Our 10 days Uganda birding safari is a 9 nights/10 days Uganda birding tour that has been perfectly structured to offer you extraordinary birdwatching in Uganda experience in some of the finest Uganda birding destinations/spots. You also have the option of undertaking a gorilla trekking Uganda safari to see the gentle Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi National Park. Also, on this 10 days Uganda birding safari tour you’ll go on two boat cruises (and one canoe ride!), see much more wonderful fauna and flora of Uganda, experience the stunning scenery and enjoy the warm and friendly attitude of the people of Uganda.
Our first Uganda birding site to visit Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar site and an Important Uganda Bird Area on the shore of Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake) which is one of the best places to catch a rare glimpse of the charismatic Shoebill; Lake Mburo National Park a beautiful savannah park which hosts more than 350 bird species including the Red-faced Barbet, only seen in here and the endemic African Finfoot; and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage where half of the world’s Mountain Gorillas lives. It is also where you will see some of the rarest and exotic birds of this trip with 23 Albertine Rift endemics including the near-mythical African Green Broadbill.
This amazing 10 days birding Uganda safari trip will end with Queen Elizabeth National Park, a bird watcher’s paradise with over 600 Uganda birds across a variety of habitats including – rolling savannah grasslands, tropical rainforest, moist acacia woodland, beautiful saline crater lakes, freshwater lakes, and wetlands. There are also over 95 African species of mammals/animals in Uganda to see here including the legendary tree-climbing lions, Elephants, Buffalos, Leopards, Spotted hyenas, Waterbucks, Bushbucks, Monkeys, Chimpanzees, and Giant forest hogs.
If you would like to customize this 10 days birdwatching Uganda safari trip to suit your budget and interest − please let us know.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (optional)
Birding in some of the top bird watching sites of Uganda
Canoe ride in Mabamba Swamp in search of the iconic shoebills
Search for Bwindi’s unique forest birds; 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
Boat cruise along spectacular Kazinga channel
Boat ride on Lake Mburo
Game viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks.
Walking amongst the wild mammals of Lake Mburo National Park
Day 1: Entebbe
Day 2 & 3: Mabamba Swamp & Lake Mburo National Park.
Day 4, 5, 6 & 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 8 & 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 10: Kampala.
Day 1: Arrive in Uganda via Entebbe International Airport & transfer to your lodge
Day 2: Birding in Mabamba wetland & transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 3: Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
Day 4: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and bird Ruhija in the evening.
Day 5: Bird in Mubwindi swamp of Bwindi.
Day 6: Bird Ruhija and Buhoma sectors of Bwindi
Day 7: Birding in Buhoma Sector or optional gorilla trekking
Day 8: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park & bird along the Kazinga channel.
Day 9: Encounter birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 10: Short bird walk in Maramagambo Forest & Transfer back to Entebbe for Departure.
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be met by the representative of Prime Uganda Safari who will warmly welcome you to Uganda and transfer you to a nearby hotel. Entebbe town is situated on the shore of Lake Victoria about 40km away from Kampala.
The town is incredible “birdy” and if time allows, we’ll make an afternoon visit to the beautifully landscaped Entebbe Botanical Gardens right on Lake Victoria shore. Along with a bounty of more common species, our first birds here could include Orange Weaver, Palm-nut vulture, African fish eagle, Gray Parrot, Ross’s Turaco and Great blue turaco, a perfect introduction to the trip with easy birding in an open environment.
The highlight of the day: – Touching down Entebbe Airport with views of the serene waters of Lake Victoria.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Serena Lake Victoria Resort/Protea Hotel Entebbe
Midrange: – 2 Friends Beach Hotel Entebbe/Lake Heights Hotel Entebbe/Boma Hotel Entebbe
Budget: – Acacia Boutique Hotel/Airport Guesthouse Entebbe
Meal Plan: – Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 3-5km or 10-20 minutes
Activities & services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
After breakfast this morning, we’ll grab our cameras and binoculars and drive to Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance) and an Important Bird Area on the shore of Lake Victoria. This 100 km2 swamp is one of the most visited birding spots in Uganda. Its the star attraction, the unique Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex), draws not only birders but also general tourists. We’ll make an early start from Entebbe (at around 6.30 am) to get there before many other visitors arrive. On reaching the swamp, we’ll embark on a canoe ride in search of the shoebills and we hope to see at least one of these pre-historic looking birds at close range.
