Overview- Budongo forest

Budongo forest is the only natural forest found in Uganda. It is part of Murchison Falls National Park. It covers an area of about 825 km2. The nearest town is Masindi. It is an excellent destination for chimp trekking. It is home to many other species of primates, mammals, birds, and plants. It is a safe place to enjoy the beauty of Africa.

Wildlife

Budongo forest chimp trekking is a key attraction in Uganda. The forest is home to several species of primates including chimps. Your guide will take you to Kaniyo Pabidi to track and observe them.  Other present primates are olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and black and white colobus. You may spot mammals such as lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalos. You can enjoy activities in the forest across the year. But the best time is during the dry season. Heavy rains may interfere with most activities.

Birdlife

Budongo forest location is great for many species of birds. It has recorded over 360 species. It is home to specials such as Puvel’s illadopsis and yellow-footed flycatcher. Other common species are olive-breasted greenbul, African pied wagtail, and crested guineafowl. Two Budongo forest locations are great for birding. These are Kaniyo Pabidi and The Royal Mile. Resident birds are present across the year. But the best time for bird-watching is between November to April. It is a great time to spot migratory birds.

Scenery

Budongo forest is a beautiful haven. It has clear water streams such as Siba, Sonso, and Waisoke. These streams drain into Lake Albert.  The different tree species in the Budongo forest give it a scenic view. Notable species are mahogany trees, parasitic strangler figs, spiky Fagara trees, and ironwood trees.

Climate

Budongo forest temperatures are almost the same across the year. This is because the forest is close to the equator. It has a tropical and hot climate. Daytime temperatures are around 32°C. Nights are cooler (17°C). The forest has two seasons.

The dry season is between December and February. Days are usually sunny with clear skies. Daytime is hot with temperatures around 31°C. The wet season is between March to November. March to May receives more rainfall. Temperatures range between 18°C and 30°C. June and July are a bit dry. But can still rain. Short rains are recorded between August and November. Forest trails may be slippery during the wet season.

FAQs About Budongo Forest

• Where is Budongo forest located?

Budongo forest is located in Masindi District in Uganda. It is northwest of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. This is about 300 km from Kampala. It is part of the Murchison Falls National Park. It is about 30 km from Masindi town. Its coordinates are 1.7941° N and 31.5827° E.

• Why visit Budongo forest?

Tourists engage in various activities in Budongo Forest. The main activity is the trekking of chimps. Another important activity is watching many species of birds in the forest. Other common activities are guided nature walks and visiting Murchison Falls.

• Which is the best time to visit Budongo forest?

You can visit Budongo forest at any time across the year. But the best time is when the forest receives less rainfall. This is between June to July and December to March. Most tourists visit the park between June to September. This is the high season of tourism in Uganda. It is the best time to enjoy activities such as chimp trekking, game drives, and nature walks.

• How to get to Budongo forest?

You can get there by road. From Kampala, it takes about 4 hours to reach the forest. From Fort Portal, it takes about 6 hours to reach the forest. You can also use air transport to get there. There is an airfield in Murchison Falls National Park. You can fly from Entebbe International Airport via scheduled or chartered aircraft to the Park. Your tour operator will then pick you up for your safari in the forest.