Safari overview:

This 12 Days Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure offers an unforgettable journey through diverse landscapes and cultures. I welcome you to our amazing safari that explores three incredible East African countries. By the time you complete this tour, you will have turned moments into memories. We look forward to seeing you. Below is a detailed itinerary for the Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure over 12 days.

Safari summary:

Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali → Transfer to Bwindi (Uganda) Day 2 – Gorilla Trekking → Transfer to Kibale Forest Day 3 – Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking Day 4 – Kibale → Entebbe ✈️ Kilimanjaro → Arusha Day 5 – Arusha → Ngorongoro Crater (Full Day Safari) Day 6 – Ngorongoro → Central Serengeti Day 7 – Central Serengeti (Full Day Safari) Day 8 – Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti / Optional Fly Day 9 – Serengeti → Zanzibar Day 10 – Zanzibar (Beach & Relaxation) Day 11 – Zanzibar (Beach & Leisure) Day 12 – Zanzibar → Departure

ITINERARY IN DETAIL:

Day 1 – Arrival in Kigali → Transfer to Bwindi (Uganda)

Your journey begins as you arrive at Kigali International Airport, where a warm welcome awaits you from your friendly guide. After the meet and greet, you will embark on a scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, known for its enchanting landscapes and rich biodiversity. As you travel, you’ll pass through local villages and rolling hills, gaining a glimpse of Rwandan life. Crossing the border into Uganda is a seamless experience, and soon you’ll be surrounded by the lush greenery of Bwindi. After checking into your lodge, you’ll have the evening free to relax and prepare for the exciting days ahead. Starting a 12 Days Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure, your first impressions are sure to be memorable.

Day 2 – Gorilla Trekking → Transfer to Kibale Forest

An early start greets you as you prepare for one of the highlights of your trip: mountain gorilla trekking. Guided by experienced rangers, you will venture into the dense forest in search of these magnificent creatures. The trek can be challenging, but the reward of witnessing gorillas in their natural habitat is truly unforgettable. After your incredible encounter, you’ll drive to Kibale Forest National Park, surrounded by the chirping of birds and rustling leaves. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and savor the tranquil atmosphere of the forest setting. Every step on this Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure draws you deeper into unique African experiences across all twelve days.

Day 3 – Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking

Today, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with another captivating primate: the chimpanzees. After breakfast, you’ll set off on a morning trek to Kibale Forest, where expert guides will help you locate and observe these playful creatures as they interact in their natural habitat. The experience is both thrilling and educational, highlighting the importance of conservation. In the afternoon, you have the option to partake in a walk at the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where you can enjoy sightings of various bird species and other wildlife. After a day full of adventure, you’ll retire to your lodge for the night. A highlight of any 12-day Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda Safari combined with a beach adventure is the chance to meet the unique wildlife.

Day 4 – Kibale → Entebbe – Kilimanjaro → Arusha

Following breakfast, you’ll drive to Entebbe Airport for your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The journey takes you through beautiful landscapes, giving you a final glimpse of Uganda’s allure. Once you arrive in Kilimanjaro, a transfer awaits to take you to Arusha, where you’ll check in to your accommodation. The rest of the day is yours to relax, perhaps exploring the vibrant markets or enjoying the local cuisine. This transfer marks another step in your Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure lasting twelve days.

Day 5 – Arusha → Ngorongoro Crater (Full Day Safari)

An early morning drive will take you to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where your adventure continues. As you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the lush landscapes teeming with wildlife. A full-day game drive offers the chance to see the “Big Five” and more in this unique ecosystem. Enjoy a picnic lunch within the crater, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. In the late afternoon, you’ll ascend to the crater rim for an overnight stay amidst the stunning highlands. This is just one part of your 12 days exploring Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania on a Safari and Beach Adventure.

Day 6 – Ngorongoro → Central Serengeti

After breakfast, you’ll leave the spectacular highlands behind and make your way to Central Serengeti (Seronera). On the way, your guide will be on the lookout for wildlife, making the journey just as exciting as the destination. Once you arrive in Central Serengeti, you’ll enjoy an afternoon game drive that introduces you to the incredible variety of animals that roam these plains. After an exhilarating day of wildlife viewing, you’ll settle into your lodge for a well-deserved rest. We hope you enjoy the diversity of this Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure during your twelve days!

Day 7 – Central Serengeti (Full Day Safari)

The vast plains of Central Serengeti beckon you for a full day of exploration. Departing early, you’ll embark on game drives that allow for ample opportunities to witness predators like lions and leopards, as well as herds of wildebeest and zebras roaming the landscapes. Your expert guide will enhance the experience by sharing insights about the behaviors and habitats of the wildlife you encounter. After a fulfilling day in the wild, you’ll return to your lodge for the night. Certainly, a highlight in the 12 Days Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure itinerary.

Day 8 – Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti / Optional Fly

As the sun rises, you’ll set out for a morning game drive to take advantage of the cooler hours, perfect for spotting active wildlife. Depending on your itinerary, you may opt for a light aircraft transfer to Northern Serengeti, allowing for quicker travel to Zanzibar. Arriving in Northern Serengeti, you’ll check into your lodge, ready for another incredible day of exploration. This Safari and Beach Adventure—spanning Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania—offers new excitement at every stage over the twelve days.

Day 9 – Serengeti → Zanzibar

Today marks a transition from savannas to sandy beaches as you board your morning flight from the Serengeti airstrip to Zanzibar. Once in Zanzibar, a transfer will take you to your beach resort, where you can unwind with the soothing sounds of the ocean. Check in, and after settling in, you’ll have the afternoon free to relax by the beach or explore the nearby surroundings. This is when your memorable 12 Days Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure turns from wildlife to tropical relaxation.

Day 10 – Zanzibar (Beach & Relaxation)

Your first full day in Zanzibar is all about relaxation and enjoyment. Spend the day soaking up the sun on the pristine beaches, or take a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters. For those seeking adventure, optional activities such as snorkeling can introduce you to the vibrant underwater life. You may also choose to indulge in a spa treatment, ensuring you are fully rejuvenated for the adventures ahead. The beach portion is just as vital as the safari in this 12 Days Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure.

Day 11 – Zanzibar (Beach & Leisure)

Another day of leisure awaits you in Zanzibar. You can take this opportunity to embark on an optional spice tour to discover the island’s rich history or visit the historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with narrow streets and charming architecture. For a different experience, consider a relaxing dhow cruise at sunset, offering stunning views and a taste of local culture. After a day filled with exploration, return to your beach resort for a restful night. Travelers on the 12 Days Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure often find Zanzibar’s blend of culture and beaches a perfect finale.

Day 12 – Zanzibar → Departure

As your unforgettable journey draws to a close, you might have some time for last-minute shopping or a final stroll along the beach. After this, you’ll transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for your departure flight home, taking with you cherished memories of breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife encounters, and the serene beauty of the beaches. This closes the chapter on your epic Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Safari and Beach Adventure that lasted twelve days.

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Safari overview: This safari will cover the highlights of the 22 Days Grand Birding Safari through Uganda.

This 22 birding tour will take you to the greatest birders haven of the world in Uganda. You will see different bird species in most beautiful places such as Mubwindi swamp, Kibale forest, Mabamba wetlands, lake Mburo national park, queen Elizabeth national park and much more. We cannot guarantee that it is a must to see all the listed birds but with our experienced guide you will definitely see most of the birds.

Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe airport and birding at Entebbe botanical gardens

Upon reaching Entebbe international airport, you will be welcomed the driver guide who will brief you about the safari and head to Entebbe botanical gardens for birding. You expect to see birds like Olive Bellied, Green Throated Collard Sunbird, Black Headed Weavers, Yellow Backed and Golden Backed Weavers, Diederik Cuckoo, Ashy Flycatcher, Palm Nut Vulture, Ross’s and Great Blue Turaco, Lizard Buzzard, Green Crombec among other. You will later be transferred to your hotel in Entebbe for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Serena Lake Victoria Resort/ Entebbe Traveler’s inn/Sophie’s motel

Day 2: Transfer from Entebbe to Mabamba wetlands

After your breakfast, you will drive to Mabamba wetlands as you have packed plenty of water and packed lunch. Here you will be using canoes in the swamp trails to search for rare shoe billed stork, African Pygmy Goose, Squacco Heron, Winding Cisticola, malachite kingfisher, Goliath Heron and Black Crake, black bishop, broad billed roller, orange weavers, purple swamp hen, weyn’s among others you will return to your accommodation for overnight stay and dinner.

Accommodation option: Serena Lake Victoria Resort / Entebbe Traveler’s inn/Sophie’s motel

Day 3: Transfer to lake Mburo National Park and birding on the trails

You will have to check out of your hotel after your breakfast, and start a journey a long journey to lake Mburo National Park. Upon your arrival you will check in the lodge, have lunch and head to bir5ding trails in search for these interesting creatures.  You may expect to see African fin foot, red headed and little weavers, golden backed weavers, lesser masked, brown parrot and coqui francolin, white winged tit, water think-knee, African snipe, red faced barbet, great sported cuckoo, double toothed barbet among others. Later go back to the lodge for dinner and relax.

Accommodation option: Mburo safari lodge/Arcadia lodge/Eagles nest lodge.

Day 4: Birding on lake Mburo and transfer to Bwindi national park

Check out of your safari lodge after your early morning breakfast and set out to look for the birds you dint see last day. You will later transfer to Bwindi in Ruhiija sector, have a stopover in Mbarara town to stretch your legs and have an Enroute lunch. You will proceed to Bwindi check in the lodge and head for and evening birding venture as you try to discover more birds in the pearl of Africa. Be ready to spot amazing birds like Green broadbill, the Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Strange Weaver, Archer’s Robbin Chat, Chetnut-throated, and Mountain masked Apalis, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Shelley’s, Red-tailed, Yellow-streaked, Honeyguide Greenbuls, Rwenzori Batis, African Hill-Babbler, Yellow-throated and Mountain Greenbuls Great Blue, Rwenzori Double Collared and Blue-headed Sunbirds Mountain Yellow Warbler, Mountain Illadopsis, Black-billed and Rwenzori Turaco and so many others.

Accommodation option: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp/Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 5: Birding in Mubwindi swamp and transfer to Buhoma sector.

Wake up early and have your breakfast as you head to Mubwindi swamp and be sure to carry your packed lunch and enough water. Go ahead in search for other birds that you missed the previous day. You will have a break to enable you take your lunch before you proceed to Buhoma sector for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation option: Buhoma Lodge/Buhoma Haven Lodge/Buhoma Community Camp

Day 6: Full day birding in Buhoma

You will have a quite early morning breakfast after having some quite good time to rest the previous day, you will set off for bird watching with a packed lunch and enough water because it will be a full day in search for different birds. Birds expected  among others include, Dusky and Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher, Stripe Breasted Tit, Cinnamon-chested, White-throated and Black bee-eater Many coloured Bush-shrike, Cassin’s Hawk Eagle Olive and Western Bronze Naped Ppigeon, White bellied, Red-caped and Blue-shouldered Robin Chat, Bar- tailed Tragon, Red Chested Owlet, Neumann’s and Black-faced Rufous Warbler, White Tailed Flycatcher, Olive Long –tailed Cuckoo, Pale breasted Illadopsis, Red-throated and Fire-crested Alethes, Collared, Yellow-breasted and Black-throated Apalis, Baglafecht, Yellow-mantled, Black-billed and Brown-caped Weavers, Narrow-tailed and Stuhlmann’s Starlings, Rufous-chested Fluff-tail, and the Bat Hawk.  Late evening return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation option: Buhoma Lodge/Buhoma Haven Lodge/Buhoma Community Camp

Day 7: Full day birding in Buhoma

Wake up early with adventurous spirit ready to explore and discover Buhoma for another full day as your search for the birds you missed the previous day. You will be amazed to make more and more discoveries. Back to your lodge to have a warm dinner before you continue with your birding experience until midnight when you will retire at your lodge.

