Come to discover Uganda’s birding paradise with our famous bird watching and Gorilla safari. During this birding safari, you will go through visiting the IBA’s, with a specialized birding guide that will make your story unforgettable.
Look for top ticks like the Great shoebill stork, African green broadbill, Papyrus gonolek, Nkulengu rail, Puvel’s illadopsis, Handsome francolin, Dusky crimsonwing, African finfoot, Standard winged night jar and short tailed warbler. Combined with bird watching is classic safari, Chimpanzee and Mountain Gorilla trekking
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: – Arrival at Entebbe international airport for your bird watching and Gorilla safari
Arrival at Entebbe Airport for your bird watching and Gorilla safari. You will meet our tour guide and transfer to our Hotel for an overnight at Lake Victoria view guesthouse. If you arrive early, we could have a birding session in Entebbe botanical garden for the Orange weaver, golden backed weaver and other master builders of the Ploceidae family, superb sunbird, green hylia, bat hawk. And several garden birds exploiting this transitional habitat – overnight at Papyrus guesthouse
(Time allowing we can bird Entebbe botanical garden for the Orange weaver, golden backed weaver and other master builders of the Ploceidae family, superb sunbird, green hylia, bat hawk. And several garden birds exploiting this transitional habitat)
Day 2: Great Shoebill stork and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
We have an early transfer between 7am – 8:30 am, after breakfast transfer by ferry to the IBA wetland swamp of Mabamba en route to Lake Mburo, the ‘Zebra magnet’. The highlight at Mabamba Swamp is a search for the prehistoric looking Great shoebill stork. Here we also find some aquatic birds and marsh Harriers, if time allow search for the beautiful painted Pygmy goose.
We then stop over and take photo poses at the equator. Continuing on we reach Lake Mburo and drive out to the vast savannah dotted with acacia and shrubs, as we game drive in for view of Zebras, Topis, Warthogs, cape buffaloes and impalas. In the afternoon it is time for a boat-cruise on the lake where the must see is the African finfoot. As well as this we see native birds along the banks, Crocodiles, Hippos yawning and more birds during this 2 hours’ cruise… Overnight in Rwakobo rock Lodge
Day 3: – Early morning game drive with bird watching Lake Mburo national park.
arly morning walks or game bird safari Uganda safari, get up early focusing on the Rwizi track it’s a dense population of some rare birds here, Tabora cisticola, Crested barbet, Red headed weavers, cuckoo shrikes, Crested barbet, Flancolins etc chance to see Leopards, zebras, waterbucks, birds, buffaloes in their day break jungle life! Transfer out game viewing to Mbarara for breakfast or brunch, Red headed weavers, cuckoo shrikes.
Transfer to Kibale area via Kamwenge for the Birds of Kibale area. More in the forest canopy colored aviation creatures-butterflies various bird species like the native Great blue Turaco,. Overnight homestay Kibale (closer for the Morning Pitta)
Day 4: – Start with Green Breasted pitta before going for Chimpanzee trekking Kibale N.P
Start the day with bird Watching in Kibale forest looking for the Green breasted Pitta, it will start very early before day break – continue to trek the famous chimpanzees in the rainy forest. Have lunch break and continue Birding species like the native Great blue Turaco, joyful greenbul, redheaded bluebill, brown illadopsis, red chested owlet, olive long tailed cuckoo, the superb black bee – eater as we bird out towards the edge of the forest. Overnight in Isunga lodge.
Day 5: – Transfer out to Queen Elizabeth and continue with bird watching and Mountain Gorilla trekking safari
Transfer through the crater areas as we continue with our Bird watching and Gorilla safari with an evening game drive targeting the boat cruise and night jars – sabines spinetails, honey guide greenbulls, Giant kingfishers, ross’s turaco all in the environs of the forest can be viewed on a lucky day a lot of birds here too. Drive further south wards with the Rwenzori ranges (Longest in Africa) in View or Drive through the Crater lakes in the Hills through! Overnight in Pumba safari cottages
Day 6: – Bird watching, Game-drive and Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park in the cool morning with keen bird watching and game viewing. We do an early game drive that exposes us to diverse animals, Big 5 members Elephants, Buffalos, big cats- Lions, Leopards more times in the evening, warthogs, Hunchback carnivals like Hyenas and many more species can be spotted along the Circuits. There is a rich bird life especially our version of storks in the wetland spots as we reach the Flamingoes in the salt lakes.
