Famous for its chimpanzee safaris and nature walks safaris in Uganda, Budongo forest is a part of Murchison falls National Park and the only naturally grown forest in Uganda harboring Chimpanzees, which are an endangered primate species. It is therefore under a watch of NFA- National Forests Association.
CONSERVATION AND SETTING OF BUDONGO FOREST.
Occupying about 435square kilometers, Budongo forest is mainly composed of moist, medium altitude, semi-deciduous forests. It also has some savannah perched areas and woodland, thereby making it an incomplete forest all through. It also has a wave of landscape extending to the African Great Rift Valley thereby making the forest a beautiful haven with clear water streams that drain through it to Lake Albert in the East. These streams combine with the forest to the equator leading to the formation of a moderate 1200mm-2200mm annual amount of rainfall in the wet seasons.
WILDLIFE SPECIES IN THE FOREST.
Budongo species is naturally endowed with unique wildlife and vegetation and animal species inhabiting it. Chimpanzee trekking is the main activity in the forest as the forest is a home to chimps, as well as other primates like monkeys and baboons. The forest also harbors up to 360 bird species like the fly catcher, the little green sun bird, and the forest robin as well as 24 species of mammals, 280 species of butterflies and the isolation of the forest makes It a perfect lions harbor. It is therefore necessary to take caution and be keen so as not to face the king of the jungle.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Since the forest is close to the Equator, its temperatures are almost the same throughout the year, having the maximum daily temperature about 31degrees Celsius. The wet season receives a lot of rain from March to May and September to October. However, there is little or no rainfall.
DIRECTIONS TO BUDONGO FOREST
Budongo forest is located in the South Eastern part of Murchison falls National Park.
BIRD WATCHING
Budongo forest is home to 360 bird species, some of which are very rare. Some of the birds are Budongo are the puvels illadopsis, forest robin, lemon bellied crombec and many more.
GUIDED WALKS
With the guidance of an experienced tour guide, guided walks in the forest are along particular demarcated trails. The guides will tell you more information about the forest and will help you identify the bird species seen along the walk.
