The forest of chimpanzees
Budongo Forest

Forest surrounding

The surrounding southern half is dominated by large-scale sugarcane plantations, while in the north the land is infertile and receives less rainfall. Here the forest is bordered by Murchison Falls National Park and two Wildlife Reserves, with the protected forest areas being unpopulated. Thus in the north and west, the area is covered by woodlands while most settlements are found in the south.

Nevertheless also this area is sparsely populated only. Parishes around Masindi town are the most populated with Masindi totalling about 39.000 inhabitants. On average population density within a 2km-rim around Budongo CFR just sums to 158 inh./kmē (2002). Traditionally the area belonged to the Banyoro people, but today the local community is very mixed due to immigration of other ethnic groups.

 

Tourist attractions

Budongo is in particular known for its chimpanzees. Tourists normally stay in Masindi and enter the reserve along the road to Murchison Falls NP in the north and towards Lake Albert passing the western part of the forest. It is along these roads that the two ecotourism sites (Kaniyo-Pabidi and Busingiro) are placed. The latter is known for chimp trekking. The research field station in the middle of the forest is not open to tourists. But in addition to guided walks in the forest or tracking chimpanzees in a true rain forest, a visit to Murchison Falls NP and the shore of Lake Albert are a must for any traveller.

Budongo Forest had been included in the BIOTA East Africa research sites for the reason of comparison with a least disturbed forest. You may also want to check the Web site of the Budongo Conservation Field Station or NFA for information.

 

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