Located in the middle of the Budongo Central Forest Reserve, inside the borders of Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Eco Lodge is one of Uganda’s hidden gems.
Budongo Eco Lodge is one of Uganda’s undiscovered gems, situated in the middle of the Budongo Central Forest Reserve, inside the borders of Murchison Falls National Park.
Budongo Forest is home to about 600 chimpanzees and eight other kinds of primates, making it one of the largest chimp colonies in the country. It is also home to rare woodland bird species, including the endemic Puvel’s Illadopses.
The Budongo Reserve is the largest Mahogany Forest in East Africa, with trees up to 80 meters tall. With 115 kilometres of trails, this uncharted region offers enormous excitement and adventure!
The Kaniyo Pabidi Eco-tourism facility, which was first administered by the Jane Goodall Institute, was taken over by Uganda Lodges in August 2009 and renamed Budongo Eco Lodge.
Budongo Eco Lodge features eco-cabins with individual verandas, four big dormitory rooms, a visitor centre, and a café.
Additionally, the lodge provides a variety of activities in the immediate area, such as chimp tracking, chimpanzee habituation, forest walks, and bird viewing.
This ecotourism facility’s combination of luxurious safari accommodations and forest activities gives a delightful blend of relaxation and excitement set against the pristine African wilderness.
Accommodation at Budongo Eco lodge
There are two types of accommodation facilities at Budongo eco lodge: eco-cabins and dormitory rooms.
Eco-Cabins
The five cosy cabins nestled in the virgin forest fit in nicely with the natural environment. They are linked by well-kept walkways and built using conventional materials to minimize their effect on the natural environment.
Each cabin has a private veranda overlooking the forest and its abundant birdlife.
The rooms are roomy and bright, furnished with either twin or double beds and sitting space. There is a fully-equipped bathroom with a washstand, a shower, and a detached composting toilet.
Dormitory rooms
Budongo Eco Lodge has four spacious dormitory rooms, each with two double-decker beds, perfect for accommodating larger parties. Each bunk bed has a mosquito net to keep the bugs at bay.
The dormitory rooms are adjacent to a shower and toilet facility with both hot and cold running water. Shared laundry facilities are also available.
Pricing
| Eco-Cabins | High season | Low season | ||||
| Private and en-suite | Bed and breakfast(USD) | Half board(USD) | Full board(USD) | Bed and breakfast(USD) | Half board(USD) | Full board(USD) |
| Single | 91 | 106 | 119 | 59 | 74 | 87 |
| Double | 77 | 92 | 105 | 50 | 65 | 78 |
| Extra bed | 62 | 77 | 90 | 41 | 56 | 69 |
Dormitory rooms cost $36 per bed per person. The low season runs from 1st March– 31st May and 1st October – 30th November.
The high season runs from 1st January – 28th February, 1st June – 30th September and 1st December – 31st December.
Meals/Dining
The restaurant is located in a stunning natural area, perfect for those who want to unwind to the sights and sounds of the surrounding woodland.
You can enjoy a refreshing soda, hot snack, or one of the lodge’s famous brownies as you get ready for your adventure. Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Ugandan coffee or a meal by the glow of the candlelight.
The restaurant serves a variety of traditional and foreign dishes on the terrace as guests enjoy the lodge’s enchanted forest surroundings.
If you have any specific dietary needs, please let the chefs know in advance and they will try to prepare something special for you.
Beware that tap water is not safe to drink, so please don’t take it. The visitor centre sells various beverages, including bottled mineral water, sodas, beers, teas, and coffees.
Meal’s pricing
| Breakfast | $12 |
| Lunch | $15 |
| Dinner | $17 |
Services/Facilities offered at Budongo Eco Lodge
Visitors Centre
The visitors centre houses the main reception area. This area, furnished with large, plush couches in a rustic setting, is ideal for unwinding and reading a book.
Poachers’ snares, fossils, and animal skeletons that were discovered in the forest are also on display at the visitor centre.
In addition, detailed information about the Budongo Forest Reserve and its inhabitants is provided to assist visitors in deciphering the forest’s secrets and comprehending its intricate ecologies.