Accommodation option: Buhoma Lodge/Buhoma Haven Lodge/Buhoma Community Camp

Day 8: Transfer to queen Elizabeth national park in ishasha sector

Check out of your hotel room after your delicious hot breakfast and transfer to Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national ark. Check into your lodge after reaching the destination, relax for few hours before your lunch. Have lunch and after walk in the gardens of the lodge to search for the birds in a leisure way. Have dinner and prepare for the next adventurous day.

Accommodation option: Ishasha Wilderness Camp/ Enjojo Lodge/The River Ishasha Lodge

Day 9: Birding in ishasha sector full day.

Carry your packed lunch and water after your cu of coffee and set off for another experience which will take a full day in ishasha sector. This park’s famous birds include Brown Chested Lapwing, , Broad-tailed, Violet-backed and Wattled Starling, Garden, Black and Black-Shouldered Kite, Brown and Western Banded Snake-Eagles, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, African Marsh, Motagu’s and Pallid Harriers, Black-Bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, Levaillant’s, Black-chested, Diederik and Klaas’s Cuckoo, Fork-tailed Drongo, African White-backed, Rufous-naped and Flappet Lark, Buff-bellied, Wing-snapping and Croacking Cisticola, Plain-backed and Grassland Pipit, Black-headed and Papyrus Gonolek, Grey-caped Warbler, Ruppell’s Griffon and Lappet-faced Vultures, Malachite, Woodland and Pied Kingfisher, Grey-backed and Common Fiscal, Pelicans, Saddle-billed Stork, Lesser Flamingo, Curlew Sandpipre, African Skimmer, Red Caped Robin Chat, and. Later in the evening, you will retire at the lodge for your hot dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Ishasha Wilderness Camp/ Enjojo Lodge/The River Ishasha Lodge

Day 10: Birding and a boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth NP.

Wake up very early in the morning to catch up the early morning birds after your breakfast.  You will be careful to search for different unique bird species which you did not see the previous day. Later after lunch you will go for a boat cruise on kazinga channel where you will spot a number of aquatic birds like Striated Heron, Wood and Common Sandpiper, Water Thick-knee, Gray-headed Gull, Three-banded Plover, African Spoonbill, Plain Martin Lesser Swamp-Warbler and much more. You will check into the lodge for dinner and retire.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge/Park View Safari Lodge/Pumba Safari cottages

Day 11: Transfer to Kibale national park

After your relaxed breakfast you will check out of your safari lodge room and transfer to Kibale national park. While on the way you may be lucky to spot the following birds: Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Pale-fronted, and Chestnut-breasted Nigrofinch, Booted Eagle, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Cabanis’s, Woodhouse’s Antpecker, Northern Bearded Scrub-Robin, Diederik and Claas’s Cuckoo, Lead-coloured, Cassins and Dusky Blue Flycatcher, Mountain Wagtail, Toro Olive, Litlle Grey and Xavier’s Greenbul among others. Later check in the safari lodge of your choice for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation option: Kyaninga lodge /chimpanzee guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp

Day 12: Full day birding in Kibale National Park

After having an early delicious breakfast, set off for another birding experience in Kibale forest for the whole day. You will have a break to take your packed lunch and continue watching over the unique and rare species of birds in Kibale forest. You expect to see birds like Green-breasted Pitta, Afep Pigeon, Buff-spotted, Cadinal Woodpecker, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Green-backed Twinspot, White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Grey-winged, Red-caped Robin Chat, African Crowned Eagle, African Broadbill, Lesser, Willcock’s, Thick-billed Honeyguide, Chestnut-winged, Gross- Splendid and Purple-headed Starling, Dark-backed Weaver, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-headed Bluebill, Red-chested Owlet and Scaly Illadopsis and much more. Then head back to the lodge for dinner and a night.

Accommodation option: Kyaninga lodge /chimpanzee guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp

Day 13: Birding in Kibale national park

Wake up for another beautiful day in Kibale forest ready for another fun of birding experience. Set into the swamp (Bigodi swamp) at KAFRED in search for rare bird species such as the great blue turacos. Return to the lodge for lunch and relax and prepare for the next day.

Accommodation option: Kyaninga lodge /chimpanzee guesthouse/Kibale Forest Camp

Day 14: Transfer to Semuliki NP from Kibale NP

After your delicious hot breakfast, you will transfer to Semuliki national park with your well packed lunch to encounter another experience of birding. You will also view some monkeys and butterflies in the same park. You will check in the lodge for the dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Semliki safari lodge/ Ntoroko Game Lodge/ Kirimia Guest House

Day 15: Full day birding in Semuliki NP

In another beautiful scenery, wake up and take your breakfast and set to the forest in search of other bird species in this park that share ranges of Mt. Rwenzori. Expect to see little creatures such as African Piculet, Lyre-tailed, Spotted and Zenker’s Honeyguide, Shining-blue and White-bellied Kingfisher, Oberlaender’s Ground Thrush, Red-billed Helmet-shrike, Swamp-palm Bulbul, Orange-tufted Sunbird, White-crested, Red-billed Dwarf, Black Dwarf,  Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Yellow-throated Nicatoer, Long-tailed Hawk, Capuchin Babbler, Icterine Greenbul, Forest Scrub Robin, Nkurengu Rail, Black-casqued Wattled, White-thighed and Piping Hornbills and much more. You will also visit the Sepaya hot springs. Return to your lodge later in the evening for dinner and sleep to refresh your mind.

Accommodation options: Semliki safari lodge/ Ntoroko Game Lodge/ Kirimia Guest House

Day 16: Birding in Semuliki NP full day

Set off for another birding experience with your packed lunch and enough water in Semuliki national park after your breakfast. This park is well known because it is one of the best birding destination in east Africa. Therefore, go ahead in search for missed bird species that you might have missed the previous day. Return to the safari lodge for your hot dinner and overnight relaxation.

Accommodation option: Semliki safari lodge/ Ntoroko Game Lodge/ Kirimia Guest House

Day 17: Transfer to Masindi

Set off to Masindi town after your flavored breakfast at the lodge. You will have a lunch Enroute as you stretch your body because it is a long drive journey. Check in the booked hotel for your accommodation.

Accommodation options: New Court view hotel/Masindi hotel/ Kabalega hotel

Day 18: Transfer to Budongo forest in Queen’s mile

You will set off in search for more different bird species in Queen’s mile with your packed lunch after your breakfast, you will continue with the such a short lunch break and probably by evening you would have seen most of the birds if not all. The birds you may see include: Yellow and Grey Longbills, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Blue-breasted, African Dwarf, Chocolate-backed and Pygmy Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, Green Crombec, Chestnut-caped and Forest Flycatcher, African Shrike Flycatcher, Spotted Greenbul, Yellow-spotted, Fairy-breasted and Yellow-billed Barbets, and Jameson’s Wattle-eye among others. After a full day birding, you will return to the lodge for dinner and relaxed overnight.

Accommodation options: New Court view hotel/Masindi hotel/ Kabalega hotel

Day 19: Full day birding in Budongo and transfer to Murchison falls NP

Wake up for another long day birding in Budongo forest after taking your breakfast. Have your packed lunch with you that you will take on a break and on top of that pack a lot of water due to walking long distances. Expect colorful birds such as the Rufous-sided Broadbill, Fire-Crested and Brown-cheated Aleth, Puvel”s Illadopsis, Black-throated and Buff-throated Apalis, Scaly-breasted, Brown and Green Hylia, Sooty Flycatcher, Sabine’s and Cassin’s Spinetail, Collared, Superb & Green Sunbird, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Chestnut Wattle-eye, etc. You will transfer to Murchison falls in the evening to check in your lodge, dine and overnight.

Accommodation option: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Pakuba Safari Lodge / Red Chili Rest Camp

Day 20: Morning game drive, boat cruise and hike to the top of the falls

Wake up very early in the morning and take breakfast, a game drive will be next in search for early morning birds. You may see cattle egrets and oxpeckers around African buffalos and many savannah birds. Return to the lodge for lunch and prepare for afternoon boat cruise on the Nile. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of aquatic birds they create on large numbers on the banks. Hike to the top of the falls as you view the magnificent and most powerful water fall in the world as you take photos of beautiful creatures such as Kingfishers, White Faced Whistling Duck, Secretary Bird, Abdim’s Stork, African Darter, Goliath Heron among others. you will drive back to lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation option: Paraa Safari Lodge/ Pakuba Safari Lodge / Red Chili Rest Camp

Day 21: Transfer to Kampala and have a stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary

After an early breakfast, check out of your safari lodge and start a long drive to Kampala but you will have a stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino trekking and birding experience. Later you will have your hot lunch at Ziwa and proceed with your journey to Kampala. Check in the hotel for your dinner and relax the exhaustion days you had in the field as you experience Kampala night life.

Accommodation options: Sheraton hotel/Acadia Suites/Sunrise Hotel

Day 22: Drop off to Entebbe international airport

Take a leisurely breakfast, and later visit the craft market to buy yourself a souvenir for yourself in a memory of the 22days birding safari in Uganda. Drive to Entebbe international airport to catch up your flight and that will mark the end of the safari.

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Safari overview: This introduction provides an overview of the 15 Days Best Birding Safari in Uganda, an unforgettable experience for nature and bird lovers alike.

This 15 days safari will take you to the most exciting sites. Here you will find Uganda’s unique bird species such as the shoe bill stork, green breasted pitta, the great blue turaco and so much more.

Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe airport and transfer to a hotel

On this first day begin with your arrival at Entebbe international airport. Our driver guide will be waiting for you, to welcome and brief you about the 15 days birding safari in Uganda and later transfer you to the booked hotel in Kampala. There you will get rest, shake off that flight fatigue and rejuvenate your body and spirit for the amazing adventure ahead of you.

Accommodation options Kampala serena hotel/Forest cottages/Tourist hotel

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison national park and stop at Ziwa rhino sanctuary

On your second day, depart for the most beautiful and protected area in Uganda; Murchison Falls National Park after your breakfast. This is the largest and oldest conservation area in Uganda and it is a home of over 76 species of mammals and over 451 birds. The park is located in the north western Uganda and it is divided into two by the Victoria Nile which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall hence creating the famous, most world’s powerful and beautiful Murchison Falls in the center of the park.

Make a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking and  lunch. It is located 176 km North of Kampala on Gulu High way. It is the only place you will see Rhinos in the wilderness in Uganda. This place is known for its Rhino trekking, birding, nature walks and much more. Here you will have your lunch and proceed to Budongo. In the Afternoon, arrive at Budongo forest where you are introduced to the very rich bird life of Uganda. You will be guided in to taking a lovely guided forest walk before dinner and an overnight rest.

Accommodation options: Budongo eco Lodge/ Sambiya River Lodge/Kaniyo Padibi campsite

Day 3: Birding in Budongo forest

After your breakfast, you will dedicate this Full day to birding in Budongo forest reserve. This reserve is to a birder what ingredients are to a chef. Moreover, this place is residence to all sorts of melodies from very many bird species. It is approximated to have over 360 different species of birds.

Budongo is well known for its biodiversity in Birds. It is home for the rare Puvel’s Illadopses and the yellow footed fly catcher which are an endemic species to this area. Other species include the yellow browned camaroptera, Chocolate baked kingfishers, black headed paradise flycatcher, chestnut crowned cuckoo, slender billed Greenbul, green crombec and forest Robin. After so much birding, you will retire to dinner and sleep overnight.

