Royal Mile – Budongo Forest

Location:

242 km from Kampala via Masindi. (Budongo Forest)

Air: 200.56 km (124.62 mi) North- North West (NNW) of Kampala

87 km from Hoima via Masindi – Hoima to Budongo Eco Lodge.

Air: 67.83 km (42.15 mi) North East.

Coordinates: 1.9165851, 31.7151260

The Roya Mile, longer than a mile, offers one of Uganda’s premium birding activities. The Royal mile, located about 35 km from Masindi town is part of Budongo Forest. Budongo, measuring about 825 km²borders Murchison Falls National Park. It also located in the Albertine Rift and is Uganda’s largest Central Forest Reserve.

The Royal Mile was historically the property of the Omukama of Bunyoro where Royals used to go for hunting expeditions until it was gazetted in 1932.

The Royal mile is characterised by giant long tree lining the sides the road to Murchison Falls National Park.

It is a stunning forest patch full of wildlife, including several special birds and one of the most fascinating primates of all, Chimpanzee.

Budongo hosts more than 600 chimpanzees that include a habituated community for eco-tourism activities. Other primates in the forest are: The Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys. The forest has a rich biodiversity with 24 species of small mammals, 9 species of primates, 280 butterflies, 360 species of birds and 465 species of plants. Tourism activities in Budongo include: chimpanzee tracking, birding and nature walks.

For birders, the special birds in the Royal Mile and Budongo in general include the Pale-breasted Illadopsis. Ituri Batis, Willcock’s Honeyguide and Nahan’s Francolin, three birds which are known to be difficult to see, especially the secretive and quiet francolin. Others are Willcock’s Honeyguide and the rare Puval’s Illadopses which is endemic to the region.

Bird list for Budongo Central Forest Reserve and surrounding areas

Source: eBird

Royal Mile – Budongo Forest

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