Bugoma rain forest is located in western Uganda on the south-western side of Hoima district. The National Forestry Authority manages Bugoma Central Forest Reserve and covers approximately 401 kilometers established in 1942. Budongo forest is the perfect tourist destination to see or spot different plants and animals to satisfy your eyes and love for adventure and nature. Some of the attractions you should expect to see in Bugoma forest include, birds, flora and fauna, and wildlife, to mention but a few.

The main attractions in Bugoma forest are chimpanzees, approximately 600 in number, and other primates. Some of the other primates that call Bugoma forest home include black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, to mention but a few. You should also remember that besides the primates, some mammals callthe Bugoma forest home. Some of these mammals include golden cats, bush elephants, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, and side-stripped jackals, to mention but a few.

What activities can be done in the Bugoma forest?

There are a lot of activities that can be done in the Bugoma forest, these activities vary from one another in terms of what to do and prices. Some of these activities include,

Chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma forest.

Chimpanzee trekking is done in the Budongo forest and is considered to be the main activity that is done by the highest number of tourists who visit the Bugoma forest. Chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma forest involves tourists moving in the forest led by guides and rangers to see chimpanzees in their natural habitats. When a certain chimpanzee family is spotted, not more than an hour is given to the tourists to spend in the presence of these endangered species. During this one hour, you will get to learn about the behaviors of the chimpanzee by seeing and being told more information by your guide.

Chimpanzee habituation in Bugoma forest

Just like chimpanzee trekking, chimpanzee habituation involves looking for the chimpanzee families in their natural habitats but differs with the time spent in the presence of chimpanzees. With chimpanzee trekking, tourists get to spend more time with these endangered species. Tourists spend either half a day or the whole day with the chimpanzees studying their behaviors during chimpanzee habituation.

Guided nature walks in Bugoma forest.

Guided nature walks are also one of the activities done in Bugoma forest. Guided nature walks involve tourists walking through walking or trekking trails in the forest being led by guides and rangers to tour different parts of the forest. During these guided nature walks, tourists can spot different primates, mammals, birds, and tree species, to mention but a few along the trails while walking.

Birding in Bugoma forest

Bugoma forest is also a good place for bird spotting since it is hometo about thousands of different bird species. Some of the bird species that can be spotted in the Bugoma forest include the Grey parrot, and Nahan’s francolin, to mention but a few. For bird lovers ready to tick off their birding lists, Bugoma Forest is the perfect place for you to do birding.

Monkey trekking in Bugoma forest.

Apart from chimpanzees, Bugoma forest is also home to different monkey species including white colobus, grey-checked Mangabeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, to mention but a few.

Reptile viewing in Bugoma forest.

Bugoma forest is also home to about 9 reptile species that are good for research or study purposes. So, for tourists who are interested in research or study about reptiles, Bugoma forest is the place for you to go.

Even though the Bugoma forest is so blessed by nature, it is under threat of destruction. This is brought about by the illegal logging and cutting down of trees in the forest by different people. Approximately 900 hectares of the forest have already suffered deforestation. This was cleared out in the name of commercial development and promises of community development.

How to get to Bugoma forest

Bugoma forest is located approximately 70 km away from Hoima town and can be accessed from Kampala the capital city of Uganda. By road via the Hoima-Fort portal road and through Kasindi forest station, you can access Bugoma forest.

Where to stay for chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma forest?

Bugoma Forest is surrounded by different accommodation facilities that range from luxury to budget depending on your needs and how your pocket stands. Some of these accommodation facilities include Nguse River Camp, Saltake Forest Cottages, and Bugoma Jungle Lodge, to mention but a few. The prices of these accommodation facilities are determined by season and what a tourist or visitor wants in his or her room, cottage, or lodge. During high seasons, the prices of these accommodation facilities tend to be high and during low seasons the prices are low or with discounts.

What to pack when visiting Bugoma forest

There are specific things that you should consider parking when visiting Bugoma forest, some of these things or items that you should pack include.

Insect repellants

Since you are visiting a new place and it happens to be a forest, the best thing to help protect you from insect bites is insect repellant which you should bring along when packing.

Binoculars

You should also consider packing a pair of binoculars which will help you to spot different birds mostly for the birding activity and monkeys during monkey trekking activity.

Sunglasses

These will protect your eyes from direct sunlight while carrying out different activities in Bugoma forest.

Long-sleeved shirts

Long-sleeved shirts will help protect your hands from insect bites, direct sunlight, and scratches from tree branches, to mention but a few.

Long sleeved trousers

Apart from long-sleeved shirts, you should also wearlong-sleeved trousers which will protect your legs in the same way the long-sleeved shirts will protect your hands.

First aid kit

A first aid kit is one of the things that you should consider bringing along having the drugs prescribed by your travel doctor. In case of any accident, the first aid kit will be of great help.

Water bottle

Since most activities done in the Budongo forest require a lot of refreshments and energy, you should consider packing water and filling it with about 3 liters of water when carrying out any activity. During every activity, you will be given a water break to rehydrate.

Bag pack

A bag pack will help you carry all the things you will need during your visit or any activity in Bugoma forest. That is why you should consider bringing it along when you decide to visit Bugoma forest.

Other items or things you should not leave behind when packing for Bugoma Forest include a camera and extra batteries, a hut or cape, trekking boots, a raincoat, jacket, to mention but a few.

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