Nature walks and birds of Royal Mile – Budongo Forest Reserve.

Royal Mile’s nature hikes and birdwatching are worth experiencing. Situated approximately 35 km north of Masindi town, this portion of Budongo forest is part of Uganda’s largest national park, Murchison Falls National Park. River Sonso crosses the Royal Mile, making it one of Uganda’s best places to go birdwatching.

The Royal Mile’s past

Within Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, which is situated at the edge of the Albertine Rift and connected to Kabalega (now known as Murchison) Falls National Park in the south, is the 793 km2 Budongo Forest Reserve, which is home to the Royal Mile. The Royal Mile, well-known for being a favorite area for Uganda’s royals to take leisure breaks, is an excellent place to go birding with a wide variety of sought-after key species and many west and central African species.

Omukama of Bunyoro, Kabalega, is the source of the name of the Royal Mile. Omukama Kabalega constructed this magnificent one-mile forest road as a military training field for his Abarusura Army. Before being detained in Dokolo and banished to the Seychelles Islands, he is said to have escaped from the colonialists over this same route.

The route begins with a straightforward gate and then slopes gently towards River Sonso through a vast, undeveloped hardwood tree symphony that rises high above the earth, seemingly in competition with the heavens. Because of this, a guided birding tour along the Royal Mile is among the best options in Uganda.

Because of the level landscape, visitors can enjoy comfortable walking conditions.

Birds and nature hikes along the Royal Mile:

African Eagle with a Crown
Francolin’s White-spotted Fluff tail of Nahan
The tail of Sabine’s spine
Spine tail Cassin’s Blue-breasted kingfisher
chocolate-supported Dwarf Kingfisher Blue-throated Roller Pipe Kingfisher Hornbill with white legs A hornbill
spiky breasts Barbet Yellow-spotted Yellow-billed Barbet Barbet Yellow-crested Woodpecker Brown-eared Woodpecker
Greenbul Fire-crested was observed. Alethe With a Blue Shoulder Red-capped Red-Chat Robin Robin-Chat Pear-shaped Elemomela Yellow-browed Crombec Rufous-crowned Black-capped Camaroptera Apalis Ituri Batis Capped in Chestnut Grey-headed Flycatcher Sunbird Black-Western Heading Oriole

An informational briefing from the Budongo Eco Lodge’s information center typically precedes chimpanzee tracking in the Budongo jungle. There are well-marked routes throughout the forest that let visitors see lesser monkeys and birds in addition to the chimpanzees. There are two shifts for chimpanzee trekking: morning and afternoon. Most days of the year, the populations of chimpanzees wander in close proximity to the Budongo Eco Lodge.

But during particular times of the year, they go off in search of food and drink. It’s not always assured that you will find them during these times of food scarcity. The only place where the success rate of spotting chimpanzees is higher is Kibale Forest National Park. To maximize your chances of seeing the chimpanzees, plan your visit between October and January. An average trip to see the chimpanzees in Budongo takes three hours. Once the chimp group has been located, guests are only permitted to spend an hour with them.

One must be well and clear of illnesses like the flu or tuberculosis in order to engage in the chimpanzee trekking practice. Chimpanzees are susceptible to human sickness. In addition, tracking chimpanzees requires an age requirement of at least fifteen. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo is $80 per person. In the park, game drives can be combined with chimpanzee tracking.

Bird viewing: One of Uganda’s top locations for bird watching is the Budongo Forest. Birdwatchers can opt for a full or half day of bird viewing with the assistance of knowledgeable guides. If you want to see most of the species in a single day, the Busingiro area’s Royal Mile is probably the best spot to go. From the main research station to a nearby forestry college, the Royal Mile runs. The Pitta, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, and other unusual species are ones to watch out for.

Nature hikes: Visitors can take nature treks deep into the forest with armed rangers accompanying them. It is strongly advised to visit the stunning Kaniyo Pabidi Eco-Tourism Center. Tall Mahagony trees that are over 70 years old can be found in the Center. A variety of wild species that come to lick salt off fallen trees can be seen on the nature walks.

You can also explore the savannah grasslands and forests that connect to the plains of Murchion Falls National Park once you’ve had enough of the forest. Some of the larger creatures, like as buffaloes, elephants, lions, and even leopards, may be seen here. Actually, these big animals come into the forest itself quite a bit. For your safety, armed rangers will constantly be with you. Remember to bring water to drink and a packed lunch.

The ideal time to visit National Park of Murchison Falls

As a component of the Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest Reserve provides access to the top of the falls, wildlife drives, boat excursions, and cultural visits to the Boomu Women’s Group, which provide visitors insight into daily life in a rural African village. You would have seen all five of the great beasts by the time your tour of the Budongo Forest, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and Murchison Falls National Park concluded. Learn more about Murchison Falls’ water fall boat safari.

How is Budongo Forest accessible?

The northwest region of Uganda is home to Budongo Forest. Traveling from Kampala to the reserve takes three hours. Driving from Kampala to Masindi town is required before entering the forest reserve. Budongo Forest Reserve entrance fees are forty dollars per person. Monumental Expeditions and Safaris can assist you in obtaining authorization for a nature walk and viewing the Royal Mile’s birds. The Budongo Forest in the National Park of Murchison Falls.