Budongo forest, Uganda
The 790 km2 Budongo Forest Reserve is one of the most extensive and ecologically diverse in East Africa. Around 465 plant species, 250 butterfly species and 366 bird species have been recorded. In the forest you find giant mahoganies reaching ut to 60 m tall. The bird species recorded in Budongo forest include 60 West or Central African birds known fewer than five locations in East Africa. The yellow-footed flycatcher, often associated with ironwood tress, is known from nowhere else in Uganda. Read more about bird watching Ten years ago the Budongo forest was totally undeveloped for tourism. In 1992, the Budongo Forest Eco-tourism Project was founded with the aim of conserving Budongo and the nearby Kanyiyo Pabidi forest through the development of tourist projects that are of direct benefit to local communities. Two tourist sites have since been created using foreign funding. The Busingiri Tourist site is situated within the Budongo Forest proper, and reached by following the Bulisa route towards Murchison Falls. The other site lies within the Kanyiyo Pabidi Forest and is reached by following the direct route from Masindi to Murchison falls. Chimpanzees can also be seen in Kibale Forest near Fort Portal.
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Budongo's population of 800 chimpanzees is the largest anywhere in Uganda. Other common primates include red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, black-and-white colobus.