Untouched Gems & Jungles
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Monkey trekking in Bugoma Forest Reserve
Monkey trekking in Bugoma Forest Reserve is amazing to do on safari in Uganda as it offers a chance to watch the rare and endemic species in a less crowded, more natural setting than major parks. other than Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee tracking, monkey trekking in Bugoma Forest is usually part of guided forest nature walks. When you meet the monkeys, you shall locate and observe various species of monkeys, learn about their behavior and habitat as well as
experience the forest ecosystem on foot.
Types of Monkey you watch in Bugoma Forest
Monkey species you can see on the trek are;
Uganda mangabey
The Uganda Mangabey is the main monkey attraction in the forest and is endemic to Bugoma Forest. It is medium sized with a long tail and are fond of transferring in groups hence active in mid-canopy.
Black-and-white colobus monkeys
Black-and-white colobus monkeys can also be watched in the green forest and are easily recognized by their long white tails. They stay high in the trees and move gracefully in groups.
Red-tailed monkeys
Red-tailed monkeys are small, agile and colorful usually watched close to the forest edges. They are known to be curious and active.
Blue monkeys
Blue monkeys are shy and rarely seen as they prefer dense canopy.
Olive baboons
Olive baboons are typically seen close to the forest edges or open zones and are more terrestrial than other monkeys.
Trekking experience
Starting points
Most treks start at Bugoma Jungle Lodge-Busingiro ecotourism site taking a period of 2 to 4 hours depending on the views. You enter the forest with trained guides as you hear, listen to calls and movement in the canopy in groups via trails and off trail regions. You shall stop briefly for observation and photography. You shall then meet troops as they do their daily activities like jumping, playing, communicating, foraging, patrolling etc.
Cost and trekking Permits
Monkey Trekking Permits cost US $30–$50 per person including Guide fees, Forest access.
What to bring
- Hiking shoes
- Long trousers (for insects and vegetation)
- Insect repellent
- Drinking water
- Camera/binoculars
Best time for monkey trekking
Monkey Trekking can be done anytime in Bugoma Forest although, the best time to trek the monkeys is during the Early mornings and Late afternoons. The dry season happens in the months of (Dec–Feb, Jun–Aug).
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.