Safari Overview
Love for birds is realized throughout this 25-days extensive birding safari. The eyes of visitors never cease enjoying and jotting down the various names, characteristics, sounds, and other details. Uganda, a beautiful country in the African continent, is a true birder's paradise. The country is home to more than 10% of the world's total bird population, with some migrating from all over the world during mating season. Visiting the lush tropical forests, swamps, water bodies, and marshes on a birding tour in Uganda will introduce you to a wide range of bird sounds and sights.
A Uganda birding tour in pursuit of your favorite bird species is a good treat, as it allows you to see some of the country's over 1080 bird species. Mabamba Swamp, Mabira forest, Mountain Elgon National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Semiliki National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park will be visited. This safari values time, as it begins and ends at the agreed-upon time and pickup location.
Detailed Trip
Day1: Arrival and Optional birding
The first thing you'll do when you arrive is meet with a representative from our company to begin your 25-day bird-watching vacation. This tour is a fantastic example of birds in love. While enjoying the lip-smacking taste of Juice or welcome coffee, you will be educated on what to expect throughout the tour and places to visit. After that, you'll check into your hotel and depending on the time and how everyone is feeling, we either relax at the hotel or go out for birding in the Botanical gardens to get introduced to the Uganda tropical birding game.
Day2: Birding Mabamba swamp and transfer to Mabira
After a delicious sunrise breakfast at the Lodge, you'll depart for Mabamba Bay for an unforgettable one-day bird-watching adventure. It is one of the few areas in Uganda where the endangered shoebill stork can be found. The Mabamba Swamp is located in Lake Victoria and is home to over 260 bird species. While here, we look out for; Blue swallows (depending on the month), Blue Breasted Bee-eater, White-faced Whistling Duck, African Water Rail, Goliath, Rufous Bellied and Purple Herons, Spur-winged and Pygmy Goose, African and Lesser Jacana, Long-toed Lapwing, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Carruther's and Winding Cisticolas and many other birds that can be seen in this area. The birding excursion will take place aboard a motorised canoe. This takes between two to four hours depending on the weather and luck of the day, then we shall get back to our car and drive to Mabira forest with a lunch stop enroute.
Day3: Birding Mabira and drive to Sipi
After an early morning breakfast, we shall begin with birding mabira forest, looking out for; Weyns’s Weaver, African Pied Hornbill, Forest Wood-Hoopoe, White-bellied, Blue-breasted, Dwarf and Shining Blue Kingfishers, Yellow-throated and Speckled Tinkerbirds, Toro Olive Greenbul and Yellow-eyed Bristlebill, Brown-chested and Fire-crested Alethe, Forest Robin and Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat and the other uncommon species like; Tit-Hylia, Grey and Yellow Longbill, Forest Robin, Brown-eared, Buff-spotted and Yellow-Crested Woodpecker, Narina Tragon, Purple Throated Cuckoo-shrike, White-spotted Flufftail. We later break off for lunch. After lunch, we drive slowly through the lake victoria swamps as we look out for Papyrus Cannery to sipi where we reach in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day4: Birding Mt. Elgon National Park
After a delectable breakfast, we go birdwatching on one of the certified birding trails. There are over 305 bird species in this area, including the black collared Apalis, cape rook, Jacksons, and moorland Francolins, Oriole Finch, Spotted Creeper, oustached Green Tinkerbird, Alpine Chat, White-starred Robin, Cape Robin-Chat, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Little Rock-Thrush, Nightingale, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Mountain Yellow Warbler, African Reed Warbler, Little Rush Warbler, Upcher’s Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff, the Uganda and Brown Woodland Warblers, Green Hylia, White-browed Crombec, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon and many more. This takes us the whole day and we get back to our lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day5: Birding to Pia-upe
Begin our day with a hearty breakfast at the lodge, followed by a gorgeous drive to the least visited birding haven of the eastern countryside, Pian-upe. We arrive in time for lunch and then check-in. After, we go for an evening birding trip in this beautiful extensive wildlife reserve in search for the Endemic Fox's Weaver, Karamoja, Grey and Yellow Bellied Apalises, Quail Finch and Plover, Secretary Bird, Four Banded Sandgrouse, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Fawn-coloured Lark, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Hartlaub’s Bustard, Jackson’s Hornbill, Hunter’s and Beautiful Sunbird, Stone Patridge always seen and heard by the bandas of Uganda Wildlife Authority and many more as we retire foe our dinner and overnight.
