Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest : Within the Murchison Falls National Park in north western Uganda, Budongo forest is one of the largest and most diverse tracts of tropical forest in East Africa. Covering an area of about 435 square kilometers, this dense and wet savannah forest is well known for its primate especially the chimpanzees and also for its plant and bird diversity. Budongo forest is the most preferred tourist destination for those who would love to track primates, bird watchers and tourist with an interest in ecology.
Budongo Forest Reserve is situated on the eastern escarpment of Albertine rift valley and thus forms part of the Murchison falls conservation area of Uganda. Being a part of the tropical climate, the park has a diverse environment with dense tropical forest and swampy lowlands, which are home for many species. It is owned by the National Forestry Authority which together with other conservation bodies ensures the conservation of the vegetation and animals.
For tourists, Budongo is well known for its chimpanzees but it also presents an opportunity to view other primates, bird species, butterflies and even trees which are over 500years old. A list of activities one can do in Budongo Forest;
Chimpanzee Tracking in Budongo forest
Chimpanzee tracking is the key activity in Budongo Forest and attracts many tourists from different parts of the globe. Accompanied by expert trackers, tourists can track these highly social animals in the forest, watch and learn about their interactions and even their social organization.
It takes approximately 2 to 4 hours to track the chimpanzees depending with the period taken to find them. The guides are very good at identifying the chimps and the activity is quite a fulfilling one to everyone involved.
Bird Watching in Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest has over 360 bird species which make it a perfect place for bird watchers. Among these species are some of the rare and hard to find birds of East Africa limited by their geographical distribution.
Birds of interest include; the African dwarf kingfisher, white thighed hornbill, Cassin’s hawk eagle and Puvel’s illadopsis. Countless photo opportunities and bird-watching trails, as well as guided birding safaris, make Budongo an excellent destination for watching birds of many species and colors.
Nature Walks and Forest Hikes
Nature walks or Forest hikes will give tourists the chance to explore Budongo on foot and be able to see the forest up close. The trails that are available include nature trails where visitors can walk through the forest while able to see the plants and other small forms of animals such as butterflies, reptiles and insects.
There are many trails that are clear for tourists such as the Royal Mile, one of the best forest trails in Uganda. It is an excellent route for anyone interested in bird watching as well as photographers because it produces gorgeous scenes under the mahogany trees that form a roof over the path. The Royal Mile which is about 7kilometers long is said to be one of the best bird watching destinations in East Africa.
Wildlife in Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest is well known for its primates and bird species which are very many in the forest. Here’s a closer look at some of the forest’s iconic species;
In Budongo, the chimpanzees that are the park’s most famous inhabitants can be seen in the wild, climbing through the trees or feeding on the ground. There are about 600 chimpanzees in Budongo, but only one group is used to tourists, this means that tourists can watch them without chasing them away.
Other Primates: Besides chimpanzees, Budongo Forest also has the following other primates; red tailed monkey, black and white colobus monkey and the blue monkey. All the species enhance the ecological richness of the forest and enhance the experience of visiting Budongo.
Birds: Birding in Budongo is remarkable, with species including the African green broadbill and the chocolate backed kingfisher. The forest is one of the best places for bird watching and attracts a number of enthusiasts from all corners of the world.
Butterflies: The forest also contains over 290 species of butterflies that are an important part of the forest and beautiful to see when out walking.
Best Time to Visit Budongo forest
While Budongo Forest can be visited year round, certain seasons enhance the experience.
Dry Season (June to August, December to February). It is during the dry season that it is most suitable to go for chimpanzee tracking and hiking. Wildlife is also more conspicuous and easy to see in these two months making it an excellent time for bird watching and forest walks.
Rainy Season (March to May, September to November).The forest is very green especially during the rainy season because there are many plants and flowers that are in blossom. However, the problem of heavy rain is that it makes the trails slippery and not very easy to walk on. Birdwatchers can still consider this time of the year favorable.
The best places to stay in near Budongo Forest.
Accommodation options near Budongo Forest range from eco lodges to campsites, providing comfortable stays in close proximity to the forest’s attractions:
Budongo Eco Lodge: This green lodge is situated in the forest and has various types of rooms, private cabins and dormitory. This makes Budongo Eco lodge a strategic place for any visitor who is interested in the chimp tracking as well as the bird watching, since the lodge is located near the trails and the chimps tracking headquarters.
Murchison River Lodge: Murchison River Lodge is another Lodge located on the Nile River but in the Murchison Falls National Park area. Because it is situated close to the river and the forest, it makes it a suitable choice for travelers who are in need of leisure but also activities.
Camping Sites: There are also budget travelers who prefer camping and they can do their camping near Budongo Forest. People will be able to listen to the sounds of the forest at night, while being near the trails and activity centers.
