Maramagambo Forest
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National Forestry Authority
| Maramagambo Forest | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Maramagambo Forest | |
| Location | Bushenyi District, Western Region, Uganda |
| Nearest city | Bushenyi |
| Governing body | Uganda Wildlife Authority National Forestry Authority |
Maramagambo Forest is located in Bushenyi district in south western region of Uganda.[1] It adjoins the Queen Elizabeth National Park to the north.[2] It is jointly managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the National Forestry Authority.[3]
Within the forest is a bat cave which has been the source of virulent diseases. In 1987, a tourist from the Netherlands was exposed to Marburg virus present in the bats that live in the volcanic tube cave and developed Marburg virus disease.[4] Following this outbreak, the cave was closed until the construction of a viewing platform with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The forest is bordered by two crater lakes, Lake Kyasanduka and Lake Nyamasingiri. Many chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, and Bates's pygmy antelopes can be found here.[5][6]
In 2023, the government of Uganda made a move to convert the forest into a national park because of rumours of illegal deforestation and lumbering,[7] and for wildlife protection.[8]
Wildlife
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A medium-altitude rain forest, Maramagambo supports a rich selection of birds, along with forest mammals, including a population of at least 300 chimpanzees, several types of monkey,[11] and the likes of potto, giant forest hog, and yellow-backed duiker.[12]
Tourism
Maramagambo forest is known for its bat caves and python caves, these house bats and pythons respectively.[13] It is also known for magnificent crater lakes especially the Blue lake also known as Kilimanjovu. It favors nature walks & hiking, primate encounters and cultural experiences from the near by villages via different acts such as local life, farms, traditional healers.[14][15][16]
