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Budongo Central Forest Reserve – Chimpanzee Trekking, Permits & More

Budongo Forest is located on an escarpment along Lake Albert in the northwestern part of Uganda. The forest was established in 1990 by Professor Vernon Reynolds after he read a newspaper story reporting that chimpanzees in Budongo Forest were being captured and transported to Entebbe International Airport, where they were being smuggled abroad as pets.

Book chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park or check online availability & price for chimp trekking permits.

Budongo Forest

The permanent sample plots established in Budongo Forest in the 1930s are likely the oldest tropical rainforest samples in the world. They have provided valuable opportunities to understand the dynamics of tropical rainforests. Budongo Forest, located in northwestern Uganda, is home to the largest population of chimpanzees in the country, with approximately 800 chimpanzees living in the wild. The forest covers an area of about 435 square kilometers and consists of semi-deciduous forests.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest Reserve

Chimpanzee tracking is a popular activity in Budongo Forest. The duration of the activity depends on the movements of the chimpanzees but typically takes around 2-4 hours. Once the group locates the chimpanzees, visitors are usually allowed one hour for observation.

Birding in Budongo Forest

Budongo Forest is a haven for bird enthusiasts on Uganda birding safaris, boasting around 360 bird species, with 60 of them considered to be central and east African species. Some examples of birds found in Budongo Forest include the paradise flycatcher, chocolate-backed kingfisher, yellow-footed flycatcher, Puvel’s illadopsis, African pied wagtail, black kite, olive-breasted greenbul, fork-tailed drongo, crested guinea fowl, black-eared ground thrush, crowned eagle, grey-headed sunbird, Sabine’s spine-tail, yellow-crested woodpecker, white-thighed hornbill, chestnut-capped flycatcher, plain greenbul, lemon-bellied crombec, African dwarf kingfisher, Ituri batis, and Cassin’s hawk eagle, among others. The best time for bird-watching in Budongo is from April to May and in November when migratory birds from North Africa and Europe are present.

Wildlife Safaris

Budongo Forest is situated in the southwestern part of Murchison Falls National Park, one of the top wildlife viewing destinations in Uganda. Tourists have the opportunity to combine their visit to Budongo Forest with a safari to Murchison Falls National Park. The forest is also home to other primate species, including red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, tree pangolins, olive baboons, forest galagos, pottos, and forest giant squirrels, among others.

Budongo Forest can be accessed from Murchison Falls National Park through Kichumbanyobo Gate, which is a 30-minute drive away. The park itself can be reached in approximately 5-6 hours by road from Kampala. Budongo Forest is a year-round destination that can be visited at any time of the year.



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