Safari overview
Uganda stands undisputed as Africa’s premier birding destination, boasting over 1,056 avian species. This remarkable diversity is owed to its unique geographical position, bridging East African savannas, West African rainforests, and the arid landscapes of the north. With varied habitats including savannahs, wetlands, and volcanic regions, Uganda offers an unparalleled birding experience. Key species not to be missed include the endangered Shoebill, Emerald Cuckoo, Fluftail, Egrets, and Great Blue Turacos. Bird watchers and enthusiasts alike should look no further than Uganda, the ‘Pearl of Africa’, for their next avian adventure.
Upon arrival at the Airport you will be met and welcomed by our representative who will transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe. Depending on your time of arrival you can be able to go birding later on at the Botanical gardens.
The most common bird species are Ruff, Wood, Common, Marsh Sandpipers, Common Green Shank, Long-tailed and Great Cormorants, Madagascar Bee-eater, Green Crombec, Orange weaver, Entebbe Weaver (an endemic to Uganda that was recorded at the site only once), White spotted Fluftail .
Overnight at: Boma Hotel
Meal plan Dinner
After breakfast drive to the Mabamba bay, the only place and site (so far rated as the best in Africa and/or the whole world) where the elusive Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) can be spotted at any one time of the day. Other bird species to watch out for include; Rey-headed Gull, White Winged Terns, Madagascar Bee-eater, Yellow Billed Egret, Long toed Plover.
Have lunch and in the afternoon you could have a walk along the tracks on the main road in search of more birds then you expect to see the Black Crake, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, Cape Wagtail, Swamp Flightier, Winding Cisticola, Blue- Breasted Bee- eater, Red Chested Sunbird and many more.
Overnight at: Cassia Lodge
Meal plan Breakfast/ lunch/ dinner
Early morning drive to Fort Portal where you will arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon go birding in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary that is found 5 km after Kibale Forest National Park on the road to Kamwenge. Birding is a major activity around the swamp with paths cut and areas of the swamp board walked to give access to areas of the swamp that would be otherwise inaccessible. Specialties for Bigodi include Great Blue Turaco, Black Billed Turaco and White Spotted Crake.
You will have an opportunity to go for a community walk in Bigodi for experiences like African homesteads, Banana bonga products, chimpanzee robusta coffee experience, traditional healers/doctors, handcraft making (ladies weaving baskets and cultural dances), cultural weddings, iron smith, and milking experiences.
Overnight at: Isunga lodge
Meal plan Breakfast/ lunch/ dinner
After breakfast, the activity is the chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest National Park and along the way you will see a number of bird species which include: black-capped apalis, blue-headed sunbird, collared apalis, dusky crimsonwing, purple-breasted sunbird and red-faced woodland warbler.
Other Kibale specials include the African pitta, green breasted pitta, black bee-eater, yellow spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, black-eared ground thrush, brownchested alethe, blue-breasted kingfisher, Abyssinian groundthrush, and the crowned eagle. nHave lunch and in the afternoon drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is home to total of 604 different bird species. Key species: African Skimmer, Black Rumped Button Quail, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Red Footed Falcon, Lesser Flamingoes, Grey Capped Warbler, White’s and Abdim’s Storks (in season), Amur Falcon, Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Wooly-necked and Saddle-billed Storks, and numerous classes of Raptors, Vultures and Plovers etc. Birding in the evening and over night and dinner.
Overnight at: Buffalo Safari lodge
Meal plan: breakfast/lunch/dinner
After breakfast you will take off time in specific tracks of the park birding alongside the game drive game drive in which you will may encounter wildlife as lions, hippos, buffaloes, leopard, spotted hyena, elephants and the elusive giant forest hog in this park. All these are regularly sighted around the Mweya Peninsula. In the afternoon go for the boat cruise along Kazinga Channel, where the concentration of water birds and photographs is extraordinary. After transfer to Ishasha sector.
A variety of birds grace the grasses on the channel’s edge and these may include the Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Great and Long-tailed Cormorants, Open-billed Stork, African Jacana, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers. There is also a Bird Observatory here, which was set up with the aim of studying both migratory and resident birds. Since its inception in 1997 more new species have been identified, including Uganda’s first record of the Bar-tailed Godwit.
Overnight at: Topi Safari Lodge
Meal plan: breakfast/lunch/dinner
After breakfast, game drive and birding in the southern region of the park the Ishasha Sector where you will have a chance to see the tree climbing lions that enjoy lying on the top of fig trees during the hot hours of the day. After lunch, proceed to Bwindi National Park. Though the gorillas are its most famous inhabitants, Bwindi is also noted for its biodiversity and the richness of its flora and fauna. The diversity of birds in Bwindi National Park is extremely high, representing one of the forest’s avian in Africa. The bird list for the park currently totals 334 species, 67 non-forest-dependent species, and 182 forest-dependent species.
