23 Days Uganda Birding Safari – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Arrive In Uganda Via Entebbe International Airport & Transfer to the Hotel.

Arrive in Uganda on your flight from your respective country of origin, landing at Entebbe International Airport which is the main gateway to Uganda, where you will find our company representative dedicated to offer you a courteous welcome.

The amazing weather and brightening atmosphere on the shores of Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical freshwater lake give you a remarkable first impression of the ‘Pearl of Africa’. You will connect to the respective hotel for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Touching down Entebbe International Airport with views of the serene waters of Lake Victoria.   

Accommodation:-

Upmarket/Luxury: – Protea Hotel Entebbe/Serena Lake Victoria Resort

Midrange/Standard: – Boma Hotel Entebbe/2 Friends Beach Hotel Entebbe/ Lake Heights Hotel Entebbe

Budget/Basic: – Airport Guesthouse Entebbe/Acacia Boutique Hotel

Meal Plan: – Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 3-5km or 10-20 minutes

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Pick up from the airport and transfer to a hotel in Kampala

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Entebbe City tour
• Visiting Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
• Visit Uganda Wildlife Education Center for a chimpanzee close up
• Sundowner boat cruise on Lake Victoria

Day 2 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Travel to Mabira Forest Reserve & Do Birding.

After breakfast at around 6.00 am, we will embark on a 50km (1-2 hours) drive east of Uganda to the Mabira Forest Reserve. We drive through the striking rural Uganda rural landscape with a lush green cover, scattered human settlement, towns, and markets where you will see people going on with their daily life.

The huge and beautiful Mabira Forest of 306km² is located on the edge of Najjembe village approximately 500m north of the Jinja – Kampala highway. It can be explored via well maintained extensive trail network. The forest ranks among Uganda’s key ornithological destinations with over 300 bird species recorded including several rarities such as the pretty Tit Hylia which is known to exist in only two places in East Africa.

It is also one of the few places in Uganda where the localized Forest wood-hoopoe, African pitta, Purple-throated cuckoo-shrike, Red-tailed leaflove, Weyn’s weaver, and Nahan’s francolin are regularly seen. The forest is also a good place to see the rare Blue swallow. Other fantastic bird species we will look for include several hornbill species, Great blue Turaco, African Grey parrot, and Sunbirds. We settle for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Searching for the rare bird species such as Tit Hylia in Mabira Forest Reserve.

Accommodation:-

Upmarket/Luxury: – Mabira Rain Forest Lodge

Budget / Basic: – Griffin Falls Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & time: – Approx. Approx. 99.9km or 2½ -3 hours

Activities & services of the day:-

• Transfer from Entebbe to Mabira Forest
• Forest walks in search of birds

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Ziplining
• Mountain biking
• Primate viewing
• Visiting Sezibwa falls

Day 3 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Whole Day Birding in Mabira Forest.

In the morning after breakfast (at around 7.00 am), we will go for a full day birding nature walk through Mabira Forest in search of more other birds not spotted the previous day, only to break for a picnic lunch in the forest and then proceed with birding.

This birding activity also provides you with an opportunity to see primates including Red-tailed monkeys, Black-and-white colobus, and Uganda mangabeys.  Retire in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – The exciting whole day birding nature walks in Mabira Forest.

Accommodation:-

Upmarket/Luxury: – Mabira Rain Forest Lodge

Budget/Basic: – Griffin Falls Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Whole day birding in Mabira Forest

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Mangabey tracking
• Ziplining
• Mountain biking
• Visiting the source of the Nile in Jinja

 

Day 4 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Transfer to Budongo Forest Reserve with a Visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary En Route.

After breakfast at around 6.30 am, we drive northwest to Masindi town close to the Budongo Forest Reserve. This route offers you impressive views of the flat landscapes of Central Uganda before making a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary which is home to Uganda’s only wild Rhinos and over 300 bird species. Here will enjoy a rewarding 2 hours nature walk in search of the Southern white rhinos and birds in the company of an expert guide.

The special bird species to find include the Grey-crowned crane which is Uganda’s national bird, African black-headed and Golden orioles, Black-spotted, African Morning and Namaqua doves, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Broad-billed roller, African black crake, Brown-backed scrub-robin, African blue flycatcher, African Crowned Eagle, Abdim’s Stork, Bronze Manikini, Brown-crowned Tchagra, African Citril, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Chinspot Batis, African Goshawk and African Hawk and Booted eagles.