Day6: Morning Birding and drive to Moroto
Depending on what was missed on the last game drive, we start early with a morning birding safari then get back for a hot lunch and drive to Moroto in the afternoon. Moroto stop is important because it makes birding from Pia-upe to Kidepo relaxed and easier. It shortens the long distance and give chance to look for more birds that maybe be not seen if we drove straight. We stay at Karatunga tented camp
Day7: Birding to Kidepo via Metheniko and Bokora
Our day starts with a hot coffee then we emback on our drive for the whole day. We carry a packed lunch as we drive through Matheniko and Bokora wildlife reserves which are special habitats for several northern rarities. We look out for Bruce’s Green Pigeon, White-headed and White Billed Buffalo-Weavers not leaving out the White Browed Sparrow keep crossing and feeding on the road, Fox and Lesser Kestrel, Yellow Bellied Eremomela, White Bellied Canary are common on the drive not leaving out the Dark and Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Fantailed Raven, as you drive through Matheniko, be keen on the Buff Crest Bustard, Jackson and Red-billed Hornbill, Steel Blue Whydah, Greater, Superb and Lesser Blue-eared Starlings Purple Grenadier to mention but a few. We reach our lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day8: Morning Birding and night game drive
The idea is to see and hear the birds after a sunrise breakfast at the lodge. Kidepo Valley is a huge desert area where it is easy to see birds both close up and far away. The birding session will last roughly 4-5 hours in the morning, and there will be approximately 475 bird species to observe. Little green bee-eater, pygmy falcon, Karamoja Apalis, Kori bustard, ostrich, and others are among them. You'll return to the resort for some rest after the sunrise birdwatching adventure. A sunset game drive throughout the park in the evening would be the ideal way to close the day.
Day9: Kidepo Valley NP to Murchison fall NP
Take an early game drive around the Nurus valley, where you may watch the birds and animals awaken for the day for 2-3 hours. You'll see warthogs, several antelope species, African elephants, Cape Buffaloes, and more. After that, return to the lodge for breakfast before departing for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest and oldest national park. Lunch will be served en route as you make your way to Masindi. Dinner and a pleasant nap late in the evening to greet your intestines.
Day10: Morning game drive and Afternoon boat cruise
Get up early in the morning for a gratifying activity in Murchison Falls National Park's northern and southern sections. You'll be out in the woods for three to four hours, taking in the breathtaking scenery, plants, and other sights. The park's northern savannah grassland is home to a variety of animals, birds, and primates, including lions, leopards, warthogs, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, and more. Before returning to the lodge for lunch, come to an arrangement with the camera and binoculars.
In the afternoon, you'll take a boat ride to the bottom of the Falls, where you'll get a clear view of the thundering falls crashing into the 7-meter-deep valley that leads to the Nile. This website is incredible. On the boat, keep an eye out for a variety of water birds, as well as a school of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and other animals. Dinner, a campfire experience, and an overnight stay at the lodge round out the day.
Day11: Full day birding at Budongo forest
Breakfast will be followed by the start of the day's program. You will travel on a tour to Budongo Forest, which is home to over 360 different bird species in the country. A stay in Budongo forest, where the big Mahogany trees are home to a variety of birds, is a must. The chocolate-backed kingfisher, crowned eagle, yellow-footed fly catcher, sylvietta denti, smithornis, parmoptila, fistulator, and other species are among them. Lunch will be taken between the two birding sessions, followed by dinner and a relaxing nap at dusk.
Day12: Depart Murchison for Kibale forest NP
Discover the magic of the path that connects Murchison National Park and Kibale Forest, Africa's monkey capital. It's a full-day drive with a lunch stop and other amenities. In the countryside, you'll see people having fun, African huts strewn about, and more. Arrive late in the evening and check-in at the Lodge, where you'll finish the day with dinner and a relaxing snooze.
Day13: Half day bird watching and Isunga cultural community experience
This day is dedicated to birds and the Isunga cultural community. Early in the morning, you'll have roughly four hours with the birds. Kibale National Park is home to over 350 bird species, the majority of which you will see during your expedition, including six that are native to the area. These and other birds to search for while ticking off your checklist include the yellow-spotted nicator, African green pigeon, Barn swallow, white-shrike-fly catcher, brown eared woodpecker, and more. Return to the resort for lunch after the morning session, and then call it a day after dancing and singing with one of Uganda's greatest cultural communities, the Isunga cultural community. The day ends with dinner and an overnight stay.
Day14: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp
Begin your day with a delectable breakfast at the Lodge, and then embark on the ultimate chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kibale Forest National Park. As you track your cuisines the chimps where they are grazing, playing, or napping, you will notice birds of the jungle. Chimpanzees have around 98 percent human-like DNA and a far closer resemblance when compared to humans. They communicate with over 25 sounds, and hearing to them chat is unforgettable. You spend over 2-5 hours looking find them, then an additional hour photographing them and photographing them at their home. After that, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. You can also go to Bigodi Swamp, one of Uganda's most famous Ramsar sites, to see Baboons and an amazing community of people and birds.
Day14: Full day birding at Semiliki Np
This day starts with a heavy breakfast meal at the lodge, and thereafter a Full day bird watching experience at Semiliki National Park; the birders Haven. This is home to over 40% bird species in Uganda.one other feature you will look out for in your stay is the Sempaya Hot springs in the forest, where most birds also dwell. You will seek to identify the over 460 bird species around the park; notably the storks, Turacos, eagles, egrets, woodpecker, cranes, and more. your will put the binoculars and camera on task for about 5-6 hours, with a Lunch break in the mix, and then an evening sunset return to the lodge for dinner and a peaceful nap.
