Booking and taking part in eco friendly safari packages in uganda is one way of promoting sustainable tourism. The threats to wildlife are increasing globally including poaching, habitat loss, diseases and climate change. There are over 134,425 African species on the IUCN Red List of which 37,480 are faced with extinction including black rhinos, lions, African elephants, gorillas and chimps.
Dealing with human population growth and development around protected areas can be challenging. According to the Global Wildlife Program (GWP), the need to protect wildlife and ecosystems requires concerted efforts on national and local level. Wildlife conservation tours are therefore evolving with the aim to bring together travelers with several stakeholders including researchers, conservationists, photographers, and local communities to understand the threats to biodiversity. Here are some of the expeditions that you can join on your East African safari including Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Travel activities to support wildlife involve a number of things such as fieldwork studies to observe and collect data on flora and fauna. Others involve tracking down illegal activities as well as educational classes.
7 day Budongo Forest Chimpanzee study tour
Overview
Join researchers and field biologists to investigate threats to chimpanzees in Budongo Forest. Covering 825 sq.km, the semi-deciduous forest is situated south of the Nile River in Murchison Falls Conservation Area. The reserve contains rich biodiversity including over 700 chimpanzees, 360 species of birds and 24 mammal species. Chimps in particular have been a subject of research as scientists are trying to find out how climate change is influencing the fruiting seasons. The Budongo Conservation Field station (BFS) was established by professor Vernon Reynolds in the 1990s and today works along with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and Makerere University top notch scientist prof. Fred Babwetera. Study findings indicate that the fruiting seasons are declining, making chimps wander into the local communities. The changes in habitat are also likely to affect other species, especially birds. 
This can lead to human-chimpanzee conflicts and there are several projects being undertaken to mitigate that including environmental education among communities adjacent to Budongo.
This tour offers an opportunity for visitors to participate in the research process along with field assistants. You will be able to see chimps in their natural habitat and also enjoy other activities at Budongo including the Royal Mile Walk. You can also visit the Our Lady of Queen of Poland Catholic Church. You will be studying the chimpanzees’ feeding habits and the kind of plants they feed on.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe to Budongo Forest
Early in the morning after breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer to Budongo Forest Reserve. Along the way, you may stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for on foot rhino trekking experience with a ranger. Proceed and arrive at your accommodation late afternoon. Check in your room for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Budongo Conservation Field Station teachings and lectures
Today, you will attend classes in the morning and afternoon sessions. The lead scientist and field assistants will brief you on what to expect during the fieldwork. It’s more of engaging with one another and sharing ideas.
Day 3-4: chimpanzee feeding fieldwork
You will wake up early in the morning and have breakfast before sunrise. Before sunrise, you will meet rangers and enter the forest in search of chimpanzees. You might be able to find them in their nests and observe how they begin foraging. The chimps’ habits and movements will be followed closely to determine while collecting data on the kind of plants and fruit trees they feed on.
Day 5: Royal Mile Walk
Following breakfast, you will embark on birding and tree identification along the royal mile walk. The nature trail winds through the forest and offers an opportunity to spot birds, butterflies, primates and other flora and fauna in Budongo forest reserve. Return to the camp for lunch and relax the rest of the day.
Day 6: Ranger monitoring patrol
Today, you will join a team of rangers and local community members to learn how to conduct anti-poaching patrols. This involves walking along the forest boundary looking for possible signs of encroachment and snares that might have been set by poachers.
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, you will gather together with the team and discuss the final findings and discuss how the data you collected is going to be useful in addressing the threats to chimps in Budongo forest reserve. Thereafter, return to Kampala capital city or Entebbe airport for your departure flight.
Accommodation at Budongo Forest reserve
Accommodation provided at Budongo forest includes the Budongo Eco-lodge and dormitory options.
The Budongo ecolodge offers 5 eco-cabins with twin and double rooms, each with en-suit bathrooms, sitting chair, reading table and veranda overlooking the forest. Adjacent to the lodge, there’s a bar, restaurant where food and drinks are served and guests can relax in the lounge area.
Dormitories
The dormitory accommodation contains four double-decked rooms. The beds are comfortable and fitted with mosquito nets. Shared flushing toilets, hot and cold showers are within an enclosed fence, making it safe for visitors to ease themselves at night.
Both of these properties are close to each and park space for vehicles is available.
Africa Adventure Safaris, the best tour agency in Uganda offers you guided eco friendly safari packages in Uganda. We help you book and reserve eco lodges giving you chance to enjoy nature at its best!
