Budongo Forest is one of the few places to trek chimpanzees in Uganda. Whereas most of Uganda chimpanzee tours are done in Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo forest offers travelers with an experiential chimpanzee trekking experience at affordable rates. The rainforest is located in northwestern Uganda en route to Murchison falls National Park and it spreads over 825 square kilometers of land. Chimpanzee trekking is the major tourist activity attracting a high number of travelers to this rain forest. Budongo ranks as Uganda’s biggest mahogany forest which comprises of Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro eco-tourism sites and Busingiro. Besides chimpanzees, Budongo Forest is home to over 370 bird species, 460 tree species, 24 primates, 130 moths and 9 primates among others. A combination of these offers you with a memorable wonderful experience making your Uganda safari a complete package.
About chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest
Like said already, Budongo forest is one of the best sites to go for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. Each day, 24 chimpanzee permits are available costing $100 each. You can book for permits directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority or through Africa Adventure Safaris, the number one travel agent in Uganda. Due to high demand for permits, travelers intending to trek chimpanzees are advised o book and reserve for permits as early as 3 months in advance. More so, Budongo Forest has 20 chimpanzee habituation permits for those who want to spend extended time with these endangered species. Chimpanzee habituation permits cost $230 each but the magical experience you get is worth the penny. Children aged below 12 years are not allowed to trek chimpanzees in Budongo Forest National Park. The trekking rules and regulations in Budongo are similar to those in Kibale, Kyambura gorge and Kalunzu forests. The habituated chimpanzee communities in Budongo forest include Sonso Chimpanzee community, the Waisoko Chimpanzee community, Waibira community, and Kaniyo Pabidi chimpanzee community. Each community is different from the other one in terms of size, location ad history of formation.
Getting to Budongo Forest
Are you wondering how to the to Budongo Forest? No worries. The rain forest is roughly 7 hours drive from Kampala capital/Entebbe in a 4×4 wheel drive. Budongo forest is located in Masindi en route to Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest and oldest national park. In most cases, chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest is added as a complement to other wildlife experiences in northwestern Uganda especially game viewing and boat cruise in Murchison Falls Park. You can use road transport driving there or else fly to Pakuba airstrip for those of you who have limited time.
Other activities to do in Budongo Forest
Besides, chimpanzee trekking/habituation experience, travelers to Budongo forest have an endless list of activities to do. These include among others:
Bird watching
With over 370 bird species inhabited there, Budongo forest is undeniably a haven for birders. Bird watching in Budongo forest is best done during nature walks mostly in the morning and evening hours. You will listen and enjoy the sweet melodies of birds singing endless up in the trees above you. Binoculars and experienced birding guides make your bird watching experience in Budongo Forest magical and memorable. The bird species in Budongo forest include Parmoptila woodhouse, yellow-footed flycatcher, Pita reichenow, African dwarf kingfisher, grey-headed sunbird, Brown twinspot, Little green sunbird, Crowned eagle, White spotted flutfftail, African pied wagtail, Black kite, Fork tailed drongo and white thighed hornbill among others.
Forest/Nature walks
Join forest/nature walks in Budongo Forest to experience the natural feeling of the rain forest. Forest walking helps you explore all the hidden gem of Budongo forest enjoying the fresh air and the cool environment. Forest walks are a chance to see and meet various animals, birds and even spot different plants and tree species in Budongo Forest, do not miss it.
In addition, you can visit the neighboring Murchison falls National park for game viewing, hike to the top of the falls, and a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. All these offer you a complete Uganda safari experience that you will live to remember.
In general. Budongo forest is Uganda’s hidden gem worth exploring. Contact Africa Adventure Safaris today, book a Uganda safari to Budongo forest, trek chimpanzees, do forest walks and bird watching for a memorable experience.
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