The visitors centre at Budongo Eco Lodge is also a great place to stop for lunch when travelling to the northern section of the park, returning to Kampala, or visiting the forest for chimpanzee tracking, birdwatching, or any other activities.
Craft Shop
The Craft Shop at Budongo Eco Lodge is adjacent to the reception area and offers a small but excellent selection of Ugandan handicrafts and gifts.
Items for sale include hand-made postcards, hand-woven baskets, paper-beaded necklaces, and notebooks made out of paper. Local women create handicrafts using natural materials and simple, vibrant designs.
Restaurant
The restaurant is located in a stunning natural area, perfect for those who want to unwind and have a meal while enjoying the sights and sounds of the surrounding forest.
Housekeeping
As part of the lodge’s services, rooms are cleaned daily. To conserve resources, bed linens and towels are changed only upon request.
To receive new beddings, you are required to place your used ones on the room floor.
Activities at Budongo Eco lodge
Budongo Forest Reserve is home to a vast array of plant and animal species. Thanks to the extensive and well-maintained network of forest trails, the dense forest with its rich biodiversity can be explored in a variety of ways.
Birding
There are 360 different species of birds to see in Budongo Forest, making it a true paradise for birdwatchers. Following the trails with a guide, you will see various species of birds.
Half-day and full-day birding safaris are available and are led by ardent birders. If you have more than a day in Budongo, you must visit the “Royal Mile.”
It’s 60 km from Budongo Eco Lodge and features a wide forest avenue with dense bird populations, including the Paradise Flycatcher and the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
The Budongo Forest Chimpanzee Habituation Project began in 1992 to acclimate the chimpanzees to human presence without compromising their natural behaviours. It can take up to 15 years to completely habituate a group of chimpanzees.
As part of the Habituation Experience, you’ll get to spend a full day with our “cousins” and gain insight into their culture. It can take up to 15 years to completely acclimate to a chimpanzee community.
The Habituation Experience provides the unique opportunity to accompany professional guides on their daily programme and observe the chimpanzees as they engage in their daily activities.
Since you will be in the forest from early morning until evening, the lodge can provide you with a packed lunch. However, this activity is not available during peak season months such as July, August, and September.
Chimpanzee tracking
Enjoy a guided primate walk through the lush undergrowth of a tropical forest in search of a family of habituated chimpanzees. Your guide will provide additional information about the animal and plant species you encounter along the way.
Additionally, keep an eye out for other primates such as Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, different types of birds, mammal tracks, and more.
Daily tracking of chimpanzees is possible with two viewing opportunities per day. The hike takes between two and four hours, depending on the chimpanzees’ behaviour.
Once the chimpanzees are located, you will spend one hour with them to observe them eating, resting, and playing. Children under the age of 15 may participate in chimp tracking if their parents agree to sign a consent form.
Forest Walks
Well-developed forest trails provide the ideal opportunity to explore the tropical rainforest’s splendour. Learn more about the ecosystem as you pass by ancient Mahogany trees and encounter various species of butterflies.
The flat terrain makes the forest walks suitable for the average traveller.
Wildlife safaris
Budongo Forest is in Murchison Falls National Park, so a visit can be combined with wildlife viewing in the park’s north. Cross the Nile and follow the paths to see lions, giraffes, elephants and buffaloes.
Thanks to the palm-studded hills, vast savannah plains, and beautiful Delta region, this is one of the most picturesque and best places in Uganda to encounter wild animals.
Boat safaris on the Nile and trips to the spectacular Murchison Falls can further enhance your opportunities to see wildlife.
How to get to Budongo eco-lodge
Budongo Eco Lodge is located 30 kilometres north of Masindi in the Budongo Central Forest Reserve of Murchison Falls National Park.
From Kichumbayobo Gate, continue along the main road to Paraa. After eight kilometres, you will see a signpost on your left, at which point you will turn right to reach the lodge.
Reservations
Booking is via the Uganda lodges website. Before booking check availability and rates on specific days.
Booking can also be done directly through the Uganda lodges booking partner, ResRequest. The check-in time at the lodge is 2:00 pm while checkout time is 10:00 am.
Images for Budongo eco lodge
Disclaimer: Credit goes to booking.com for all photos.
