Budongo Forest | Chimpanzee Trekking & Birding inUganda

Budongo forest is located in the north west of Kampala south west of Murchison falls national park on top of the Albertine rift. Budongo forest is a game reserve for Murchison falls national park with abundance of mahogany trees and its 3 hours away drive from Kampala.

Budongo forest is a medium altitude tropical rain forest which a high biodiversity of species of small mammals, primates, trees and shrubs and also 359 species of birds.

What to do

Bird watching

Budongo forest has a number of bird species like yellow footed fly catcher, illadopsis puveli, Dusky long tailed cuckoo, forest robin, little green sunbird , African emerald cuckoo, yellow manted weaver, Cassin’s hawk eagle, chocolate backed kingfisher,  among others. The best place for bird viewing in budongo forest is royal mile which was named for its popularity with Omukama Kabalega who frequently visited it for traditional and recreation rites where it’s also located next to the Nyabyeya forestry college. Birding can also be done in Kaniyo pabidi eco tourism site which offers a very beautiful forest birding and easy exploration.

Chimpanzee trekking and Habituation

Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo is an amazing experience where you will be able to see the chimpanzee closer going through the established trails. Budongo forest supports chimpanzees where there are two habituated communities where Busingiro eco tourism site  the Kaniyo Pabidi area and can be followed on chimpanzee trekking experience when trekkers are in most cases following the sounds of chimpanzees drumming the large mahoganies as they communicate with each other.

The habituation experience offers an opportunity to learn more about the chimpanzees and their families. Other primates that can spotted in the forest include the black and white colobus monkeys, blue tailed monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons and grey cheeked mangabeys.

Nature walks

Guided nature walks around Kaniyo pabidi and Busingiro eco tourism sites through the excellent network trails which offers a chance to spot plenty of things which include the variety of trees and shrubs, unique wildlife such as animals, birds, cicada monkeys, and also a chance of seeing some chimpanzees.

Boomu women’s group in Budongo is where you can get to enjoy the African culture like the cultural performances, making of local handmade crafts and cooking of local foods and forest walks

Best time to visit

Budongo has a tropical hot climate but it experiences wet seasons in March to May and August to November. However visiting Budongo forest is possible throughout the year but the best time to visit is November to February, and June to July

How to get there

Budongo forest can be accessed by road 3 hours drive away from Kampala and its near Masindi town

Accommodation

Accommodation in Budongo forest can be accessed but several kilometers away. Accommodation places that are common around the area include Budongo eco lodge, Kabalega resort, masindi hotel and Hotel victory Bijja or you can access the more accommodation in Murchison falls national park.