Accommodation options: Budongo eco Lodge/ Sambiya River Lodge/Kaniyo Padibi campsite

Day 4: Transfer to Semliki national park and stopover in fort portal

Enjoy a cup of tea/coffee and later depart from Murchison falls national park after an early birding experience in in the wild. You will then head towards Fort Portal where you shall have an enroute lunch. Fort Portal is an amazing, wonderful and lovely town that rests in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. In addition, it is well known for its tea plantations so it is no surprise that your eyes will see on a lot of green.

Proceed to Semliki national park as you pass in the valleys and hills of Rwenzori Mountains where you will have your accommodation.

Accommodation options Semuliki safari Lodge/vanilla hotel/Ntoroko game lodge

Day 5: Birding in Semliki national park

After breakfast, have a forest walk for your Birding safari experience. Move through the national park trekking in search of these sounds and sights of the different birds that will appeal to our ears and sights.

There are more than 400 species of birds protected in the area including many West African species. These include four different horn bill species that are only spotted in this area in Uganda. Also the red Rumped Tinker Bird and Palm Greenbul are endemics in the afternoon.

With our five sense we shall enjoy the different melodies which we shall use to identify different birds. With a help of an accommodating and very knowledgeable guide, you will surely have an unforgettable birding experience. Have Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options Semuliki safari Lodge/vanilla hotel/Ntoroko game lodge

Day 6: Transfer to Kibale national park and birding in Kasenda craters

After taking breakfast, you shall head out in search of the many different crater lakes that have made their home with in these dominant hills with beautiful views. These lakes are so calm and such a beautiful sight and the thought of how they were made will sink very overwhelming images into your head and with a very good guide, it will almost be as if you were there at their formation.

At Lake Nkuruba, you will take a hike to encounter different species of birds. This is an experience for that will give your body exercise. For this reason, we advise you to get yourself comfortable but strong hiking shoes that can withstand the hiking. These shoes will almost make this activity seem effortless and flawless for you. Proceed to Kibale national park for your dinner. Here you will get some well-deserved rest that will let you rejuvenate your body for the rest of the adventurous days ahead.

Accommodation options Primates lodge/Isunga lodge/Chimpanzee Guest house

Day 7: Birding in Kibale national park and Bigodi swamp

After your early morning breakfast, you will head to Kibale national park for another birding experience. Kibale national park is a home of 13 primates including our cousin’s – chimpanzees. Moreover, it’s a home of over 600 bird species such as the green breasted pitta among others. Here you will spot a number of birds in the forest and other attractions such as olive baboons, varvet monkeys, among others.

After a delicious hot lunch, you will head to Bigodi swamp in search for more unique birds such as the great blue turacco among others. This swamp is a home of over 200 bird species. Late in the evening, re-embark to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options Primates lodge/Isunga lodge/Chimpanzee Guest house

Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park

You will transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park after a relaxed breakfast at the lodge. On the way, you will make several stopovers as you search for more birds. You will also take your packed lunch. You will reach in the evening for your hot dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options Mweya safari lodge/Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Simba safari camp

Day 9: Game drive & afternoon boat cruise

The day stars early after breakfast and you start with a morning game drive. You will then head to the mating ground of the Uganda Kob. This is not only an area for excellent game viewing but also offers plenty for birders to feast their eyes on. Kobs are ecologically restricted, preferring low lying flats that are mostly free of the annoying season extremes. In addition, they too love to stay at least near a permanent water source. Therefore, their breeding only takes place with in an area controlled by an individual territorial male.

Later, you will take on a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. Watch hundreds of hippos, elephants and many migratory bird species such as the Grey headed gulis, African skimmers, water Dikkops and the Great White and Pink-Baked Pelican. After watching these birds to your heart’s content, we shall then transfer back for Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options Mweya safari lodge/Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Simba safari camp

Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi national park and birding

Start the day fresh with breakfast and then transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest. You will arrive in time for lunch. After lunch, you will have a walk and trek through the forest in search of bird species such as African wattled plover, Black cracks, long toed clover, and African jacana, Woolly-neck black storks, Ducks and Geese and other grassland species such as black belly bustard and African crake. These are some of the species we might see. You will continue to Bwindi, settling and getting comfortable in our accommodation in any of Gorilla Resort/Buhoma Lodge/ wagtail eco safari camp

Day 11:  Full day birding in Bwindi national park

On this day of this safari, continue with our Birding safari to the main trail looking out for Albertine rift endemics such as the short tailed warbler, black bee-eater, White tailed ant thrush, kivu ground, Thrush and other species such as Equatorial Akalat, Grey throated Barbets, Tullibergs, woodpecker, Gosbeck weaver, Brown caped, blackfaced rufous warbler, weaver and the yellow mantled weaver. We come back for lunch. In the afternoon, we go birding at the Munyanga river trail. This trail is found in the valley below Buhoma, an ideal walkable distance to view birds. After, we return to Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options Gorilla Resort/Buhoma Lodge/ wagtail eco safari camp

Day 12: Transfer to Ruhija sector and birding

After breakfast, you will transfer to Ruhija sector-Mubwindi swamp. This area is known for some of the difficult to find of all rift endemics including broadbill regal sunbird and ancers robin chart dwarf honey guide among others. Later, we have dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options Gorilla Resort/Buhoma Lodge/ wagtail eco safari camp

Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park and boat cruise

Have your Breakfast and head to Lake Mburo National Park arriving in time for lunch. After lunch, have a boat ride on Lake Mburo searching for water bird species among other water animals on the shores of the lake.

The magnificent Lake Mburo is an important birding destination not only in Uganda but also Africa. It is famous for its rather rich birding safari experience with variety of birds calling this place home. When here, you will not lack in any birding adventures that might cross your mind throughout the flow of events. Other attractions in the park are antelopes like Topis, zebras, impalas among others. After, you shall a set camp here for Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation options: Mburo Safari Lodge/Arcadia lodge/Eagles nest camp

Day 14: Transfer to Kampala and visit Mabamba wetland

Our birding adventures will then take us back to Kampala and on the way we shall pass the Equator where we shall stop for some photos and any souvenir shopping of your choice. You will be allowed to savor the moment and take in the whole Equator experience with the knowledge at the back of your mind that you are actually balancing with in two hemispheres.

Head to Mabamba Swamp which is 50km west to Kampala. It is also home for the Rare Shoe bill stork. This swamp is one of the best places to spot the rare shoebill stork. However, other species too have made home of this place. These species are such as, the Allen’s Gallinule, Grey heroes, African water rail, Goliath, Purple and a variety of Egrets and ducks.

The only and best way to explore this bird rich wetland is by taking a traditional dugout canoe to the interior. Among the many birds you can expect is the shoe bill stork. Importantly, Mabamba provides the best opportunities of Shoe bill viewing. Late in the afternoon transfer to Kampala for overnight stay.

Accommodation options: Kampala Serena hotel/Forest cottages/Cassia Lodge

Day 15: Transfer to Entebbe airport and visit Entebbe botanical gardens

After your breakfast, you will transfer to Entebbe airport for your flight. You will have a stopover at Entebbe botanical gardens for another experience depending on the flight schedule. This will make the end of the safari in Uganda

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Safari overview: This 12 Days Uganda Primates & Birding Special promises a unique experience for wildlife and bird enthusiasts.

This safari will take you to the most birding areas in the pearl of Africa and offers you stunning sceneries such as mountains, swamps, plantations, mountains, lakes and rivers among others. Other than bird watching, you will trek primate species including chimpanzees (our closest cousins), visit places such as Kibale national park, Entebbe botanical gardens, Bigodi wetland, Queen Elizabeth NP and much more.

Day 1: Transfer to Kampala from Entebbe airport. Enroute birding at Entebbe botanical gardens.

Upon reaching Entebbe international airport, you will be welcomed the driver guide who will brief you about the safari and head to Entebbe botanical gardens for birding. You expect to see birds like Olive Bellied, Green Throated Collard Sunbird, Black Headed Weavers, Yellow Backed and Golden Backed Weavers, Diederik Cuckoo, Ashy Flycatcher, Palm Nut Vulture, Ross’s and Great Blue Turaco, Lizard Buzzard, Green Crombec among other. You will later be transferred to your hotel in Kampala for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Sheraton hotel/Acadia Suites/Sunrise Hotel

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale national park

After a relaxed breakfast, you will drive to Kibale national park in western Uganda as you make stopovers for Enroute birding. You will pass in tea plantations, crater lakes and forests as you head to the park. You will have a stopover in fort portal a nearby town for your lunch Enroute. The park is a home of 13 primates including chimpanzees and over 400 bird species, the park is green throughout the year because it is tropical climate area. You will check in a lodge for your accommodation.

Accommodation option: Kyaninga lodge/Primate lodge/Rwenzori View guesthouse

Day 3: Chimpanzee Habituation in Kibale national park

Wake up very early in the morning for primate habituation in Kibale after breakfast, have your packed lunch with you because it will be a full day activity. You will experience the life of chimps as they wake up from the nests, feed, play, and hunt for food and build nests for another night.

As you habituate chimpanzees, you will spot other primates such as black and white Columbus monkeys, Guereza Colobus, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Galagos, Potto, Bush Babies, olive baboons, blue monkeys, and red tailed monkeys among others. Late in the evening return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation option: Kyaninga lodge/Primate lodge/Rwenzori View guesthouse

Day 4: Full day birding in Kibale forest

After having an early delicious breakfast, set off for another birding experience in Kibale forest for the whole day. You will have a break to take your packed lunch and continue watching over the unique and rare species of birds in Kibale forest.

You expect to see birds like Green-breasted Pitta, Afep Pigeon, Buff-spotted, Cadinal Woodpecker, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Green-backed Twinspot, White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow-rumped Tinker bird, Grey-winged, Red-caped Robin Chat, African Crowned Eagle, African Broadbill, Lesser, Willcock’s, Thick-billed Honey guide, Chestnut-winged, Gross- Splendid and Purple-headed Starling, Dark-backed Weaver, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-headed Bluebill, Red-chested Owlet and Scaly Illadopsis and much more. Then head back to the lodge for dinner and a night.

Accommodation option: Kyaninga lodge/Primate lodge/Rwenzori View guesthouse

Day 5: Birding and Bigodi wetland sanctuary

Enjoy your morning breakfast at the lodge and head to the forest to search for missed birds in the forest. Have a short break and take your packed lunch and after head to bigodi wetland sanctuary in search for rare bird species such as great blue turaco, Papyrus Canary, Papyrus Gonolek among others.

Accommodation options:  Kyaninga lodge/Primate lodge/Rwenzori View guesthouse

Day 6: Transfer from Kibale NP to Queen Elizabeth NP for afternoon boat cruise

After your relaxed late breakfast in the beautiful sunrise environment and later set off to catch up an afternoon boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park which a home of over 600 species of birds. Upon arriving in the park you will check in the accommodation of your choice and have lunch as you prepare for boat cruise on kazinga channel. The channel is a home of many birds and expect to see bird like Fish Eagles, Pallid Harrier, the Great Snipe, Gull Billed Tern, Lesser Kestrel and the rare shoebill stork among others. you will also spot animals such as hippos, monitor lizards, buffalos on the banks among others. Return to the lodge for dinner and stay for an overnight.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge/Enganzi Lodge/pumba Lodge

Day 7: Birding and transfer to Bwindi NP

Head for a morning birding with an armed guide after your breakfast in areas of Kasenyi and Kikorongo. Keep in search for new birds but expect to see birds likes the lesser flamingo, the African skimmer, Great White Pelican, Pallid Harrier, Black winged Pratincole, the Martial Eagle and weavers. This drive will also enable you spot some other early risers such as Elephants, Buffalo, Antelopes, Kobs and with luck leopards. Have a lunch break and transfer to Bwindi forest national park. Upon reaching to the park check in the lodge for your dinner and prepare for the next morning.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge/Enganzi Lodge/pumba Lodge

Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi NP

Head for gorilla trekking immediately after your breakfast. This activity involves walking in the jungle in search for endangered mountain gorillas. It takes two hours including 1hour of interactions with the gorillas. Later return to the lodge and relax.

