Budongo Forest
Overview
Uganda Parks
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including 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.
Pros & Cons
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?
Safari Tours to Budongo Forest
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![3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Tour]()
3-Day Murchison Falls National Park Tour
$1,485 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Budongo Forest (Chimps), Entebbe (End)
Expedition Rwindi Voyage
5.0/5 – 52 Reviews
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![20-Day Primates and Wildlife Uganda Safari]()
20-Day Primates and Wildlife Uganda Safari
$9,878 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetMountain Hut & Camping
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Budongo Forest (Chimps), Kibale NP (Chimps), Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Pamoja Tours and Travel (Entebbe, UG)
4.8/5 – 54 Reviews
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![8-Day Kidepo Valley NP & Murchison Falls NP Budget Tour]()
8-Day Kidepo Valley NP & Murchison Falls NP Budget Tour
$2,530 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Budongo Forest (Chimps), Murchison Falls NP, Kidepo Valley NP, Entebbe (End)
Safari 2 Gorilla Tours
4.8/5 – 60 Reviews
