Budongo central forest reserve is located in Masindi district and the nearest town is masindi too, the forest is at elevation of 1110-1590m. The forest is a medium attitude, moist, semi-deciduous tropical rainforest. The forest is 30 km north of Masindi town. From the Kichumbayobo Gate follow the main road to Paraa safari lodge a luxury accommodation in Murchison falls National park. After 8 km you will see a signpost on your left side, you are good to now reach the protected area.
The name Budongo originated from the local word “obudongo” in the Bunyoro kitara kingdom, meaning fertility or also regarded as fertile soils of the area. Indeed fertile soils which enabled the growth of Mahongy and iron wood trees within Budongo forest reserve.
Budongo Central Forest Reserve is the biggest natural Mahogany forest in Uganda and East Africa with a total of approximately 825 sq.km. The forest reserve overlooks top Albertine Rift, which is part of the East African Great Rift Valley that is located within Murchison Falls National Park.
The Forest is situated approximately 3 hours’ drive north of Kampala on the way to the Murchison Falls National Park, the largest and oldest protected area in Uganda best for game viewing activities like game drives and boat trips. The forest is a habitat to the largest number of chimpanzees in Uganda.
Major tourist attraction and destination of the forest are, the Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site, and Busingiro Ecotourism site which are located at boundaries to Murchison Falls National Park covered by Mahogany and Iron-wood trees.
Historically, Budongo forest reserve was owned and managed by Bunyoro kingdom and was used by kings men to hunt but under the kings authority or permission, later, it was conserved as a forest reserve in 1932.
The forest consist of rich biodiversity, making it home to 24 species of small mammals, 9 species of primates and 280 butterflies. This natural forest is a habitat to over 600 chimpanzees, of which a portion the primate species have been habituated for eco-tourism purposes.
The habituated family is composed of 80 individuals, allowing visitors to experience the unique opportunity to view these amazing apes in their natural and fantastic setting. However there are other primates of the area and these include; the Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys.
Chimpanzee tracking experience is the major attraction at the destination as well as chimpanzee habituation. The two activities start as early as 7; 00am with brief at the entrance or park headquarter. Follow the well-equipped and highly skilled, this will definitely boost you travel experience.
There are over 360 species of birds are recorded in the total area, including the rare Puval’s Illadopses which is endemic to the region. Others include the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Chestnut Crowned Eremomera, Dusky long-tailed Cuckoo, Yellow-browned Camaroptera, Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, Slender-billed Greenbul, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Forest Robin, White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow and Grey Longbill, Little Green Sunbird,Western Black-headed Oriole, African Emerald Cuckoo, Yellow-manted Weaver, Crested Malimbe and Cassin’s Hawk Eagle among others.
