Busingiro is located 41 km west of Masindi on the road to Butiaba. Busingiro Tourist Site operates as one of the primary ecotourism access points into Budongo Forest, located in western Uganda.
It is part of a forest block under the stewardship of the National Forestry Authority, supporting tourism, conservation, and research interests.
The site forms part of a broader ecotourism strategy across the Murchison landscape.
It lies in Masindi District, along the southern extension of Budongo Forest Reserve.
The site can be reached via the Masindi–Butiaba road, approximately 45 kilometres from Masindi town.
Busingiro provides access to the lowland tropical forest and is situated within reach of both the Murchison Falls National Park boundary and nearby human settlements involved in conservation partnerships.
Tourism at Busingiro centres on guided forest walks, primate tracking, butterfly identification, birdwatching, and ecological education.
Tourists also engage with nearby communities, often facilitated by local guides and conservation educators. The site supports responsible nature-based tourism while contributing to the preservation of forest biodiversity and primate habitats.
Getting There: The site is 40m on the left and well sign posted from the road. From Kampala the drive takes 3 to 4 hours.
By public transport take a taxi from the New Taxi Park in Kampala to Masindi. The journey takes 2 ½ -3 hours and costs approximately Ush. 7,000. A daily bus leaves Masindi taxi park at midday. Matatus also run to Butyaba or Wanseko , they take approximately 1 hour to reach the site and cost 3,000 USh.
Facilities
Visitor Reception
A locally styled open sided building provides a pleasant place for visitors to relax , enjoy sodas, snacks or locally prepared meals. Local crafts, bird guide books, t-shirts and videos can also be brought here.
Education Center
The project runs an education program for local schools. Children visit the forest to see it for themselves and find out about its importance to the area. Displays at the center help visitors interpret the forest’s secrets, and understand its complex ecosystem. Get a taste for Budongo Forest by first visiting the Entebbe Wildlife Education Center where a forest display is based around the eco tourism project at Budongo.
Bandas
Two traditionally styled African Bandas provide comfortable and private accommodation for visitors. One double and three single beds can cater for a total of five visitors . Each banda is set in a beautiful forest glade providing a relaxing environment for resting after a forest walk.
Campsite
A campsite with space for 20 plus people is pleasantly situated away from the visitor reception. A camp cooking shelter, water pump and campfire area provide all the necessary facilities for the self catering camper.
Bathing and latrines
An open air wash room provides hot or cold showers and, along with two pit latrines serve both the bandas and camp site.
Catering
Food can be prepared by the campsite cock. Visitors are advised to buy provisions in advance at Masindi and arrange with the guides if catering services are required.
Things to See and Do
Though no longer used for camping tracking, Busingiro’s complex and extensive trail system remains open for Forest Walks. Some routes are of note, variously, for tress, birds, and butterflies, so it worthy discussing any special interests and preferences with the guides, who will tailor your work accordingly. A 3 hour forest walk costs US$15 as does a birding walk with a specialized guide. although you may work unaccompanied along the main road, visitors may enter the Forest on either sides only when accompanied by a guide.
The best place to do a guided bird walk is along the Royal mile, which runs between Nyabyere Forestry College and the research section. Unfortunately, the Royal Mile lies about 14Km from Busingiro, so it’s only really a viable option for a day tip unless you have a private transport or stay at the Forestry College. Generally regarded as being one of Uganda’s forest birding site, the Royal Mile supports a wide variety of localised species, with the sought after African dwarf, blue-breasted and chocolate backed kingfishers all very common. A long list of other local specials includes Cassin’s hamk eagle, Nahan’s francolin, white thighed horn bill, yellow billed barbet, lemon-billed crombec, balck-capped apails, forest fly catcher, yellow footed fly catcher and Jameson’s wattle-eye. Various Monkeys are also likely to be seen, along with giant forest squirrels and the bizarre chequered elephant-shrew. Equally bizarre in this remote patch of forest is a Large Church built by polish refugees who were settled in the area during Word War II.
1. Forest Walks and Ecological Trails
Busingiro offers professionally guided walks within a tropical moist forest. Trails range from 1 to 5 kilometres and are graded for difficulty. Walks begin at the tourism centre and cut through mixed forest canopy, secondary growth, and regenerating patches. Interpretative guiding focuses on tree identification, forest ecology, and medicinal plant use.