We will have lunch in the sanctuary and transfer to Masindi in the evening for relaxation and overnight. We will be birding along the way at multiple locations, and many clients really enjoy this drive as it is not along main roads, and passes through rural Uganda, where you get a real sense of what life is like here.

The highlight of the day: – Rhino tracking and birding in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Accommodation:-

Upmarket/Luxury: Masindi Hotel

Midrange/Standard: New Court View Hotel/ Budongo Eco lodge

Budget/Basic: Kabalega Resort Hotel Masindi

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 265km or 4-5 hours

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Transfer to Budongo Forest Reserve
• Rhino tracking and birding in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

 Day 5 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Full Day Birding in Budongo Forest Reserve – Busingiro Area and the Royal Mile.

After breakfast at around 7.00 am, we have a full day to explore the delights of the 825km² Budongo Forest; a magnificent tract of intact tropical rainforest which hosts over 360 bird species and one of the largest Chimpanzee populations in Uganda. We spend time at one of the best of Uganda’s bird-watching spots, the Royal Mile which is public but very lightly used road where the forest authorities have cleared the shrub growth for 20 feet on either side of the road, leading to superb views of both undergrowth bird species as well as making canopy views better than most lowland rainforests.

The special bird species we hope to see are a wide variety of localized species including the sought-after African dwarf, blue-breasted, and chocolate-backed kingfishers. This is the best site in Uganda for Cassin’s Spinetail, Nahan’s Francolin, and Chestnut-capped Flycatcher. There are several forest confusing forest Greenbuls and we will walk slowly through any flock that we encounter looking for Spotted, Xavier’s, White-throated, Red-tailed, and Honeyguide Greenbuls.

We will search the undergrowth along the track for numerous understory skulkers including three Illadopsis species, Fire-crested Alethe, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Grey-throated Flycatcher, and Red-tailed Ant-Thrush. We will keep an eye on any openings in the forest canopy, as Cassin’s and Crowned Hawk-eagles, Mottled and Sabine’s Spinetails are all possible.

Other amazing birds to look for include the impressive White-thighed Hornbill, Blue Malkoha, barbets including Hairy-breasted and Yellow-billed, cryptic Green Hylia, Grey, and Yellow Longbills, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Lemon-bellied Crombec, African Forest-Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, Grey-headed Sunbird, Yellow-mantled Weaver, Crested Malimbe.  Various monkeys will also be seen. You will have a picnic lunch in the forest as you bird and retreat in the evening to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Birding along the Royal Mile, one of the best forest birding sites in Uganda.

Accommodation:-

Upmarket/Luxury: Masindi Hotel

Midrange/Standard: New Court View Hotel/ Budongo Eco lodge

Budget/Basic: Kabalega Resort Hotel Masindi

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Full day birding in Busingiro Area of Budongo Forest

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Chimpanzee tracking

Day 6 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Half-day birding in Budongo – Kaniyo Pabidi Site & transfer to Murchison Falls N.P

After breakfast at around 7.30 am, we will transfer to the Kaniyo Pabidi sector of Budongo Forest for more birding. This area also offers an opportunity to explore chimpanzees on your way to Murchison Falls National Park (optional arrangement). Among the special Uganda bird species to look for are Narina trogon, Little greenbul, African shrike flycatchers, Chestnut wattle eye, Chestnut-winged starling, Grey Apalis, Dwarf, and Pygmy kingfishers, and a great many forest sunbirds and hornbills. A local specialty is the Puvel’s Illadopsis which is quite common in Kaniyo Pabidi but known in no other locality in East Africa. The extremely localized and magnificently garish Green-breasted pitta has also been recorded here.

From Budongo, we drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park (3,840km²) which is home to over 451 bird species and 76 species of mammals and it protects a huge chunk of untamed savannah bisected by the historic River Nile, the longest river in the world. We will pass through lots of wild country with an open palm savanna, unlike any other in East Africa, and along the way, we may find birds like Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Senegal Lapwing, White-rumped Seedeater, and the weird Piapiac.

