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Practical Information About Bugoma Forest
Practical Information about Bugoma Forest offers travelers a guideline on how to go about their safaris while at Bugoma Forest as they adventure the thick green forest searching for the Chimpanzees as well as other primates and wildlife animals. The treks include exploring the vegetation terrain, watching bird species and wildlife animals.
Location & Access of Bugoma Forest
The Forest is found in the Western part of Uganda spanning districts i.e Hoima & Kikuube. It requires travelers to transfer for a distance of 260 kms from Kampala in a period of 5–6 hours by road. The Forest lies in the Eastern part of Lake Albert close to the Albertine Rift. It can be accessed using road via Hoima following final stretches which are rough especially during the rainy seasons.
Size & Landscape
The forest covers an area of about 400–410 km² (41,000+ hectares) elevating to 990–1,300 meters with Forest that is tropical moist semi-deciduous. In the forest are dense tall canopy trees (20–40m) and humid conditions.
Climate & Best Time to Visit
The Forest comprises of rainfall i.e 1,200–1,800 mm/year and can be visited anytime although the best time to visit the forest is during the months of December–February and June–August which are drier hence easier to trek.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Bugoma Forest is a major biodiversity hotspot with primates, bird species and mammals.
Primates
In the forest are 500–580 chimpanzees, Ugandan mangabey (rare), Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys.
Other animals
Bush elephants, buffaloes, golden cats
Bird species i.e more than 220 species (excellent for birding).
Activities to Do
Forest walks & hiking trails (30 kms of trails)
Bird watching
Community-guided tours
Permits & Entry
Managed by National Forestry Authority
Accessing the forest is free although activities like chimpanzee trekking requires travelers to have a valid Chimpanzee trekking permit which costs US $80 per person.
About Bugoma Forest
Bugoma Forest is a 41,144-hectare tropical forest in Western Uganda (Hoima/Kikuube districts) managed by the National Forestry Authority. It was founded in 1932 protecting over 600 chimpanzees, 34 mammal species, and 260+ bird species.
Bugoma Forest includes a medium altitude with and it is largely a semi-deciduous forest with iron wood also referred to the Muhimbi. In the forest are 4 small rivers that drain the vegetation and these include; River Sonso, River Rubwa, Wake and Waisoke. These rivers flow and empty their water into Lake Albert.
Bugoma Forest is a medium-altitude, moist, semi-deciduous tropical forest shaped by moderate rainfall (about 1,200–1,800 mm annually) and elevations between 990 and 1,300 meters. The vegetation of Bugoma is highly diverse with over 220–260 species of trees and shrubs making it one of the richest forests in the region in terms of plant composition. The forest is semi-deciduous in nature i.e some trees shed leaves during dry periods, others remain evergreen creating seasonal variations in the canopy cover.
The forest is typical of tropical moist forests that experience alternating wet and dry seasons. The vegetation is of stratified structure into layers i.e the Emergent layer with Trees that exceed 40 meters and these include; large hardwood species like mahogany, canopy layer (20–30 m) with dominant tree species that control light penetration, Understorey layer with smaller trees and shrubs that adapt to low light, Forest floor which include; Herbs, ferns, seedlings, decomposing organic matter.
From Hoima city, Bugoma Forest is 70kms away and it requires you to drive to the forest reserve from Kampala through Hoima-Fort Portal route and branch off to Kabwoya sub-country then finally Bugoma Forest passing through Kasindi Forest Station.
Getting to Bugoma Forest by Road
Main route from Kampala
Kampala – Hoima (via Kampala–Hoima highway)
Hoima – Kabwoya Sub-county
Getting to Bugoma Forest by Air
Air travel is possible to Bugoma Forest as you get domestic flights which depart from Entebbe International Airport/ Kajjansi Airfield to fly to Hoima Airstrip for about 1 hour to Bugoma Forest.
Tracking is the most prominent safari activity carried out in the park with two communities that have been habituated for trekking by all travelers. This is an alternative to Kibale Forest National Park. The trekking procedure here offers a quieter, less crowded adventure experience.
There are over 500-600 chimpanzees in the forest and these are trekked as you get to be briefed on conduct around the chimpanzees, rules and regulations around the chimpanzees
then later you shall trek the chimpanzees for a period of 2 to 4 hours.
En-route, you watch other primates like the red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Uganda mangabeys. After you shall meet the chimpanzees and stay in their presence taking photos in an hour to keep.
To participate, visitors must obtain a chimpanzee tracking permit which costs US $80 per person interested and this includes; Guided nature walk trek with the chimpanzees.
Best Time to Visit
Dry Seasons in the months of June – August and December – February.
Wet Seasons
In the months of March – May and September – November.