At 3 pm you go for the 2hrs Boat cruise on the famous Kazinga channel, a 36kms linking Lake George – Lake Edward. Here you see land and water Adapted Hippopotamuses Yawning, the National Geographical society killing machine the Nile crocodile gaping along the Banks and Savannah version of Pigs the Warthog- Pumba of the award winning Lion King are a hallmark sign in this Animal home.
With your Binoculars along the peninsula you have a magnificent view of Birds and animals like the ever playing African Elephants in Waters – overnight at Pumba safari cottages.
Day 7: – Game viewing and Bird watching safari – Queen Elizabeth Ishasha southern sector
Target through Ishasha for the savannah birds, the top vulture of the region Lappet faced vulture, Africa`s most spirited eagle the Marshal eagle, larks, a try to check on the rare Dusky blue flycatcher on River ishasha and bonus to get the Lions high in the Fig tree branches. Evening search for the resident Greyish eagle owl and Verreaux eagle owls. Game viewing rush out to the northern sector of the park to the lodge. Overnight Topi Lodge Ishasha
Day 8: – Bird Watching safari through Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park
As we start to ascend up to our possible 2600 M above sea level through the impenetrable forest for the, black bee eater, african swees, the rare motacila clara, brown illadopsis, black billed weaver stops over at the neck for trying out the rare Cassin grey flycatcher, Dusky blue flycatcher, try the Shinning blue kingfisher. The chance for the Newmanns warbler, a member of the Uganda top ten, willards sooty boubou, oriole finch, chapins flycatcher, and the ground thrushes bar tailed trogon and a night in Bwindi as we prepare for the Highland swamp as we manouver through the Neck of the impenetrable forest. Overnight in Trekkers Tavern Lodge
Day 9: – Optional Mountain Gorilla trekking – Afternoon bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
This morning we continue our bird watching and Gorilla safari with an optional trekking of the Mountain gorillas in the impenetrable forest. We proceed to the briefing point before entering the impenetrable forest to find these amazing jungle dwellers. An hour with the gorillas is allowed after the trek and you can take as many snap sorts as possible.
Relax a bit at the lodge before entering the forest once again for an afternoon drive descending through the impenetrable forest for the dusky crimson wings, African swees, the rare mountain wagtail and black billed weaver as we head to Ruhija through the Neck of the faorest for an evening walk to the water falls and enjoy a relaxed yet profitable birding in Bwindi on our favorite trail. Afterwards we drive descending through the impenetrable forest for the dusky crimson wings, African swees, the rare mountain wagtail and black billed weaver as we enjoy a relaxed yet profitable bird watching and Gorilla safari in Bwindi on our favorite trail – Overnight in Broadbill forest camp
Day 10: – Bird Watching through Mubwindi swamp expedition
With our parked lunch head out after the Ruhija research station to pick our guards since the Forest is alive with Elephants, we need some escorts, birding along will lead us to grip on to some of the forest endemics the hike could get you to a point of over 2650 meters above sea level with the Mist where the Gorillas leave in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. As we check out some soaring buzzards, flocks of stuhlmanns starlings with their aerial displays, We could assemble to head for the Mubwindi swamp for some of the Albertine endemics aiming to grip on the African green broadbill, grauer’s rush warbler Frasers eagle owl, black billed turaco, Rwenzori batis, white browed crombec, tullbergs woodpecker, Dusky crimsonwing, blue headed sunbird, This Impenetrable Forest is full flora and fauna, birds, butterfly and plant species plus mammals like the little bohms squirrel, forest hogs, forest Elephants, Statungas, Duikers super and the best of nature’s forest sounds. Dinner and overnight White Horse Inn Kabale.
Day 11: – Transfer to Entebbe – Departure flight
Start the day with a lazy breakfast, drive back to Entebbe to catch your flight as we have reached the end of our safari. Our target is to have a lunch break at the Equator line that divides the world into two spheres. We can arrange an extra night in Entebbe. If flying this day, plan late evening flight
“Inclusions”]
- Gorilla permits (if applicable)
- Chimps permits (if applicable)
- 4×4 Safari Vehicle
- English Speaking Guide
- Fuel for the vehicle
- Accommodations on full board meals
- Drinking water during transit
- A couple of fruits on transit
- Park Entry fees
- Drinks
- Flight Tickets
- Tips
- Items of personal interests