3 Days 2 Nights Uganda Birding Safari Budongo Forest

3 Days 2 Nights Uganda Birding Safari Budongo Forest | Budongo Forest Reserve Uganda | Kampala 3 Day Tours Safaris | 3 Days 2 Nights Budongo Forest Birding Safari Bird Watching Safaris| Uganda Birding Safaris | 3 Day Uganda Birding Tour | Budongo Forest Conservation Uganda | 3 Day Uganda Bird Watching Tour | 3 Days Birding Murchison Falls Budongo Forest Tour

This short 3-day Uganda Safari is a guided birding safari tour that explores Budongo Forest Reserve located in Masindi district Mid-Western Uganda. Budongo Forest is approximately a 3-4 hour drive on the way to Murchison falls National Park, Uganda.

During the birding safari, you will not be limited to only sighting as Budongo is also home to eight other primate species, in addition to the estimated 600 to 700 chimpanzees.  This sizeable forest is known for its incredible biodiversity, including 24 species of animals, over 360 bird species, 290 butterfly species, 130 species of moths, 465 tree species, and numerous other plants and creatures.

Some of the bird species that rank Budongo among the top birding sites in Uganda include the Yellow-footed Flycatcher common within the mature forest, however today it is extremely rare to see. On day one we drive 4-5 hours from Kampala or Entebbe to Budongo Central Forest Reserve.

After lunch, you have several options, a guided forest walk for 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 4 hours, or a 3-hour guided birding adventure.  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 a spectacular number of butterflies.

On the morning of day two, we take 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.

We visit the Royal Mile which is part of Budongo Forest Reserve which has some of the country’s best birdwatching. There are some rare species, but more importantly, sightings are easy. The bird list exceeds 360 species of birds including the rare Puval’s Illadopses which is endemic to the region.

Others include the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Chestnut Crowned Eremomera, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Yellow-browned Camaroptera, Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, Slender-billed Greenbul, and Lemon-bellied Crombec among others.

After breakfast at the camp on day three, we take 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.

Day 1: Kampala – Drive to Budongo Forest
Day 2: Explore Budongo Forest, visit the Royal Mile
Day 3: Budongo Forest – Drive to Kampala

Day 1: Kampala – Drive to Budongo Forest Reserve

0700 Hours: Depart Kampala after breakfast and transfer to Budongo Central 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 tranquillity 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 centre 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 birdlife of Budongo. All the guides in Budongo are keen birders and have exceptional talent. Budongo is famous for its biodiversity in birds and is home to the rare Puvel’s illadopses which is an endemic species to the 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 minutes 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 a 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}

3 Days 2 Nights Uganda Birding Safari Budongo Forest Prices Include:

Private transfer to/ from Kampala + Guided Forest Walk in Budongo Forest + 2 Nights in Budongo Eco-Lodge in the Eco Cabin + Multiple Birding Walks accompanied by experienced birding guides & Round trip transport from Kampala to Budongo and back to Kampala

Notes

* Children over 15 years will be charged the full adult price
* Children under 10 years will not be allowed to walk over 2 hours

3 Days 2 Nights Uganda Birding Safari Budongo Forest Prices Exclude:

* Airport Transfers
* Laundry Services
* International Flights
* Visas (50 US Dollars per person)
* Optional/ extra activities in the Park
* Beverages/ Drinks/ Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
* The safari excludes any cost of personal nature e.g. tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, etc
* Kampala/ Entebbe hotel accommodation (The Night before the Safari and the Night after the Safari)