Accommodation options: Broadbill forest camp/Ruhija gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp

Day 9: Birding in Ruhiija Sector-Bwindi forest

This will take a full day searching for the birds in Ruhija sector in Bwindi forest. Therefore, you will set off immediately after your breakfast and have your packed lunch that you will take while on the break. Expect to see birds like Mountain masked and Rwenzori Apalises, Handsome Francolin, African Green Broadbill, Dusky Crimson wings, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimson-wings, Striped-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, White-browed Crombec, White-napped Raven, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Sharp’s Starling and much more. Return to the lodge for dinner and night.

Accommodation options: Broadbill forest camp/Ruhija gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp

Day 10: Transfer to Mgahinga and golden monkey trekking

Have a morning breakfast and set off to Mgahinga National Park a journey of 3hours drive. Upon reaching at the park headquarters, you will be briefed about golden monkey trekking this activity takes 1hour. While trekking these rare golden monkeys you will encounter other attractions such as different bird species, olive baboons, among others. Late in the evening, you will be transferred to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Mount Gahinga lodge/Golden Monkey guesthouse/ Travelers Rest Hotel

Day 11: Transfer to Kampala

Have your breakfast in the morning and transfer to Kampala via Mbarara town a journey of 8-9hours. You will stop in Kayabwe at the equator for an en route lunch and craft shopping. Later you will continue to Kampala to check in a hotel and relax as you enjoy Kampala night life.

Accommodation options: Serena hotel/ Fairway Hotel/Forest cottages

Day 12: Visit Uganda wildlife educational center and drop off to Entebbe international airport.

In the morning after your breakfast, head to Uganda wildlife education center where you expect to see bird Like Olive Bellied, Green Throated Collard Sunbird, Black Headed Weavers, Yellow Backed and Golden Backed Weavers, Diederik Cuckoo, Ashy Flycatcher, Palm Nut Vulture, Ross’s and Great Blue Turaco, Lizard Buzzard, Green Crombie among other.

You will have lunch at Entebbe botanical gardens and drop off at Entebbe international airport marking the end of your safari.

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Safari overview: This Classic Birding & Gorilla Safari in Uganda offers a unique blend of wildlife and adventure for all enthusiasts.

This 20 days’ safari will take you to the wonderful places of Uganda such as Mabamba wetlands, lake Mburo national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Budongo forest, Entebbe botanical gardens, Bigodi wetlands among others as you spot beautiful, unique creatures in the natural habitats. On top of birds you will trek gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park which is a home of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas.

Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe airport and transfer to the hotel

Upon reaching Entebbe international airport, you will be welcomed by a professional guide in birds who will transfer you to the hotel and make a stopover at Entebbe botanical gardens to spot unique birds such as Olive Bellied, Green Throated Collard Sunbird, Black Headed Weavers, Yellow Backed and Golden Backed Weavers, Diederik Cuckoo, Ashy Flycatcher, Palm Nut Vulture and much more. Later transfer to the hotel for accommodation.

Accommodation options: Dream guest house/ Airport guest inn/ 2Friends beach hotel

Day 2: Mabamba wetland and transfer to Lake Mburo NP

After your breakfast, you will drive to Mabamba wetlands as you have packed plenty of water and packed lunch. Here you will be using canoes in the swamp trails to search for rare shoe billed stork, African Pygmy Goose, Squacco Heron, Winding Cisticola, malachite kingfisher, Goliath Heron and Black Crake, black bishop, and more. You will take transfer to Lake Mburo national park for your overnight and dinner.

Accommodation options: Rwakobo rock lodge/Mihingo lodge/Eagles nest lodge

Day 3: Birding in lake Mburo NP

Enjoy your breakfast, as you prepare for a morning game drive following numerous tracks in the park. You will return for lunch and continue with birding in different trails till evening when you return back to your lodge. You have chances to view animals like impalas, topis, elephants, zebras but keep your eyes on the birds such as Black-headed Oriole, White-backed Scrub Robin, Bateleur, Ruppel’s Long-tailed Starling, Common Bulbul, Brown Parrot, Ruppel’s Griffon Vulture, Grey Hornbill, White-browed Coucal, Lesser Masked Weaver, Water Thick-knee, Wood Hoopoe, Verreux’s Eagle Owl, Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Little Bee-eater, Chinspot, Tawny Eagle, Senegal Lapwing, Plain-backed Pipit, Greater Honeyguide, Sooty Chat, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Red-faced Crombec, Brown-tailed, Bronze-tailed Starlings, Northern Brubru, Grey Kestrel, Coqui Francolin, Broad-billed Roller, Grassland Pipit, and Golden-breasted Bunting and much more. Return to the lodge for your accommodation.

Accommodation options: Rwakobo rock lodge/Mihingo lodge/Eagles nest lodge

Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi National Park

Check out of your safari lodge after your early morning breakfast and set out to look for the birds you dint see last day. You will later transfer to Bwindi in Ruhiija sector, have a stopover in Mbarara town to stretch your legs and have an Enroute lunch. You will proceed to Bwindi check in the lodge and head for and evening birding venture as you try to discover more birds in the pearl of Africa. Expect to see birds such as Green broadbill, Archer’s Robbin Chat, Handsome Francolin, Strange Weaver, the Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Chetnut-throated, and Mountain masked Apalis, Black-billed, Great Blue, and Rwenzori Turaco, Mountain Illadopsis, African Hill-Babbler, Yellow-streaked, Shelley’s, Red-tailed, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Yellow-throated, Blue-headed Sunbirds Mountain and Honeyguide Greenbuls, Purple-breasted, Regal, and Rwenzori Double Collared among others.

Accommodation option: Bakiga lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 5: Birding in Bwindi National Park

After your early breakfast, you will penetrate the impenetrable in search of unique bird species in the rain forested trees. You will have a break to take your packed lunch as you continue to search for more undiscovered bids. Expect to see birds such as Specialty birds include; Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Banded Prinia, Black-faced Apalis, Black-throated Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Sooty Boubou, Chin-spot Batis, Rwenzori Batis, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Grey-headed Sunbird, Pink-footed Puffback, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, White-naped Raven, Rwenzori Nightjar, Montane Oriole, Waller’s Starling,African Golden Oriole, Black-billed Weaver, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Narrow-tailed Starling, Strange Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, Magpie Mannikin, Shelly’s Crimsonwing, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Streaky Seedeater, Yellow-crowned Canary, African Green Broadbill, Ayre’s Hawk-eagle, Thick- billed Seedeater, Handsome Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, Red-chested Owlet, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Elliot’s Woodpecker, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black Bee-eater, (Western) Bronze-naped Pigeon, Tullberg’s Woodpecker, African Broadbill, Western Green Tinkerbird and much more. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight as you prepare for the next day.

 Accommodation options: Bakiga lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park

Wake up for another interesting day as you enter the jungle to search for endangered species after your breakfast. Bwindi is one of the national parks that harbors the remaining number of the endangered mountain gorillas. This activity involves walking in the jungle in search for apes. It takes 2 hours including hour of interaction with the mountain gorilla, you will enjoy the daily activity of these animals such as feeding grooming, young ones swinging on the tree branches and vines. This is an experience you don’t need to miss on your safari to Uganda. Trek back to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Ruhija Gorilla Camp/

Gorilla Mist Camp/

Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP

Check out of your hotel room after your delicious hot breakfast and transfer to Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth national ark. Check into your lodge after reaching the destination, relax for few hours before your lunch. Have lunch and after walk in the gardens of the lodge to search for the birds in a leisure way. Have dinner and prepare for the next adventurous day.

Accommodation options: Ishasha wilderness Camp/ Enjojo Lodge/Topi lodge

Day 8: Birding in Queen Elizabeth NP and afternoon boat cruise

Wake up very early in the morning to catch up the early morning birds after your breakfast.  You will be careful to search for different unique bird species in different trails of the park with an armed park ranger. Return to the lodge for lunch and head an afternoon boat cruise on kazinga channel. You will sport a schools’ hippos and crocodiles but focus on the birds such as African Skimmer, Striated Heron, African Spoonbill, Water Thick-knee, Lesser Swamp-Warbler, Three-banded Plover, Gray-headed Gull, Plain Martinand Yellow-billed Oxpecker. You will return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and retire.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge/Enganzi Lodge/Bush lodge

Day 9: Birding in Maramagambo forest and transfer to Kibale National Park

Wake up early in the morning and take breakfast as you head to Maramagambo forest for another experience. The forest is located in Bushenyi district but part of queen Elizabeth national park. You will spot bird species such as Black Bee-eater, White-tailed and Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Brown and Grey-chested Illadopsis, Shinning Blue Kingfisher, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Narina Trogon, Yellow-bellied and Jameson’s Wattle-eyes, Least Honeyguide, Grey Greenbul, Brown-chested Alethe, and the African Fin foot. The trail through the forest leads past a bat cave, which is rather impressive, and if we are lucky we may come across a Python that lives in the cave and feasts on the bats. Later proceed to Kibale national park, check in your lodge to prepare for the next tiresome day.

Accommodation options: Crater safari lodge/primate lodge/Chimpanzee guesthouse 

Day 10: Full day birding in Kibale national park

After having an early delicious breakfast, set off for another birding experience in Kibale forest for the whole day. You will have a break to take your packed lunch and continue watching over the unique and rare species of birds in Kibale forest. You expect to see birds like Green-breasted Pitta, Afep Pigeon, Buff-spotted, Cadinal Woodpecker, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Green-backed Twinspot, White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Grey-winged, Red-caped Robin Chat, African Crowned Eagle, African Broadbill, Lesser, Willcock’s, Thick-billed Honeyguide, Chestnut-winged, Gross- Splendid and Purple-headed Starling, Dark-backed Weaver, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-headed Bluebill, Red-chested Owlet and Scaly Illadopsis and much more. Then head back to the lodge for dinner and a night.

Accommodation option: Crater safari lodge/primate lodge/Chimpanzee guesthouse 

Day 11: Birding in Kibale NP and Bigodi wetland sanctuary

Wake up to yet another beautiful day, have your breakfast and prepare for another fun of birding experience. Have your packed lunch with you and enter the forest and swamp for the whole day in search of rare bird species such as Green Breasted Pitta, The Great Blue Turaco, Cardinal Wood Pecker, African Broadbill, Afep Pigeon, White Tailed Ant-Thrush, Green Backed Twin spot, Yellow-Ramped Tinker bird, Lesser, Dusky Long-Tailed Cuckoo, Red Chested Owlet, Gross Splendid, Thick-Billed Honeyguide among others. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight as you prepare for the next day.

Accommodation option: Crater safari lodge/primate lodge/Chimpanzee guesthouse 

Day 12: Transfer to Masindi and birding in Budongo forest (royal mile)

You will set off in search for more different bird species in royal mile with your packed lunch after your breakfast, you will continue with the such a short lunch break and probably by evening you would have seen most of the birds if not all. The birds you may see include: Yellow and Grey Longbills, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Blue-breasted, African Dwarf, Chocolate-backed and Pygmy Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, Green Crombec, Chestnut-caped and Forest Flycatcher, African Shrike Flycatcher, Spotted Greenbul, Yellow-spotted, Fairy-breasted and Yellow-billed Barbets, and Jameson’s Wattle-eye among others. After a full day birding, you will return to the lodge for dinner and relaxed overnight as you prepare for tomorrow’s adventure.

