Budongo central forest reserve
Budongo central forest reserve is a largest surviving natural forest in Uganda and east Africa situated in western Uganda in Masindi town, budongo central forest reserve is part of the great Murchison falls conservation area which consists of Murchison falls national park, bugungu wildlife reserve and karuma falls wildlife reserve. Budongo central forest reserve is situated in an escarpment in the great east African rift north west of Lake Albert (top of Albertine rift )on your way to Murchison falls national park, it stretches over an area of 825 square kilometers of which 430 square kilometer is a continuous forest.
Budongo central forest reserve derives its name from a local bunyoro name budongo meaning fertile soil, historically the forest was protected and conserved by the kingdom of bunyoro spearhead by the king as a hunting ground and to hunt in these grounds was only by permission of the king. Only the king, royal family and chiefs were allowed to hunt in these grounds. In 1932 these ground were gazetted as a protected reserve, today budongo central forest reserve has a royal mile which is the best place for taking a walk in the forest and watch numerous species of birds.
Budongo central forest reserve is managed by numerous organisations, the chimpanzee area is operated and managed by Jane Goodall institute for research, the forest is managed by the national forest authority, budongo conservation field station a non-government organisation in conjuction with makerere university.
Attractions in budongo forest reserve
Primates
Budongo central forest reserve hosts a vast tract of ever green forest which comfortably habits approximately 9 primate species famously chimpanzees, the forest reserve is a habitant to over 600 chimpanzee individuals, a small population of chimpanzees have been habituated for chimpanzee experience habituation experience and chimpanzee tracking. Other primates living in the reserve include Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, potto and galago. Potto and galago are nocturnal animals spotted in the night.
Tree species
Budongo central forest reserve is a prominent ecological system harboring extra ordinary tree species, the forest hosts approximately 465 tree species with a famous mahogany tree species. Mahogany tree species in budongo forest are 80 meters tall and 20 meters on circumference. Other tree species found in budongo central forest include Celtis mildbraedii, Aningeria altissima, Chrysophyllum, Ficus, Alstonia and boonei, Albizia, Sapium ellipticum, Cordia, Acanthus arboreus, Maesopsis eminii, Spathodea, companulata and many more. These tree species do not only offer home to the variety of wildlife in the forest but also provide shade and fresh polluted air, budongo forest is dotted with 5 major forest types that is swamp-forest, mixed Cynometra-mixed tropical high forest and Cynometra.
Bird species
Budongo forest reserve is an important birding site ranking second to semuliki national park, this forest reserve is a perfect spot for birders as it habits over 360 bird species with 60 of them considered west or central bird species. Among bird species in budongo forest include two species which are endemic to budongo forest and found nowhere in east Africa that is yellow – footed flycatcher and Puvel’s, the royal mile is the best location for bird watching . Budongo forest reserve receives migratory bird species in the period of November and April, these bird species migrate from the neighboring areas like kaniyo pabidi forest, Lake Albert and Murchison falls national park. Bird species in budongo forest include African dwarf kingfisher, black-eared ground thrush, blue-breasted kingfisher, brown twin spot, Cassin’s hawk eagle, Cassin’s spine tail, chestnut-capped flycatcher, chocolate-backed kingfisher, crested Guinea fowl, crowned eagle, grey-headed sunbird, Ituri batis, lemon-bellied Crombec, little green sunbird, olive-breasted greenbul, plain greenbul, Puvel’s illadopsis, Sabine’s spine tail, white-spotted fluff tail, white-thighed hornbill, yellow-crested woodpecker, yellow-footed flycatcher and many more.
Small rivers
Budongo central reserve is crossed by small rivers that empty into Lake Albert, these rivers include waisoke, sonko, Bubwa and wake. These rivers act as water source to the animals and birds most especially water birds.
Things to do in budongo central forest reserve
Budongo forest is a breathtaking dreamy tourist destination offering many tourist activities to engage in while on your safari.
Chimpanzee habituation experience
Chimpanzee habituation experience is one of the most trade mark safari activities offered and loved in budongo central forest reserve, chimpanzee habituation in budongo is offered in and done in the low season periods which are from 1st march – 15th June and 1st October -15th December. Chimpanzee habituation experience is a whole day experience that offers you an opportunity to spend more time with the amazing chimpanzees, while with the chimpanzees in budogo forest on habituation experience you get involved in observing behaviors of chimpanzees, collecting their samples and giving the chimpanzees names. As a tourist you are accompanied by researchers and tour guides while on this experience.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee tracking in budongo central forest reserve is an amazing activity involving looking for the beautiful chimpanzees in the forests, this amazing activity is done twice on a daily basis that is in the morning and in the afternoon. Anytime is the best time to time to engage in the chimpanzee tracking experience which you offers 3 hours while in the forest enjoying the presence of chimpanzees, interacting with and watching them playing on tree branches. To participate in chimpanzee tracking you have to be in possession of a chimpanzee tracking permit which is purchased at the offices of Uganda wildlife safari and it currently costs US$ 85, as your planning to participate in chimpanzee tracking it is important to book your ticket a month or two before the actual day of tracking. This so because of the high demand for the tickets and only 16 permits are issued by the Uganda wildlife safaris.
Nature walks
Nature walks in budongo central forest reserve is a relaxing retreat to engage in, nature walks takes you on a walk in the thick ever green budongo forest which is filled with big tall mahogany trees. As you walk in the forest in a company of a professional game ranger you encounter colorful birds, butterflies and chimpanzee playing on trees. On nature walks you do not only enjoy forest creatures but also savior on fresh unpolluted air and cool breeze.
Birding walks
Budongo central forest reserve is a known fascinating birding site habiting approximately 360 bird species including forest and water bird species, budongo forest typically habits forest bird species but also water birds species occasionally migrate from the shores of Lake Albert to the forest. Water birds are also found at the shores of Smalls Rivers which drain the forest that is river waisoke, sonko, Bubwa and wake. Bird species sighted in budongo forest reserve include , black-eared ground thrush, blue-breasted kingfisher, brown twin spot, Cassin’s hawk eagle, Cassin’s spine tail, chestnut-capped flycatcher, chocolate-backed kingfisher, crested Guinea fowl, crowned eagle, grey-headed sunbird, Ituri batis, lemon-bellied Crombec, little green sunbird, olive-breasted greenbul, plain greenbul, Puvel’s illadopsis, Sabine’s spine tail, white-spotted fluff tail, white-thighed hornbill, yellow-crested woodpecker, yellow-footed flycatcher and many more. The best time to go for bird watching in budongo forest is the months of February to April and June to September because these months are dry making spotting of the birds easy. And in the period of June to September is a fruiting season meaning there is abundant food for the birds meaning many bird species are seen in the forest
How to get to budongo central forest reserve
Budongo central forest reserve is situated in the southern eastern region of Murchison falls national park in Masindi town, from Kampala to budongo central forest it is approximately 236.6 kilometers via Kampala Masindi which is a drive of 4 hours. The reserve is accessed using kichumbanyobo gate which is situated in the southern part of Murchison falls national park, the gate is approximately 30 kilometers from Masindi town. When you get in the gate you follow the main road to paraa driving 8 kilometers to the reserve’s headquarters which are situated near the eco lodge.
