The wildlife reserve was established in 1998. It measures approximately 211 square kilometre. Many of the species of plants and animals in the reserve are unique to the reserve's wetland environment.
Katonga River
The wildlife reserve is named after Katonga River, which flows from Lake VictoriaLake Victoria
Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was named for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, by John Hanning Speke, the first European to discover this lake....
in the east to Lake George
Lake George (Uganda)
Lake George or Lake Dweru is a lake in Uganda. It covers a total surface area of 250 km² and is a part of Africa's Great Lakes system but is not itself considered one of the Great Lakes. Like the other lakes in the region it was named after a member of the British royal family, in this case...
in the west.
Location
Katonga Wildlife Reserve is located in the districts of IbandaIbanda District
Ibanda District is a district in Western Uganda. As is the case with most Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town' of Ibanda, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
and Kamwenge
Kamwenge District
Kamwenge District is a district in Western Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kamwenge, where the district headquarters are located. Kamwenge District is part of the Kingdom of Toro, one of the ancient traditional monarchies in Uganda...
in western Uganda, along the banks of the Katonga River
Katonga River
The Katonga River is a river in Uganda, in East Africa.-Location:River Katonga is located in the southwestern part of Uganda. It starts from Lake Victoria and flows, first, northwards into Lake Wamala...
. In kamwenge, it borders with Biguli subcounty and part of Mpara subcounty in Kyenjojo district. The location is approximately 200 kilometres (124.3 mi), by road, west of Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
's capital city. The coordinates of the wildlife reserve are:00 02N, 30 25E.
Vegetation
The vegetation of the Katonga Reserve is mixed Savannah with acacia scrubland or woodlands. A large portion of the reserve is either permanent or seasonal wetlands. There are also pockets of riverine and tropical forest.Wildlife
There are over forty (40) animal species and over one hundred and fifty (150) bird species found within the reserve. The wildlife species within the reserve include:- SitatungaSitatungaThe situtunga or marshbuck is a swamp-dwelling antelope found throughout Central Africa, centering on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and parts of Southern Sudan as well as in Ghana, Botswana, Zambia, Gabon, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.-Description:Situtunga stand about one and a...
- ReedbuckReedbuckReedbuck is a common name for African antelopes from the genus Redunca. These species are:* Southern Reedbuck, Redunca arundinum* Mountain Reedbuck, Redunca fulvorufula* Bohor Reedbuck, Redunca redunca...
- WaterbuckWaterbuckThe Waterbuck is a large antelope found widely in Sub-Saharan Africa.Waterbuck stand at the shoulder. Males weigh and females . Their coats are reddish brown in colour and become progressively darker with age; they have a white 'bib' under their throats and white on their rumps...
- WarthogWarthogThe Warthog or Common Warthog is a wild member of the pig family that lives in grassland, savanna, and woodland in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the past it was commonly treated as a subspecies of P...
- BushbuckBushbuckThe bushbuck is the most widespread antelope in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is found in rain forests, montane forests, forest-savanna mosaics and bush savannaforest and woodland. Recently, genetic studies have shown that the bushbuck, is in fact a complex of two geographically and phenotypically...
- Colobus monkey
- ElephantElephantElephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
- River otterRiver otterRiver otter may refer to:*River Otter, a river in Devon*European Otter*Japanese River Otter*Neotropical River Otter*North American River Otter, a common animal in North American waterways*Southern River Otter, found in Chile and Argentina...
The reserve is best explored on foot or by river canoe. The Uganda Wildlife Authority
Uganda Wildlife Authority
The Ugandan Wildlife Authority is one of the governing bodies that regulates wildlife conservation in Uganda.It was established in August 1996 by the Uganda Wildlife Statute, which merged the Uganda National Parks and the Game Department...
maintains a camping site
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
with guides and a restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
, within the reserve.
