BUDONGO FOREST

BUDONGO FOREST

Budongo Forest Reserve is a medium altitude, moist, semi-deciduous tropical rainforest managed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA). Historically, the forest was protected by the King of Bunyoro and only with his permission could local chiefs hunt inside the forest. Thanks to his strict policy the flora and fauna was preserved, until the reserve was officially gazetted in 1932. The name Budongo derives from the local Bunyoro word ‘fertile soil’

Budongo Forest is situated approximately 3 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 major tourist sites within this forest are: the Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site, Busingiro Ecotourism site and Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site which are located at boundaries to Murchison Falls National Park and dominated by Mahogany and Iron-wood trees. The 115 kilometer expanse is a remote chunck of the Budongo forest. Its isolation once in a while offers a safe haven for the Lions, Leopards as well as Buffaloes. Early in the morning is the ideal time to set out touring because then you will have an opportunity to find a number of the forest inhabitants licking salt by the forest glades. River Waiga offers refreshment to the various Uganda safaris wildlife species within this forest.

A well developed and extensive trail system with a length of 115 km in total is found througout the forest, which enables tourist activities like forest walks, chimp tracking and birding. Apart from the 465 species of plants, the reserve is also famous for the age-old, Mahogany trees which can grow up to 80 meters. Some of the best bird viewing is found in the area known as the Royal Mile, which is part of Budongo Forest Reserve. About 360 species of birds are recorded in the total area, including the rare Puval’s Illadopses which is endemic to the region. Others include the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Chestnut Crowned Eremomera, Dusky long-tailed Cuckoo, Yellow-browned Camaroptera, Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, Slender-billed Greenbul, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Forest Robin, White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow and Grey Longbill, Little Green Sunbird, Western Black-headed Oriole, African Emerald Cuckoo, Yellow-manted Weaver, Crested Malimbe and Cassin’s Hawk Eagle among others.

 Budongo offers an extremely rich biodiversity including 24 species of small mammals, 9 species of primates and 280 butterflies. It is also the natural habitat of more than 600 chimpanzees, of which a small community has been habituated for eco-tourism purposes. This family consists of 80 individuals, allowing visitors the unique opportunity to view these amazing apes in their natural environment. Other primates that can be observed are the Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys

Some of the Activities to enjoy within this forest include: 

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience:

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience which is an all-day activity can be done here during off-season months Low season – 1st March – 15th June and 1st October – 15th December.

The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience  is done with researchers and others – a process which takes up to two years. The Jane Goodall institute manages and oversees the Chimpanzees in Budongo Forest and has done so for many years.

Thr Chimpanzee Habituation Experience cost is considerably lower here than in it is in Kibale Forest – however there the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) can be done all year long.  If you want to do the Chimpanzee Habitution Experience, we recommend an overnight stay at the Budongo Eco-Lodge.

ChimpanzeeTracking: 

Budongo Forest is an excellent spot to track chimpanzees while visiting Murchison Falls Park. 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.

The ideal plan would be  to stay overnight and also do a forest walk while at Budongo Forest.  Do not forget that you can add on Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you track Rhinos on foot on your return trip to Kampala.

Guided Nature Walks Kaniyo Pabidi: 

Guided nature walks can be taken here through woodland and savanna terrain.

Unbeknown to most visitors  wildlife can be seen 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, 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.

A guided nature walk does not endanger you in any way, no one has ever been hurt here and you are with armed rangers.

Guided Birding Walks Kaniyo Pabidi:

Budongo Forest is one of the top areas in Uganda for those interested in birding.  Birders will find Budongo literally a paradise with its 360 plus species of birds.  Bird watching walks are full or half day in length led by knowledgeable guides.

Certainly one must take the time to go and see the famous for birding “Royal Mile” which is a short distance in the  Busingiro area of Budongo

Spot some of the following species to name a few – remember that there are 360 plus species of birds found here  – Sabine’s spine tail, Cassins spine tail(rare), Pygmy crakes, Kingfishers( Chocolate backed, blue breasted, dwarf), White spotted fluff Tail, Ituri Batis, Pulvus Illadopsis, Brown twin Spot, Cameroon Somber, Cassins hawk Eagle, Crowned Eagle, Yellow crested Woodpecker, Forest Robin, Little green Sunbird, Grey headed Sunbird.

