Budongo Forest Reserve : Budongo forest is located in the northwest of Kampala as you make your way to Murchison Falls National Park. Budongo Forest is famously known as a paradise for the chimpanzee’s primates allover Uganda, a place they get to unwind and be themselves. Famous to Budongo also is its abundance of East African mahogany. The one and only naturally grown forest in Uganda is composed of rich moist dense forest vegetation consisting of deciduous forests, stipulated in the Southern East African mahogany. The tree is almost 80 meters tall and 20 meters in circumstances. The forest is under watch by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) , and the works are shared with Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS) a non governmental organization working with Makerere University.
The forest has enhanced offers of activities like nature walks, hiking, chimp trekking and birding that are perfectly done during the dry seasons, possibly in the months of December to February, June to August, when the forest receives less or no rainfall, when the trails are dry. Its close proximity to the Equator is behind its common daily temperature with a remarkable handful collection of plenty rainfall during the months of March to May and September to October. Nature walks around the forest and towards the landscapes of Murchison falls national park is an exploration of the larger animals like lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards.
The haven of peace for the Chimps. Chimpanzee trekking in company of a guide is rewardingly one of the experiences the forest offers, suitably done in the morning, a time the animals come for a little taste of salt, but during the times when the fruits are scarce in the forest, the chimps take a wide stroll around the forest hence it might be a little had to notice them, mainly in the months of October up to January. This radiant forest also offers Chimpanzee habituation experiences; a quality time with this highly intelligent creatures at their habitat; a great time to have an over view of their lifestyle, habits and fantasies , also see them consume fruits and plants.
It is a bode to also many other wildlife species; its vibrant vegetation is a conducive environment to other primates like the red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons and the nocturnal primates species that include the pottos and galago,that can be noticed swinging from one tree to the other. The forest is also a great birding spot with over 360 bird species contains countless birds like the endemic puveli illadopsis, black headed paradise fly catcher, lemon billed gromec, forest robin, little green sun bird and the black headed oride, but a few to mention. Harbours also various mammals, 280 colorful butterflies and you might also be lucky to take a glimpse of the lions as well as this is an excellent spot for them to roam around.
The prominent mahogany forest is also an only dynasty to two endemic birds that can’t be traced in the whole of East Africa, second to Semiliki National Park in hosting the Guinea Congo forest-Biome. This is surely a bird lover’s place, get your cameras ready for a nice shot of these stunning birds, as this is one of the greatest birding places in East Africa. Found in the district of Masindi district, North- Western Uganda with three major tourism sections that is to say Kaniyo Pabidi, Busingiro and Sonso.
