Budongo Forest is a moist semi-deciduous tropical rain-forest located at the top of the Albertine Rift. The forest is classified as a Central Forest Reserve and comprises of 435 km of continuous forest cover which is large by Ugandan standards.
Budongo Forest is the largest survival natural forest in Uganda located north-west of the capital city Kampala on the way to 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.
Budongo Forest boasts of a high biodiversity of 24 mammals of which 9 are primates, 465 species of trees and shrubs, 360 species of birds, 290 species of butterflies and 130 species of moths. The forest is renowned for its high number of mahogany trees and chimpanzees.
The forest is believed to contain some 600-700 chimpanzees. Chimpanzees tracking have become an activity popular with eco-tourists, necessitating behavioural guidelines for visitors in order to avoid undue disturbance of both animals and forest. Trails have been cut criss-crossing the forest, initially to ease access for research workers and since then by eco-tourists, forest animals and poachers.
As a result of this great biodiversity two eco-tourism sites have been set and optimized for tour activities – Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro eco-tourism sites. These two sites have chimpanzees that have been habituated for chimpanzee tracking. Trail networks have been established for nature walks.
You get an up-close view of the mahogany trees, iron wood trees and other vegetation. In addition to the chimpanzees and other primate species such as monkeys, one can also view several bird species such as Chocolate-backed kingfisher, the White-thighed Hornbill and Puvel’s illadopsis found nowhere else in East Africa. The area is relatively flat and thus easy to trek.
Activities to do in Budongo Forest
Bird watching
Kaniyo Pabidi 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.
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 mammal’s 9 of which are actually primates.
Chimpanzee Tracking
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.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale take place daily and you have a good opportunity to finding them, though it is not guaranteed. Morning trek start early around 7.00 am, the guides follow the daily movements of the habituated chimpanzee groups.
The Budongo Forest area chimpanzee tracking area of Kaniyo Pabidi is managed by the Jane Goodall Institute providing visitors with one of the best Chimpanzee Tracking experiences in Uganda. A chimpanzee permit in Budongo forest costs $90 USD per person.
Guided Nature Walks
Guided nature walks pass through the last remaining mahogany forest, woodland and savannah terrain. Visitors can see wildlife including the black and white colobus monkeys and duiker are also commonly seen.
