Wonders of Budongo Forest

Wonders of Budongo Forest: Located in the southern part of the renowned Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest is a must-visit destination. This forest is the largest natural forest in the country, covering more than 825 square kilometers. Budongo is one of the attractions in Murchison Falls National Park, popularly known for harboring chimpanzees and different bird species in Kaniyo Pabidi and Royal Mile.

Budongo Forest is one of the best places to visit while on a safari to Murchison Falls National Park. A visit to this forest comes with an opportunity to meet chimpanzees, which are said to be the closest relatives to human beings. Birders also get an opportunity to spot some of the bird species, and on a lucky day one can spot the endemic puvel’s illadopsis. Below are the attractions found in this popular natural forest.

Attractions in Budongo Forest – Wonders of Budongo Forest

Be part of an exciting activity of chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are a highlight of any visit to Budongo Forest National Park. Taking part in the trekking activities will give you an opportunity to have a closer view of the chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are the closest relatives to human beings with over 98% DNA they share with humans. One of the places to meet these apes is Budongo Forest right inside Murchison Falls National Park.

Budongo forest has a few chimpanzees, and some of them have been habituated, meaning they are used to human presence around them. Purchasing a chimpanzee trekking permit will give you a chance to take part in the  chimpanzee trekking activity with the help of armed ranger guides and get an opportunity to be around the members for a maximum of 1 hour. This will enable you to spot them carrying out daily activities, take photos, and record videos.

Apart from chimpanzee trekking, there is chimpanzee habituation in Budongo Forest where tourists can spend more than 4 hours with the semi-habituated chimpanzees. The chimp trekking activity allows trekkers to be part of the activities which makes these chimps get used to human presence around them. During the habituation, trekkers can record videos and take pictures for future memories.

Birds

With more than 360 bird species, birds are another attraction in Budongo Forest. Birders can spot some of the bird species in the Royal Mile or Kaniyo Pabidi using different trails with well-experienced birding guides. The tiny, brightly colored puvel’s illadopsis, an endemic bird species to Budongo forest, is commonly found in tropical rainforests.

Other bird species of Budongo forest include piping hornbill, cassin’s spine tail, blue-breasted kingfisher, nahan’s francolin, fire-crested alethe, golden crowned woodpecker, hairy-breasted barbet African dwarf kingfisher, blue-throated roller, scaly-breasted illadopsis, African pitta, and red-headed malimbe to mention but a few.

See one of the most beautiful wildlife creatures in Uganda the giraffes

Wildlife

Since Budongo forest is located in Murchison Falls National Park, you can easily do a game drive to see the different animals of the park. The morning, evening, or night game drives will enable you to encounter wild animals such as giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, warthogs, sitatungas, elephants, and spotted hyenas to mention but a few.

The most appropriate time to explore Budongo Forest.

The driest months of the year are the best to explore the Budongo forest, and these happen from June to September and December to February. These months have little or no rainfall which keeps the walking trails dry and easier to walk through. The vegetation is short during these months which gives a clear view of attractions within the forest.

Tourists who find time during the low season can still travel, and this is March to May and from October to November. These are rainy season months because they have plenty of rainfall and little sunshine. The trekking trails are muddy and slippery, which makes the activity challenging, and the vegetation is tall, making it unclear to have views of the attractions.

Getting to Budongo Forest

Budongo Forest is located in the southern part of Murchison Falls National Park and can be accessed by road transport. Road transport to Budongo forest from Entebbe takes you through Kampala, Luwero, Nakasongla, Masindi to the park. This journey takes about 5 hours and can come with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only home of southern white rhinos in Uganda.

Accommodation on a safari to Budongo Forest

On a safari to Budongo forest, tourists can stay in accommodation facilities around the forest and also those in Murchison Falls National Park, depending on the travel itinerary.  Lodges include Pabidi Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, and Red Chill Rest Camp to mention but a few.