We will visit the top of Murchison Falls where the mighty Nile River perfects its beauty. Here the Nile is squeezed through a 7 meter wide cleft in the Rift valley escarpment and plunges 45 meters down offering the most inspiring sight of its kind in East Africa. Here you have chances of viewing birds like the Pel’s Fishing Owl, Chest-nut crowned, and the Red-winged grey warbler. We connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Birding at the top of the Murchison Falls, the world’s most powerful waterfall.

Accommodation:-

Upmarket/Luxury: – Paraa Safari lodge/Bakers Lodge

Midrange/Standard: – Pakuba Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge

Budget/Basic: – Hornbill Bush Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp

 Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & time: – or 30 minutes

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Half-day birding in Budongo Forest Reserve (Kaniyo Pabidi Site)
• Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
• Visit the top of the falls

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo

Day 7 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Morning Boat Cruise to the Nile Delta & Birding in the Savannah – Northern Murchison Falls National Park.

We start with an early morning breakfast at around 6.30 am. We then embark on a morning boat cruise downstream to where the Nile River enters Lake Albert and makes a delta with tributaries and papyrus marshes. This 20km voyage offers the best opportunity anywhere in Africa to see the majestic Shoebill, one of the weirdest birds on the planet.

Other amazing birds to find include Piapiac, the well-named Goliath heron, the regal Grey crowned-crane which is Uganda’s National bird, Saddle-billed stork, African fish-eagle, Senegal Thick-knee, Long-toed, and Spur-winged Lapwings, African Jacana, African Skimmers, Giant, Pied and the gem-like Malachite Kingfishers and Red-throated bee-eaters. With luck, we may see the rare Pel’s Fishing-Owl, as well as the dashing Red-necked Falcon that frequents the palm trees lining the riverbanks. In addition to the profusion of birds, we’ll see large numbers of the impressive Crocodiles, Hippos, Elephants, and Buffalo at close range.

The morning boat cruise will be followed by an extensive birding drive in the savannah both in the mid-morning and in the evening as we search for fantastic bird species such as Abyssinian ground hornbill, Secretary Bird, Black-breasted Snake-Eagle, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Heuglin’s Francolin, Black-headed Lapwing, Swallow-tailed and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, Black Scimitar-bill, Black-backed Cisticola, Shelley’s Rufous Sparrow, and Black-faced Quailfinch. Mammals are well represented and we’ll have possibilities of encountering the shy Patas monkey, Lions, Leopards, Rothschild giraffes, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Defassa waterbuck, Oribi, and Uganda Kobs plus much more.

The highlight of the day: – The chance to see the iconic shoebills on a boat cruise along the Nile River.

Accommodation:-

Upmarket/Luxury: – Paraa Safari lodge/Bakers Lodge

Midrange/Standard: – Pakuba Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge

Budget/Basic: – Hornbill Bush Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp

 Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Morning birding boat cruise along the Nile River to the delta area
• Birding in the savannah

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Bush breakfast
• Hot air balloon safari
• Spot fishing

Day 8 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Morning Birding in the Savannah – Northern Murchison & Afternoon Nile Launch Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls.

After breakfast at around 7.00 am, we undertake an extensive birding expedition in northern Murchison, and in the afternoon, we gather at Paraa jetty for a thrilling three hours boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls where the 50m wide Nile River bursts through a 7-meter wide gap in the rift valley escarpment and spectacularly plunges 45 meters down, not to mention the deafening roar and voluminous spray it generates. As well as being visually spectacular, it is also really good for birding and we expect to get close to the normally very difficult Rock Pratincole.

You also have possibilities of encountering hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes as they are surrounded by fish-eating birds like African fish eagles, Egyptian geese, Goliath heron, Pied Kingfisher, Saddle bellied stork. You also have another chance to see the iconic shoebill. We retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – The thrilling birding boat cruise on the Nile River to the bottom of Murchison Fall, the world’s most powerful waterfall.

Accommodation:-

Upmarket/Luxury: – Paraa Safari lodge/Bakers Lodge

Midrange/Standard: – Pakuba Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge

Budget/Basic: – Hornbill Bush Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp

 Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Morning birding in the savannah
• Afternoon Nile launch cruise to the bottom of the falls

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Bush breakfast
• Hot air balloon safari
• Sportfishing

 Day 9 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Birding in Rabongo Forest & Transfer to Hoima.