Accommodation options: Budongo eco lodge/Kabalega resort/Murchison backpackers

Day 13: Full day bird watching in royal miles-Budongo forest

Wake up early with your packed lunch and continue to search for the rare beautiful birds you missed in the previous day in the royal miles after your breakfast. Enjoy anothertiresome day of experience in the forest. In the evening return to the lodge for dinner and overnight retire.

Accommodation option: Budongo eco lodge/Kabalega resort/Murchison backpackers

Day 14: Birding in Busingiro section and transfer to Murchison falls NP

On this new day, wake up and take your breakfast and head to Busingiro sector part of Budongo forest for a half day. Birds you may encounter are Red-headed Malimbe, Sooty Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, Tit Hylia, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Buff-throated Apalis, Black-throated Apalis, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, African Jacana Green Sunbird, Superb Sunbird, Tambourine Dove, African Fish Eagle, Sabine’s Spinetail, White-rumped Spinetail, Pied Kingfisher, Angola Swallow, Purple-headed Starling, Hamerkop, Golden-breasted Bunting, and much more. Later transfer to Murchison falls national park and check in the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation option: Para Safari Lodge/ Pakuba safari Lodge / Red Chili Rest Camp

Day 15: Game drive and birding in Murchison falls NP

Wake up very early in the morning and take breakfast, a game drive will be next in search for early morning birds. You may see cattle egrets and oxpeckers around African buffalos and many savannah birds. Return to the lodge for lunch and head to the park trails for another great moment as you listen to the sounds of birds.

Accommodation option: Para Safari Lodge/ Pakuba safari lodge / Red Chili Rest Camp

Day 16: Launch trip and hike to the top of the falls

Enjoy your breakfast in the morning as you prepare for another excite moment on the Nile. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of aquatic birds they create on large numbers on the banks. Hike to the top of the falls as you view the magnificent and most powerful water fall in the world as you take photos of beautiful creatures such as Kingfishers, White Faced Whistling Duck, Secretary Bird, Abdim’s Stork, African Darter, Goliath Heron among others. you will drive back to lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Para Safari Lodge/ Sambiya River Lodge / Red Chili Rest Camp

Day 17: Birding in Murchison national park

Wake up and have your breakfast as you head in the savannah to search for the missed birds in the previous day. Murchison falls national park is a home of both savannah and water birds and on top of that is the largest conservation area in Uganda.

Abundant birds can be seen here, including Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Cliff Chat, Singing Cisticola, rey headed Bush Shrike, African Fin foot, Red-backed Shrike, Crested Francolin, Black-faced Waxbill, Namaqua Dove, Northern and Black-winged Red Bishops Black Bellied Fire finch, Green-winged Pytilia, Black-headed Bush Shrike and much more. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Para Safari Lodge/ Sambiya River Lodge / Red Chili Rest Camp

Day 18: Birding in Kanio pabidi section in Budongo forest and transfer to Masindi

Wake up and take and early breakfast and bird through the woodlands southwards towards Kanio Pabide sector of Budongo forest. This forest is also a home of chimps. Later in the evening, you will tyransfer to Masindi town for an overnight. Birds you may expect to see are Slender-billed Greenbul, Buff-throated Apalis, Icterine Greenbul, Xavier’s Greenbul, Cameroon Sombre, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Rufous Flycatcher Thrush, Forest Robin, Whistling Cisticola, Black Bishop, Red-headed and Red-billed Quelleas, Magpie Mannikin, Blue-throated Roller, Yellow-billed Shrike, Red-headed Bristlebill, Paradise Flycatcher, Emerald Cuckoo and much more.

Accommodation options: Budongo eco lodge/Kabalega resort/Murchison backpackers

Day 19: Transfer to Kampala from Masindi town

 After an early breakfast, check out of your safari lodge and start a long drive to Kampala but you will have a stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino trekking and birding experience. Later you will have your hot lunch at Ziwa and proceed with your journey to Kampala. Check in the hotel for your dinner and relax the exhaustion days you had in the field as you experience Kampala night life.

Accommodation options: Sheraton hotel/casia lodge

Day 20: Drop off to Entebbe international airport

Take a leisure breakfast, and later visit the craft market to buy yourself a souvenir for yourself in a memory of the 20 days birding safari in Uganda. Drive to Entebbe international airport to catch up your flight and that will mark the end of the safari.

The post 20 Days Classic Birding & Gorilla Safari in Uganda appeared first on Africa Safari Tours | Gorilla Safaris | Epic Uganda Vacations.

Safari overview: This Uganda Birding and Wildlife Adventure Holiday is designed to offer memorable experiences in Uganda’s unique landscapes and habitats.

This birding safari  in Uganda has been created out of our recent experience to meet every birding and nature enthusiast needs. During these 18 days of intense bird watching, you will discover not just the rare species but have an opportunity to make a bigger checklist from unique habitats with a big range of site guides.

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival at Entebbe Airport and transfer to Victoria view guest house. Depending on arrival time, if time allows we can bird Entebbe botanical gardens in the day.

Day 2: Birding Mabamba Swamp and afternoon transfer to Masindi

After an early breakfast, we drive to Mabamba Swamp, 50 km west of Kampala. Stop en route at Mpigi Swamp for papyrus rarities. Look out for; the White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Yellow-backed Weaver, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Blue-headed Coucal, and other swamp specialties.

We continue to the Mabamba Wetland. At the Swamp, most of the birding is done on a canoe, paddled by our local site guides. Watch out for the Shoebill both in the sky and down in the marsh. Also watch out for the;Swamp Flycatcher, African Purple Swamp Hen, African Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, African Pigmy Goose, White-faced Whistling Duck, Squacco Heron, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Winding Cisticola, Goliath Heron, and Black Crake. In the afternoon, we bird all the way to Masindi. Stay at Masindi Hotel.

Day 3: Birding in Budongo Forest-Royal Mile and Busingiro Section

We bird Budongo’s famous Royal Mile in the early morning. It is a wide forestry track considered by many to be the country’s premier forest birding locality. This is the best place in Uganda for Nahan’s Francolin, Cassin’s Spinetail, and Chestnut-capped Flycatcher. There are many confusing forest Greenbuls to test us including; Spotted, Xavier’s, White-throated, Red-tailed and Honeyguide Greenbuls. Canopy flocks support Yellow-mantled Weaver, Rufous ThrushandUganda Woodland Warbler. The undergrowth along the track holds numerous skulkers including; Scaly-breasted, Brown and Pale-breasted Illadopses, Fire-crested Alethe, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Yellow Long-bill, and Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher. We will keep an eye on any openings in the forest canopy such as; Cassin’s and Crowned Hawk Eagles, Cassin’s and Sabine’s Spinetails, and White-throated Bee-eaters are all possible. The area around the Park Headquarters is the only site in East Africa for the elusive canopy dwelling Ituri Batis. Stay at Masindi Hotel

Day 4: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, we drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest National Park (3893sq.km) and it protects a huge chunk of untamed savannah bisected by the mighty River Nile. Today it is part of the even much larger Murchison Falls Protected Area (5072sq.km) which includes the adjoining Karuma and Bugungu Wildlife Reserves. It is named for the dramatic Murchison Falls where by the World’s longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge in a frothing pool 43 m below. It is one of Uganda’s oldest conservation areas; it was initially gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 to protect a savannah that Winston Churchill described in 1907 as ‘Kew Gardens and the Zoo combined on an unlimited scale. The park has 76 mammal species including; the lion, elephant, leopard, hippopotamus, Rothschild giraffe, Cape buffalo, hartebeest, oribi, warthog, and the Uganda Kob. The park also hosts 360 bird species including the rare Shoebill Stork.
Stay at Paraa Safari Lodge

Day 5-6: Birding, Game Drives and Afternoon Launch Trip

After breakfast, we have a game drive to the rolling plains where you will have chances of viewing; Hartebeest, Lions, Buffalo, Primates, Mongoose, Giraffe and Elephants. After lunch, we will have an afternoon launch cruise where you have chances to view huge Nile Crocodiles, big Pods of Hippos, and other wildlife. You will also be able to see a wide variety of water birds like; the Shoebill, Secretary Bird, Abyssinian Roller and Ground Hornbill, Pied Kingfishers and many more. Nights at Paraa Safari Lodge.

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, we will drive to Kibale forest arriving in Fort Portal in the late afternoon. Kibale forest national park is the best safari destination for chimpanzee tracking in East Africa. It contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of all tropical forests in Uganda.

It hosts 13 species of primates including the Chimpanzee.

It has 1450 chimpanzees and these represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate.

It is also home to the rare L’hoest’s Monkey and East Africa’s largest population of the threatened Red Colobus Monkey.

Other primates that you may see include; theBlack and White Colobus, Blue Monkey, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Red-tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Bush baby and Pottos. Kibale forest cover predominates in the Northern and Central parts of the Park. Kibale is highest at the park’s Northern tip which stands at 1590m above sea level. The park also boasts 325 bird species, including 6 that are endemic to the Albertine Rift region. They include; the Black capped Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Purple-breasted Sunbird and Red-faced Woodland Warbler. If you are lucky you may also see; the African Pitta, Green-breasted Pitta, Black Bee-eater, Yellow-spotted Nicator, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Little Greenbul, Black-eared Ground-Thrush, Brown-chested Alethe, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, and the Crowned Eagle.
Overnight at Ndali Lodge.

Day 8: Chimpanzee tracking in the forest – Uganda

After an early breakfast we drive to Kibale National Park visitor center for briefing and chimp tracking. The activity may last from a few hours to several hours. Kibale forest is home to 13 primates of Uganda.
Birding in the afternoon along the main road may be productive. Depending on the weather predictions, birding Bigodi wetland is also productive with riverine forest birds. Kibale National Park is a good site for a number of birds that are hard to find elsewhere including; the Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Cabanis’s Greenbul and Joyful Greenbul as well as White-spotted Flufftail, Dusky and Olive Long-tailed Cuckoos, Lesser Honey guide, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, White-chinned Prinia, Grey Apalis, Olive-green Camaroptera and White-collared Oliveback. Stay at Ndali Lodge

Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

After breakfast, we drive to Queen Elizabeth national park. The Park which is named after the Queen of England who visited it in 1954 is the second largest national park in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth national park boasts the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world. This is evidenced by the presence of open savannah, rainforest, dense papyrus swamps and brooding crater lakes, and the vast Lake Edward. Queen Elizabeth National Park has almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 612 bird species hence making it a superb safari territory, with elephants, a profusion of hippos, the elusive Giant Forest hog and handsome Uganda Kob all regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula – which also boasts a marvelous waterfront setting in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Stay at kasenyi safari camp.

DAY 10: Game drive and afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

There will be a morning game drive searching for; Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Waterbucks, Warthorgs and many more. After lunch, you have an exotic and exciting launch trip on the Kazinga Channel. The launch trip is one of the most exciting water activities in Uganda. The Kazinga channel is a narrow neck of water that connects Lakes George and Edward, with excellent photographic opportunities for waterside birds and abundant Hippopotamus, huge families of buffalos, and elephants. And you are likely to encounter some bird species as well.
Stay at Kasenyi safari camp

Day 11: Travel to Bwindi Forest national park

You start early after breakfast, We will also drive through the Ishasha section where, if lucky, you may be able to view tree climbing lions and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to approximately half of the world endangered population of Mountain Gorillas. This vast reserve offers arguably the most productive montane forest birding in Africa and supports 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift endemic bird species. Once part of a much larger forest that included the Virunga Volcanoes in neighbouring Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is now an ecological island within a sea of human cultivation and therefore of big conservation importance.

