3 Days 2 Nights Uganda Birding Safari Budongo Forest courtesy of the Kampala 3 Day Tours Safaris is a guided birding safari tour that explores Budongo Forest which is adjacent to Murchison Falls National Park.

Budongo Forest is situated approximately a 3 hour drive northwest of the capital city Kampala on the way to the prominent Murchison Falls National Park.

The forest is among the most ideal places in Uganda to have a guided bird watching tour by the Royal Mile that extends from Nyabyeya Forestry College to the research station.

Among the various bird species that have been recorded in this forest are more than 360 species that will certainly reward you with a very amazing birding safari experience in this great forest in Uganda.

In addition there are 290 butterflies species, 130 Moths species, 465 tree species, as well as 24 mammals nine of which are actually primates.

Budongo forest is of great interest to birders. It has a checklist of over 360 birds of which 60 are considered west or central African birds.

The forest is the second most important in Uganda (after Semuliki National Park) for species of the Guinea-Congo forest Biome.

Two species of birds found in the 3 Days 2 Nights Uganda Birding Safari Budongo Forest are found nowhere else in East Africa: Yellow-footed flycatcher and Illadopsis puveli.

The best location for bird watching is on ‘The Royal Mile’, a wide forested track once visited by King Kabalega of Bunyoro. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS UGANDA BIRDING SAFARI BUDONGO FOREST DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1:Kampala – Drive To Budongo Forest Reserve

0700 Hours: Depart Kampala after breakfast at and transfer to Budongo Forest Reserve.

1100 Hours: Estimated time of arrival in Budongo Forest Reserve. We check-in at the Budongo Eco Lodge in the dormitory or self contained room for the day.

1230 Hours: Get settled into your quarters and have lunch at the Budongo Eco Lodge. Budongo Forest is an oasis of tranquility where one can truly feel at peace with nature. The forest is the oldest Mahogany Tree Forest in East Africa.

1400 Hours: After lunch you have several options below:

* Guided Forest Walk of 1.5 Hours
The loop system leading from the visitor center offers fascinating forest walks. The guides will interpret the features of the forest which include elephant pit traps, salt licks, elephant wallows and historic grinding stoners.

Secrets of the forests will be revealed on these walks. Discover a tree that gets elephants drunk and be amazed at the huge indestructible Ironwood trees dominating the forest canopy.

* 3 Hour Guided Birding Adventure
A guided walk for up to 3 Hours is available for viewing the bird life of Budongo. All the guides in Budongo are keen birders and have exceptional talent. Budongo is famous for its bio diversity in birds and is home to the rare Puvel’s illadopses which is an endemic species to Budongo forest.

* Guided Forest Walk 4 Hours 
For those who only want to have a quick look in the forest and really just want to break up the journey into Parra from Kampala, we suggest the forest walk experience that can be as short as 30 min’s or as long as 1 ½ hours.

You will see the beautiful old mahogany trees of Buongo, the oldest trees of this species in east Africa. You are likely to see some primates and other wildlife, including the spectacular number of butterflies.

Overnight at Budongo Eco-Lodge

Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Explore Budongo Forest Reserve Birding Tour

0730 Hours: Breakfast in Budongo Forest Lodge followed by a full day guided walk taking. On an early morning visit visitors cannot fail to see some spectacular forest birds such as the Chocolate Backed Kingfisher, Paradise Flycatcher etc.

1230 Hours: Lunch in the field for keen bird watchers. For birds a visit to the Royal Mile is a must.

This spectacular wide forest avenue was first enjoyed by King Kabalega of Bunyoro earning its name ‘The Royal Mile’. It is a 15 kilometers drive from the eco-tourism site and visitors must pay a forest entry fee before entering the forest reserve.

A visit to the Royal Mile can also be combined with a trip to Lake Kanyege where water birds and clouds of butterflies enjoy a sunny forest edge pond.

Overnight at Budongo Eco-Lodge

Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3 : Explore Budongo Forest Reserve – Drive To Kampala

0730 Hours: Breakfast at the camp followed by another birding spell in the Royal Mile to look for more elusive birds and thereafter we transfer back to Kampala marking the end of our 3 day Uganda birding tour.

Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

BEST TIME FOR BIRD WATCHING BUDONGO FOREST RESERVE

The bird life in Budongo Forest is good year-round, but at its best from February to April and in September.

June to September is the main fruiting season so food is abundant and many birds are in breeding plumage. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

December to February has the least rain while April to May and September to October have most rain. The heavy rains might result in delays due to impassable roads.

Slippery hiking trails can limit your Bird watching time. For birds a visit to the Royal Mile is a must. This spectacular wide forest avenue was first enjoyed by King Kabalega of Bunyoro earning its name ‘The Royal Mile’.

It is a 15 km drive from the eco-tourism site and visitors must pay a forest entry fee before entering the forest reserve.

On an early morning visit visitors cannot fail to see some spectacular forest birds such as the Chocolate Backed Kingfisher and Paradise Flycatcher.

A visit to the Royal Mile can also be combined with a trip to Lake Kanyege where water birds and clouds of butterflies enjoy a sunny forest edge pond.

3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS UGANDA BIRDING SAFARI BUDONGO FOREST SUMMARY ITINERARY

DAY 1: Kampala – Drive to Budongo Forest
DAY 2: Explore Budongo Forest
DAY 3: Budongo Forest – Drive to Kampala