Budongo forest is one of the largest mahogany forests in Uganda and East Africa. It is covering a total area surface of 825 square kilometers. Budongo forest is located northwest of Kampala on the edge of Murchison Falls National Park, sitting on the escarpment northeast of Lake Albert. It covers an area of 825 square kilometers (82,530 hectares) across the Hoima, Kikuube, and Masindi districts. Budongo is composed of three major tourism sites that is: Kaniyo Papidi, Busingiro and Sonso.
Budongo forest is one of the best destinations in Uganda for chimpanzee trekking. Due to the fact that it harbors the highest number of chimpanzees after Kibale Forest national Park. The forest is a habitat of various wildlife including 360 bird species for example, African shrike flycatcher, blue-throated roller, grey-headed sunbird, yellow-footed flycatcher, yellow spotted barbet, speckled tinker bird, 450 tree species, 250 butterflies. The Forest also keep 9 primates including the chimpanzees, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, grey checked mangabey, olive baboons among others.
Activities done in Budongo Forest.
Chimpanzee trekking.
The forest is a home of over 600 chimpanzees where some have been habituated for trekking. Chimpanzee trekking is the most popular activity carried out in this forest. It is an adventurous activity where visitors move into the forest in search of the habituated chimpanzee families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is done in two sessions that is the morning session which starts at 7:00 am and the afternoon session which starts at 2:00 pm with a briefing at the Visitors Information Centre. After the briefing visitors are grouped into 8 people and allocated a habituated chimpanzee group depending on their physical fitness and then they start trekking in the forest. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest takes about 2 to 4 hours or even longer depending on the location of the chimpanzee family because chimpanzees like to move from one place to another in search of food.
Once the chimpanzee family has been found, visitors spend one hour with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Learning about their habits, behaviors and watching them playing, feeding, breastfeeding. Take plenty of photos and also record moments to show people back home. Visitors who want to participate in chimpanzee trekking should first purchase a chimpanzee trekking permit to allow them. The chimpanzee trekking permit cost $120 per person.
Bird watching.
Budongo forest is known as a birders paradise in that it harbors over 360 bird species with species endemic to only Budongo forest. Bird watching in the forest is mainly done with an experienced birder at the royal mile which is situated within the Busingiro area. During bird watching in the forest you will be able to view different bird species including the Guinea Congo forest biome, Yellow-footed flycatcher, Zoothers Camaronensis, Ituri batis, Illadopsis Puveli, pitta Reichenowi, Crowned eagle, Little green sunbird, Forest robin, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Cassin’s honeyguide, Cassin’s hawk-eagle, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Yellow long bill, Slender-billed Greenbul, the Speckled tinker bird, White spotted fluff tail among others.
Guided Nature Walk.
Nature walk in Budongo forest is done with a help of an armed ranger who will be showing you the trails to follow, sharing information about Budongo and at the same time helping you to spot different bird and animal species. During nature walks in Budongo you will walk through the savannah terrain, woodland and Kaniyo Pabidi ecotourism where you will get an opportunity to view tall mahogany trees, bird species, butterflies, animals like elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, primates like red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons among others.
The Best Time for Budongo Chimpanzee Tracking
Budongo Forest can be visited throughout the year. However, dry season is good for nature walks in that forest trails will be dry and passable, it’s also good for wildlife viewing because the vegetation will be short and the roads connecting to the forest will be clear.
The dry seasons generally provide more comfortable conditions for walking. Although rain can occur at any time because Budongo is a tropical forest.
The wet seasons also have advantages. The forest becomes particularly lush, and the rains support abundant vegetation and insect activity. For travelers interested in photography and forest scenery, the green landscape can be beautiful.
Combine Budongo Forest With Murchison Falls
One of the biggest advantages of visiting Budongo is the opportunity to combine chimpanzee tracking with other attractions in the Murchison Falls.
After your forest adventure, you can explore Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest national park. The park is famous for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions and other wildlife.
A boat cruise along the Victoria Nile is another popular activity. The cruise provides excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles and wildlife gathering near the water.
You can also visit the top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge. Combining forest exploration with savannah wildlife creates a diverse and memorable Uganda safari.
Plan Your Budongo Forest Chimpanzee Tracking Adventure
Budongo Forest offers one of the most rewarding chimpanzee tracking experiences in Uganda. From following chimpanzee calls beneath a magnificent forest canopy to discovering birds, monkeys and ancient trees, every walk offers something different.
For travelers planning a Uganda safari, Budongo can be an excellent addition to a Murchison Falls safari itinerary. You can combine chimpanzee tracking with game drives, a Nile boat cruise and a visit to the spectacular Murchison Falls.
If you want to explore Uganda beyond the usual safari route, Budongo Forest is a best destination. Contact Uganda Tourist Guide info@ugandatouristguide.com or what's us on+18182906623.