Katonga Wildlife Reserve Uganda

Katonga Wildlife Reserve Uganda  specifically a little-known, low-key wildlife reserve about 270km/168mi (five to six hours drive) east of the city of Kampala. Efforts to better protect the park against poaching  slowly restoring the animal population. Several antelope species seen, including the Uganda kob. Katonga Wildlife Reserve Uganda

However, the rare, marsh-dwelling sitatunga antelope can sometimes be spotted as well, as can hippo and otter.

Wildlife & Animals 

Katonga doesn’t support most of the large safari animals. Big cats are absent, and elephant and buffalo occur in small numbers only. But the park is one of the few places in East Africa that offers a chance to see the sitatunga antelope. Several other antelope species are present as well, including reedbuck, bushbuck, waterbuck, and Uganda kob. Baboon and black-and-white colobus are also regularly spotted. Katonga Wildlife Reserve Uganda

As the first phase of restocking, zebra and impala were translocated to the park from Lake Mburu in 2013. The birding is great due to the variety of habitats.

A variety of habitats explored in the park including rainforest, papyrus swamps, and savannah. The park is on the edge of the Katonga river valley.

Weather & Climate 

The weather and climate of Katonga are comparable to that of Uganda in general. More info:

Best Time to Visit 

Katonga  visited at any time of the year, but the best time for wildlife viewing is in the Dry season (December-February and June-July).

Getting There 

Katonga the closest park to Kampala as the crow flies, but it still a good six-hours’ drive away, and reached from the Fort Portal–Kampala road. Its easily incorporated in a standard Uganda itinerary, but seldom is due to the lack of amenities and low wildlife densities.

Health & Safety Please read our vaccinations and malaria page for Uganda, and our general wildlife-viewing safety precautions page for more info: