Things To do Exploring Budongo Forest in Uganda
Things To do Exploring Budongo Forest in Uganda, Budongo Forest stands out as the largest mahogany forest in East Africa, situated in Uganda’s northwestern region. Spanning 435 square kilometers, this lush area features a mix of savannah and woodland habitats. It’s adjacent to Murchison Falls National Park, and together, they form the Murchison Falls Conservation Area.
Budongo Forest is a haven for biodiversity, hosting over 600 chimpanzees, eight other primate species, 24 mammal species, 290 butterfly species, and 465 types of trees. It’s a prime destination for chimpanzee tracking and nature walks, attracting many visitors who are already exploring Murchison Falls National Park.
Activities in Budongo Forest
Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is the main attraction in Budongo Forest. The area is home to a large population of chimpanzees, some of which are accustomed to human presence for tourism. Visitors, especially those on safari in Murchison Falls National Park, often make time to interact with these fascinating creatures, who are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.
The trekking experience begins with a briefing in the morning or evening, where participants learn the rules and guidelines for interacting with the chimpanzees. Accompanied by armed ranger guides, trekkers follow well-marked trails through the forest until they find the chimpanzees.
Finding the chimpanzees can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the chimpanzees’ location and the trail conditions. During the dry season, the trails are easier to navigate, making the trek shorter. However, during the rainy season, muddy and slippery trails can extend the search time, especially if the chimpanzees are far away.
Once the chimpanzees are located, trekkers are allowed to spend one hour observing them. During this time, visitors can learn about their behaviors, take photos, and watch them engage in daily activities such as nesting, mating, hunting, breastfeeding, and eating. The forest is also home to other wildlife, including olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, colobus monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
Bird Watching
Bird watching in Budongo Forest it is a paradise for bird lovers, with over 360 bird species recorded in the area. Bird watching tours are led by armed ranger guides who know the best spots to find various species. Visitors should bring birding books, a camera, and binoculars to enhance their experience.
Notable bird species in Budongo Forest include the African darter, white-rumped seedeater, martial eagle, yellow-billed stork, bar-breasted firefinch, Abdmin’s stork, white-faced whistling duck, red-throated bee-eater, osprey, Vaseline masked weaver, dark chanting goshawk, northern shoveler, Hugli’s francolin, speckle-fronted weaver, spotted thick-knee, beautiful sunbird, and Senegal thick-knee.
Other species you might encounter during Bird watching in Budongo Forest include the silver bird, black-headed plover, white-fronted black chat, spur-winged geese, long-toed plover, black-billed barbet, black-pilled wood dove, Abyssinian ground hornbill, veracious dove, long-tailed nightjar, whistling cisticola, standard-winged nightjar, blue naped moosebird, malachite kingfisher, secretary bird, Denham’s bustard, pennant-winged nightjar, black crake, and common teal.
Nature Walks
Guided nature walks are a must-do activity in Budongo Forest. Accompanied by armed ranger guides, visitors can explore different parts of the forest on foot. During these walks, you’ll have the chance to see various bird species, small mammals, primates, butterflies, and a wide array of plant life.
Where to Stay
While there are no accommodations within Budongo Forest itself, visitors have several options in nearby Masindi town or Murchison Falls National Park. Recommended places to stay include Budongo Eco Lodge, Kabalega Resort, Paara Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, and New Court View Hotel.
Best Time to Visit
Budongo Forest is accessible year-round. the dry months from June to September and December to February are the best times to visit. During these periods, there is little to no rainfall, keeping the trails dry and the vegetation short. This provides excellent visibility of chimpanzees during Chimpanzee trekking and other wildlife. The roads to the forest are also in good condition.
However, budget travelers might prefer visiting during the rainy season from March to May and October to November. During this time, lodges offer discounts. At times the heavy rainfall can make trails muddy and slippery, vegetation thick, and roads to the forest less accessible.
Getting There
Budongo Forest is located in the Masindi district of northwestern Uganda. Visitors can reach the forest by road or air. The road journey from Kampala to Masindi takes about 4-6 hours. The journey offers scenic views and opportunities for stopovers at attractions like the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Karuma Falls.
For those seeking a more luxurious experience, flights are available from Entebbe International Airport. Also Kajjansi airstrip to Chobe Airstrip or Pakuba Airstrip. These flights are organized by airline companies such as Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation Uganda.