What to See in Budongo Forest

What to See in Budongo Forest

What to See in Budongo Forest

Budongo forest in Masindi district is located in western Uganda and is the largest forest in the country. It has a high biodiversity with 24 recorded species of small mammals, 9 primate species, 465 species of trees and shrubs, 359 species of birds, 289 species of butterflies, and 130 species of moths.

A number of species in Budongo are in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) endangered category. Among the mammals are Chimpanzee and Leopard, among birds Nahan's Francolin, a terrestrial game bird of deep forest. The African giant swallowtail butterfly is also endangered. Endangered tree species include cordial milleni, irvingia gabonensis, milicia excels and the mahogany Entandrophragma angolense.

Busingiro ecotourism site located in the southern part of the forest along the road from Masindi to Butiaba provides opportunities for experiences complementary to those at the Chimpanzee tracking site in Kaniyo Pabidi to the north of the forest. Between 2005 and 2008, the site was improved with support from the USAID-funded PRIME/ west project.

Visitors on a Uganda safari can enjoy viewing the birdlife at Budongo forest during guided walks lasting up to 3 hours either in the morning or afternoon. The guides are keen birders and the forest is famous for its avian diversity. Keen birdwatchers may, if they wish experience a whole day of guided bird observations. Species such as ituri batis, rufous-crowned eremomela, forest francolin, yellow and grey longbills, yellow spotted barbet, red tailed ant thrush, dusky long tailed cuckoo and many other forest species may be encountered. Lucky birders may also see chimpanzees, baboons and other primates in the forest although the primates are not habituated for tourism. An early start from Busingiro would take the birder to the famous Royal mile, 14km away near Nyabyeya, one of the best forest birding sites in the country.

Busingiro provides two bandas and camping facilities, with solar powered hot showers, solar powered lighting, and a superbly located campground set below the impressive canopy of Budongo forest, with a fully equipped self catering kitchen. The renovation of the living and sanitary facilities as well as the construction of the kitchen was recently undertaken with support from the USAID-funded sustainable tourism in the Albertine Rift (STAR) project.

POST COMMENT

Akash Ambani: Like father, like son ERP achievement developed 6 things you may not have known about Vampire Diaries Is a Newsreader Hard to Use? Getting Six-Pack Stomach Part 1 Perfumes, Fragrances, Аphrodisiacs Top Ten 20 - Expensive champagne brands Watch Jersey Shore Season 3 Episode 10 Dining Out in Dorset Getting Six-Pack Stomach Part 2 Dorset Culinary Treats Getting Six-Pack Stomach Part 3 Are You Still in the Dark About Motion Detector Lights?