Some trails intersect with seasonal riverbeds and butterfly hotspots. The walking pace is slow to moderate, allowing for observational learning. Visitors are encouraged to wear closed footwear and carry binoculars for better viewing.
2. Primate Viewing and Chimpanzee Presence
The forest around Busingiro supports populations of black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and, occasionally, chimpanzees. While chimpanzee sightings here are not guaranteed (they’re more regular in Kaniyo Pabidi), signs such as nests, calls, or dung are common. Visitors are accompanied by forest rangers trained in primate behaviour.
Most sightings occur during the early morning hours, between 7.00 am and 10.00 am. Primate movements are influenced by fruiting trees and rainfall variation.
3. Butterfly Identification Walks
Busingiro is known for its butterfly richness, particularly during the wet seasons of March to May and September to November. Forest edges and clearings host species such as Papilio demodocus and Graphium policenes. Local guides provide visual charts for identification. Walkers can observe mating rituals, mud-puddling, and canopy fluttering behaviour.
Butterfly walks are ideal for educational groups, conservation tourists, and field researchers. Simple mobile macro lenses enhance the viewing experience.
4. Birdwatching Opportunities
Budongo Forest is home to over 360 bird species. Busingiro contributes significantly to this checklist. Notable species include the Puvel’s illadopsis (a Budongo endemic), chocolate-backed kingfisher, and yellow-footed flycatcher. Birds are active during early morning and late afternoon hours.
Birding is usually integrated into general forest walks unless clients request a dedicated birding guide. Visitors should carry a checklist and be prepared for patient, quiet walking.
5. Environmental Education Sessions
For school groups, university students, and conservation NGOs, Busingiro offers pre-arranged talks and forest demonstrations. These are led by National Forestry Authority staff or project partners from the Jane Goodall Institute. Topics include forest regeneration, primate ecology, threats to forest survival, and the role of tourism in conservation.
Sessions can be held under outdoor gazebos or along designated learning trails.
6. Community Interaction and Local Guiding
Several residents are trained as forest guides and eco-interpreters. Their knowledge adds lived context to forest interpretation. Some communities also offer handcrafted sales, food tastings, or music demonstrations upon request.
Most interactions are informal and occur after walks. However, structured community add-ons can be arranged in advance through tour operators.
The Trail System
A complex trail system has been developed at Busingiro. A grid system offers the best chances for chimpanzee tracking, and a loop system incorporates a range of forest features and good specimen trees.
Visitors must enter the forest with a guide and follow the code of behavior which will ensure their safety and maximum enjoyment. Visitors should discuss their preferences and time schedules with the forest guides who will tailor a program to meet individuals needs.
A number of special interest walks can be arranged from Busingiro.
Bird Watching
For birds a visit to the Royal Mile is a must. This spectacular wide forest avenue was first enjoyed by King Kabalega of Bunyoro earning its name ‘The Royal Mile’. It is a 15 km drive from the eco-tourism site and visitors must pay a forest entry fee before entering the forest reserve. On an early morning visit visitors cannot fail to see some spectacular forest birds such as the Chocolate Backed Kingfisher and Paradise Flycatcher. A visit to the Royal Mile can also be combined with a trip to Lake Kanyege where water birds and clouds of butterflies enjoy a sunny forest edge pond.
Primate Tracking
Chimp tracking is most successful on the grid trail, where a 200m grid system ensures ease of access through the forest. For chimp tracking its best to start early around 7.00 am. The guides follow the daily movements of the habituated chimpanzee groups. Three years of recording their movements indicate July, August and September offer a 90% success rate of seeing the chimps. In February , March , April, May and September this decreases to 70 %, and in October, November, December and January when food is scarcer chances drop to 50%. The fluctuating fruiting seasons of the forest trees determine the chimps movements. It can take 30 minutes or all day to find them. Only children 7 years and upwards are allowed chimp tracking. Groups are limited to 6 people.
General Forest Walk
The loop system leading from the visitor center offers fascinating forest walks. The guides will interpret the features of the forest which include elephant pit traps, salt licks, elephant wallows and historic grinding stoners. Secrets of the forests will be revealed on these walks. Discover a tree that gets elephants drunk and be amazed at the huge indestructible Ironwood trees dominating the forest canopy.
Little Kasenene Hill Trail
A 4 hour trail takes visitors up Little Kasenene Hill to enjoy spectacular views over Lake Albert and the Blue Mountains of Congo. The trail leads through grassland and shrub. Visitors to the forest in November will witness the spectacle of local people collecting grasshoppers for frying.
