Budongo-Bugoma Corridor Restoration
Funded by the World Land Trust, this project aims to restore forest connectivity between Bugoma and Budongo forests to enable chimpanzee movement.
The Budongo–Bugoma Corridor Restoration Project is one of Uganda’s most important landscape-level conservation initiatives focusing on joining the tropical forests i.e Budongo Forest Reserve and Bugoma Forest Reserve found within the rich Albertine Rift.
Before, the Budongo and Bugoma forests were part of a continuous forest ecosystem although, the forest land was cleared for agriculture, population growth increased demand for land and fuelwood, Logging and charcoal burning increased.
In the forest, wildlife populations become isolated, Genetic diversity declined and Human–wildlife conflict increased.
Main Goal of the Project
The main goal of the project is to restore ecological connectivity between Budongo and Bugoma forests which ensures
- Free movement of wildlife
- Long-term survival of species (i.e chimpanzees)
- Healthier ecosystems across the landscape
- The project also aims to improve
- Climate resilience
- Local livelihoods
- Sustainable land use practices
Activities
a) Reforestation and Tree Planting
Large-scale planting of indigenous trees
Example: plans to plant hundreds of thousands of trees across restored land
Some initiatives target millions of trees and thousands of hectares
b) Community-Based Restoration
Local communities are at the center of the project
Farmers encouraged to adopt agroforestry
Incentives for conserving private forests
Training in sustainable farming
c) Conservation Incentives (Biocredits / PES)
Introduction of biodiversity credits (biocredits)
Payments for ecosystem services (PES)
Communities earn benefits for protecting forests
d) Securing Land for Restoration
Land purchased, leased, or protected through agreements
Example: securing hundreds of hectares for restoration
e) Wildlife Conservation (Chimpanzees Focus)
The corridor is critical for the eastern chimpanzee:
Enables movement between forest populations
Reduces inbreeding risks
Protects habitat outside protected areas
Projects aim to restore over 2,700 hectares of chimpanzee habitat
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.