Where is Budongo

The Budongo Forest is a moist, semi-deciduous tropical rain forest located at the top of the Albertine Rift, situated between 1° 37 N - 2° 03 N and 31° 22 - 31° 46 E. It is classified as a Central Forest Reserve and comprises 435 km² of continuous forest cover, which is large by Ugandan standards.

Where is Budongo

In addition there are numerous strips of riverine forest, perhaps some 100 km in total, forming arms of forest that stretch out into the surrounding areas, mainly sugar cane plantations and other cropland.

The forest is of a medium altitude (average 1,100m). The land slopes from southeast to northwest, and its four main rivers, the Waisoke, the Sonso, the Kamirambwa and the Siba, flow towards the northwest towards the Albertine Rift.

Annual rainfall varies between about 1200 and 2200 mm (average 1600 mm). Most rain falls between March and May and between September and November with a dry season between December and February. At this time, the daytime heat can be substantial, food supply is low, and chimpanzees spend much time on the forest floor in deep shade. In general, however, temperatures are relatively even during the year varying between 19°C and 32°C.

The nearest large town is Masindi, but much of the land around Budongo Forest is under cultivation with houses, villages, schools and markets. The Nyabyeya Forest College is nearby as is the Nyabyeya Trading Estate. To the west down the escarpment are Biso and Butiaba and the fishing villages along the beautiful Late Albert (now threatened with the ravages of oil extraction) and to the north is the Murchison Falls National Park.

*Image by Stephanie Peat