Forest birding in Bwindi ranks the best in Uganda. It is home to 23 highly localized Albertine Rift Endemics. Special birds include; Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Banded Prinia, Black-throated Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Rwenzori Batis, Black-and-white-Shrike-flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Magpie Mannikin, Yellow-crowned Canary, Thick-billed Seed-eater, Streaky Seedeater, African Green Broadbill, Shelly’s Crimsonwing, Oriole Finch, Mountain Buzzard, Ayre’s Hawk Eagle, Handsome Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Wood Owl, Rwenzori Nightjar, Scarce Swift, Bar-tailed Trogon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Black Bee-eater, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Tullberg’s Woodpecker, Elliot’s Woodpecker, African Broadbill, Western Green Tinkerbird, African Green Broadbill, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Petit’s Cuckoo Shrike, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Archer’s Ground Robin, Toro Olive Greenbul, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Olive Thrush, White-tailed Ant Thrush, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Neumann’s Warbler, and Red-faced Woodland Warbler to mention but a few.
Stay at Mahogany Springs.

Day 12: Gorilla Tracking.

After breakfast, we shall assemble at the Park Offices for the briefing prior to this historic event. Gorilla tracking is a very captivating activity; It might take 1-8 hours which involves walking in the wilderness in search of these gentle giants. Gorilla Tracking can be a challenging activity, therefore ensure physical fitness. Eight people are permitted per group per day. On occasions the Gorillas prove elusive but often can be found within an hour by the tracker guides. It is a wonderful experience to stare in to the eyes of these gentle giants; watch them in awe as they play and go about their daily activities. Gorilla Tracking is indeed a “once in a lifetime” experience that you must never miss. Each encounter with the gorillas is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in a delightfully playful display.
Overnight at Buhoma Community Rest Camp.

Day 13: Buhoma Village walk

After Breakfast, we have a village walk around the Buhoma Community. We will visit the Batwa and you will observe their ways of living.

The Batwa were given land upon relocation from the forest and most of their basic needs are taken care of.

The money they receive out of the village walk is, therefore, used to buy clothes and food.

They also use the money from sale of crafts for recreational purposes, reading and buying of alcohol. You will also observe how they go about the process of juice making.

We will also visit the traditional healer and you will observe how he treats ailments using tree bark, leaves, and some animal material. He dresses in goat and cow skin to preserve the way traditional healers used to dress.

You will also be taken through tea plantations and 10 sites that describe the way of life of the Buhoma Community.
Stay at Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo national park is a gem of a park. Though the park is just 370 sq km in size, its landscapes are varied and even a short drive is alive with interest and color.

You will pass gallery forests, open savannah and acacia woodland, rocky kopjes, seasonal and permanent swamps, and open water as you search for the wealth of wildlife they support. A variety of vegetative habitats surround the open water of Lake Mburo.

The lake’s western side is dominated by a grassy escarpment rising above a shoreline fringed with acacia forest and the closed canopy Rubanga Forest. To the north and east, grassy valley floors, made seasonally lush and soggy by rain, drain between undulating hills.

These seep through expanses of wetland into the lake.

Rock Kopjes are found along the eastern margins of the park.

These varied habitats support an impressive variety of wildlife including 68 mammal species.

These include some rarities.

Lake Mburo is the only park in Uganda to contain Impala and the only one in the rift region to host Burchell’s Zebra and Eland. In Uganda, Topi are only found in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth national parks. Common wildlife species include; warthog, buffalo, oribi, Deffassa Water buck and reedbuck. Leopard and hyena are also present while hippo and crocodile are found in the lake.

Common conspicuous birds we will encounter on our journey to Lake Mburo include; Crested Francolin, Emerald Spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Blue-napped Mousebird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Green Wood hoopoe, Common Scimitar Bill, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Northern Black Tit, Chin-spot Batis, Greate Blue-eared Starling, and Marico Sunbird.

The woodland in the immediate vicinity of Rwonyo also supports many of these widespread species.
Stay at Rwakobo rock lodge

Day 15: Whole day Birding and game drive in the Park

After breakfast, we will have a morning game drive in the Park looking for mammals including; Zebras, Impalas, Elands, Topi and Buffaloes. In the afternoon, we will have a boat trip looking for bird specialties and other mammals in the Park.
Stay at Rwakobo rock lodge.

Day 16: Transfer to Kampala

After an early breakfast, we drive out of the park having our lunch on the way. We stop en route to visit the Mpambire Royal Drum makers. We also stop over at the Equator for photographs and continue to Kampala.
Stay at Sejovalo Hotel.

Day 17: Visit Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Museum

After breakfast, we drive to Kasubi Tombs. This is globally recognized as a major Heritage site. It is where four of the former Kings of Buganda were buried.

It is a royal palace enclosure that was first built in 1881. Here there are huge traditional reed and bark cloth buildings of the Kabakas (Kings) of Buganda Kingdom.

The Kasubi Tombs, also known as the Ssekabaka’s Tombs, are the royal tombs where the four former Kabakas of Buganda are buried. This site is a masterpiece of human creativity both in its conception and execution.

It bears eloquent witness to the living cultural traditions of the Baganda. The spatial organization of the Kasubi Tombs represents the best example of a Buganda palace or architectural ensemble.

Built in the finest traditions of the Ganda architecture and palace design, it reflects technical achievements developed over many centuries. The Kasubi Tombs constitute a site embracing almost 30 ha of hillside within Kampala district. Most of the site is agricultural, farmed by traditional methods. At its core on the hilltop is the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda, built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in 1884. Four royal tombs now lie within the ‘’Muzibu Azaala Mpanga’’ the main building, which is circular and surmounted by a dome.

Kasubi Tombs is a major example of an architectural achievement in organic materials, principally wood, thatch, reed, wattle and daub. The site’s main significance lies, however, in its intangible values of belief, spirituality, continuity and identity.

Thereafter, we drive to the Uganda Museum. The Uganda Museum (founded in 1908) in Kampala has exhibits of traditional culture, archaeology, science, and natural history. It regularly presents performances of traditional music. It is a display of Uganda’s cultural heritage where one can see ethnological and natural-historical exhibitions. It is a vivid reminder of the country’s colorful past.

One of its most interesting features is the collection of traditional musical instruments, which one is free to play. The museum contains rich materials from Uganda and is a must see. The Uganda Society’s library is housed in one room of the Uganda National Museum. Started in the 1930’s by a group of scholars, the collection is comprised of approximately 3,000 volumes, maps, periodicals and photographs, all pertaining to African history and culture. It also contains documents on the turbulent political history of Uganda. In the period of 1971-1979, the Republic of Uganda was under the leadership of “Field Marshal” President Idi Amin Dada who wrecked the Ugandan economy almost beyond recovery. He expelled the Asians who were the backbone of the Ugandan economy.

This is the time when the Tourism industry in Uganda suffered a major stroke. Accommodation establishments were plundered and Uganda was officially pronounced a “politically unsafe place” hence not an ideal place for tourists. Despite this, the Ugandan economy was able to regain stability when the National Resistance Movement took over power in 1986 and the Tourism infrastructure was put back in place hence Uganda becoming a safe destination for tourists. Stay at Metropole Hotel Kampala.

Day 18: Namugongo Shrine

After an early breakfast, drive to the Namugongo Shrine. Namugongo is where 22 young men were burnt alive on the orders of king Mwanga for refusing to denounce their newly found faith in Christ. They were executed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II in 1886. On the visit of Pope Paul VI to Uganda in 1969, the victims were canonized Martyrs and since then the shrine has become an important site for Uganda Christians and tourists. The site has been host to three Popes (1969, 1993 and 2015), and thousands of other religious, political and civic celebrities. To this day, every 3rd of June also known as the Martyrs” Day, Catholics from both within and outside Uganda make a pilgrimage to Namugongo to remember these young heroes known as the Uganda Martyrs. There are two churches built at the site; one for the Anglicans and the other for the Catholics.
Transfer to the airport for evening departure.

The post 18 Days Uganda Birding & Wildlife Adventure Holiday appeared first on Africa Safari Tours | Gorilla Safaris | Epic Uganda Vacations.

Safari overview: This tour offers an unforgettable Albertine Rift Bird Watching Holiday, perfect for bird enthusiasts eager to explore the rich avian diversity of the region.

The Albertine Rift region straddling along the borders of DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania, and stretching over a North-south distance of 1,000 km, supports one of Africa’s unique montane forest biome with a very high degree of endemism.

The Albertine Rift is home to more than half of Africa’s bird species and nearly 40 percent of the mammals in Africa. There are more endemic mammals, birds and amphibians here than any other site in Africa. Although the Albertine Rift covers 1 % of the continent’s landmass, it contains 14.5 % of its plant species. Mountain Gorillas are one of the flagships of this area. Other species of special concern include chimpanzees and the elephant.

The Albertine Rift is important not only for its biological diversity, but also for the ecological processes and services it sustains. The snow-capped Ruwenzori Mountains form one of the largest and most significant catchment areas in Uganda, and the most permanent source of the White Nile.

Day 1: Arrival for the birding tour

Meet your professional bird guide and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay. Early arrivals may wish to go birding in the botanical gardens at Entebbe. Stay at Lindsay Cottages or Fairway Hotel.

Day 2: Birding tour to Kibale National Park

We make an early start for Kibale National Park, where more than 335 rainforest species have been recorded. Superb birds and primates combined with easy access, a good infrastructure and a variety of interesting activities make this forest a “must-see.”

Kibale harbors the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa and is famous for its Chimpanzees. Kibale protects a remarkable 13 primate species, including the very localized Red Colobus and L’Hoest’s Monkey, Galagos, Blue monkey, Red-tailed and Vervet Monkeys.

Kibale Forest has the highest number of recorded sightings of the Green-breasted Pitta, which is another sought after bird of Uganda. Other birds include: African Pitta, Grey-winged Robin, Red-winged Francolin, Joyful Greenbul, White-naped Pigeon, Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, Red-chested Flufftail, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Uganda Woodland Warbler, White-collared Oliveback, Leaf-love, African Broadbill, Willcock’s Honeyguide, White-winged Warbler, White-spotted Flufftail, Scaly-throated Honeyguide.

Kibale Forest is also home to Elephants, Buffalos, the Giant Forest Hog and Antelopes. Stay at Chimpanzee Guesthouse, Nature Lodges or Ndali Lodge.

Day 3: Birding in Kibale National Park (with optional Chimpanzee Tracking)

Kibale’s major attraction is the opportunity to track habituated Chimpanzees. These delightful apes are more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, and they are tremendously entertaining to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees.

After an early breakfast we will head for the Park visitor center to assemble for a briefing before Chimpanzee tracking. Kibale, with its towering forest, has a well-established Chimpanzee-tracking program with a high success rate. Other primates that may be found include; Red & Guereza Colobus, Olive Baboon, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoest’s Blue, Vervet and Red-tailed Monkey. Bush Pig and Buffalo, Bushbuck, Blue, Harvey’s and Peter’s Duikers are other shy inhabitants of the forest interior.

A morning walk through the forest combines chimp trekking with a selection of forest birds. In this excellent medium-altitude forest we’ll search for the many dazzling sunbirds this area supports. We may see; the Black-throated Apalis, Forest Robin, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, African Shrike-flycatcher, Brown and Scaly breasted illadopses, Fire Crested alethes. Black-bellied Seedcracker inhabits the forest edge, while the canopy holds Red Headed Malimbe, Grey-throated, Yellow-spotted & Yellow-billed Barbets, White-naped & Afep Pigeons, Red-chested Owlet and White-headed Wood-hoopoe.

After lunch you will probably bird the forest along the main road, looking out for species such as; Crested Guinea Fowl, Narina Trogon, African Emerald Cuckoo, Grey Parrot, Sabine’s Spinetail, Black-billed Turaco, White spotted Flufftail, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Red Chested Owlet and more.