We will have breakfast at around 7.30 am and then undertake a birding tour to Rabongo Forest. This little forest spreads over 4km2 of the park landscape and offers impressive bird views most especially the forest birds and the walk also offers you impressive views of the Primates including the Black and white colobus, Baboons among others. The River Wairingo also presents impressive encounters. Retire from the activity and embark on a transfer to Hoima driving along the scenic Albertine rift escarpment with magical views.

The highlight of the day: – The impressive views of birds and primates in Rabongo Forest.

Accommodation:-

Midrange/Standard: – Lake Albert Lodge/Hoima Cultural Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 120km or 4 hours

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Birding in Rabongo Forest
• Transfer to Hoima

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Visit Kibiro Salt Garden

Day 10 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Drive to Kibale National Park with Birding En Route Including in Sebitoli Area.

Departing immediately after breakfast (at around 7.00 am), we’ll set off on the drive to the Kibale National Park. While there may be added stops along the way this is by necessity a driving day. You enjoy exciting birding encounters en route including Sebitoli forest – an extension of Kibale National Park where we’ll have a chance of spotting the Joyful Greenbul, Masked Apalis, Dusky Blue Flycatcher, and Slender-tailed Starling.

Kibale National Park is home to a total of 375 bird species including 6 that are endemic to the Albertine rift region, 70 mammal species, most famously 13 species of primate. The forest has over 1500 chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkey, and East Africa’s largest population of the threatened Red Colobus Monkey. Other primates that you may see include the Guereza Colobus, Blue monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Red-tailed monkey, Olive Baboon, Bushbabies, and Pottos.

Arrive in Kibale Area for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Birding in Sebitoli Sector of Kibale National Park

Accommodation:-

Luxury/Upmarket: – Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale

Midrange/Standard: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Tree Tops

Budget/Basic: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 170km or 5-6 hours

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Transfer from Hoima to Kibale National Park
• Birding in Sebitoli Area

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Visit the Amabere caves in Fort portal
• Cycling in Mpanga tea estate.
• Nocturnal walk in Kibale National Park enables you to encounter some of the nocturnal creatures such as Bushbabies, Nightjars, and Genet

Day 11 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Birding in Kibale Forest National Park & the Nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

This day starts with an early morning breakfast at around 7.00 am after which we transfer to the Kanyanchu area for a wonderful birding encounter. We will have a chance to encounter one of Africa’s ultimate avian prizes, Green-breasted Pitta. This “mega” has recently become available, though finding it still takes a good measure of luck. Other special species to look for include African pitta, African Grey Parrot, Afep and the globally threatened White-naped Pigeon, Cassin’s spinetail, Blue-headed bee-eater, Nahan’s francolin, Masked Apalis, Crowned Eagle, Black Bee-eater, Western Nicator, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Brown Illadopsis, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Ruwenzori Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Little Greenbul and Abyssinian ground-thrush.

However, Kibale is famous for being the best place in the world to see wild Chimpanzees. Those who opt for Chimpanzee tracking will join an official park chimp tracking session a bit later in the morning or afternoon. The trek to see chimps is fun though, and when we finally find the chimp community resting or feeding in the trees, you will get a sense of accomplishment.

After our birding encounter in Kibale, we will have a picnic lunch in the forest and in the afternoon we go birding in the nearby community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This Sanctuary demonstrates a successful story of the ecotourism development benefits. It is well for a wide collection of primates like black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed; L’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, and olive baboons as well as over 200 bird species like Great blue Turaco, Bocage’s Bushshrike, and Western Nicator. Settle for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Encountering several special bird species in Kibale such as the Green-breasted pitta.

Accommodation:-

Luxury/Upmarket: – Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale

Midrange/Standard: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Tree Tops

Budget/Basic: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 Activities & services of the day:-

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Chimpanzee tracking
• Cultural encounter
• Night walks in Kibale forest to see some of the nocturnal creatures such as Bushbabies and Nightjars.

Day 12 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Travel to Semuliki National Park for Whole Day Birding & Return in the evening.

We have breakfast at around 6.30 am and embark on a very scenic drive to Semliki National Park. The park protects an unspoiled 220km² tract of rainforest that harbors a wealth of avian life.

