Budongo
Forest Reserve, which is a part of Murchison Falls National Park, is located in
Uganda’s Masindi District. It is Uganda’s largest natural forest, spanning over
826 square kilometers. There is untouched forest on half of this. The Kaniyo
Pabidi, Busingiro, and Sonso portions are the three main tourist destinations
within the forest. Polish refugees took refuge in this enormous forest during
World War II.
The
only reminder of their brief presence in this isolated desert is a Catholic
church. The woodland is traversed by four rivers that empty into Lake Albert.
Sonso, Waisoke, Siba, and Kamirambwa are among them. The Budongo forest is
well-known for its mahogany trees and sizable chimpanzee population. Mahogany
trees can reach a maximum height of 85 meters in diameter and 21 meters in
length. In addition to the mahogany trees of Budongo Forest, there are more
than 464 other tree species, 24 animals, 300 butterflies, and nine different
kinds of primates.
The
most popular activity here is chimpanzee trekking, which is followed by nature
walks. This vast woodland is home to more than 600 chimps. A smaller population
has become accustomed to tourism. A lengthy track (more than 114 km) through
the forest allows visitors to see chimps, other primates, and birds. Olive
Baboons, Blue Monkeys, Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys,
Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, and Blue Monkeys are among the other primates. Because
Budongo Forest is a part of the larger Murchison Falls National Park
conservation area, visitors may be able to see huge mammals including
buffaloes, lions, and leopards as before returning to the plains, they pass
through the forest.
The
Budongo Forest Reserve is a haven for birds. African Emerald Cuckoo, African
Pied, African Shrike Flycatcher, Black and White Casqued Hornbills,
Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, Blue-throated Roller, Brown Twinspot,
Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Cassin’s Honeyguide, and Cassin’s
Spinetail are among the more than 355 species that can be found here.
Chocolate-backed
Kingfisher, Crested Malimbe, Crowned Eagle, Dusky long-tailed Cuckoo, Forest
Robin, Grey-headed Sunbird, Chestnut Crowned Eremomera, Chestnut-Chimpanzee
Trekking in Budongo, Ugandacapped Flycatcher, The forest biome of Guinea-Congo
Kingfishers, Ituri Batis, Jameson’s Wattle-eye, and Illadopsis puveli Pygmy
Crakes, Sabine’s Spinetail, Slender-billed Greenbul, Speckled Tinkerbird,
Western Black-headed Oriole, White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow and Grey Longbill,
Yellow and Grey Longbill, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Little Green Sunbird, Olive
Green Camaroptera, Parmoptila Woodhousei, Piping, Pitta reichenowi, and
Yellow-footed Fly catcher.
These
include the yellow-spotted barbet, yellow-crested woodpecker, yellow-footed
flycatcher, yellow-manted weaver, and yellow-browned camaroptera.There are two
distinct seasons in Budongo Forest: rainy and dry. March through May and
September through November are the wet seasons. December through February is
the primary dry season.
Budongo’s chimpanzee
population
Given
that they share over 98% of our DNA, chimpanzees are our closest relatives.
They are very clever animals that consume a wide range of foods, such as fruits
and vegetables. Additionally, chimpanzees eat meat whenever the chance presents
itself. Male chimps can weigh up to 70 kg when fully grown, while females can
weigh up to 50 kg. In captivity, chimps can live up to 60 years. In contrast to
men, female chimpanzees typically depart from their birth community after they
reach adolescence, Chimpanzees are easily able to learn new tools and adjust to
new settings, just like humans.
As
a result, chimpanzee communities vary in general behavior based on their
geographic location. Budongo chimpanzee hiking one of the last chimpanzee
strongholds in Uganda is Budongo Forest. Vernon Reynolds was the first to
conduct research on chimpanzees in Budongo. He was one of the first
primatologists to do in-depth research on chimpanzees in their natural
environment, along with Adriaan Kortlandt and Jane Goodall.
Vermon
departed Uganda between 1972 and 1986 when the country entered a period of
political unrest and civil warfare. When he returned in 1990, he discovered
that unchecked poaching had drastically reduced the chimpanzee population. He
learned that when their moms were shot dead, baby chimps were frequently sold
to collectors outside of Africa. By 1995, fewer than 55 chimps were known to
exist in the forest, a significant decline in the population. A team of
researchers began their investigation in the woodland with financial support
from RZSS, the Edinburgh Zoo, and other sources.
The
Budongo Forest Project, which the researchers started, was subsequently renamed
the Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS). In addition to guaranteeing
sustainable administration of the forest reserve, BCFS integrates conservation
and research. Once work began, BCFS faced numerous obstacles. Communities
around Budongo Forest had encroached on it, just like they did on many other
Ugandan forest reserves. Poachers set snares to catch tiny rodents and woodland
antelopes as farmers farmed the forest edges. Snares left by poachers have
repeatedly severed the hands and limbs of multiple chimpanzees.
The
chimps’ preferred hiding place, Mahagony, has seen a significant decline in
population as a result of people cutting them down for lumber. To the project
started a number of initiatives to address several of the issues raised above,
such as tracking the chimps’ health and daily behavioral data observations.
More
than 300 chimps have also been habituated thanks to the project, which also
works with nearby people to deter them from placing hazardous snares in the
forest. The project makes certain that the local population receives a portion
of the ecotourism profits. Goats are provided to hunters as a substitute source
of income and livelihood in order to prevent poaching for forest animals. These
former teachers willingly assist the BCFS team in identifying the locations of
their final traps. The chimpanzee population has grown significantly as a
result of the project’s excellent work. Chimpanzee poaching for domestic use
has almost stopped.
