Top things to do in Budongo Forest :  Budongo forest is a mahogany forest located in southern part of Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park in Uganda. Budongo forest is known for harbouring different wildlife species including buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys and over 360 bird species. There are a number of interesting activities that you can engage in during your safari in Budongo forest including,

Chimpanzee trekking
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the top activities in Budongo forest where visitors will be able to move into the tropical rainforest in search of the chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest which takes about 2 to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other primate species and once the chimpanzees are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat where you will be able to learn about their behaviours, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos.

Chimpanzee habituation experience
Chimpanzee habituation is another interesting activity in Budongo forest where the wild chimpanzees are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Chimpanzee habituation experience in Budongo forest is only done in the low season and the experience starts early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest in search of the chimpanzees which takes a whole day and during trekking, you will be able to view other primates, birds, plant and tree species among others. Once the chimpanzees are found, you will be able to spend four hours with them in their environment which gives you an opportunity to learn and monitor their behaviours, habits, watch them feed, play, hunt, rest, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos among others.

Bird watching
Budongo forest is a home of over 360 recorded bird species including endemic birds, Sudan-Guinea savannah biome birds, Guinea-Congo forest biome birds, endemic birds and migratory birds which makes Budongo forest a birding paradise in Uganda. During bird watching in Budongo forest, you will be accompanied by a birding guide who will help you to spot different bird species including African Paradise Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, White Wagtail, Black-crowned Waxbill, Purple Starling, Tropical Boubou, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Nahan’s Francolin, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, White-headed Saw-wing, Black-eared Ground-thrush, Little Crake, Black-necked Weaver, Black-headed Gonolek, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Lesser Grey Shrike, African Crowned Eagle, Cassin’s Spine Tail, Blue-throated Roller, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Dwarf Kingfisher, Piping Hornbill, Spotted Greenbul, Rufous-crowned Elemomela, Ituri Batis, Black-capped Apalis, Western-black Headed Oriole, Puvel’s Illadopsis, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Olive-breasted Greenbul, Crested Guineafowl, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Fork-tailed Drongo, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Cassin’s Hawk Eagle among others.

Nature walks
Nature walk is an amazing activity in Budongo forest where tourists will get an opportunity to explore the forest on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and armed ranger guides to protect you from any danger. During the guided nature walk, you will be able to view different mammals, primates, birds, old mahogany trees, colourful butterflies, beautiful scenery, listen to sweet sounds of bird species, enjoy the cool breeze, take stunning pictures among others.

Best time to visit Budongo forest
Budongo forest can be visited all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less rainfall in the forest therefore chimpanzee trekking and hiking trails will be dry and passable.

Budongo forest can also be visited in the low/ rainy season during the months of March to May and October to November because this is the best period for bird watching where bird lovers will be able to view migratory bird species. Also during the low/rainy season some lodges reduce rates as a way to attract visitors which favours budget travellers.

Where to stay in Budongo forest
There are a number of accommodation facilities near Budongo forest where you can stay during your safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Budongo Eco Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge, Tilenga Safari Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Murchison Falls Bamboo Village, Fort Murchison Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Hornbill Bush Lodge among others.

How to get to Budongo forest
Budongo forest is located in southern part of Murchison falls national park and can be accessed by road transport means where you will drive from Kampala via luwero, Masindi and then to Budongo forest which takes about 6 hours’ drive.

Budongo forest can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter domestic flights with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe international airport to Pakuba airstrip and then connect to Budongo forest by road.

For more information, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for affordable safari packages.