Day15: Fort portal Crater tour and depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park
At daybreak, you will have breakfast, and thereafter checkout of the lodge for A transfer to the Medley of Wonders-Queen Elizabeth National Park. But first, there will be a crater lake tour, visiting and knowing about crater lakes, there formation and History. You will reach your Lodge at Queen Elizabeth national Park in the Afternoon, checking in for Lunch, and refreshment. Let this day end after dinner. Overnight stay at the Lodge.
Day16: Full day birding
After breakfast, you will do a morning birdwatching, and afternoon session after Lunch. Queen Elizabeth National Park has over 500 bird species in counting, some of which are endemic to the Albertine rift valley. The checklist is comprised of among others; Red-collared Babbler, Rwenzori Turaco, Kori bustard, cranes, guineafowls, stocks, Grauers swamp warbler, Breasted sunbirds, and more. In the evening, you will relax and watch the sunset, while waiting for dinner and overnight. Campfire to those who love is a great deal in this place.
Day17: Game drive and Afternoon boat cruise
Keep the Vibe of the place with a tasty breakfast Meal at the lodge, and thereafter a rewarding game drive at the Kisenyi area and other parts of the park, where you stand a chance of identifying the different mammals in the wilderness, notably, the warthogs, Cape Buffaloes, African elephants, giraffes, and more. Lunch comes in, as you seal the evening with a Boat cruise at Kazinga Channel- a place with a school of Hippos, crocodiles and more.
Day18: Transfer to Bwindi Via Ishasha sector
Start your day with a heavy breakfast meal at the lodge, and Later Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park, passing via the Ishasha Sector; famous for the tree climbing lions. A one-hour game drive in quest to spot one lazily lying at the tree branch is well-deserving, before Lunch. Thereafter, drive to your lodge with the view of the lush vegetation and undulating hills. The day is ended at the lodge in the evening, with dinner and overnight.
Day19: Bwindi birding day
After breakfast, you'll go meet the birds in their natural habitat. You'll spend the whole day with a birding book, binoculars, and camera in Mubwindi swamp and other bird habitats, figuring out the name, color, and characteristics of the avian species that come your way. The Rwenzori turaco, the lovely francolin, turacos, mountain Masked Apalis, Kori bustard, and others are among them. After your birding sessions, treat yourself to lunch and dinner before retiring to bed for a restful night's sleep.
Day20: Sunrise birding and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Start your day with a tasty breakfast meal at the lodge, and thereafter do some bird watching in and around the sector in which you are in. In the morning is when the birds are easily encountered, where they are feeding, and roaming. You will lookout for include the Regal bird, Black bee-eater, Mountain oriole, black-bee eater, Handsome spurfowl, giant king fisher and more. After the birding session, return to the lodge and checkout for a Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi- a place with Abundance of birds, cool Ambiance and more. Arrive at the lodge around Lake Bunyonyi and Relax in the evening, while waiting for dinner, campfire if there and a peaceful nap.
Day21: Relax and watch the birds
The two days begin with breakfast, followed by a birding excursion, Lunch, canoe ride, and then a lip-smacking dinner meal at the lodge. Lake Bunyonyi, as the name suggest on a local dialect “small birds” is where birders heart lies. Over 200 bird species call lake Bunyonyi home, and dwell at the lush forest cover; swamps and islands. The birders Know where they are, and will take you there. Some of the notable species are; the African harrier, grey crowned cranes, egrets, hawks, storks, herons and more. Dinner seals the days activity followed by a peaceful nap.
Day22: Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo Np
You will be left Lake Bunyonyi for Lake Mburo National Park, the closest national park to Kampala, after an early breakfast meal at the lodge. It takes a full day on the road, with plenty of fun and interesting sights to see along the way. There will be an en route break for lunch at one of the park's fascinating locations, and then you will be taken to your lodge in or near the park. You'll check in for a two-night stay that includes dinner and a campfire experience.
Day23 & 24: Time with the Antelopes and Birds
At sunrise, start your day in a fresh way with a heavy breakfast meal at the lodge, followed by a morning three-hour birding experience in the lush marshes of Lake Mburo national park. In each of the two days stay, your eyes will be feed with the sound and sites of the mammals and birds, ranging from the most sought-after to those endemic to the region. Lake Mburo National park is famous for its large concentration of Antelope species roaming freely around the vast savannah Land.
Impalas, Ugandan kobs, warthogs, oribis, zebras, cape buffaloes, African elephants, and more are on the list. The crested cranes, sought-after-shoebill stork, grey-crowned cranes, egrets, Kori-bustard, and other birds are among the birds on the list. An experienced ranger guide and bird will be on hand to ensure that you have much to see and learn in the mornings and nights of your two days. Evenings and dinners are prepared in a unique manner.
Day25: Departure
You will check out of the lodge after an early breakfast and depart for the agreed-upon drop-off place in Kampala or the Entebbe international airport. You will stop for an hour near the equator for lunch, photos, and to observe the demonstrations at the place where the marginal line divides the world into the northern and southern hemispheres.
