Budongo Forest is located about 4hrs north-west of the capital Kampala and is Uganda’s largest forest brock protecting a blend of biodiversity and natural beauty. With an area size of over 825km 2 Budongo Forest comprises of moist medium-altitude semi deciduous sections in the south and woodland patches blending into savanna mosaics on its northern edges.
Budongo Forest is famed by its largest chimpanzee population in Uganda offering almost exclusive trek expereince up-close these intelligent and charismatic apes in their natural habitat due a limited numbers of visitors. The vast forest lies within the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area making it a perfect destination of those seeking nature’s tranquility.
Budongo Forest Biodiversity
Set along the eastern edges of the great Albertine Rift Area, Budongo Forest is biodiversity hotspot with a wide range of flora and fauna. This diversity comprises 9 species of primates including the largest population of chimpanzee, 464 species of trees, 365 birds species, 300 species of butterflies and more. Other mega fauna include elephants, buffalos, variety of duikers while leopard and even lion patrol the woodland edges.
Attractions and Activities to do at Budongo Forest
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Chimpanzee Trekking Expereince
Chimpanzee trekking at Budongo Forest is a major highlight where it offers a less-crowded and intimate experience of coming up close these intelligent apes. Budongo Forest protects the largest population of the Eastern chimpanzee in Uganda totaling over 600 individuals split in 6 main communities. Of this population, 3 groups are habituated of these, two are for trekking experience and one for research expereince.
Chimpanzee trekking at Budongo Forest is offered on a two-options plan differing on duration spent with chimps and permit cost. These are;
- Ordinary Chimp trekking where visitors trek to a fully habituated chimpanzee community and gets to spend one-hour with the group.
- On habituation trek experience, visitors join the company of researchers and rangers to follow a chimp family under “familiarization” stage. This experience is physical demanding, suitable for visitors that seek to gain more insights into the chimpanzee social life and its relationship with its environment.
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Birding
Budongo Forest is Uganda’s top birding hotspot offering the most rewarding birding experience notably for the Guinea-Congo lowland forest species. The most popular best birding trail is the Royal Mile set on the western section of the forest known for its special list of species and known from a few other handful sites in the region.
The Royal Mile Specials include; Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Eromemola, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Forest Flycatcher, White-bellied Kingfisher, Nahan’s Partridge, Ituri Batis, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Grey Longbill, Afep pigeon.
Budongo’s other excellent birding trails include Kaniyo-Pabidi where Puvel’s Illadopsis is known and Busingiro Eco-center for Lowand forest specials..
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Guided Forest Walk
Beyond chimpanzee treks, Budongo Forest offer excellent guided walks from Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro sectors often tailored to visitors’ interest and available time. Excellent trails traverse various altitudinal forest where towering ironwood species and East African Mahogany reach over 80m high. The walks are led by enthusiastic guides who will point out various primates like blue monkey, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboon, even chimpanzee alongside a variety of birds and butterflies.
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Forest Camping Expereince
Budongo Forest offer excellent forest camping that brings you to the tranquility of nature. The campsites are basic with pit latrines and firewood but campers should carry their food and other personal necessities. Camping is allowed at Busingiro Eco-center located on the western edge of Budongo forest and at Rabongo Forest near Kaniyo Pabidi office.
Other attractions Near Budongo Forest
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Visit the Murchison Falls NP
Budongo Forest lie on the southern the edges of Murchison Falls NP, Uganda’s largest park famed by its epic wildlife safari viewing experience, boat safaris on river Nile and the mighty Murchison Falls. Excellent road network connects Budongo Forest to any of the three southern gates of Murchison Falls NP making it easy to explore.
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Explore the community on a guided tour Experience
While at Budongo Forest, take time to discover the rich culture, lifestyle, diverse food and warm hospitality on a guided community tour on the edges of the forest. the community-led tours will take you to projects including bee-keeping farms, schools, and other projects bending in sightseeing walks along the escarpment for distant views of Lake Albert in the rift valley. Our recommended community organization is the Boma Women Group where activities include sowing, basket weaving and more.
Where to Stay and How to get to Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest is served by a variety of accommodations in Masindi Town lying at least 20km or just 30mins drive from the southern sectors of Busingiro, Royal Mile and Kaniyo-Pabidi. An upmarket facility is set to open near Kicumba-Nyobo the main entrance gate of Murchison Falls NP.
Visitors aiming to explore the Royal Mile and Busingiro sectors ought to stay in Masindi town. For those aiming for exploring Kaniyo-Pabidi can as well stay at any accommodation facilities along the Nile banks within Murchison Falls which is about 1.5hr drive away.
Final Note:
Budongo Forest though lies within the greater Murchison falls Conservation area and is managed by National Forest Authority (NFA) who are responsible to collect the entrance and activity fees. That said, chimpanzee trekking expereince at Kaniyo Pabidi attracts a park entrance fee paid at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA ) gate plus a trek permit.