We’ll also see a variety of other special birds including- African pygmy goose, Lesser jacana, Gull-bellied tern, Blue-breasted bee-eater, Carruther’s cisticola, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, Blue swallow, Pallid harrier, Swamp flycatcher, Palm-nut vulture, Carruther’s cisticola, Viellot’s weaver, Grosbeak Weaver, Black-headed Weaver, Northern brown-throated weaver and Clarke’s weaver.
We may have the opportunity to encounter the shy swamp-dwelling Sitatunga antelope. After this activity, embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Canoe ride in Mabamba Swamp in search of the incredible Shoebill.
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Mihingo Safari Lodge/Matana Tented Camp
Mid-range/Moderate: – Rwakobo Rock/Emburara Farm Lodge/Arcadia Lodge Mburo
Budget/Basic: – Eagles Nest Mburo
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 280km or 4-5 hours
Activities & services of the day include:-
We have our breakfast at around 7.00 am and embark on a 5-6 hours birding adventure in Lake Mburo National Park. This 370km2 park is a superb wetland and Acacia savanna sanctuary that is a famous spot for serious birders. Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders. The park is home to 350 bird species.
We will explore the park on foot following the respective trails in the company of an armed ranger to save us from attacks of wild animals. We’ll explore the Miriti and Warukiri swamps, Rubanga forest and the salt lick. The Red-faced barbet, Tabora cisticola, Green-capped eremomela, Golden-tailed woodpecker, Spot-flanked barbet, and Grey penduline tit are localised species in Uganda which only occur in Lake Mburo Park.
Other specials species to look for include Papyrus gonolek, White-winged Warbler, African water rail, Grey Crowned Cranes, White-backed night-heron, Yellow-throated leaflove, Coqui francolin, Black-bellied bustard, African wattled plover, Brown parrot, Red-headed lovebird, Barefaced go-away-bird, Blue-napped mousebird, Green wood-hoopoe, Common scimitarbill, Narina trogon, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling cisticola, Northern black flycatcher, Yellow-throated longclaw, Southern red bishop and Abyssinian ground-hornbill. You’ll also see several of the park’s 68 mammal species including Plains Zebra, Rothschild’s giraffe, Cape buffalo, Eland antelopes, Impala, Topi, Oribi and Defassa waterbuck.
We retire from the activity for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, we transfer to Rwonyo jetty for a 2-hour boat ride on Lake Mburo. This stunning boat ride will expose you to counts of Kingfishers, African fish eagle, Hammerkops and the elusive African finfoot. You will also have a chance to see hippos and crocodiles. Retreat from the activity for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – The morning birding nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Mihingo Safari Lodge/Matana Tented Camp
Mid-range/Moderate: – Rwakobo Rock/Emburara Farm Lodge/Arcadia Lodge Mburo
Budget/Basic: – Eagles Nest Mburo
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose on this day include:-
After breakfast at around 6.00 am, we’ll embark on a drive to Bwindi’s Ruhija sector. We’ll pass through farmed landscapes of southwestern Uganda and the towns of Mbarara and Kabale before arriving in the park for lunch and relaxation. The wonderful Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage where half of the world’s Mountain Gorillas and 120 species of other mammals live. With its misty peaks and fern-loaded forests, this 321km2 park is indeed an amazing biodiversity hotspot, hosting the most exciting selections of forest birds in Africa. The park host more than 350 bird species of which 23 are endemic to the Albertine rift and 14 is not recorded anywhere in Uganda.
After relaxation, we’ll embark on an evening birding adventure in the forested hilly landscapes of Ruhija. Special birds to find here include Lagden’s bush-shrike, Handsome francolin, Dusky Tit, Dusky Crimsonwing, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Grauer’s warbler, Pink-footed puff back, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori Apalis, Mountain masked Apalis, Black-throated Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Banded Prinia, Yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle, Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Mountain Buzzard, Red-throated Alethe, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, Stripe Breasted Tit;
Red-chested flufftail, Black-billed turaco, Barred long-tailed cuckoo, White-headed wood-hoopoe, Olive woodpecker, Dwarf honeyguide, Grey cuckoo-shrike, Olive-breasted greenbul, Yellow-streaked greenbul, Abyssinian thrush, White-starred robin, Archer’s ground-robin, Mountain illadopsis, Rwenzori hill-babbler, Mountain sooty boubou, Mountain oriole, Strange weaver and Oriole finch.
Flowering symphonies attract the incredible blue-headed, regal and scarce purple-breasted sunbirds, all highly desired Albertine Rift endemics. As the sun sets, Ruhija offers your best-bet Rwenzori Nightjar, an African wood owl, and if you are exceptionally fortunate, the rare Fraser’s eagle owl.