Semuliki will present you with an incredible bird checklist of 441 species including a full 46 Guinea-Congo forest biome bird species unknown elsewhere in East Africa such as; the Congo serpent eagle, Nkulengu rail, Maxwell’s black weaver, Blue-billed malimbe, Lyre-tailed, and Zenker’s Honeyguides, Spot-breasted Ibis, African Piculet, Hornbills including Black-wattled, White-crested, Black dwarf and Red-billed dwarf; Greenbuls including Palm swamp, Eastern bearded, Sassi’s olive and Simple greenbuls; Yellow-throated Nictor,  Northern bearded scrub-robin, Red-eyed Puffback, Black-winged Oriole, Grant’s bluebill, and Lowland akalat. Also, another 12 species with an extremely limited distribution in East Africa occur in Semuliki including Western bronze-naped pigeon, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Piping Hornbill, Rufous-sided broadbill, Xavier’s greenbul, Capuchin babbler, Yellow long bill, Blue-headed flycatcher, Red-billed helmet-shrike, Crested malimbe, Pale-fronted ant pecker, and Chestnut-breasted Nigrita.

Semuliki is also home to some special mammal species, and we hope to see Angola Colobus, Vervet, Olive Baboon, Ugandan Grey-cheeked Mangabey, and Red-tailed Monkey. You will engage in a full-day birding expedition here. Retire back to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Encountering some of the endemic bird species of Semuliki such as the Nkulengu rail.

Accommodation:-

Luxury/Upmarket: – Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale

Midrange/Standard: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp/Turaco Tree Tops

Budget/Basic: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & time: – 78km or 1 ½ -2 hours

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Visiting Semuliki National Park
• Whole day birding in Semuliki
• Transfer back to Kibale

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Visit the Batwa pygmy community at Ntandi
• Hike to the babbling Sempaya Hotspring

Day 13 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Drive To Queen Elizabeth National Park & Do Birding in the Mweya Peninsular.

After a relaxed breakfast at around 8.30 am, we head to Queen Elizabeth National park 157km about 3 hours’ drive enjoying the sights of the Rwenzori Mountains en route. We settle for lunch in the peninsular and undertake birding in Mweya Peninsular between Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel.

The area supports counts of bird species which include Red-chested Sunbird, Black-headed gonolek, a Variety of weavers, African morning dove, Swamp nightjar, Little bee-eater, Swifts, Swallows, Martins, and Nubian woodpeckers. Retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Birding in Mweya peninsular 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

Drive Distance & time: – 157km or 3 hours

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Birding in the Mweya peninsular

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Game drive
• Cultural visit
• Lion tracking

Day 14 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park & Afternoon Kazinga Channel Launch Cruise.

After our breakfast in the morning (at around 7.00 am), we drive towards spectacular Lake Kikorongo and the Kasenyi track for more birding in Queen Elizabeth N.P. Queen is both a mammal and bird haven. Queen Elizabeth hosts over 610 bird species (the largest checklist of any protected area in East Africa) and over 95 species of mammals including the uncommon tree-climbing Lions

Bird species to find include Bateleur, arguably Africa’s most spectacular raptor, Grey Kestrel, Red-necked Francolin, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African Crake, Senegal Lapwing, Black Coucal, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Southern Red Bishop, Marsh Tchagra, Flappet, Red-capped, and White-tailed Larks. Of the 10 species of cisticolas, we’ll look and listen for Croaking, Red-faced, Trilling, Carruther’s, and Stout. Mammals will also be a highlight of today’s excursion, and we will have an opportunity to see Lion, Leopard, Spotted hyena, African elephant, African buffalo, Ugandan kob, Bushbuck, Hippos,  Warthog, and the spectacular Giant forest hog.

We return to our lodge for lunch, then in the afternoon, we take a boat trip on the scenic Kazinga Channel. Highlights of the voyage include our close (and safe) approach to African buffalo, Elephants, Hippos, and Crocodiles. This trip ranks among the most astounding birding and photographic experiences in Africa. Among a multitude of others, we will hope to find African Open-billed, Yellow-billed, Saddle-billed and Marabou Storks, African spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Wattled Lapwing, Water Thick-knee, Swamp Flycatcher and Lesser Swamp Warbler as well as several species of gulls, terns, and pelicans. Return to the lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – The afternoon birding boat cruise along the spectacular Kazinga Channel.

