Budongo forest

The Budongo Central Forest Reserve sits atop the Albertine Rift, part of the Great Rift Valley that cuts through Africa from North to South. It comprises about 825 square kilometres of which 430 km2 is continuous forest. Its survival is the result of years of continuous protection by kings, governments, conservationists and the local people.

Historically, a portion of Budongo Forest was originally managed by the Bunyoro Kingdom and served as their traditional hunting grounds. Under the kings’ protection, this area was not logged. As a result, you can still see mature mahogany trees and diverse wildlife. Some of the best bird viewing is found in the area known as the Royal Mile. It is regarded as the single best bird watching site in Uganda.

During the colonial period (1898-1961) the Budongo Forest was managed for extraction using strict scientific methods of harvesting to prevent over- exploitation. Saw milling started in Budongo in 1926. By 1960, the largest saw mill in Uganda, was producing 600 tons of timber each month.

This medium altitude, moist, semi-deciduous tropical rain forest is home to a variety of plants and animals. Many of these forest residents are well camouflaged and experts in hiding. This makes forest animals much more difficult to spot than animals on the savannah. It inhabits 49 reptile species, 332 bird species, 29 amphibian species, 95 mammal species and 449 tree species.

The forest is high-rise apartment living. At each level, species find a niche. On the forest floor duikers and bushbucks go about their secretive ways, while fungi and insects are busy breaking down leaf litter. Mid-level in the forest plentiful bird, reptile and insect life abound. The primates rule the treetops attracted by the bounty of seasonal fruits.

Strangler figs, a keystone species in the forest, are parasitic on other trees. Their seeds are deposited by treetop animals. As the fig tree grows, it strangles its host. Strangler figs are ecologically important, providing shelter, breeding sites and nutritional fruits to chimpanzees, monkeys and birds.

Invertebrates are important to the forest. They aerate the soil, break down leaf litter, pollinate plants and are food for many species.

Chimpanzees in the  forest

One of the alpha male chimps in Budongo forest

The 2002 census in Uganda determined that about 5000 chimpanzees remain in twelve forest blocks and the Budongo central forest reserve is home to about 880 chimpanzees.

Chimpanzees live in communities containing up to 120 individuals. These communities are territorial and live in defined home ranges a territory that can support an 125 entire community of chimpanzees requires many square kilometers of forest habitat.

The movement of chimpanzees is dictated by a variety of environmental and social factors. The distribution of food and water, the presence of predators, the availability of cycling females and the size and movements of neighboring communities all affect the group’s use of their habitat.

Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest

Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest

Budongo forest is now famous as one of the most reliable chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda. With chances now almost 70%,  guides are skilled in the art of chimpanzee tracking. They will take you through the briefing of chimpanzee trekking; the dos and don’ts while in the forest.

Following their pre-trackers, they look for clues well hidden in the forest to locate the chimpanzees as you also learn more about these amazing primates.

Their nests;

Chimpanzees use tree branches and foliage to build nests. These nests are used for sleeping. To spot a chimpanzee nest, must have a keen eye as they often appear to be nothing more than a dense patch of foliage in the forest canopy.

Their foot prints;

Chimpanzees travel on the ground in motion called knuckle walking. This type of movement can leave behind a knuckle print which is a great clue that there were chimpanzees in the area.

Their dung;

Chimpanzee dung can help the guides determine how recently a chimpanzee has been in the area.

Their fruits;

When chimpanzees eat they discard parts of fruit or wads of leaves. These clues help the guides to track chimpanzees.

Birding in Budongo forest

Birding in Royal Miles- Budongo forest

Budongo forest is home to 332 bird species and some of the rare species to catch here will include the Puvel’s Illadopsis, Nahan’s Francolin, and the Chocolate–Backed Kingfisher, White-headed Saw-wing, White Wagtail, Black-eared Ground-Thrush, Little Crake, Yellow-billed Barbet, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, African Paradise Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Lemon-bellied Crombec, African Moustached Warbler, Green-backed Eremomela, Yellow-throated Greenbul, African Citril, African Golden-breasted Bunting, Black-crowned Waxbill, Bronze Mannikin, Black-billed Bluebill, Black-winged Red Bishop, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Spectacled Weaver, Black-necked Weaver, Yellow-backed Weaver, Compact Weaver, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Holub’s Golden Weaver, Red-headed Weaver, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Purple Starling, Purple-headed Starling, Splendid Starling, Northern Puffback, Black-headed Gonolek, Tropical Boubou, Isabelline Shrike, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Western Violet-backed Sunbird and many more. For bird watchers, Budongo forest is a famous birding paradise!