Bugoma forest is situated in western Uganda and it is a natural forest which has over time been affected by human activities including lumbering, deforestation for agriculture especially sugarcane growing, settlement and others. A big percentage of this former dense forest has been destroyed. These human activities have led to habitat loss especially for a number of primates and other inhabitants.

Bugoma forest is situated in southwestern part of Hoima on the eastern part of Lake Albert. The forest is under the management of National Forestry Authority and Uganda Wildlife Authority. Budongo forest was gazette as in 1932 and terms of area it is 411.44 square kilometers. The African Nature Conservation Expeditions runs the affairs of the Bugoma forest.

What to do And See in Bugoma Forest

Scenic Viewing of Bugoma Forest

The scenery of Bugoma forest is amazing with its dense canopy composed of different natural tree species. While standing outside the Bugoma forest, you get to enjoy the cool breeze from this forest that conditions the areas around it.

Chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma Forest

Bugoma forest is home to a community of chimpanzees which you can get chance to see when you visit the forest. Chimpanzees have about 98% human DNA but world over they have lost their habitats and so putting them on the list of some of the highly endangered primates in the world. world over, chimpanzees are reserved in confinements which doesn’t give them enough space to show off their natural traits.

Before Chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma forest, you have to do briefing where you go through the rules and regulations of chimpanzee safaris in Uganda. Follow the trails constructed by regular visitors in order not to construct others that can lead to environmental degradation.

The way to find the chimpanzees in Bugoma forest may be quite challenging because of the rough surfaces you may go through to find the chimpanzees however when finally find them, one hour is allowed with them. The chimpanzees in Bugoma forest are still undergoing habituation and because they are not often visited by strangers, they are still very suspicious with visitors so you need to be very careful.

One hour is allowed with the chimpanzees when you meet them because they are habituated to be before humans for that time. The presence of humans disrupts the daily running of activities done by chimpanzees on the daily in the forest.

It is best to book a Chimpanzee permit before going on safari in this forest and the earlier the better.

Birding in Bugoma forest

A multitude of birds are residents of Bugoma forest and you can enjoy their presence when you take a birding adventure around this park with about 225 bird species. A number of birds find home in the trees and swamps around Bugoma forest some include African crowned eagles, grey parrots, Nahan’s Patridge and others.     

Starting the birding adventure around Bugoma forest early morning or late afternoon is very important as you get to identify a number of forest dwellers that are habitants of the forest.

Nature walks in Bugoma forest

A guided nature walk around Bugoma forest is exciting as a botanist, you may get the chance to identify a number of forest dwellers with over 260 plants species including Afrothismia winkleri, Dialium excelsum and others.

More than 26 species of mammals are present in the forest including black and white colobus, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, pottos and others.

Note that on the way, you may get the chance to see other animals include forest elephants, duikers golden cats, side striped jackals, Uganda kobs, buffaloes and others.

On the way, you may cross a number of streams and rivers that flow within Bugoma forest as this is the water catchment area for the surrounding areas of the forest. But during the extreme rainy seasons, the ground may be flooded as the forest is dense allow less sun ray penetration to the ground.

The Oil City of Uganda

Other than wildlife, close to Bugoma forest is the oil city in Uganda as work is in progress. The oil city of Uganda is situated in the western part of Uganda in Hoima Masindi area where oil wells were discovered and extracting it is going on. A number of structures have been constructed in this area and you can have chance to make a stop here but do it with permission from the security of this area.

When Is The Best Time For A Visit To Bugoma Forest

The best time when planning a visit to Bugoma forest is the dry season even though the activities in the forest are open all year. The dry season around this area is normally June to October and December to February when less rains are expected in this area.

Most of the forest inhabitants are quicker to identify in the dry season because there is more-light allowed through the dense canopy. The trails in the forest are dryer and quicker to navigate in the dry season since there is normally less undergrowth to obstruct you.

Most of the primates and other forest dwellers spend time closer to the ground because up in the trees there is limited food and that available is competed for with other forest dwellers.

Expected to find other tourists in Bugoma forest during the dry season since this is normally the peak tourism season in the country. Ensure to make the necessary bookings earlier to avoid getting disappointed at the last minute.

A tour of Bugoma forest in the wet season which is normally the low tourism season in Uganda has some advantages with chances of finding more infants more open. The forest has lush green which is stunning.

Why Visit Bugoma Forest

Visiting Bugoma forest is a moment to enjoy natural forests which are scarce to find in the world over as they have been replaced by other human activities and global warming. When you pay entrance fees and purchase permits to be part of the activities in Bugoma forest, you have an opportunity to contribute to the conservation fund of this park.

Bugoma forest is a biosphere reserve with a number of fauna and flora that is rare and so you may get the double opportunity to find more than what you aim at seeing in the forest.

More funds to support community sensitization are required as the people surrounding Bugoma forest are encroaching on the forest land. They need to be taught on how they can co-exist with the presence of Bugoma forest. Part of the money collected from those who engage in activities in Bugoma forest is given to the community around the forest to support their projects.

How Sure Can I Be to Find the Chimpanzees in Bugoma Forest

The program to habituated the chimpanzees in Bugoma forest started in 2006 and at the moment, they are open for public viewing. These chimpanzees are protected by professional ranger guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority and National Forest Authority who monitor their movements and patrol the forest.

Each day a team of trackers wake up early to monitor where the chimpanzees may have spent the night. They report the possible location of the chimpanzees to the ranger guides so that they can use this to lead the tourists.

Tourists are required to participate in the search for the chimpanzees by following the clues they leave behind including fresh dung, fresh foliage, foot prints, listen to their sounds and much more.

Chimpanzees live in communities under the guidance of an alpha male so they stage in a particular location for some time until they exhaust food so move to another area. The ranger guides normally move following the trail where the chimpanzees may have been seen the previous day.

Is Bugoma Forest Safe to Visit

Bugoma forest is safe to visit as on ground there are different security agencies including national security teams. They all work together to maintain law and order in and around Bugoma forest. Before moving in the forest, tourists are encouraged to be in company of a ranger guide. Do not forget to attend briefing before proceeding in the forest because there are conservation rules every tourist is expected to follow.