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:-

• Morning drive in Kasenyi sector
• Afternoon launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Night game drive
• Cultural visits

Day 15 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with Birding in Ishasha Sector.

Early in the morning after breakfast (at around 7.00 am), we drive to Bwindi’s (Buhoma sector) passing through the extensive southern Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth Park. We will likely see a large variety of savanna birds and mammal species. We may be fortunate in sighting the area’s famous tree-climbing lions.

The sector features birds species like African White-backed, Palm-nut, Ruppell’s Griffon, Hooded and Lappet-faced Vultures; Brown Snake, Long-crested, Wahlberg’s, Bateleur, Crowned, and Martial Eagles; African Grey Kestrel, Helmeted Guineafowl, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, Senegal Plover, African Green Pigeon, African Wattled Plover, Ross’s Turaco, Striped Kingfisher, Double-toothed and White-headed Barbets, Broad-billed Roller, Greater Honeyguide, Yellow-billed Oxpecker Grey Woodpecker, Brown-backed Scrub-Robin, White-browed Robin-Chat, Green Crombec, Cisticolas and Grey-backed Fiscal.

We will have our picnic lunch at Ishasha and then drive headquarters of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Buhoma arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Birding in Ishasha and the opportunity to see the rare tree-climbing lions.

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

 Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 130-220km or 4-7 hours

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Birding drive through in Ishasha sector

 Day 16 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Buhoma Sector.

In the morning after an early breakfast at around 7.00 am, we embark on a full day of birding expeditions to search out the avian wonders of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Buhoma Sector, following the waterfall trail. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to almost half of the world’s Mountain Gorillas. It is also Africa’s finest destination hosting over 350 including 23 Albertine rift endemics. Buhoma is a particularly beautiful piece of forest in the valley and our birding nature walk is on a mainly flat and broad path.

Special species we hope to see include:- Bar-tailed Trogon, Kivu ground thrush, Dusky tit, Handsome francolin, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, the rarely seen Oberlander’s Ground-Thrush, White-bellied Crested-Flycatcher, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Bocage’s Bushshrike, Black-billed Weaver, and Magpie Mannikin. High exposed perches are favored by the dazzling Black Bee-eater, Blue-throated Roller, Sooty Flycatcher, and forest starlings including Waller’s, Stuhlmann’s, and Narrow-tailed, while the tiny, vocal, and highly secretive Neumann’s Warbler is buried in the undergrowth! Other understory birds could include African Broadbill, Banded Prinia, and the surprisingly bright male Black-faced Rufous-Warbler. The mid-story and canopy support Elliot’s and Tullberg’s Woodpeckers, Cabanis’s, Shelley’s and Ansorge’s greenbul, the strange Grauer’s Warbler, and White-browed Crombec. The tiny Jameson’s Antpecker can be found at any level, probing under moss on dead branches or gleaning warbler-like in the canopy.

Overhead, Scarce Swift forages over the forest. Other wildlife that we may be fortunate enough to find includes the huge yellow-backed duiker antelope, Guereza colobus, L’Hoest’s, blue and red-tailed monkeys. Retire from the activity for relaxation dinner and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Full-day birding expedition in search of avian wonders of the beautiful Buhoma Sector.

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:-

• Full day birding expedition in Buhoma

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Moutain gorilla trekking
• Bakiga/Batwa cultural performances at the lodge in the evening

Day 17 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Birding to Ruhija through Neck.

After breakfast at around 6.30 am, we go birding in the Ruhija Sector of Bwindi Park. Although it is not a long way, we will spend the entire day on this route to take advantage of the superb birding. In scrubby areas beyond Buhoma, we’ll search for Ross’s Turaco; Red-throated Wryneck; Brown-backed Scrub-Robin, as well as Bronze, Copper, and Variable Sunbirds, Black-necked and Holub’s Golden Weavers; Yellow Bishop and Black-throated Seed-eater.

Further along the road, we will pass through Kitahurira, or “The Neck,” another well-known birding site. Here we’ll search for the likes of Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Willcox’s Honeyguide, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Mountain Wagtail, Pink-footed Puffback, and the rare Tiny Sunbird.