Day 4: Bird Watching Safari to Semuliki – Best Birding Spot in Uganda

After an early breakfast, we proceed to Semliki Forest, which represents the only example of Congo-Basin vegetation in Uganda. A large number of Guinea-Congo biome species reach their eastern limits here, which is one of the richest for forest birds in Uganda. Semliki forest marks the Eastern extension of the great Ituri Forest. This therefore makes it the best place in Uganda with high chances of encountering some of the West African species that cannot be easily accessed from other places. This site is ranked No. 2 in Uganda Birding spots. Specialties here include; Congo Serpent Eagle, Black-throated Coucal, Grey-throated Rail, Nkulengu Rail, Long-tailed Hawk, Spot-breasted Ibis, Capuchin Babbler, Yellow-throated Nicator, Northern Bearded Scrub Robin, Red-chested Owlet, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, White-bellied Kingfisher, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Zenker’s Honeyguide, White-throated Blue Swallow, Bate’s Nightjar, Yellow- throated Cuckoo, Orange-tufted Sunbird, Black-winged Oriole, Red-billed Helmet Shrike, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Icterine Greenbul, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Crested Malimbe and Blue-billed Malimbe, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, Pale-fronted Negrofinch and Piping, Red-billed Dwarf, Black Dwarf, White crested, Black-casqued Wattled and White-thighed Hornbills. Stay at Vanilla Hotel or Semliki Safari Lodge.

Day 5: Whole day birding tour in Uganda on the Kirumya Trail

We start at dawn after an early breakfast and set off with our packed lunch. We spend the whole day bird watching the Kirumya Trail or any other part of the forest depending on the reliable information from or site guides.

The Forest is home to some of the Congo biome species. These include; Red-billed, Black- casqued Wattled, Black-billed African Pied Piping, White-thighed, Black-and-white Casqued and White-crested Hornbills, African Piculet, Zenkel Honey-guide, Black-chested Cuckoo, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Nkurengu Rail, White-bellied, Dwarf, and Pygmy Kingfishers, and Fire-crested Alethe, Red-bellied and Blue-billed Malimbe, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Forest Scrub Robin, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Leaf Love, Red-breasted and Red-thighed Sparrowhawks, Long-tailed Hawk, Pale-fronted and Chestnut-breasted Negrofinches, Black-winged Oriole, and others.

Day 6: Morning birdwatching trip, transfer to Fort Portal

On this day, we have a morning birding session in Semliki forest, thereafter we transfer to Fort Portal. Stay in Magherita Hotel in Kasese.

Day 7: Whole day birding tour in Rwenzori National Park.

After breakfast, with packed lunch, leave for Rwenzori National Park. Special birds of the day include; Purple-breasted Sunbird, Abyssinian, Red-faced, Shelly’s and Dusky Crimson-wing, Red-bellied Seed-cracker, Woodhouse’s Ant-pecker, Stripe-breasted Tit, Forest Flycatcher, Grey Apalis, Ayres and Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle and many others. Back to the Magherita Hotel in Kasese.

Day 8: Bird Watching Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda

Today, we shall start early after breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Park, which is named after the Queen of England who visited it in 1954, is the second largest national park in Uganda. In terms of diversity this park ranks among the best birding destinations in Uganda with over 610 species recorded, and a one-day record of 296 species.

You will be treated to special birds of this park that include; Harlequin Quail, Blue Quail, Small (Common) Buttonquail, African Crake, White winged Warbler, Martial Eagle, African Skimmer, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Papyrus Gonolek, Amur Falcon, Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Lowland Akalat, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Shoebill, Black Bee-eater, Caruthers’s Cisticola, Terek Sandpiper, Secretary Bird, and Temminck’s Courser. Mammals include; African Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Ugandan Kobs, Side-striped Jackal, Baboons, Chimpanzees, Bush and Water Bucks, Warthogs, Giant Forest Hogs to mention but a few. Stay at Mweya Safari Lodge or Mweya Hostel.

Day 9: Birding Queen Elizabeth National Park

We’ll do a morning game drive/birding after breakfast, returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon we take a two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel. Mammals prominent here include; Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Giraffe, Uganda Kob, Common Bushbuck, Hippopotamus, Common Warthog and the spectacular Giant Forest-Hog, the largest and undeniably least attractive pig on earth.

There are many key bird species in the area; White-faced Whistling & Knob-billed Ducks, African Spoonbill, Open-billed & Saddle-billed Storks, Collared Pratincole, Water Thick-knee, Spur-winged & African Wattled Plovers, African Skimmer, Martial Eagle, Gabon & Slender-tailed Nightjars, Black-rumped Button-quail, Common Quail, Malachite Kingfisher, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Black Bee-eater, White-tailed Lark, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Black-headed & Papyrus Gonoleks, Winding & Carruther’s Cisticolas, Red-chested & Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, Swamp Flycatcher, Grey-capped & White-winged Warblers, Yellow backed & Slender-billed Weavers, Papyrus Canary.

Day 10: Bird Watching Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda

Today we head further South to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on the season we may choose to go through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where there are chances of encountering the Tree-climbing Lions at Ishasha sector. Packed lunch will be arranged in advance to enjoy later as we travel.

Depending on the time of arrival, we may enjoy birding on the self-guided Munyaga trail. Forest Birding at Bwindi provides some of the best bird watching in Uganda and Africa as well, having been voted as the Number One Hotspot in Africa by African Bird Club Members. It is home to over 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics.

Special birds include; Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Banded Prinia, Black-throated Apalis, Black-throated Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Rwenzori Batis, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, White-bellied Crested-flycatcher, Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Mountain Illadopsis, African Hill-Babbler, Dusky Tit, Blue-throated Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Grey-headed Sunbird, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Sooty Boubou, Pink-footed Puffback, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, White-naped Raven, Montane Oriole, African Golden Oriole, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Narrow-tailed Starling, Waller’s Starling, Strange Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver, Black-billed Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Magpie Mannikin, Yellow-crowned Canary, Thick- billed Seedeater, Streaky Seed-eater, African Green Broadbill, Shelly’s Crimsonwing, Oriole Finch, Mountain Buzzard, Ayre’s Hawk-eagle, Handsome Francolin, Black-billed Turacco, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Wood-Owl, Rwenzori Nightjar, Scarce Swift, Bar-tailed Trogon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Black Bee-eater, (Western) Bronze-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Tullberg’s Woodpecker, Elliot’s Woodpecker, African Broadbill, Western Green Tinkerbird, African Green Broadbill, Lagdens Bush-shrike, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Toro Olive-Greenbul, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Robin-chat, Olive Thrush, White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Grauer’s Rush-warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Neumann’s Warbler and Red faced Woodland-Warbler. Stay at Gorilla Resort, Buhoma Community Camp and Gorilla Forest Camp.

Day 11: Whole day birdwatching Holiday in Bwindi, Buhoma

We start after breakfast, and explore the Buhoma Forest section. We may see; Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Magpie Mannikin, Yellow-crowned Canary, Thick- billed Seedeater, Streaky Seed-eater, African Green Broadbill, Shelly’s Crimsonwing, Oriole Finch, Mountain Buzzard, Ayre’s Hawk-eagle, Handsome Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Wood-Owl, Rwenzori Nightjar, Scarce Swift, Bar-tailed Trogon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Black Bee-eater, (Western) Bronze-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Tullberg’s Woodpecker, Elliot’s Woodpecker, African Broadbill, Western Green Tinkerbird, African Green Broadbill, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Toro Olive-Greenbul, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Robin-chat, Olive Thrush, White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Grauer’s Rush-Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Neumann’s Warbler and Red faced Woodland-Warbler.

Day 12: Gorilla tracking safari in the forest

We set off early with packed lunch to the park headquarters for a briefing prior to Gorilla Tracking.

Prepare for one of the most exciting experiences of your lifetime!

Gorillas are gentle animals and it is an unforgettable experience to photograph them as they interact, and to gaze into their intelligent eyes.

Watch them in awe as they play and go about their daily activities. Each encounter is different and has its own rewards; you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in a delightfully playful display.

Day 13: Bird watching through the “Neck” to Ruhiija

We will spend a whole day birding on the road to Buhoma through the “Neck.” Key species include: Mountain Wagtail, Red-tailed and Shelley’s Greenbuls, Cassin’s Flycatcher,African Black Duck, Banded Prinia, Grey-throated Barbet, Common Buzzard, Tree Pipit, Chin-spot Batis, Black-billed Turaco, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Dwarf Honeyguide, Red-tailed Greenbul, bee-eaters including Black Bee-eater and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Many-coloured Bush-shrike, Ayres’s Hawk-eagle, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Narina Trogon, Honeyguide Greenbul, Red-throated Alethe, Gray Apalis, African Shrike-flycatcher and Red-headed Malimbe; and in areas of dry fern vegetation, we expect to watch the Dusky Twinspot.

Other birds here include; Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Yellow-billed Waxbill, Black Saw-wing, Chubbs’ Cisticola, Grey Apalis, Augur Buzzard, Petit’s Cuckoo Shrike, Pink-footed, Northern Puffbacks, Red-tailed, Little Grey Greenbuls, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Red-throated Martin, East African Swee (Yellow-bellied Waxbill), Yellow White-eye, Dark-capped Bulbul, Yellow-bellied Kite, Yellow-rumped, Speckled-rumped Tinkerbirds, African Stonechat, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Stripe-breasted Tit, Montane-masked Apalis, Red-faced Woodland, Montane Yellow Warbler, Regal Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Yellow-throated Leaf Love, Crested Guinea Fowl, African Crowned Hornbill, Lead-colored Flycatcher, Black-necked Weaver, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Yellow-spotted Barbet, African Harrier-Hawk.
Stay at Trekker’s Tavern or Ruhiija Hostel.

Day 14: Birding safari to the Mubwindi Swamp

After breakfast we head for a whole day’s birding to the Mubwindi Swamp. The 4 km trail to Mubwindi Swamp drops from 2350m to 2050m and is the best place for some of the most difficult to find of all rift endemics including; Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill the beautiful Regal Sunbird and Archer’s Robin-Chat.

Mubwindi Swamp is home to Dwarf Honeyguide, Stripe-breasted Tit, Mountain Masked Apalis and African Hill Babbler (sometimes treated as a separate species), Rwenzori Hill Babbler), the rare and localized Grauer’s Rush-Warbler and Carruthers’ Cisticola, including very difficult to see species; Fraser’s Eagle-Owl, African Green Broadbill, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Grauer’s Broadbills, Archer’s Robin-chat, Eastern Mountain-Greenbul, Strange Weaver, Black-headed Waxbill, Bar-tailed Trogon, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Waller’s Starling, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Ludher’s Bushshrike, Handsome Francolin and Montane Nightjar.

Day 15: Birding tour in the Bamboo Section

Birding along the main road through the bamboo area for more chances of Albertine Rift and Highland Endemics is productive.

Day 16: Birding to Entebbe via Kampala

We shall have several stops on the way in order to stretch legs and look at some interesting birds. Stay in Lindsay Cottages, Lake Victoria Hotel, Botanical Beach Hotel.

Day 17: End of Albertine Rift Bird watching holiday / Departure

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Safari overview: This 15 Days Uganda Gorillas & Birding Experience offers an unforgettable adventure combining wildlife encounters and birdwatching in remarkable Ugandan landscapes.