Budongo Forest Lodging – Budget – Moderately Priced Budongo Forest Eco-Lodge:

This is a budget, moderately priced lodge – an eco-friendly establishment with tucked away cabins in forest and dorm rooms for the budget minded traveler.

Food is good here along, occasionally fudge brownies are available for North American Travelers who enjoy them.  The service is is good and the main thing is the convenient location.

You are in the Forest, right at the Trailhead for Chimpanzee Tracking, Hikes in the Forest and Birding.  Expert Birding Guides are available and we can arrange for it. day safari, staying overnight at Budongo Eco-Lodge, just ask us.

  Other Places to Explore from here in the Areas around and near Budongo Forest

Ø  Murchison Falls National Park Uganda’s Best all around Park  Murchison Falls itself is a short distance from Budongo Forest and is one of the best all-around wildlife parks in Uganda

Ø  A visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary  Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is just a short distance from Budongo Forest and on the way to Murchison Falls Park or back to Kampala and can easily be incorporated into a Safari Itinerary.

Ø  Boomu Women’s Group – Experience an African Village  Just a short Distance from Budongo Forest is Boomu Women’s Group where you can spend a day or two in an African Village.

Ø  Murchison Falls Park Safaris:  Any of these safaris can include Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest.

Birding; the 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.
The Chimpanzee Tracking experience: is the number one priority here. Starting in October up to January, the time when the fruits are shorter in supply, the chimps move a lot covering a wider area so the success of seeing them drops to about 50% rate. Fortunately there is a diversity of Accommodation facilities available from where you can base to enjoy the Chimpanzee trekking as well as the exciting forest walks.

Birding in Budongo Forest

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.

The Budongo Forest reserve is among the most significant birding destinations in Uganda, and is located  on the escarpment northeast of the stunning Lake Albert. The forest is characterized by a medium altitude damp semi-deciduous verdant forest that covers 42 800 hectares, with patches of Savanna as well as woodland. Kthis forest reserve sits on a gently rolling landscape, with a wide-ranging slope north-northwest towards the  great Rift Valley. This forest is drained by 4 tinny rivers which are Waisoke, Sonso, Bubwa, plus Wake that empty into the Lake Albert.  the Budongo has 5 major forest types which include: swamp-forest, mixed, Cynometra-mixed, colonizing plus the  Cynometra. The greater part of this forest reserve is sheltered by tropical high-forest communities. The Mid altitude semi-deciduous Cynometra-celtis forest occupies close to half of the total site whereas the Combretum savanna is extensive within the drier regions. There are a number of Eco-tourism sites found at Kaniyo Pabidi plus Busingiro.

Because of Murchison falls national park’s biodiversity, the park stands out as the best place for Uganda safaris and short weekend breaks for wildlife and nature lovers.

There are 2 endemic bird species within the Budongo forest which cannot be seen in other parts of East Africa. This forest comes second after the Semliki National Park as the most important forest in Uganda with species of the Guinea Congo forest-Biome. The Yellow-footed Flycatcher, simply known in Budongo within Uganda, was common within mature forest, however today it is extremely rare to see. Illadopsis puveli, a new addition, isn’t seen in another place in East Africa. Additional species that rank Budongo one of the finest bird watching destinations in East Africa include the Zoothers camaronensis, Ceratogymna fistulator, Neafrapus cassini, Batis ituriensis, Smithornis rufolateralis, Sylvietta denti as well as Ixonotus guttatus. These different species are as well seen in just a few additional forests within Uganda. Rare forest birds have recently several times been recorded within the forest and among these are the Pitta reichenowi as well as Parmoptila woodhousei. Within this forest, Bird watching is properly facilitated with a widespread properly maintained 115 kilometer truck system.

The Wildlife Park Fee is 40 usd a person, plus vehicle fee – this is the same as for Murchison Falls Park.

The Budongo Eco-Lodge provides nice meals and comfortable cottages for those wanting to stay overnight and continue to Murchison Falls Park or to Kampala the following day.