Even further up the road, cultivated areas provide feeding opportunities for many seedeaters, which will hopefully include Dusky Twinspot and Yellow-bellied and Black-crowned Waxbills. African Stonechat, Thick-billed Seedeater, and Yellow-crowned Canary may also be found. We’ll also seek out the noisy Chubb’s Cisticola providing cheerful song from deep within the bracken, the stunning Doherty’s Bushshrike appearing from the dense vegetation, and Mackinnon’s Shrike surveying the road from high, exposed perches. Retire for dinner and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – Superb birding in Ruhija Sector in search of Albertine Rift endemics and other special 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:-

• Transfer from Buhoma to Ruhija
• Birding through the Neck to Ruhija

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Moutain gorilla trekking
• Explore the culture of the local Bakiga and Batwa communities

Day 18 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Whole day Birding Exploration in Ruhija and Mubwindi Swamp.

After breakfast at around 7.00 am, we embark on a whole day of birding exploration in Ruhija and Mubwindi Swamp. We set off for the steep descent to Mubwindi and the seemingly steeper ascent back the same way! This will be our only chance to encounter the exceedingly rare and amazingly cryptic 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.

Because of the steep trail, walking sticks are recommended. The option of borrowing walking sticks and of hiring porters to carry everything other than binoculars and cameras will be available. This all-day birding excursion will also hopefully give us an opportunity to observe other Albertine Rift endemics such as the Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Rwenzori Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Regal sunbird, and Dusky Crimsonwing. Retreat in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – The chance to encounter the exceedingly rare and amazingly cryptic African green Broadbill in Mubwindi Swamp.

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:-

• Whole day birding in Ruhija and Mubwindi Swamp

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Moutain gorilla trekking
• Explore the culture of the local Bakiga and Batwa communities

Day 19 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Do Birding in the Acacia Savannah Landscape.

After your early morning breakfast at around 7.30 am, drive towards Lake Mburo National Park driving through the magical Kigezi Highlands. On our way out of the forest, we’ll of course be on the lookout for any missed species. These may include Handsome Francolin, Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, and possibly the highland Kandt’s Waxbill. As we head eastward, the birds en route will now be familiar, but it won’t stop us from looking in any interesting habitat.

You make a lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara town after which you proceed for 33km to Lake Mburo National Park arriving in the afternoon. You will bird along the entrance road to Rwonyo in the late afternoon to watch out for acacia-associated bird species like Ruppell’s long-tailed starling, mosque swallow, and black-bellied bustard.

The highlight of the day: – Searching for the special acacia-associated birds 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

Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 240km or 4-5 hours

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
• Birding in the acacia savannah landscape

Day 20 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Do Half-Day Birding, Wildlife Walking Safari & Boat Ride on Lake Mburo.

After early morning breakfast at around 7.00 am, embark on the extensive wildlife and birding experience in the rolling savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo National Park. There are quite a few species that are very localized in Uganda, and which only occur here. Our top avian target will be the Red-faced Barbet, which has a small range in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania, to the west of Lake Victoria. Other targets will include Tabora Cisticola, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Green-capped Eremomela, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Spot-flanked Barbet, and Gray Penduline Tit.

The encounter also offers you chances of spotting Rufous-bellied Heron, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Grey Crowned Crane, Brown-chested Lapwing, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Black-bellied Bustard, Red-headed Lovebird, Ross’s Turaco, Brown Parrot, Green Wood-hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, White-headed Barbet, Long-tailed Cisticola, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Finfoot, White-winged Tit and Yellow-breasted Apalis among other birds.

Lake Mburo is also an excellent park for mammals. The walking experience will offer an opportunity to explore counts of wild game including the Rothschild giraffes, the Topis, elands, waterbucks, Buffaloes, Burchell’s Zebra, Impala, Warthogs among other species.  In the late evening, you undertake a boat ride on Lake Mburo to search for the African cousin of the Neotropical Sungrebe, the rare and elusive African Finfoot, and we may even find a White-backed Night-Heron. Retreat from the activity for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: – The extensive wildlife viewing and birding experience in the rolling savannah landscapes of 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:-

• Half-day birding
• Game walking safari
• Boat ride on Lake Mburo

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Horseback safari
• Sportfishing
• Cycling safari
• Banyankole community tour

Day 21 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Transfer to Entebbe and Do Birding in Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

After a relaxed breakfast at around 8.30 am, we transfer to Entebbe 280km about 5 hours’ drive with a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots and water experiments that justify the geographical divide between the north and southern hemispheres.