Getting There
This Busingiro Tourist Site lies directly along side the Bulisa road, 43km west of Masindi, and is clearly signposted. The 2km turn-off to Nyabyere Forest College is about 10Km closer to Masindii, and also signposted.The drive to Masindi should take an hour in a private vehicle. Using public transport, any minibus-tax or bus heading from Masindi to Butyaba or Wansoke can drop you at the camp, though you’ll probably have to pay the full fare for Butiaba. A 4×4 with drive can be hired in Masindi though a local tour operator.
Accommodation and Facilities
Busingiro Tourist Site maintains basic infrastructure suitable for day visitors. A small tourism centre exists at the forest edge, staffed by personnel from the National Forestry Authority.
It includes a reception office, shaded rest areas, basic sanitation, and a guide briefing point.
There is no overnight accommodation on-site. Visitors must base themselves in nearby towns or lodges and plan for a same-day return.
Nearby Accommodation Options
- Masindi Hotel
Located approximately 45 kilometres from Busingiro. Offers full board, en-suite rooms, conference space, and reliable power. Suitable for group bookings and mid-range clients. - Budongo Eco Lodge (Kaniyo Pabidi section)
Though in a different forest block, it is approximately 80 kilometres from Busingiro. Offers forest cabins and a tented camp. Operated in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute. - Kabalega Resort Hotel
Located along the Masindi–Hoima road, roughly 50 minutes from Busingiro. Offers mid-range rooms, a restaurant, a bar, and gardens. Suitable for independent travellers or small groups. - New Court View Hotel, Masindi
Budget-friendly, with standard rooms and a small restaurant. Suitable for short stays and students. - Red Chilli Rest Camp, Murchison Falls
Situated near Paraa, roughly two hours north of Busingiro. Often used by tourists to combine multiple sites in the region.
When to Visit the Busingiro Tourist Site
December to February (Dry Season Peak)
This period offers the most reliable access to the forest. Trails remain dry and passable. Bird activity is high during early mornings. Chimpanzee and monkey sightings increase as fruiting trees cluster in specific patches. Butterfly counts tend to decline slightly due to reduced moisture, but photography conditions improve thanks to sunlight clarity.
March to May (Long Rain Season)
Expect wet and muddy trails. Some trails may close temporarily after prolonged rainfall; however, butterfly activity peaks during these months. Tree flowering begins mid-March. While primate activity continues, visibility drops due to thick undergrowth. Visitors must wear waterproof boots and carry rain gear.
June to August (Dry and Cool Period)
This window presents a balance between accessibility and ecological observation. Walking conditions improve again, though trails remain shaded and cool. Monkey troops are often observed during midday canopy crossings. Birders prefer this window for visibility of migratory and resident species.
September to November (Short Rains and Transition)
This period brings lighter rainfall. Butterfly numbers begin to rise again. Some primates become harder to spot as forest density increases. Visitors planning research, education tours, or environmental workshops often choose this period because of lower visitor pressure and the availability of local guides.
Entry Requirements and Fees
Access to the Busingiro Tourist Site is regulated by the National Forestry Authority (NFA). All visitors must check in at the forest gate reception and register with site staff. Entry is permitted between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm daily, subject to weather and operational conditions. Walks must be conducted with a licensed local guide assigned at the site. Unaccompanied access is not allowed.
Bookings are typically made on-site; however, large groups and institutional visitors should notify the NFA Masindi Range Office at least 48 hours in advance. This allows for proper staffing and guide allocation. While cash payment is accepted at the gate, official receipts must be issued. Inquiries for special access (e.g., research teams, journalists) are submitted to NFA headquarters in Kampala.
Indicative Fees
- Forest Walk Entry (Foreign Non-Resident): UGX 40,000 per person
- Forest Walk Entry (East African Citizens): UGX 10,000 per person
- Student Groups (Ugandan Institutions): UGX 5,000 per student (minimum 10 students)
- Professional Filming or Research: Subject to formal application, with separate quotation
- Guiding Fee (per group): UGX 20,000 payable directly to the assigned guide
Fees may be reviewed annually. Tour operators working under concession agreements may have separate fee arrangements, though transparency is required during bookings.
Tourists must carry valid identification. Proof of citizenship or student status is required to access discounted rates. Payments are non-refundable once walks commence.