Budongo Central Forest Reserve
Budongo Forest Overview
We consider an Eco Tour to be a trip that causes minimal impact to the environment and local people. The site is usually culturally and biologically diverse and attracts tourists who have a common interest in nature, wildlife and culture.
A fundamental element of an Eco Tour is the education of environmental issues such as, the protection of natural resources or endangered species, usually relevant to the destination. This may be conducted through lectures, involvement in conservation projects or simply by learning from a knowledgeable tour guide with a special commitment to consider environmental and socio-cultural issues in all aspects of your trips.
Budongo Central Forest Reserve is the largest surviving natural forest in Uganda with a total surface area of 825sq.km. It covers the districts of Masindi, Hoima and Buliisa . This is a true forest! Very little illegal activity and encroachment has ensured that the forest remains as natural indeed intended it to be. Visitors seeking the serenity and calmness of being next to nature should opt for Budongo! Professionally preserved and managed by the National Forestry Authority, the forest is divided into three zones. Its strict nature reserve is the oldest in the country while its buffer zone allows Eco-Tourism and Research to prosper and its production zone caters for commercial activities.
Kaniyo-Pabidi Eco-Tourism Site
The site is located in the North Eastern part of Budongo Forest Reserve. It is a natural habitat and a home of about 120 Chimpanzees. However only one group consisting of about 30 chimpanzees has been fully habituated for Eco-Tourism purposes. There are also other primate species such as black and white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkey and baboons.
Part of Kaniyo-Pabidi is contiguous with Murchison falls national park and Bugungu wildlife reserve which are managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Hence some savannah grassland species can be sighted in Kaniyo-Pabidi. These include bush bucks, red and blue duikers, bush pigs, warthogs, lions, water bucks and buffaloes. There is prolific Birdlife especially the chocolate- backed kingfisher.This area is home of a variety of tree species like mahogany and the Celtic family. Some of the trees are known to posess medicinal qualities. Butterflies, moths and tropical flowers are abundant. Forest trails at this site are well developed and well maintained for tourist purposes.
Tourist activities include chimp tracking, bird watching, forest walks, conservation education and chimp habituation and camping.
Busingiro Eco-Tourism Site
Busingiro Eco-Tourism Site is located in the south western part of Budongo Forest Reserve. Like Kaniyo-Pabidi, this area is a habitat for several primate species including chimpanzees, monkeys and baboons. However the chimpanzees in Busingiro are not yet habituated for visitor tracking. Birds, butterflies, reptiles, small mammals and other micro organisms form the eco system that makes this particular site enviable.
Activities in Busingiro include forest walks, bird watching, primate identification, conservation education, and research and butterfly identification, among others. There is a primate research station on the site of an old sawmill at Sonso. The forest trails at this site are well developed and well maintained for tourist purposes.