Proceed to Entebbe for an afternoon birding experience in the Botanical Gardens where you have chances of exploring birds like the Verreaux’s Eagle, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, Red-chested sunbirds, golden-backed weaver, Black-headed Gonolek just to mention but a few.

The highlight of the day: – The Equator crossing experience and birding in Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Accommodation:-

Luxury/Upmarket: –Protea Hotel Entebbe/Serena Lake Victoria Resort

Mid-range/Moderate: – Boma Hotel Entebbe/2 Friends Beach Hotel Entebbe/Lake Heights Hotel Entebbe

Budget/Basic: – Airport Guesthouse Entebbe/Acacia Boutique Hotel

 Drive Distance & time: – 280km or 5 hours

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 Activities & services of the day:-

• Transfer to Entebbe
• Photo session at the Equator
• Birding in Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-

• Entebbe city tour
• Visiting Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
• Visit Uganda Wildlife Education Center for a chimpanzee close up
• Sundowner boat cruise on Lake Victoria

Day 22 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Birding in Mabamba Swamp in the Morning & Lutembe Bay In The Afternoon.

After an early breakfast at around 6.30 am, we’ll depart for the Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar site, and an Important Bird Area on the shore of Lake Victoria which is the world’s largest tropical freshwater lake.

The Mabamba wetland is one of the top places in the world to find the Shoebill, Africa’s number one and highly sought-after bird. Mabamba offers over 80% chances for encountering this alien-looking-like bird, as well as an excellent selection of waterbirds.

This is a weaver paradise, and we should find Golden-backed, Slender-billed, Northern Brown-throated, Village, Vieillot’s, Orange, Black-headed, and Grosbeak, and, if we are really fortunate, the near-endemic Weyn’s Weaver. Other species here include Great Blue Turaco, Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill, and an impressive collection of swallows. The bird encounter is done on a canoe where you also have the opportunity of encountering the elusive Sitatunga Antelope.

You will retire from the activity and return to Entebbe. In the afternoon, embark on the birding encounter in Lutembe bay were counts of birds including the migratory birds like white-winged terns and Grey-headed Gulls along with other impressive species such as Caspian Tern, Temminck’s Stint, Hottentot Teal and those that have been recorded of recent namely the Broad-billed Sandpiper and Great Knot.

The highlight of the day: – Searching for the rare Shoebills in Mabamba Swamp.

Accommodation:-

Luxury/Upmarket: –Protea Hotel Entebbe/Serena Lake Victoria Resort

Mid-range/Moderate: – Boma Hotel Entebbe/2 Friends Beach Hotel Entebbe/Lake Heights Hotel Entebbe

Budget/Basic: – Airport Guesthouse Entebbe/Acacia Boutique Hotel

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & services of the day:-

• Morning birding in Mabamba Swamp
• Afternoon birding in Lutembe bay

Optional activities you can choose to do on this day:-

• Entebbe city tour
• Visiting Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
• Visit to Uganda Wildlife Education Center for a chimpanzee close up
• Fishing on Lake Victoria

Day 23 of the 23 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Departure

Transfer to Entebbe International Airport to catch up with the flight back home.

Meal Plan: – Breakfast

Activities & services of the day:-

• Transfer to Entebbe International Park

End of the 23 Uganda Birding Safari

23 Days Uganda Birding Safari − SAFARI INCLUSIONS

   Full Board Accommodation on Safari

   Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC

   Fuel

   Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.

   Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned

   Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned

   Bottled water while on safari

23 Days Uganda Birding Safari − SAFARI EXCLUSIONS

   General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges

   Laundry Services

   Other Beverages/drinks of personal nature like Alcohol

   International Flights (Arranged on request)

   Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)

   Visas

   Optional Activity fees

   Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary

   Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)

23 Uganda Birding Safari, Uganda Bird Watching Tour, Birding in Uganda Safari-Route Map

Transport Means to Your Safari Destinations

Accommodations/ Safari Lodges/ Safari Hotels to Your Safari Destinations

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