Budongo Forest is the largest natural forest in Uganda with a surface area of 825 sq km and is extends across three districts of masindi , Hoima and the newly created Bulisa district. Those visitors that seek the serenity and calmness of being next to nature should opt for Budongo forest reserve. It’s preserved and managed by the National Forestry Authority and it’s divided into three zones. This is the oldest in the country while its buffer zone allows Eco tourism as well as research to prosper with its production zone that caters for commercial activities.
For nature lovers on safari in Uganda, there are few places that are worth visiting to experience authentic African jungle experience and Budongo Forest Reserve is one of them. Budongo Forest is one of Uganda’s most visited chimpanzee trekking destinations in East Africa. It is incredibly the biggest mahogany forest reserve lying in the whole of East African region, and it expands to cover the land area of about 825sq.kms. Over 430sq.kms of Budongo Forest is continuous virgin tropical forest located along the Southern side of Murchison Falls National Park.
Location
Budongo Forest Reserve is a natural rainforest located in Masindi district, Northwestern Uganda. This natural forest forms part of the extensive Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP), Uganda’s biggest safari park. Budongo Forest is exists in 3 main tourism sites; Busingiro, Kaniyo-Pabidi and Sonso. History has it that during the second world war, Budongo sheltered the polish refugees and a catholic church is believed to be the only evidence where they briefly stayed while in the jungles.
About 4 Rivers flow through Budongo Forest and they empty their water into the Lake Albert; River Sonso, Kamirambwa, Siba and Waisoke. This natural forest consists of moist, semi-deciduous forest, medium-altitude, plus some patches of savanna and woodland. It occupies the gently rolling landscape, sloping down to the East African Rift.
Floral and Faunal species
Budongo Forest Reserve is a rich natural forest with distinct floral and faunal species. It is a host to huge mahogany trees with length of about 85m, and they have diameter of 21m. Besides mahogany trees, over 464 species of trees also exist here, 300 butterfly species, 24 mammals and they include 9 species of primates.
Primates of Budongo Forest Reserve
9 different species of primates all live in Budongo Forest making it one of the loveliest primate destinations in East Africa. These include the blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, pottos, forest galagos. These amazing primates can be spotted while on guided nature walk in Budongo Forest trails.
Birds of Budongo Forest
About 360 bird species live in Budongo Forest, and they include endemic and forest species. This makes it a true birder’s haven, with interesting birds such as black-headed paradise flycatchers, African pied, African emerald cuckoo, African shrike flycatchers, Cameroon sombre greenbul, black and white casqued hornbills, Cassin’s spinetail, blue throated roller, Brown twin spot, crown eagle;
Chestnut capped flycatcher, little green sunbird, slender-billed greenbul, yellow-crested woodpecker, white spotted flufftail, speckled tinkerbird, yellow footed flycatcher, olive green camaroptera, yellow browned camaroptera, Jameson’s wattle eye, Dusky long-tailed cuckoo, chocolate-backed kingfisher, western black-headed oriole, yellow-spotted barbet and more.
Top Things to do in Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest shelters about 800 chimpanzees, our closest relatives whose DNA is 98% similar to ours. These are intelligent species, whose diet is largely dependent on vegetation. A chimpanzee trek is a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with chimpanzees, observe their daily behaviors and take pictures. Tracking Budongo Forest chimpanzees starts in the morning or afternoon with an experienced guide. It lasts for 2-4 hours with guaranteed one hour of a close encounter.
Chimpanzee habituation
Chimpanzee habituation experience is a unique primate adventure also offering you a lifetime chance to explore more about chimpanzees. This is the process of making chimpanzees get used to presence of humans before they are opened for tourism/chimpanzee tracking. The process of familiarizing chimpanzees to human presences normally takes about 2 years. The chimpanzee habituation permits for Budongo Forest costs about USD160 per person.
Birding
Budongo Forest offers the best of birding expeditions in Uganda and East African region at large. Hosting up to 360 bird species, the ideal birding spot at Budongo is the Royal Mile located right in the Busingiro. You can embark on full day/half day birding expedition at Budongo Forest with higher chances of spotting birds especially the Guinea-Congo Forest biome. The birds of interest at Budongo Forest include the African pied gail, black kite, olive breasted green gull, Cassin’s hawk, white spotted flufftail, Sabine’s spine tail, pulvus illadopsis, yellow crested woodpecker, little green sunbird, crowned eagle, brown twin spot, brown twin spot, Ituri batis, grey headed sunbird.
Nature walk
Go nature walking in Budongo Forest, discover the hidden treasures of this lush natural forest. From birds to primates, a nature walk in Budongo Forest Reserve is such a memorable experience worth sharing on Uganda safari.
When to visit Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest Reserve is an all-year-round destination, offering the best of guided chimpanzee trekking experience. This verdant forest experiences 2 rainy & dry seasons; with rainy/wet season starting from March to May, September-November. The dry season from December to February, June to August, also regarded as the ideal time for chimpanzee trekking experience.
Where to stay
Budongo Eco Lodge is the nearest accommodation facility, built right inside Budongo Forest. It is a budget facility, located 30kms off from Masindi town.
Getting to Budongo Central Forest Reserve, Uganda
Budongo Forest Reserve is located in North-western Uganda, and from Kampala city, it is approximately 4-5 hours’ drive. You will access the forest from Kampala-Luweero-Masindi route, en-route, it is possible to branch off to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see rhinos in the wild.