Located about 3 to 4 hours’ drive away from Kampala in northwestern Uganda is Budongo Forest Reserve one of the few natural rainforests still left in Uganda and East Africa at large. This remaining block of tropical forest lies within the extensive Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA) and it is remarkably one of the vast mahogany forest reserves Africa still has.
Budongo Forest Reserve sits on 825 sq.kms of land area and it is entirely a natural forest lying on an altitude range of 110-1590m. This vast natural forest has existed since 1932 when it was founded as a forest reserve in Uganda. It is largely a moist, semi-deciduous rainforest reserve managed by National Forestry Authority (NFA).
History has it that Budongo Forest was originally preserved by the King of Bunyoro and local chiefs could only have opportunity to go hunt inside it when he permits them to. The word ‘Budongo’ comes from local word which is translated as fertile soil.
Faunal species.
Budongo Forest is an extensive natural forest and a Uganda safari here is worth it. The reserve is blessed with diversity of species of primates and they include an estimated population of about 800 chimpanzees most of which have undergone through habituation making it an ideal chimpanzee tracking destination in Uganda-East Africa.
Trekking chimpanzees in Budongo is carried out in Kaniyo-Pabidi Eco-Tourism Site, Busingiro Eco-Tourism Site and it is also possible to engage in chimpanzee habituation experience. A total of about 9 primate species exists in Budongo Forest Reserve Uganda and other than chimpanzees, this natural forest also protects lots of the red-tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, playful olive baboons, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys among others.
Over 465 species of plants also make up the vast Budongo Forest Reserve. It is also a significant birding destination with an estimate of over 360 bird species. These include the unique and endemic Puvel’s illadopsis, black headed paradise flycatchers, dusky long tailed cuckoos, chestnut crowned eremomela, white spotted fluff tail, little green sunbirds, lemon bellied crombec, Cassin’s hawk eagle, forest robins, slender billed greenbul, yellow mantled weavers, chocolate backed kingfishers, yellow browned camaroptera. Other than primates and bird species, the extensive Budongo Forest also protects over 280 species of butterflies.
Activities to do in Budongo Forest.
Chimpanzee Tracking.
Chimpanzee Tracking is the top safari experience offered to holidaymakers on Uganda safari in Budongo Forest. This is done within Kaniyo-Pabidi, a section of Budongo Forest and takes visitors about 2 to 3 hours on guided chimpanzee tracking either starting early morning or in the afternoon.
Visitors come to explore the habituated chimpanzee communities within Budongo Forest and there is a great opportunity to also enjoy sight of other species of primates, birds, trees, plants, butterflies to mention but a few.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience.
The Budongo Chimpanzee Habituation Experience offers the best alternative for Uganda safari holidaymakers to see, explore more about chimpanzees while in their natural habitat. This is entirely an activity involving visitors to follow the daily life of semi-habituated chimp community in order to make them get used to human presence prior opening it to chimpanzee tracking.
Usually, habituation is carried out from March to June/October to early December and attracts scientists, researchers or conservationists.
Bird watching.
An estimated population of about 360 bird species call Budongo Forest a home which makes it an important birding area in Uganda. Birding expedition in this natural forest involves you identifying interesting birds such as the white spotted fluff tail, chocolate backed kingfishers, Puvel’s illadopsis, black headed paradise flycatchers, Cassin’s hawk eagles.
Forest/guided walk.
Forest walk in and around Budongo Forest exposes you to its diverse species of flora, fauna. This is done with an experienced guide on lead and perfectly done along Pabidi hill or around closest
When to visit Budongo forest?
Budongo Forest is open to all Uganda safari holidaymakers throughout the year whether you are interested in chimpanzee adventures or bird watching. But the most ideal weather conditions are experienced during the dry/peak season or months of the year also considered to be the best time. The drier months of the year in Budongo start from June to September/December to February.
Places to stay.
Budongo Eco-Lodge sits within Budongo Forest making it the most ideal place for visitors to have overnight stay.