The highlight of the day: – The evening birding adventure in the Ruhija Sector
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs
Midrange/Standard: – Gorilla Mist Camp/Bakiga Lodge/Haven Lodge Buhoma
Budget/Basic: – Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 235km or 4 – 5 hours
Activities & services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
We will have our breakfast at around 7.00 am and we embark on the birding encounter to Mubwindi swamp, arguably the top birding walk in Bwindi’s Ruhija sector. We will either have a packed lunch somewhere in the forest today or return to the lodge for lunch before birding in the afternoon again.
We will descend several meters from Mubwindi Swamp Trailhead to a swamp area that harbours 20 bird species listed in IUCN Red Data Book and/or endemic to the Albertine Rift.
This walk down to this swamp is not for the faint-hearted, this is an obligate pilgrimage for the serious birder since it is down there that resides the MOST coveted of Bird’s Albertine Rift endemics − the rare and localised Grauer’s broadbill or African Green Broadbill, one of Africa’s most sought-after birds. This globally threatened species is only known from two sites in the world, the other being a remote forest in eastern DR Congo.
Other Bwindi specials to look for here include Carruthers’s cisticola, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Neumann’s Warbler, Yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Chapin’s flycatcher, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Purple breasted sunbird, Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, Grey Cuckooshrike, Mountain Illadopsis, Mountain Greenbul, Red-chested flufftail, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater and Chubb’s cisticola plus much more.
The highlight of the day: – The chance to see the African Green Broadbill, one of Africa’s most sought-after birds.
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs
Midrange/Standard: – Gorilla Mist Camp/Bakiga Lodge/Haven Lodge Buhoma
Budget/Basic: – Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
After breakfast at around 7.00 am, we’ll do a short bird walk in Ruhija after which we will transfer to the northern sector of Bwindi (Buhoma). Upon arriving, you will bird within Buhoma environs.
Among a great many remarkable birds to see here is Great blue turaco, Rwenzori turaco, Ross’s turaco, Black-billed turaco, Barred long-tailed cuckoo, Bar-tailed trogon, Black bee-eater, Grey-throated Barbet, Petit’s cuckoo-shrike, Elliot’s Woodpecker, Red-tailed greenbul, Mountain greenbul, Icterine greenbul, Yellow-whiskered greenbul, White-bellied Robin-chat, White-tailed ant thrush, Rusty-faced woodland warbler, White-browed crombec, Yellow-eyed black flycatcher, White-tailed blue flycatcher, White-tailed crested flycatcher, Narrow-tailed starling, McKinnon’s shrike, Doherty’s bush shrike and Black-headed waxbill.
In addition to outstanding birding, you will a dazzling array of colourful butterflies and the lovely L’Hoest’s monkey is often encountered.
The highlight of the day: – Birding in the magical Buhoma Sector of Bwindi
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs
Midrange/Standard: – Haven Lodge Buhoma/Silverback Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
After breakfast at around 7.00 am, we’ll embark on a search for the avian wonders of the Buhoma sector, following the waterfall. However, you can opt for a gorilla trekking encounter and we can honestly highly recommend that you choose this option on this safari. Trekking the endangered mountain gorillas is a bucket list experience that naturalists from all over the world dream of doing.
For this unique adventure, we will have our breakfast very early in the morning at around 6.00 am and then transfer to Buhoma headquarter to get briefed by the expert local guides. At 8.00 am we’ll embark on the search for these gentle giants of the forest.
The gorilla trek might take us 2-8 including the one hour you are allowed to stay with them. It is relatively tiresome as the forest can be quite wet and go fairly steep. But trust us, the bit of exercise will be very well rewarded by meeting, watching, spending time with and photographing these incredible great apes of Africa as you look straight into their inviting, liquid brown eyes. You will soon realize why, in both evolutionary and genetic terms, ape species (like the gorilla) are actually much closer to humans than monkeys are.