Day 1: Entebbe 

On arrival at Entebbe airport, your guide will warmly welcome you and later transfer your hotel. Overnight at Buma Hotel Entebbe

Day 2: Entebbe – Mabamba Wetland

After breakfast and a briefing about birding set off to Mabamba Wetland which is the nearest site for the Shoebill,Lesser Jacana, Blue Swallow, Black-Shouldered Nightjar, Afep Pigeon, Blue Breasted Bee-Eater, Papyrus Gonolek, and White Winged Warbler. Over night at Lake Victoria View Guest House

Day 3: Kampala – Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast depart for Lake Mburo National Park, having a stop- over to look at the Royal Drum makers, stand on the Equator continue to Lake Mburo National Park for the different unique fauna, gigantic Eland Antelope, as well as Zebra, Topi, Impala, and several Acacia -associated birds, Hippos, Crocodiles and a variety of water birds. Dinner and Overnight at Mburo safari lodge / Rwakobo rock lodge.

Day 4: Lake Mburo National  Park 

After an early breakfast head for game drive as you watch the different bird species like the Brown Chested Plover, Red Faced Barbet, Southern Ground Hornbill, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Yellow Billed Oxpecker, African Finfoot, Black Collard Barbet etc. Have an afternoon boat trip and later an evening game drive and overnight at either our camp in Lake Mburo.

Dinner and Overnight at Mburo safari lodge / Rwakobo rock lodge.

Day 5: Lake Mburo National  Park – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast, proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable best known for its Mountain Gorillas, the Montane Forest also attracts spectacular birds. Take a nature walk through Munyaga Waterfall, discover Primates such as the Grey Cheeked Mangabey Blue monkeys and others species. Dinner and overnight at RuhijaGorilla Lodge/ Gorilla Mist Lodge / Bakiga Lodge .

Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Whole day bird watching in Bwindi Forest go to Mubwindi Swamp and later transfer to Buhoma birding enroute, then overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp or Uganda Wildlife Authority Community Bandas.

Day 7: Gorilla tracking – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After an early breakfast Gorilla tracking at 8.00 a.m. We recommend that you wear good walking shoes and carry rain jacket and flask of water. Tracking can be tough and we trust you are in reasonably fit condition. You will carry a picnic lunch into the forest with you. You will be thrilled to have seen these rare primates (no guarantee) and the return journey will be easier. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp or the Uganda Wildlife Authority Park Bandas. Full Board

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park 

After breakfast transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park a home of different bird species. As you enjoy bird watching see the enticing elephants and hippos. Over night at Kasenyi safari camp / Enganzi Lodge/ Bush Lodge.

Day 9:  Queen Elizabeth National Park 

After breakfast enjoy a whole day bird watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park bird watching while on a game drive both in the morning and in the afternoon, later  returning to the lodge for lunch and overnight at  at Kasenyi safari camp / Enganzi Lodge/ Bush Lodge.

Day 10: Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast enjoy a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel you view wildlife up close: Hippos, Buffalo and a tremendous variety of birds grace the grasses on the river’s edge. Over night at at Kasenyi safari camp / Enganzi Lodge/ Bush Lodge.

Day 11: Kibale Forest National Park  

After breakfast, transfer to Kibale Forest National Park for bird watching over night at  Kyaninga Lodge/ Primate Lodge/ Chimpanzee Forest  Guesthouse.

Day 12: Kibale Forest National Park

Before breakfast have a chance to seeing other species like the Grey-Throated Flycatcher, Masked & Black-Capped Apalis’, Chestnut-Winged Starling, Orange -Tufted & Tiny Sunbirds and a good infrastructure & variety of interesting activities which makes this a worthwhile destination. After breakfast visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a superb community development fringing the Park for fruiting trees, which attract Narina Trogon, Pied Hornbill, Yellow Spotted, Hairy Breasted and Yellow-billed Barbets, over night at Kyaninga Lodge/ Primate Lodge/ Chimpanzee Forest  Guesthouse (FB)

Day 13: Semiliki Game Wildlife Reserve

After breakfast Leave for Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve having a lunch break at the lodge have an afternoon boat trip on Lake Albert in search for the Shoebill and other bird species and over night at Semliki Safari Lodge.

Day 14: Semiliki Game Wildlife Reserve

After an early breakfast proceed for Chimp tracking in the Gallery Forest of the Mugiri River as you continue with bird watching to see: White-spotted Flufftail, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush and Blue-breasted Kingfisher.

Then late afternoon, have a game drive will reveal herds of Uganda Kob, Waterbuck, Reed Buck, several monkey species as well as lots of bird opportunities. Overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge.

Day 15: Travel to Kampala

After an early breakfast leave for Kampala to catch on your flight back as you enjoy game drive.

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Safari overview:

This 7 days’ safari will take you to the hot spots for birding in Uganda such at Kibale NP, Lake Mburo NP, Mabamba swamps and Queen Elizabeth National Park. It will take place in different bird habitants such as swamps, lakes, forest, savannah grasslands. You will discover the birding paradise of Africa during these visits.

Day 1: Pick up from Kampala to Mabamba and transfer to Lake Mburo.

You will be picked from your hotel by our driver guide who is professional in birds after your breakfast, and be briefed about the 7 days birding safari in Uganda. You will right away start your safari to Mabamba wetlands with your packed lunch. There, you will spot rare birds such as shoebill stork, African Pygmy Goose, Squacco Heron, Winding Cisticola, malachite kingfisher, Goliath Heron and Black Crake among others in canoes.

You will later proceed to lake Mburo NP after a picnic lunch, check in the lodge have dinner and sleep to prepare for next tough day.

Accommodation option: Mihingo lodge / Arcadia lodge / Eagles’ nest lodge

Day 2: Game drive and Afternoon boat cruise on lake Mburo

After an early breakfast, you will be briefed by the park ranger and right away enter the wild to such for rare birds such as Brown Chested Plover, Buff Bellied Warbler, Green Capped Eremomela, Lesser Blue Eared Starling, Red Faced Barbet, Red Bellied Wood Hope.

Return to the lodge for lunch and after head for a boat cruise on Lake Mburo in search for White Backed and Black Crowned Night Herons, African fin foot, Giant Kingfisher among others. You will return to the lodge to relax, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Mihingo lodge / Arcadia lodge / Eagles’ nest lodge

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Np and afternoon boat cruise

Wake up early in the morning and take breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park to catch up your afternoon boat cruise.

As you drive in the park you will view a number of attractions including animals such as African buffaloes, African elephants, antelopes, water bucks, among others but focus on the different bird species such as African spoonbill, African skimmer among others. While on the boat cruise on Kazinga channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George, you will be able to watch birds like martial eagles, cormorants, pelicans, papyrus Gonolek, African skimmers, African spoonbill, kingfishers among others.

Accommodation option: Mweya Safari Lodge/Enganzi Lodge/Pumba Lodge

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale national park after a morning game drive

After your breakfast you will be guided by a park ranger and your driver guide for a game drive activity, where you will spot a number of animals such as lions, sported hyenas, elephants, buffalos, among others. However, you focus on the birds.

You will watch birds such as Rupell’s Griffon, Blue Quail Small, Lappet Faced Vulture, Verreaus’s Eagle Owl, Black-Headed Gonolek, Ovambo Sarrowhawk, Lesser Flamingo, Amur Falcon, Loland Okalat among others. Return to the lodge for lunch. Later transfer to Kibale national park, check in a lodge, have dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Crater safari lodge / Isunga lodge / Kibale forest camp.

Day 5: Birding in Kibale NP

Wake up to yet another beautiful day, have your breakfast and prepare for another fun of birding experience. Have your packed lunch with you and enter the forest and swamp for the whole day in search of rare bird species such as Green Breasted Pitta, The Great Blue Turaco, Cardinal Wood Pecker, African Broadbill, White Tailed Ant-Thrush, Green Backed Twin spot, Yellow-Ramped Tinker bird, Lesser, Dusky Long-Tailed Cuckoo, Red Chested Owlet, Gross Splendid, Thick-Billed Honeyguide among others. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options: Crater safari lodge / Isunga lodge / Kibale forest camp.        

Day 6: Transfer back to Kampala

Have a leisure breakfast at the lodge and transfer to Kampala. You will have a stopover Mubende for an Enroute lunch and stretching. Later proceed to Kampala, check in the hotel, have dinner and relax.

Accommodation options: Skyz hotel/Mt Zion Hotel/Sunrise Hotel

Day 7: Birding in Entebbe and transfer to the airport.

In the morning after your breakfast, head to Uganda wildlife education center and Entebbe botanical gardens where you expect to see bird Like Olive Bellied, Green Throated Collard Sunbird, Black Headed Weavers, Yellow Backed and Golden Backed Weavers, Diederik Cuckoo, Ashy Flycatcher, Palm Nut Vulture, Ross’s and Great Blue Turaco, Lizard Buzzard, Green Crombie among other.

You will have your lunch at Entebbe botanical garden a drop off at Entebbe international airport making the end of the safari.

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Safari overview: This 4 Days Murchison Falls Birding Tour offers an exciting opportunity to explore the region’s rich birdlife and stunning landscapes.

This 4 days birding tour will allow you to search for the prominent bird species in Murchison NP and Budongo forest reserve. These are both located in the North western Uganda and famous birding destinations. These two places are well known as home to over 400 bird species including 23 Albertine endemics, making our tour a perfect example of experiencing the Murchison Falls Birding adventure in 4 days.

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Murchison NP and birding on top of the falls

After your breakfast, our driver guide will pick you from the hotel in Kampala and straight away start your journey to Murchison falls national park in southwestern Uganda a journey taking 5-6hours. While on your journey you will make several stopovers in search for different birds on the way and in Masindi for lunch. Embark on the first stage of your exciting 4 Days Birding Tour at Murchison Falls, focusing on both the park and the birds.

Upon reaching Murchison falls NP, you will drive to the top of the falls in search for unique birds such as White Crested Turaco, White-Headed Barbet, Crested Francolin, Raptors, Narina Trogan, Rufous-Sidede Broadbill, Rock Pranticole, Canaries, Sunbirds, Finches, Waxbills among others. You will later check into the hotel/lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation option: Paara Safari Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/ Heritage Safari Lodge

Day 2: Early game drive and afternoon boat cruise.

Have an early morning breakfast at your accommodation site, and head for the game drive in the north of the banks. As you viewing a number of animals such as elephants, buffalos, lions, Uganda kob among others, focus on the search for unique bird species such as Spotted Morning Thrush, Speckle Fronted Weaver, White-Borrowed Sparrow, Black Billed Barbet, Red-Throated Bee-Eater, Red-Headed Plover, Swallow Tailed Bee-Eater, Rock Pranticole, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill among other. Return at the Lodge for lunch and head for a boat cruise after your lunch on river Nile. As the hippos and crocodiles thrive, enjoy Birds such Kingfishers, White Faced Whistling Duck, Secretary Bird, Abdim’s Stork, African Darter, Goliath Heron among others. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight and prepare for the next day. Your second day will further immerse you in the full Murchison Falls Birding Tour, lasting 4 Days, with both land and water excursions.

Accommodation option: Paara Safari Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/ Heritage Safari Lodge

Day 3: Bird watching in Budongo forest

Enjoy your breakfast and have a packed lunch with you as you head to Budongo forest – Royal mile for bird watching. While in the forest, expect to encounter birds such as African crown eagle, chocolate-baked kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, White-thighed Hornbill, a Selection of Tinker birds and Barbets, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Greenbuls, Fire-crested Alethe, among others. The Budongo visit is a highlight within our comprehensive Falls Birding Tour over 4 Days.

You may also come across primates such as blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkey among others. Later on return to the lodge for overnight and dinner.

Accommodation options: Budongo Eco Lodge/Sambiya River Lodge/ BOOMU Women’s Homestays

Day 4: Departure to Kampala

Have a relaxed breakfast as you listen to the beautiful melody songs of the birds at the lodge in the unique environment. Later set off for Kampala and this will make the end of a Murchison Falls Birding Tour spanning four days, giving you a true taste of Uganda’s avian wonders.

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