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12 Days Uganda Birding Adventure

Safari Overview

This 12 day Uganda Bird watching adventure takes you to some of the prime birding areas across the country. The safari begins and ends in Kampala. You start at the Mabamba wetland and then transfer to Murchison Falls NP where you will enjoy some great birding, game viewing and boat cruise, the Budongo royal mile is another place you explore and then head to Kibale not only for birding but chimpanzee trekking as well. Our final destination will be Bwindi National Park where we shall explore the Ruhija area and the Mubwindi Swamp before returning to Kampala. There are so many bird species you will encounter on this adventure as highlighted in the itinerary.

Day 1: Mabamba Wetland

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National park.

Day 3: Explore Murchison Falls NP

Day 4: transfer to Budongo forest for Birding at the Royal Mile

Day 5: Explore Budongo forest

Day 6: Transfer to Kibale forest

Day 7: Chimp Tracking

Day 8: Bird watching in Kabale

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 10: Explore Ruhija Area in Bwindi

Day 11: Mubwindi Swamp in Bwindi

Day 12: Departure to Kampala, end of safari

 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Mabamba Wetland

We have an early breakfast and then our driver guide from transfer drive to Mabamba swamp which is 15km west of Entebbe and stretches across the northern shore of Lake Victoria. It is identified as one of the best ornithological sites with extra ordinary water-associated bird species and the perfect spot to look at the well-known shoe bill. You should watch out for Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue headed caucal, pygmy goose, yellow-backed Weaver, lesser jacana plus other swamp specialties. While we are at the swamp, almost all the bird watching will be done on a canoe that will be paddled by our local site guides. It is a very memorable experience watching this atypical bird as it exhibits its large grinning beak that looks like a clog. They could also show off their magnificent wings as they fly from the ground.

You should look out for the Intermediate Egret, Swamp Flycatcher, Fan-tailed Widowbird, African Purple Swamp-hen, African Water Rail, Common Moorhen, White-faced Whistling-duck, Squacco, Rufous-bellied Heron and Purple Heron, Blue-headed Cuckoo, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Yellow-billed Duck, Malachite Kingfishers and Pied Kingfishers, African Marsh Harrier, Winding Cisticola, Hamerkop, Goliath Heron, Common Waxbill and the Black Crake to mention a few. Dinner and the overnight at Sophie’s Motel or at The Lodge.

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National park.

We start the day early in the morning by setting off to Murchison Falls National Park beginning our journey in Uganda’s capital Kampala on Bombo road and the trip will go on for almost five hours. While on our journey, we shall stop by Luwero triangle which has developed into a little town comprising of a trading center. It is popular for its extremely painful past of the Baganda slaughter. We shall then proceed and make a stop for lunch at Masindi Hotel. We will travel through Budongo forest and Kaniyo Pabidi. After arriving at the park, you should take a tour of the Top of the falls which is a marvelous site for tranquility and also to explore.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Paraa Safari Lodge (luxury), or Red Chili, or Sambiya Lodge.

Day 3: Explore Murchison Falls NP

You can take an early game drive on the North side of River Nile. On this drive, look out for Jackson’s Hartebeest, buffaloes, baboons, waterbuck, lions as well as oribi.  After the game drive, you can go for a launch cruise on the Murchison falls in approximately two hours. You will be able to see crocodiles, small herds of buffaloes as well as large numbers of hippos. There is also a diversity of bird species on the papyrus banks and you can spot the shoebill stork, which is in high demand in Africa. Ensure to visit the Top of the falls for the stunning view of the pristine waters of the Nile descend and to have lunch or just to enjoy the peace in the area.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Paraa Safari Lodge (luxury), or Red Chili, or Sambiya Lodge.

Day 4: transfer to Budongo forest for Birding at the Royal Mile

We start the day early and drive to Budongo forest which is considered one of the vast and ecologically diverse forests in East Africa with over 465 plant species, a large number of buttresses giant mahoganies that grow up to 60m vertically. It also has a huge number of chimpanzees and to top it all off is of excellent ornithological importance with approximately 366 different bird species. The perfect place to go bird watching is the Royal Mile which is considered the ultimate birding spot in Uganda.

While birding, you can look out for the black-capped Apalis, African dwarf, Grosbeak-Weaver, blue breasted Tit, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, White-shouldered Black Tit, the colorful Papyrus Gonolek, African Penduline Tit, Tropical Boubou, Black Scimitar bill, White-winged Warbler, Spot-flanked Barbet, Greater Swamp Warbler, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike, Carruther’s Cisticola, Rattling Cisticola, Black-headed Oriole the very shy Foxy Cisticola, Cassin’s hawk eagle, Black-faced Waxbill, Grey-crowned Crane, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Whalberg’s Eagle, Martial Eagle as well as the Bateleur plus many others.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Masindi Hotel or Court View Hotel

Day 5: Explore Budongo forest

We take breakfast before trekking along the main road moving past Busingiro another great area to explore as it is less difficult to spot birds. A few of the birds to watch out for are the Red-headed Malimbe, Red-tailed Bristle bill, Yellow-mantled Weaver, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Yellow-throated Tinker bird, Rufous Flycatcher Thrush, Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Yellow and Grey Longbills, Puvel’s Illadopsis, Wilcock’s Honey guide, Cameroon Sombre, Ituri batis, Slender-billed, Sabine’s & Cassin’s Spine tails, Honey guide, Forest Robin, Speckled Tinker bird, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Western Nicator, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, White-throated Bee-eater, Buff-throated Apalis, Yellow bill Bee-eater, White-breasted Negrofinches, Grey Parrot, Grey-headed Negrofinches, African Emerald & Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoos, White-spotted Fluff tails , fowl, Tambourine Dove as well as the Crested Guineaamong others.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Masindi Hotel or Court View Hotel

Day 6: Transfer to Kibale forest

We set off for Kibale Forest National Park early in the morning after breakfast. The trip is a bit lengthy however we make a few stopovers at key places for bird watching. Kibale is very enticing specifically for people that love the wild since it is popular for its exceptional chimp tracking and birding. It is also popular for having the largest number of primates in the whole of East Africa with a population of approximately 13 primates. The primates that live in Kibaale

Include L’Hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, blue monkeys plus red tailed monkeys. It is also a home to a number of bird species.

