Nature walks and birds of Royal Mile – Budongo Forest Reserve
Nature walks and birds of Royal mile – Royal Mile is located about 35 kms north of Masindi town, this section of Budongo forest is attached to Murchison falls national park which is Uganda’s largest national park. With river Sonso crossing royal mile it has become one of the top birding destinations in Uganda.
History of Royal mile
The Royal Mile is found in the 793 km2 Budongo Forest Reserve, within Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom that lies at the edge of the Albertine Rift and is attached to Kabalega (renamed Murchison) Falls National Park in the south. Known for its popularity as a traditional leisure stop-over for Uganda’s royalty, the Royal Mile is a superb birding spot with many west and central African species, as well as a variety of sought-after key species.
The Royal Mile gets its name from Omukama of Bunyoro, Kabalega. It is a spectacular one-mile-long forest road that was made by Omukama Kabalega as military training ground for his Abarusura Army. It is reported that it is this very road that he used to escape from the colonialists, before he was arrested in Dokolo and exiled in the Seychelles Islands.
The road opens with a simple gate before sloping gently towards River Sonso in the middle of an expansive, natural symphony of hardwood trees rising high above the ground in what comes off like competition for the skies. This is what makes the Royal Mile one of the most ideal places in Uganda to have a guided birding tour.
The terrain is flat, allowing for good on-foot travelling conditions for tourists.
Nature walks and birds of Royal mile:
- African Crowned Eagle
- Nahan’s Francolin
- White-spotted Fluff tail
- Sabine’s Spine tail
- Cassin’s Spine tail
- Blue-breasted Kingfisher
- Chocolate-backed Kingfisher
- Dwarf Kingfisher
- Blue-throated Roller
- Piping Hornbill
- White-thighed Hornbill
- Hairy-breasted Barbet
- Yellow-spotted Barbet
- Yellow-billed Barbet
- Brown-eared Woodpecker
- Yellow-crested Woodpecker
- Spotted Greenbul
- Fire-crested Alethe
- Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat
- Red-capped Robin-Chat
- Lemon-bellied Crombec
- Rufous-crowned Elemomela
- Yellow-browed Camaroptera
- Black-capped Apalis
- Ituri Batis
- Chestnut-caped Flycatcher
- Grey-headed Sunbird
- Western-black Headed Oriole
Budongo forest chimpanzee tracking usually starts with briefing from the information Centre at the Budongo Eco Lodge. The forest has well established trails to allow visitors spot the chimps as well as other smaller primates and birds. Chimpanzee trekking is done in two shifts –morning and afternoon. The Chimp communities roam very close to the Budongo Eco lodge on most days of the year. However, during certain periods of the year, they wander way in search of fruits and water. During these periods of food scarcity, finding them is not always guaranteed. The success rate of seeing chimps is still very high, only bettered by Kibale forest national park. For the best possible chance of spotting the chimps, visit during the months between October and January. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo lasts for an average of 3 hours. After locating the chimp community, visitors are only allowed one hour with them.
In order to participate in the chimpanzee trekking exercise, one needs to be in good health and free from diseases like flue or Tuberculosis. Chimps easily contract human diseases. One also needs to be at least 15 years of age to track chimpanzees. The cost of chimpanzee trekking in Budongo is $80. Chimpanzee tracking can be combine with game drives in the park.
Bird watching:
Budongo forest is one of the best places for bird watching in Uganda. With the help of experienced Guides, birders can choose to go for a full or half day of bird watching. The Royal Mile found within the Busingiro area is arguably the best place to go if you want to see most of the species in a day. The Royal mile extends from the main research station up to a forestry college nearby. The rare species to look out for are the Pitta, Yellow-footed Flycatcher,
Nature walks:
In the company of armed rangers, tourists can go for nature walks deep in the forest. Visiting the beautiful Kaniyo pabidi eco-tourism Centre is highly recommended. The Centre has tall Mahagony trees that are over 70 years old. During the nature walks, you will encounter a variety of wild creatures that come to lick salt from fallen trees. After seeing enough of the forest, you can also venture out to the savannah plains and woodlands that connect to the plains of Murchion Falls National Park. Here you might see some of the larger mammals like buffaloes, elephants, lions and even leopards. In fact, these large mammals visit the forest itself frequently. You will always be in the company of armed rangers for your protection. Do not forget to carry drinking water or packed lunch.
Best time to visit Murchison falls National Park
Budongo forest reserve is part of the Murchison Falls National Park and offers opportunities to do activities like visiting the top of the falls, going for game drives, boat cruises and a cultural visit to the Boomu Women’s Group to see how life goes by in a rural African village. By the end of your tour of Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo forest and the nearby Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you would have spotted all the big 5 mammals. Read more about water fall boat safari in Murchison falls
How to get to Budongo forest?
Budongo forest is found in North-western Uganda. It takes 3 hours to reach the reserve from Kampala. From Kampala, one needs to first drive to Masindi town before heading to the forest reserve. Entrance to Budongo Forest reserve costs $40 per person. Great Adventure Safaris can help you secure permission to have a nature walk and birds of Royal Mile Budongo forest in Murchison falls National Park.