Budongo is the southern extension of the Murchison Falls National Park. This large land harbors one of the most varied forest faunas in East Africa. The forest’s most sought after attraction are the wild chimpanzees that roam through the forest and birds.
Budongo Forest is situated approximately 4 hours’ drive northwest of the capital city Kampala on the way to the prominent Murchison Falls National Park. This is the biggest Mahogany forest found in the whole of East Africa as well as habitat to the largest number of chimpanzees throughout Uganda.
The Royal Mile is found in the 793 km2 Budongo Forest Reserve that lies at the edge of the Albertine Rift and is attached to Murchison Falls National Park in the south. It is known for its popularity as a traditional leisure stop-over for Uganda’s royalty. The Royal Mile is an excellent birding spot with many west and central African species, as well as a variety of sought-after key species. The forest is a 3 hours’ drive northwest of the capital city Kampala. It’s the biggest Mahogany forest in the whole of East Africa and habits a large number of chimpanzees.
There are major tourist sites within this forest which are: the Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site, Busingiro Ecotourism site and Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site and are located at boundaries to Murchison Falls National Park, dominated by Mahogany and Iron-wood trees. This therefore makes it an excellent tourism site and draws many tourists to this site. Interestingly, the forest once in a while offers a safe haven for lions, leopards as well as buffaloes. For those on a safari, the morning time is the best since you will have an opportunity to find a number of forest inhabitants licking salt by the forest glades. River Waiga offers refreshment to the various wildlife species within this forest.
Budongo Central Forest Reserve is the largest survival natural forest in Uganda, with a total surface of approximately 825 square km, of which 430 square km is continuous forest. On the way to Murchison Falls national Park is Budongo Forest found after 3hrs drive from Kampala city. Budong Forest is believed to be the largest Mahogany forest in Uganda and East Africa at large. Budongo Forest is famous for protecting Chimpanzees and chimpanzee trekking is the major tourist activity in this forest.
Biodiversity of Budongo
Budongo Forest boasts of a high biodiversity of 24 species of small animals 9 of which are primates, 465 species of trees and shrubs, 359 species of birds, 289 species of butterflies and 130 species of moths. The forest is renowned for its high number of mahogany trees and chimpanzees. The forest is believed to contain some 600-700 chimpanzees.
Other mammals found in Budongo Forest include lions, leopards, Buffaloes and so on.
Many birds co-exist with primates. Other primates that can be observed are the Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys. If you take early morning walk in Budongo Forest, you are likely to find some animals licking salt by the forest glades.
Things to Do in Budongo Forest
The forest is a premier site for chimpanzee tracking, bird watching, camping and nature hiking. Budongo covers 790sq km and is one of the most extensive and ecologically diverse in East Africa with some 465 plant species recorded, most impressively perhaps a dense concentration of buttressed giant mahoganies reaching up to 60m tall.
The park has a population of 800 chimpanzees, the largest anywhere in Uganda. Other common primates include red tailed monkey, blue monkey, black and white colobus, potto and various galago species.
More than 250 butterfly species have been recorded in the forest.
Budongo Forest hosts over 366 bird species including 60 west or central African birds known from fewer than five locations in East Africa. Birds that can be seen in the park include the Yellow-footed flyucatcher often associated with ironwood trees, Ituri Batis, Lemon-bellied Crombec, white-thighed hornbill, black-eared ground thrush and chestnut-capped flycatcher.
The Royal Mile, a stretch of the road connecting Nyabyere Forestry College to the main research station is regarded by some as the single best bird wataching site in Uganda. The main road past Busingiro also offers superb bird watching.
Activities to Enjoy within this Forest include:
There are lots of things to do in Budongo Forest. From popular chimpanzee tracking to nature walks in the tropical rain forest, a lot awaits you in Budongo Forest.
Birding
Kaniyo Pabidi forest is among the most ideal places in Uganda to have a guided bird watching tour by the Royal Mile that extends from Nyabyeya Forestry College to the research station.Among the various bird species that have been recorded in this forest are more than 360 species that will certainly reward you with a very amazing birding safari experience in this great forest in Uganda. in addition there are 290 butterflies species, 130 Moths species, 465 tree species, as well as 24 mammals nine of which are actually primates.
Chimpanzee tracking experience
Budongo Forest is an excellent spot to track chimpanzees. Most travelers on Uganda primate safaris through Murchison Falls National Park include tracking the wild chimpanzees within this forest. The success rate in seeing Chimpanzees is quite high here and only outdone by Kibale Forest.There are morning and afternoon chimpanzee tracking times and for those visiting Murchison Falls National Park this can be done on the way to or from Murchison Falls National Park adding another activity to your safari there.
Chimp tracking its best to start early around 7.00 am, the guides follow the daily movements of the habituated chimpanzee groups.The Budongo Forest area chimpanzee tracking area of Kaniyo Pabidi is managed by the Jane Goodall Institute providing visitors with one of the best Chimpanzee Tracking experiences in Uganda.
Chimpanzee Habituation
You can also take part in chimpanzee habituation which takes you through chimpanzee exploration. This is an exceptional primate adventure which is aimed at making chimpanzees get used to human presence before they are officially opened for tourism. It takes you the whole day to follow the chimpanzees in the wild mostly the semi habituated ones. Mostly, it involves researchers, scientists and conservationists. It is perfectly done around March to June and October to December.
Guided Nature Walks
Guided nature walks can be taken here through woodland and savanna terrain. Visitors can see wildlife here on Nature walks and Hikes since Budongo Forest is part of the Murchison Falls Wildlife Reserve and animals enter the park, some to live here, and others visit and return to their regular habitat. You can spot wildlife licking salt in in the forest clearings. Large mammals also wander into this part of park such as Elephants, Lions, Buffaloes and Leopards.
Wildlife Safaris
Because the forest is situated within the boundary of Murchison Falls National Park, guests can combine the visit to the magical forest with wildlife viewing in the northern part of the national park. Cross the river Nile and follow the winding tracks in search of giraffes, elephants, buffaloes and lions. Thanks to the palm-dotted hills, vast savannah plains and beautiful Delta area this is one of the most scenic and best places for encounters with the wild animals of Uganda. In addition, you can make a boat safari on the Nile or visit the magnificent Murchison Falls to enhance your wildlife experience even more.
Ohh! don’t forget to explore the top of Murchison Falls – see an array structure like rainbow. Feel the moist wind while standing at the top of Murchison Falls. Look into the gorge and witness the fight between water and the rocks. Here, water forces its way into a narrow gorge. Take photos and proceed to your next tourist destination.