Thirteen of these species occur nowhere else in Uganda, seven are not known to occur done or two other East African forests. Rare species include the spectacular globally threatened endemics like the African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimson wing. Overnight and dinner
Overnight at: Bakiga Safari Lodge
Meal plan: breakfast/lunch/dinner
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking expedition by rising early and donning the recommended attire: long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking shoes, a jacket, a hat, and sturdy gloves to brave the forest’s unpredictable weather. After a satisfying breakfast and packing a lunch, meet your safari guide and head to the park information center for a comprehensive pre-trek briefing. Here, you’ll receive essential guidance on etiquette, expectations, and safety protocols when encountering these majestic creatures.
Joined by a group of eight fellow trekkers, each assigned a specific gorilla family to track, accompanied by armed rangers and an experienced guide, embark on an adventurous journey into the forest. Traverse various trails, ranging from 45 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the gorilla family’s location and movement. Mental and physical preparedness are crucial for navigating the rugged terrain, with the option to select a family closer to your fitness level for a more comfortable trek.
As you delve into the forest’s depths, keep a keen eye out for other wildlife like forest elephants, L’Hoest monkeys, and a myriad of bird species, including the endemic Red-throated Alethe. Upon encountering your assigned gorilla family, relish an hour in their presence, observing the intricate dynamics of the group under the watchful eye of the dominant silverback. Maintain a respectful distance, refrain from direct eye contact, and adhere to your guide’s instructions for a safe and enriching experience.
After your magical hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point to receive your trekking certificate as a token of appreciation for supporting gorilla conservation efforts. Proceed to your lodge for dinner and the overnight
Overnight at:Bakiga Safari Lodge
Meal plan: breakfast/lunch/dinner
Have breakfast go for birding the whole day in the Rujija sector of Bwindi National Park. Ruhiija is likely to be one of the highlights of any trip to Uganda with excellent birding in spectacular surroundings. Birds are both plentiful and easy to see; many species associating in mixed feeding flocks that are active throughout the day.
An early start offers the best chance of finding the striking handsome Francolin, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, western Green Tinker bird, Mountain and yellow-streaked Greenbuls, Mountain marked and chestnut-throated Apalises, red-faced woodland Warbler, Rwenzori batis, white-tailed crested Flycatcher and many more. After transfer to lake Bunyonyi for Overnight and dinner .
Overnight at: Bird Nest Bunyonyi
Meal plan: breakfast/lunch/dinner
In the morning, have a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi for birding. The lake is one of the most popular destinations for birding and the guide will help you spotting birds by stopping over in different islands. Bird species include: Pied kingfisher, Malachite kingfisher, Cinnamon chested bee eater, Bronze sun bird, Knobed coot. Very rare, Pied wagtail, Black crake, Common stonechat, Grey shrike, Grey crowned crested crane, Hadada ibis, Swamp fly catcher, Black heron, Great commrant, Fan tailed widow bird, Streaky seed eater, Speckled mouse bird, Pin tailed whyder, Bronze manikin, Black headed weaver.
Have lunch in Kabale and from there proceed to Lake Mburo where you will have a game drive as you enter the park. Overnight and dinner.
Overnight at: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Meal plan: breakfast/lunch/dinner
Have a morning drive and go birding in the park. The park has about 313 different bird species which include the rare Shoebill stork, White-winged Warblers, Black-billed Barbet, Crested Francolin, Brown Parrot, Red necked Spur, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Temminck’s Courser, common Quails, Greenwood Hoopoe, Blue-napped Mouse bird, Barefaced Go-away bird, African-Grey Hornbill, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola, Lilac-breasted Roller, Coqui Francolin, Red necked spur fowl, Black Bellied Bustard, African-wattled Plover Rufous napped and Flappet larks, Rufous chested Swallow , Southern Red Bishop and Yellow-throated Long claw among others.
You will check out headed for Entebbe with a brief stop at the equator for photographic moments and lunch en route and later be transferred to the Airport for your flight out.
Meal plan: breakfast / lunch
Package price includes:
l Boat excursions
l Entrance fees, taxes
l Safaris and activities included in the program
l Mabamba swamps
l Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest($250)
l English speaking Birding Driver/Guide
l All the transfer in private means 4×4 ordinary Land Cruiser t
l Accommodation in hotels or lodge/bandas, in double room, full board treatment
l Gorilla trekking permit($800)
Price excludes;
l Tips
l Travel entry visa
l Travel insurance
l Laundry, Telephone and souvenirs
l Domestic and international flights