Explore Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park

Tucked away in the southern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest is one of Uganda’s most enchanting tropical forests. This vast natural mahogany forest stretches across 825 square kilometers near Masindi and offers a completely different safari experience from the park’s famous game drives and Nile boat cruises.

Budongo is not just a forest  it’s a thriving ecosystem. It shelters chimpanzees, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys, along with 24 other mammal species. Nature lovers will also find 280 butterfly species, 130 moth species, and an impressive 465 plant species, including giant mahogany trees that tower up to 80 meters high. For birders, the forest is a paradise with over 360 recorded bird species.

If you’re looking to combine primates, birds, and peaceful forest walks, Budongo delivers in the best way.

Top Things to Do in Budongo Forest

 Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee trekking is the highlight of any visit to Budongo Forest. In fact, after gorilla trekking, it’s Uganda’s second most popular primate activity.

Budongo is home to around 600 chimpanzees, making it one of the top chimp tracking destinations in the country after Kibale Forest. Treks take place in two sessions daily:

• Morning session: Starts at 8:00 am
• Afternoon session: Starts at 2:00 pm

Your adventure begins with a briefing at the Budongo Eco Lodge information center. Afterward, guides divide visitors into small groups of six and assign each group a habituated chimpanzee family. From there, you head into the forest with experienced rangers and trackers.

The trek can last 2 to 3 hours, or sometimes longer, depending on the chimps’ location. During the dry season, they often move deeper into the forest in search of food. Once you find them, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing their behavior  feeding, grooming, playing, and communicating  all in their natural habitat.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

For a deeper and more immersive encounter, choose the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience. This activity allows you to spend extended time with chimps that are still getting used to human presence.

This special experience happens mostly during the low seasons:

• March to May
• October to November

Instead of just one hour, you spend up to four hours with the chimpanzees. You join researchers, trackers, and rangers as they monitor chimp movements, observe feeding habits, and document individual behaviors. It’s more personal, more detailed, and incredibly rewarding for wildlife enthusiasts.

 Guided Nature Walks

Budongo’s guided nature walks offer a refreshing break from vehicle-based safaris. As you walk beneath the forest canopy, you’ll breathe in fresh air, feel the cool shade, and listen to the symphony of birds and insects.

One popular trail leads to Kaniyo Pabidi, famous for its towering mahogany trees, some over 70 years old. Along the way, you may also spot wildlife and see areas where animals come to lick mineral-rich salts from tree trunks.

Some trails even connect toward the savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park, where you might encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and  if lucky even lions.

Birding in Budongo Forest

With over 360 bird species, Budongo is one of Uganda’s top forest birding destinations. Birding excursions are led by expert guides, often along the famous Royal Mile in Busingiro, near the forest college.

Here, you can look out for incredible species such as:

• Yellow-footed flycatcher
• Cassin’s hawk-eagle
• Crowned eagle
• Chocolate-backed kingfisher
• Fire-crested alethe
• Ituri batis
• Black-capped apalis
• Little green sunbird

Whether you’re a serious birder or a casual nature lover, the forest’s birdlife is truly rewarding.

Best Time to Visit Budongo Forest

You can visit Budongo year-round, but the dry seasons are the most comfortable:

• June to September
• December to February

During these months, forest trails are drier, making chimp trekking, birding, and nature walks easier.

However, the rainy seasons (March–May and October–November) also have advantages. Food is abundant, so chimpanzees stay closer and are sometimes easier to locate. Permits are less competitive, and this is also the best time for the chimpanzee habituation experience.

Where to Stay Near Budongo Forest

Budongo offers accommodation options for every budget. Popular choices include:

• Budongo Eco Lodge (closest to the forest activities)
• Masindi Hotel
• New Court View Hotel
• Hotel Victory Bijja
• Kabalega Resort Hotel

These lodges provide comfortable rooms, restaurants, bars, Wi-Fi in common areas, and relaxing gardens  perfect for unwinding after a day in the forest.

Combine Budongo with Classic Murchison Falls Safaris

Since Budongo lies in the southern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, many visitors combine forest activities with classic wildlife viewing in the northern sector. To cross, you take the ferry over the River Nile.

The northern side is famous for its high concentration of wildlife. There, you can enjoy:

• Game drives with elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and Uganda kobs
• Boat cruises upstream to the base of the powerful Murchison Falls
• Boat trips downstream to the Victoria Nile Delta, rich in birds, hippos, and crocodiles

This combination of forest primates and savannah wildlife makes Budongo a perfect addition to any Murchison Falls safari.