Budongo Forest Reserve

Stretching across the southern sector of Murchison Falls National Park in north-western Uganda, Budongo Forest Reserve forms part of the Albertine Rift and is one of the largest remaining mahogany forests in East Africa. Once a royal hunting ground for the Bunyoro kings, it now spans approximately 825 square kilometres, with a mix of semi-deciduous woodland, riverine marshes, and savannah. Towering mahogany and ironwood trees dominate the canopy, providing refuge for an estimated 600–700 chimpanzees, the largest population in Uganda. Chimp tracking is a highlight, particularly in Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro, where guided excursions lead visitors through dense vegetation in search of these primates. Birdwatchers can explore trails home to over 360 avian species, including the rare yellow-footed flycatcher and illadopsis puveli. Occasional sightings of buffaloes and elephants occur near the forest’s savannah fringes, while duikers, waterbucks, and olive baboons are more frequently seen along the salt-licking glades at dawn.