Activities in Budongo Forest
Chimpanzee
trekking: As was previously covered in-depth, this is the primary activity that
attracts visitors to the forest. One of the greatest locations in Uganda to
track chimpanzees is Budongo Forest Reserve. Kaniyo Pabidi, which is situated
south of Murchison Falls National Park, is where the majority of the tracking
is done.
Experience of Chimpanzee
Habituation in Budongo
The
information center at the Budongo Eco Lodge typically provides a briefing
before chimpanzee trekking in Budongo begins. Visitors may observe the chimps,
along with other smaller primates and birds, thanks to the forest’s
well-established routes. There are two shifts for chimpanzee trekking: morning
and afternoon.
The
populations of chimps live in close proximity to the Budongo Eco Lodge on the
majority of the year. They do, however, move around looking for water and food
at specific times of the year. Finding them is not always assured during these
times of food scarcity. The only place where witnessing chimps is more likely
to occur is Kibale Forest National Park. Choose to visit between October and
January for the best chance of seeing the chimps. The typical duration of
chimpanzee trekking in Budongo is three hours. Once the chimp community has
been located, visitors are only permitted to spend an hour with them.
One
must be healthy and free of illnesses like tuberculosis or the flu in order to
engage in the chimpanzee trekking practice. Chimpanzees are susceptible to
human illnesses. Additionally, one must be to track chimpanzees, you must be at
least 15 years old. Following a recent management transition to Amos Wekesa,
chimpanzee permits in Budongo now cost $130. In Uganda, the minimum age to go
chimpanzee trekking is twelve years old. Our 4-day wildlife safari package in
Murchison Falls includes game drives in the park and chimpanzee tracking.
The BudongoExperience of
Chimpanzee Habituation:
The
process by which chimps become accustomed to having people around them is known
as chimpanzee habituation. It takes roughly two years to complete. Visitors are
also given the chance to participate in the chimpanzees’ habituation process in
Budongo Forest, particularly during times when the number of visitors to the
forest is lower.
The
chimpanzee habituation experience is observing and learning from a chimp colony
regarding their actions while being monitored by trackers and senior experts.
It’s not like regular chimpanzee trekking because it lasts all day.
More
time is permitted for visitors to spend with the chimps. Good hiking boots,
hand gloves, long-sleeved shits or pants, sunglasses, and a cap are necessary
for the optimal chimpanzee habituation experience. The cost of the Budongo
Forest chimpanzee habituation event was $160 (prices may vary due to a recent
management change). Compared to Kibale National Park, this number is lower.
Birdwatching:
One of Uganda’s top locations for bird
watching is Budongo Forest. With the assistance of knowledgeable guides,
birdwatchers can decide to go bird
watching for a full or half day. If you want to see the majority of the species
in a single day, the Royal Mile in the Busingiro area is probably the best spot
to go. The primary research station and an adjacent forestry college are
separated by the Royal Mile. The Guinea Congo woodland biome, Pitta reichenowi,
Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Illadopsis puveli, and Parmoptila woodhouse are the
rare species to watch out for. You should have seen at least half of the 360
species that are present in the forest region by the end of the day.
Nature hikes:
Visitors
can take nature hikes deep within the forest with the assistance of armed
rangers. Seeking to explore the stunning Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism Center is
strongly advised. Tall Mahagony trees that are more than 70 years old can be
found at the Center. You will see a range of wild animals during the nature
walks, who come to lick salt off of fallen trees. You can also explore the
savanna grasslands and forests that link to the plains of Murchison Falls
National Park once you’ve had enough of the forest. Some of the larger
creatures, like as buffaloes, elephants, lions, and even leopards, may be seen
here. Indeed, the forest itself is regularly visited by these enormous beasts.
For your protection, armed rangers will be with you at all times. Remember to
pack a lunch or bring some drinking water.
Explore further areas within
Murchison Falls National Park:
The
Budongo Forest Reserve is included in the Murchison Falls National Park and
provides chances to engage in activities including as boat cruises, game
drives, climbing the falls, and a cultural visit to the Boomu Women’s Group to
observe how life is in a rural African hamlet. You would have seen all five of
the big beasts by the time you finished your trip of Budongo Forest, Murchison
Falls National Park, and the neighboring Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. For further
information, see this two-day safari in Murchison Falls.
Directions to the Central
Forest Reserve of Budongo
Northwest
Uganda is home to Budongo Forest. The trip from Kampala to the reserve takes
three hours. Before traveling to the forest reserve from Kampala, one must
first drive to Masindi town. Entryway it costs $40 per person to enter Budongo
Forest Reserve.
Budongo Central Forest Reserve
lodging
Uganda’s
Budongo Eco Lodge There are many lodging alternatives available to visitors to Budongo
Forest Reserve? One’s budget ultimately determines the type of lodging they
choose. Lodges and hotels are located in Masindi town, the forest reserve, or
farther north in the Murchison Falls National Park. It is possible to set up
outdoor camping within the reserve for those who enjoy it. Simple
accommodations are also available at reasonable prices at the Research Center
in Budongo Forest.
Budongo Eco Lodge:
Constructed
inside the Budongo forest reserve, Budongo Eco Lodge is an inexpensive lodging
option. The lodge provides the ideal setting for rest and tranquility and is
located 30 kilometers from Masindi. Budongo Eco Lodge provides both dormitory
rooms and cozy individual cottages with balconies. The dorm rooms are roomy and
made to accommodate big tourist groups. Residents can place orders for both
local and foreign cuisine at the lodge’s restaurant. You can engage in
chimpanzee trekking, birdwatching, chimpanzee habituation, and nature walks
while you’re at the lodge. The Visitor Center sells locally created artwork and
presents for those looking for a local memento.