​Overview – Budongo Forest

Ariadne van Zandbergen
Expert
By Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Uganda.

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Uganda.

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Ariadne and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Budongo Forest contains two ecotourism sites: Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro. Kaniyo Pabidi (en route to Murchison Falls and part of the greater Murchison Falls Conservation Area) offers excellent chimpanzee trekking. Busingiro is home to the Royal Mile, one of the top bird-watching tracks in the country.

 
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Best Time to Go Dec to March and June to July (Easy chimp trekking)
High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Size 790km² / 305mi²
Altitude 728-1,145m / 2,388-3,757ft

Pros & Cons

  • Chimpanzee trekking and full-day habituation experience
  • Accommodation available at Kaniyo Pabidi or nearby Murchison Falls NP
  • Lower fees for chimp trekking than in popular Kibale NP
  • Excellent birding
  • Pristine forest
  • Busingiro has no accommodation or activities available

Budongo Forest Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

Many primate species are easily encountered. Aside from chimpanzees, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, black-and-white colobus and olive baboon can be seen. Nocturnal creatures include potto and several galago species. Also of interest are the high numbers of birds and butterflies recorded. Herds of buffalo and elephant visit the park from neighboring savannah reserve, Murchison Falls. Although you might see their tracks, they are seldom encountered.

Scenery

This pristine forest reserve has an amazing number (465 in total) of plant species recorded. Most notable are the impressive giant mahogany trees up to 60m high. Other beautiful trees to look out for are the spiky Fagara trees, parasitic strangler figs and iron wood trees. The latter are regularly used by chimpanzees for communication by drumming on their trunks.

Weather & Climate

Throughout the year, maximum daytime temperatures in Budongo Forest hover around 31°C/88°F, thanks to its position near the equator. In the Wet season (March to November), the rain eases off a bit during June and July. The precipitation practically disappears in the Dry season (December to February), providing a welcome break from the tropical humidity.

Best Time to Visit

The wildlife watching is good in Budongo year-round. However, it is at its best in the Dry season (December to March), and in the middle of the year when the Wet season rains temporarily lighten (June and July). The drier tracks at these times make chimpanzee trekking and birding that much easier.

Want to Visit Budongo Forest?

Budongo Forest Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Philip Briggs  –  
South Africa ZA

Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.

The forgotten chimpanzee reserve
3/5

This is Uganda’s most important refuge for chimpanzees, supporting a population currently estimated at around 800, including communities that have been habituated for research purposes since the 1970s. It is also one of the most extensive...

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Latest User Review
Davyth  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Mar 8, 2020
Superb
5/5

It took a while but the chimp trek was amazing. After 2hrs 45 minutes our guide heard from the tracker where the chimps were. It took us another half hour walk, then we heard an amazing racket. 30-40 chimps had cornered 3 colobus monkeys. 2...

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