After one hour with gorillas, you will enjoy your packed picnic lunch and return to the briefing point where you’ll reward with a gorilla trekking certificate. Also, after this life-changing gorilla trekking experience, you can enjoy some more birding in this part of Bwindi looking for species like Bar-tailed trogon, Rwenzori turaco, Black-billed Turaco, Rwenzori Apalis, Mountain Illadopsis, Equatorial Akalat, Magpie Mannikin, Banded Prinia, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Elliot’s and Tullberg’s Woodpecker, Cabanis’s Greenbul, Strange Weaver, Little Sparrowhawk, Crowned Hornbill and many others. We’ll then drive back to our lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Birding in the magical Buhoma sector or Gorilla trekking
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs
Midrange/Standard: – Haven Lodge Buhoma/Silverback Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
We’ll have our breakfast at around 7.00 am, and then we’ll embark on a 133km (4-5 hours) drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We will pass through the landscapes of Ishasha in the south of Queen Elizabeth where by chance you can encounter the tree-climbing lions that dwell in the fig trees of Ishasha. You will arrive at Mweya for lunch after which you will embark on a 2 hours boat cruise along the 45km long Kazinga channel which joins Lakes Edward and George.
Highlights of the voyage include our close (and safe) approach to African buffalo, Elephants, Hippos and Crocodiles. We’ll see several fantastic waterbirds such as African Open-billed, Yellow-billed, Saddle-billed and Marabou Storks, African spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Wattled Lapwing, Water Thick-knee and Pelicans. We’ll return to the lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – The afternoon launch cruise along the Nile River.
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Mweya Safari Lodge/Mazike Valley Lodge/Katara Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Enganzi Game Lodge/ Bush Lodge/Kasenyi Safari Camp
Budget/Basic: – Pumba Safari Cottages/Park View Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 133km or 4-5 hours
Activities & services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
Have a whole day’s encounter with birds in the varied ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The birding encounter can be conducted in Mweya peninsular, environs of Lake Kikorongo, Maramagambo forest, savannah plains of Kasenyi, Katunguru bridge Area among other areas.
Special bird species to look for include Temminck’s Courser, Ruppell’s Griffon, Martial Eagle, White-Headed Vultures, Lappet Faced Vulture, Hooded vulture, Blue Quail, Harlequin Quail, Small (Common) Buttonquail, African Crake, African Skimmer, Black Headed Gonolek, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Amur Falcon, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Grey-crowned crane, Red-throated spurfowl, Yellow-throated longclaw, Flappet lark, Long-crested Eagle, Black-bellied bustard, Sitting cisticola, Grey-backed fiscal;
White-napped pigeon, Chestnut wattle-eye, Snowy-headed robin chart, Scaly-breasted illadopsis, Brown illadopsis, African emerald cuckoo, Red-throated wryneck, African Moustached warbler, White-breasted Nigro finch, Chestnut wattle eye, Marsh tchagra, Sulphur –breasted bush shrike, Black bishop, Papyrus gonolek, White-winged tern, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, and White-winged warbler and others.
The sights of mammals including Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Waterbucks, Warthogs, bushbucks, monkeys and many more may not be missed.
The highlight of the day: – Whole day of birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Mweya Safari Lodge/Mazike Valley Lodge/Katara Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Enganzi Game Lodge/ Bush Lodge/Kasenyi Safari Camp
Budget/Basic: – Pumba Safari Cottages/Park View Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & services of the day:-
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
After breakfast at around 7.30 am, we’ll take a short bird walk in the Maramagambo forest before returning to embark on the journey to Kampala.
Maramagambo is a medium-altitude rainforest that harbours a variety of forest birds. Key bird species to look for in including White-napped pigeon, Chestnut wattle-eye, Snowy-headed robin chart, Scaly-breasted illadopsis, Brown illadopsis, Forest greenbuls, Rwenzori turaco, Forest flycatchers, African emerald cuckoo, Red-throated wryneck, African Moustached warbler
Maramagambo Forest harbours a number of primates including the unhabituated population of around 300 chimpanzees, Black-and-white colobus monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, Red-tailed monkey, Vervet monkey, Olive baboon and Blue monkey
The highlight of the day: – Birding in Maramagambo Forest
Accommodation:-
Luxury/Upmarket: – Speke Resort Munyonyo/Kampala Serena Hotel /Sheraton Kampala Hotel
Midrange/Standard: – Cassia Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Biyem Hotel/Nexus Resorts Nansana
Meal Plan: – Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx.
Activities & services of the day:-
End of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari
Full time English professional safari driver guide
4×4 safari van/ 4×4 Safari land cruiser with pop up roof for game viewing with functional A/C
Full board accommodation
Gorilla trekking permit fees
Boat cruise fees
Wi-Fi Internet on board the safari vehicle
Bottled water
International &domestic flight fees
Visa fees
Laundry services
Items of personal nature
Gratuities and tips
Other beverages/ drinks
Other extras not mentioned in the itinerary above
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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