This is a 10 days safari starting and ending in Kampala. This safari takes you to different important bird areas of Uganda habituating different bird species.
You will get orientated on the Ugandan birding safari from Entebbe and its surrounding environments. The lake shores and the neighboring wetlands are characterized by a number of water birds and wetland birds. An extension to the Mabamba swamp will give you an opportunity to see different wetland birds including the rare shoebill stork.
The safari will later take you to Lake Mburo National park, the best place where you can view Elands, Antelopes, as well as Zebras, Topi, Impala, and several Acacia -associated birds. The five lakes within the park attract Hippos, Crocodiles and a variety of water birds, while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the Sitatunga Antelope and Red, Black and Yellow Papyrus Gonalek. On the boat ride different bird species can be seen which include the Brown Chested Plover, Red Faced Barbet, Southern Ground Hornbill, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, African Finfoot, and Black Collard Barbet among others.
The safari also precedes to Queen Elizabeth national park, probably one of the highest biome nature reserves in the world. The park boasts of over 606 bird species including both native and migrant bird species. The Kazinga channel is a haven for birders given the existence of various bird species at the lake shores as well as large congregations of Gull-billed Terns (maximum 1200 on Kazinga Channel and African Skimmers.
From Bwindi impenetrable national park, you will not only go birding but also track the few of the remaining world giants-the mountain gorillas. The park has got all 24 of the Albertine Rift endemic species including African Green Broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher and Shelley’s Crimson-wing among others. Other interesting birds in the park include the African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimson wing, Black–faced Rufous, Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Banded Prinia, Black-faced Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis and the Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher. An expedition to the magical spot of Lake Bunyonyi in the Switzerland of Africa is another memorable adventure since it translates as ‘a place of little birds’.
Gorilla Tour itinerary
Day 1 Entebbe
Our safari guide will pick you from your hotel and transfer you to Entebbe for bird watching around the shores of Lake Victoria. From the lake shores and wetlands search for birds such as for Blue Monarch, Brown Twin Spots, Fain tailed Widow bird, Moustached Warbler, White headed Barbets, Black headed Gonolek, Striped Kingfisher, African Pied hornbill, Diederik’s Cuckoo, Black Bishop, among others. After lunch, visit the Uganda Wildlife Education centre where you will see different birds such as Ostriches, African grey parrots, the Peacock, crested cranes, Egyptian goose among others. Return to your accommodation establishment for dinner and overnight.
Day 2 Mabamba Swamp
After early breakfast you will set off Mabamba Wetland also found at the shores of Lake Victoria. This is the nearest birding destination where the rare Shoebill stork can be seen. Other birds that can e seen include the Lesser Jacana, Black-Shouldered Nightjar, Blue Swallow, Blue Breasted Bee-Eater, White Winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek among others. Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, having lunch enroute. Dinner and Overnight at Mantana Tented Camp/
Day 3 Lake Mburo NP
Early in the morning carry out a game drive through Lake Mburo National Park. On the drive different animals as well as birds habituated in savannah grasslands and woodlands can be seen. Punctuated with many lakes surrounded by swamps, the park has also attracted various water-loving bird species. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Relax as you wait for your lunch. After lunch proceed to the lake for a boat ride. On the boat ride several animals such as crocodiles, hippopotamuses and birds like Pelicans, Black crake, Heron, cormorant, fish eagle, you may also sight the rare Shoebill Stork may be seen. In the evening transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park. Dinner and Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge/ Jacana Safari Lodge |
Day 4 Mbarara - Queen Elizabeth NP
Early morning adventure in the Maramagambo Forest (part of Queen Elizabeth Park). From this tropical moist forest you will see different forest birds such as Hornbills, Kingfishers and Sunbirds. Other highlights are Bat Cave where thousands of Egyptian Fruit Bats stay, a small bluish transparent Blue Lake and Hunter's Cave. Proceed to Mweya reaching in time for a launch cruise on Kazinga channel. On the cruise different waterbirds such as Pelican, Saddle-bill Stork, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana and Kingfisher can be seen
Day 5 Queen Elizabeth NP
Early in the morning take a game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the savanna grassland and woodlands, different birds can be seen which include the Martial Eagle, Lesser Flamingoes, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African Skimmer, Ovampo Sparrow hawk, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, White-tailed Lark, Saddle-billed Storks, Red Footed Falcon, Papyrus Gonolek and Papyrus Canary among others. Return to the lodge for lunch in the evening visit the Katwe salt works and please don’t forget to keep an eye out for the different birds at this salty lake and the neighboring lush environments.
Day 6 Queen Elizabeth NP -Bwindi NP
After breakfast drive to Bwindi while birding on the way. The drive will take you through the Ishasha sector, a famous home for the tree climbing lions or take you through cultivated expanses of the local people. Arriving at around noon, have lunch, and later embark on an afternoon birding session around the Buhoma area. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Homestead/ Buhoma Community Bandas
Day 7 Bwindi Gorilla NP
Wake up very early for gorilla tracking in this dense tropical Afromontane forest. Seeing the few elusive gentle giants moving in families is quite a memorable experience which cant easily be got any where in Africa. On the search for these World Giants from the steeper forested sides, different birds as well as other primates can be seen. After having packed lunch if time permits, take on a forest walk through the different trails where you may get the chance to see the Albertine Rift endemics such as African Green Broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher and Shelley’s Crimson-wing. Other interesting bird species that can be seen include the African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimson wing, Black–faced Rufous, Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Banded Prinia, Black-faced Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis and the Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher among others. Dinner and Overnight at Buhoma Home stead/ Buhoma community Bandas
Day 8 Bwindi –Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast check out of the hotel and drive to Kabale while birding on the way. After checking in at the lodge, carry out some birding around the shores of Lake Bunyonyi. Relax in the evening at this beautiful island. Dinner and Overnight
Day 9 Lake Bunyonyi
After having breakfast, take on a morning boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi visiting the Islands where different species of birds and migratory birds from Europe can be seen. A visit to the Akampene Island where the Bakiga used to dump unmarried pregnant girls is anther memorable adventure you can take on this island. Return to the Lodge for Lunch. Relax in the beautiful “Switzerland of Africa” as you prepare for your return to Kampala the next day.
Day 10 Lake Bunyonyi-Kampala
After breakfast drive to Kampala, having enroute lunch. Arrival in Kampala late afternoon.
END OF SAFARI
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