Budongo Central Forest Reserve is the largest surviving Natural Forest in Uganda with a total surface area of 825 sq. km. It straddles across three Districts of Masindi, Hoima and the newly created Buliisa District. This is a true Forest! Very little illegal activity and encroachment has ensured that the Forest remains as Nature indeed intended it to be. Visitors seeking the serenity and calmness of being next to Nature should opt for Budongo! Professionally preserved and managed by the National Forestry Authority, the Forest is divided into three zones.

Its Strict Nature Reserve is the oldest in the Country while its Buffer Zone allows Eco – Tourism and Research to prosper and its Production Zone caters for Commercial Activities.
Budongo has two Eco–Tourism sites namely Kaniyo – Pabidi (Previously covered in the June-July 2007 Issue) and Busingiro.

Busingiro Eco – Tourism Site
Attractions
Busingiro Eco – Tourism Site is located in the south – western part of Budongo Forest Reserve. Like Kaniyo – Pabidi, this area is a habitat of several Primate Species including Chimpanzees, Monkeys and Baboons. However, the Chimpanzees in Busingiro are not yet habituated for visitor tracking.
Mahogany, Iron Wood, Fig Trees, Stranglers and a host of medicinal Trees form the bulk of Floral Species in this seemingly untouched Natural Forest.
Birds, Butterflies, Reptiles, Small Mammals and other Micro Organisms form the Eco – System that makes this particular Site enviable.
Visitors should not miss the proverbial Royal Mile. This is one of the highlights of Busingiro! The Royal Mile is a stretch of one mile with a collection of all the Tree Species found in Budongo Forest Reserve. King Kabalega, the former King of Bunyoro used to frequent this Segment for relaxation with his Queen. The Segment derives its name from these Royal Visits. The Segment is magnificently maintained by the National Forestry Authority for historical, aesthetic and recreational reasons.
Activities in Busingiro include Forest Walks, Bird Watching, Primate Identification, Conservation Education, Research, Butterfly Identification among others.
There is a Primate Research Station on the Site of an old Sawmill at Sonso.

Accommodation
Accommodation at Busingiro consists mainly of Camping Facilities. However, the Jane Goodal Institute is in the process of renovating and refurbishing the Tourist Bandas to house at least ten Visitors.

Accessibility
The Site is located to the west of Masindi. It is approximately 47 km. from Masindi Town via Kinyara and Nyabyeya. Masindi itself is approximately 200 km. from Kampala on a good Tarmac Road. Busingiro is on the earth Road that connects Masindi with Paraa via Buliisa on the shores of Lake Albert

For More Information, Please Contact:
The Ecotourism Specialist, National Forestry Authority,
P.O Box 70863, Kampala.
Tel: 256 - 0312 – 264035/6 or 256 – 0414 -230365/6
Fax: 256 – 0414 – 230369
E-Mail: isaachm@nfa.org.ug
Website: www.nfa.org.ug