Some of the birds that reside in Kibale forest include the Masked Apalis, Grey-winged Robin, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Cabanis Greenbul, Blue-shouldered Robin Chat, Grey-throated Flycatcher, African Pitta, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Red-chested Fluff tail, Black-billed Turaco, Green-breasted Pitta as well as the White-naped Pigeon among others

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Primates Lodge or Ndali Lodge

Day 7: Chimp Tracking

Today we head out looking for chimpanzees near Kanyanchu. Chimpanzees live in groups of approximately one hundred individuals. (You will study how similar human beings are to chimpanzees from a physical and behavioral standpoint) You will also look out for other primates like the black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, golden monkey, olive baboons as well as red colobus. don’t forget you camera on this adventure

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Primates Lodge or Ndali Lodge

Day 8: Bird watching in Kabale national park

At sunrise, we shall travel to Bigodi sanctuary (Magombe swamp) which has a diversity of birdlife, multicolored butterflies, and a variety of tree types. It also has excellent guided trails. The most admired birds in the swamp by tourists are the Papyrus Gonolek plus the Great Blue Turaco. People that truly love bird watching love this place because of its tranquility and peaceful atmosphere.

The birds that can easily seen are the Dark-backed Weaver, Tinker-barbets, Red-headed Bluebill, Blue-throated roller, Black-necked Weaver, White-headed Wood Hoopoe, Purple-headed Starling, Crowned Hornbill, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Yellow bill, Banded Prinia, Narina Trogon, White-chinned Prinia, Mountain Wagtail, Honey guide Bulbuls, Superb Sunbird, Cassin’s Honey bird, Black & White Flycatcher, Masked Apalis, as well as the Pink-footed Puffback. There are also has a number of butterfly species. You should not be surprised if you also come across the huge sitatunga antelope and primates in the sanctuary.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Primates Lodge or Ndali Lodge

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

We travel to Bwindi Impenetrable national park and we will have the opportunity to see a number of Albertine bird species. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is different from other parks because it inhabits mountain gorillas although it has plenty to offer for bird watchers. Birding during the evening hours at the edge of the forest yields great results. About 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemic including the black-throated Apalis, mountain masked apalis, black faced Rufous Warbler, banded Prinia, Grauer’s warbler and many others reside in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You can take a guided trek on the banks of the Muyanja River trail from Buhoma pursuing Bizenga River. The stunningly blue Kingfisher can comfortably be seen. If you follow the waterfall trail, you will easily see about forty species that include Chapin’s flycatcher, Luhder’s and Doherty’s bush-shrikes, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, McKinnon’s grey shrike as well as Dusky-blue Flycatcher.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Gorilla Resort or Buhoma Community Bandas

Day 10: Explore Ruhija Area in Bwindi

The Ruhija area of the park is endowed with rare Albertine endemic species which has put Bwindi on the map for being one of the best ornithological places in Africa. As we approach the higher altitude areas of Bwindi we will come across different bird species that are unique.

While in Ruhija, you will be able to see the 4 crimson-wings, Baglafecht Weaver, augur buzzard, Strange Weaver, handsome Francolin, White-naped Raven, red-throated Wryneck, Stripe-breasted Tit, Archer’s Robin Chat, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Bronze Sunbird, Yellow Bishop, Scarce Swift, yellow-crested helmet shrike, Black Saw-wing, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Cassin’s Grey, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Black-faced Rufous Warbler plus Toro Olive Greenbul

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Ruhija Campsite or Trekker’s Tavern

Day 11: Mubwindi Swamp in Bwindi

We trek to Mubwindi Swamp after breakfast to spend the whole day bird watching. The distance to Mubwindi swamp of 4km descends from 2350 meters to 2050 meters  and is the perfect spot for seeing  a few of the rarely seen rift endemics for example Archin’s Robin Chat, the magnificent Regal Sunbird. Some of the other birds you might encounter include: the Montane Nightjar, stripe-breasted Tit, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Rwenzori Apalis, Waller’s Starling, African hill babbler, white-headed Wood hoopoe, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, strange Weaver, bar-tailed Trogon, Fraser’s Eagle-Owl, Eastern Mountain-Greenbul, African Green Broadbill, Archer’s Robin Chat, Grauer’s Rush Warbler plus the purple-breasted Warbler

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation Options: Ruhija Campsite or Trekker’s Tavern

Day 12: Departure to Kampala, end of safari

We have a nice breakfast and then set off to where you will in the late afternoon. The guide will transfer you to either a hotel of your preference in Kampala or to the Entebbe Airport for your departure flight. This will mark the end of our safari.

Tour includes

  • Full board accommodation as detailed in itinerary
  • Service of an English-speaking driver guide
  • Ground transport in a 4WD safari Vehicle
  • Bottled water in the car
  • Park entrance fees
  • Birding fees
  • Boat trips
  • Game drive
  • Chimpanzee Tracking

Tour excludes

  • Personal expenses on drinks, telephone, laundry etc
  • Tips to porters and driver/ guide
  • Insurance
  • International Flights
  • Visas
  • Covid Tests
  • All activities listed as optional (gorilla trekking)

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