Kaniyo-Pabidi & Rabongo Forests are within a very untapped and undisturbed area of natural forest within Budongo Forest Reserve. In this eco tour forest, chimpanzee tracking is one of the most popular activities that can be done. While here, you will obviously see and meet many forest birds, such as the chocolate-backed kingfisher, the white-thighed hornbill and puvel’s illadopsis found nowhere else in Africa.
Rabongo forest ecotourism centre
This ecotourism centre is a forest surrounded by savannah grassland which is 11/2-hour drive from Paraa, situated in an island of tropical riverine forest southeast of the protected area. Our safaris guides or drivers will help you explore inside the forest on foot, where many primates can be spotted. These include the black and white colobus, and red-tailed monkeys, baboons and sometimes chimpanzees. There are also many bird species, medicinal plants and trees, so you can also enjoy a picnic and camp at this place.
Tourism activities in the forest include.
Chimpanzee Tracking experience
A walk is taken into the forest with help of a guide to track the chimpanzees. Vocal sound and buttress drumming from the chimps help to allocate them. A period of an hour is spent with the chimps with visitors trying to have a look at chimps.
This is the number one priority here. October to January is the time when the fruits are shorter in supply, so the chimps move a lot covering a wider area. As a result, the success of seeing them drops to about 50% rate. Fortunately, there is a diversity of accommodation facilities available from where you can base to enjoy the chimpanzee trekking experience as well as the exciting forest walks.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kaniyo-Pabidi & Rabongo Forests area.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, which is an all-day activity, can be done here during off-season months. These are the low seasons running from March to mid-June and October to December.
The chimpanzee habituation experience is done with researchers and others – a process which takes up to two years. The Jane Goodall Institute manages and oversees chimpanzees in Budongo Forest and has done so for many years.
The habituation experience cost is considerably lower here than in it is in Kibale Forest National Park, however, here chimpanzee habituation can be done all year long. If you want to engage in chimpanzee habituation, we recommend an overnight stay at the Budongo Eco-Lodge.
Birding in Budongo Forest
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. These will certainly reward you with a very amazing birding safari experience in this great forest in Uganda. In addition, there are 290 butterfly species, 130 moth species, 465 tree species, as well as 24 mammals – nine of which are actually primates.
Guided Nature Walks in Kaniyo-Pabidi & Rabongo Forests area.
Guided nature walks can be taken here through woodland and savanna terrain. Unknown to most visitors, a variety of wildlife can also be seen here on your nature walk and hike safaris. This is because Budongo Forest is part of Murchison Falls Wildlife Reserve, so animals come from the park, while some live here. Others visit and return to their regular habitat.
You can spot wildlife licking salt in in the forest clearings. Large mammals also wander into this part of park such as elephants, lions, buffaloes and leopards. A guided nature walk does not endanger you in any way, that’s why no one has ever been hurt here because you will be with armed rangers.
Due to the biodiversity of Murchison Falls National Park, the park stands out as the best place for wildlife safaris in Uganda and for short weekend breaks for both wildlife and nature lovers.