Budongo Forest - Chimp Trekking And Bird Watching

  • Gazelle Safari Africa

  • Uganda
  • Aug 18, 2022

A visit to the Southern part of Murchison Falls National Park is incomplete without an exploration of this 115-kilometer ancient forest. This Uganda Destinations is gifted with at least 450 species of towering indigenous trees that offer refuge to; 

>24 species of small mammals

> Nine species of primates

>250 butterflies

>360 species of birds, inclusive of endemics like Nahan’s francolin

Except for Kibale National Park, nowhere else do you find as many wild chimpanzees as Budongo, with a population of 800 individuals. And that’s where a chimpanzee trekking excursion comes in. Budongo Forest offers a high probability of spotting these primates with DNA that is 98.7% common to man. 

Budongo has an extensive trail system that stretches to 115 km. It is well maintained and evenly spread throughout the forest. This eases accessibility of the different corners of the reserve where forest walks, chimp tracking, and birding excel. 

Other Primates You Stand Great Chances Of Meeting Here Include;

>Blue monkey

>Grey-cheeked Mangabeys

>Red-tailed monkey

>Potto

>Black-and-white colobus

>Olive Baboons

>Forest bush baby (galago) species

Chimp Trekking In Budongo

At Gazelle Safaris Africa, we look forward to getting you a professional guide who is good at detecting animals. This guide will fire up your chimp trekking excursion with their wealth of knowledge about the forest’s flora and fauna. 

Having interacted with the chimps for over 20 years, the guide has developed a great rapport with them to become a part of their community. Thanks to this prior exposure, he/she can interpret for you what the different behaviors and loud vocalizations of the chimps mean.

You will explore a forest area with a community of about 70 to 90 habituated chimps. After trekking for an average of two hours, you will find them high in the tree tops, searching for food, or even hunting for black and white monkeys, a meaty source of protein.

If it’s a dry season, a time when the forest floor is dry, you might find them affectionately grooming each to make up after a fight.

Nothing beats the thrill of watching their cute babies learn how to fish termites by poking anthills in the forest using thin sticks. Everything seems to be in their favor until that minute when they stuff the insects into their mouths, only to get stings and bites. 

This twist of fate will leave you in a mixed bag of emotions. You will want to cry and laugh at the same time.

Bird Watching In Budongo

Roughly 360 species of birds have been recorded in Budongo’s Royal Mile, extending from Nyabyeya Forestry College to a research station. They include the rare Puval’s Illadopses which are endemic to the region.

Other Notable Species Include; 

>Cassin’s Hawk Eagle

>Chestnut Crowned Eremomera

>Crested Malimbe Dusky long-tailed Cuckoo

>African Emerald Cuckoo

>Yellow-browned Camaroptera

>Western Black-headed Oriole

>Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher

>Yellow and Grey Longbill

>Slender-billed Greenbul

>Forest Robin

>Lemon-bellied Crombec

>White-spotted Flufftail

>Little Green Sunbird

>Yellow-mantled Weaver

>Chocolate-backed Kingfisher

The melancholy call of the chocolate-backed kingfisher dominates the hike, but there is no guarantee that you will see it as it is shy and elusive.

Note: The Best Time To Visit Is All Year Round.

Take advantage of a fantastic opportunity in Uganda Destinations and see one of the largest and most ecologically diversified blocks of rainforest in East Africa. Add Budongo Forest on your Uganda Safari & get the best what Uganda has to offer!

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