21
Days Uganda Birding Safari
Trip
Highlights:
- Uganda is the transitional point of the savannah of East
Africa and the western rainforests, making it Africa's most
complete and interesting birding destinations with over 1000
bird species.
- This is estimated to over 10% of the entire world's bird
population and almost half the bird species known on the African
Continent.
- Birding in Uganda is an exciting Haven to al bird lovers
- Gorilla tracking
- Game Drives
- Boat Cruise
- Chimpanzee Tracking |
Day 1: Arrival
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be
met by Muka East African Safari team to transfer to your
Accommodation, Your Driver/guide will advise you on where
to change your money and in case of any local purchases
for the Safari, Overnight at the Boma Guesthouse/Entebbe
Airport Guest house/ Gately Inn.
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Day 2: Mpanga
forest and Mburo National Park
After breakfast drive to Mpanga Forest carry out birding in
this unique forest. It is accessible on wide trail that offers
excellent views into the canopy and the impressive tall tree
atmosphere. Birds are plentiful and Mpanga forest would be
a good introduction to the forest birding in Uganda. Continue
to Masaka branching off to Lake Nabugabo. Look for Herons,
Lesser jacana and other water birds. Drive to Lake Mburo National
Park. Dinner and overnight at Mantana safari Lodge,/Mihingo
lodge / Rwonyo Camp.
Day 3: Game drive and birding
This is the best and in some cases the only place in Uganda
to see the typically savanna bird species these include; -
the Red-faced Barbet, a scarce bird whose range is restricted
to a small area in southern Uganda, eastern Rwanda and extreme
north western Tanzania. |
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| In the morning carry
out game drive Lake Mburo National Park; the park contains
a large extensive area of wetland. It harbors several species
of mammals including Zebras, Impalas, Elands, Topi and Buffaloes.
The bird population is rich, including Green backed woodpecker,
African Finfoot, Brown-chested Plover, Southern Ground Hornbill,
Spot-flanked, Red-faced and Black-collared Barbets; White–winged
Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Carruthers Cisticola, Papyrus
Gonolek, Yellow-billed Oxpecker and Northern Brown-throated
Weaver. Dinner and overnight at Mihingo Safari Lodge/Mantana
tented Camp/ Rwonyo Rest Camp. |
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Day 4: Transfer
to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast we depart for Kabale onto Lake Bunyonyi
a local word that translates “ Lake of small birds”.
Upon arrival at Ruhinda, a motor boat will take you to either
Bushara Island or Habaharo Island over 100 species of birds
can be found on these islands, even an evening self guided
walk. Overnight Habaharo Island/Bushara Island.
Day 5: Muko and Nyombe
Visit Muko and Nyombe swamps for swamp endemics. This can
be combines with a local village walk and canoe trip to
other nearby islands. Overnight Habaharo Island/Bushara
Island. |
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Day 6: Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park (Nkuringo)
After breakfast, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Nkuringo is located up on Nteko Ridge about 2160M AS on the
southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Bwindi is excellent
forest birding, not least the prospect of numerous rare and
localized Albertine Rift endemics, makes this a true birding
paradise. Overnight and Dinner Nkuringo Gorilla Camp/Clouds
Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
Day 7: Gorilla tracking
After an early breakfast, report to the ranger station for
registration and briefing by one of the ranger guides. Head
into the forest in search of the Gorillas, the time taken
and the terrain vary with the movement of these great giants.
Depending on the time of return, a community guided walk will
be organized with visits to the Batwa/pygmies, traditional
doctors and blacksmith, this will be summed up with entertainment
from the Local Youth group members, Dinner and overnight at
the same as above. |
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Day 8: Walking
Safari to Buhoma
After breakfast and you will be met by Nkuringo Walking Safari
guide to start a 7 hour walk through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest,
here you will cross numerous streams. Bwindi ranks the best
bird watching in Uganda and Africa as well, as having been
voted as number one hot spot in Africa. It is home to over
23 highly-localized Albertine Rift endemics.Special birds
include Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Grauer's Warbler, Banded
Prinia, Black-faced Apalis, Black-throated Apalis, Mountain
Masked Apalis, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher,
Ashy Flycatcher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Chapin's Flycatcher,
Chin-spot Batis, Rwenzori Batis, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher,
White-bellied Crested-flycatcher, Pale-breasted Illadopsis,
Mountain Illadopsis, African Hill-Babbler, Dusky Tit, |
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| Blue-throated Brown
Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird,
Grey-headed Sunbird, Mackinnon's Fiscal, Sooty Boubou, Pink-footed
Puffback, Doherty's Bush-shrike, White-naped Raven, Montane
Oriole, African Golden Oriole, Stuhlmann's Starling, Narrow-tailed
Starling, Waller's Starling, Strange Weaver, Brown-capped
Weaver, Black-billed Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, Yellow-bellied
Waxbill, Magpie Mannikin, Yellow-crowned Canary, Thick- billed
Seedeater, Streaky Seedeater, African Green Broadbill, Shelly's
Crimsonwing, Oriole Finch, Mountain Buzzard, Ayre's Hawk-eagle,
Handsome Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, Barred Long-tailed
Cuckoo, African Wood-Owl, Rwenzori Nightjar, Scarce Swift,
Bar-tailed Trogon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Black Bee-eater,
(Western) Bronze-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Tullberg's
Woodpecker, Elliot's Woodpecker, African Broadbill, Western
Green Tinkerbird, African Green Broadbill, Lagdens Bush Shrike,
Petit's Cuckoo-shrike, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Archer's Ground
Robin, Toro Olive-Greenbul, Ansorge's Greenbul, Equatorial
Akalat, White-bellied Robin-chat, Olive Thrush, White-tailed
Ant-Thrush, Grauer's Rush-warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Neumann's
Warbler and Red faced Woodland-Warbler. Overnight and Dinner
Gorilla forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge/ Buhoma Community Camp. |
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Day 9: Bwindi
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today, we shall start early after breakfast and drive to Queen
Elizabeth National Park. We may either drive through Ishasha
sector popularly known for climbing lions or drive through
the beautiful scenaries of Rukungiri district. In terms of
diversity, Queen Elizabeth National Park ranks best in birding
Uganda with over 610 species recorded, and a one-day record
of 296 species.
Special birds of this park that include Harlequin Quail, Blue
Quail, Small (Common) Buttonquail, African Crake, White-winged
Warbler, Martial Eagle, African Skimmer, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl,
Papyrus Gonolek, Amur Falcon, Ovampo Sparrowhawk. Lowland
Akalat, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Shoebill, Black Bee-eater,
Caruthers's Cisticola, Terek Sandpiper, Secretary Bird, and
Temminck's Courser. Mammals include African Elephant, Spotted
Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Ugandan Kobs, Side-striped Jackal, Baboons,
Chimpanzees, Bush and Water Bucks, Warthogs, Giant Forest
Hogs to mention but a few. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari
Lodge/ Jacana Safari Lodge/ Ishasha Wilderness Camp. |
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Day 10:
Birding, Game drive and Boat cruise
After breakfast we set out for a whole day game and bird
watching drive in the park. Later in the afternoon you have
an exciting boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. This is
a narrow neck of water that connects Lakes George and Edward,
with excellent photographic opportunities for waterside
birds and abundant Hippopotamus. Amongst the birds you are
likely to encounter include African Skimmer, Striated Heron,
African Spoonbill, Water Thick-knee, Three-banded Plover,
Marsh, Green, Wood and Common Sandpiper, Gray-headed Gull,
Plain Martin Lesser Swamp-Warbler and Yellow-billed Oxpecker.
Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge/ Jacana Safari
Lodge/ Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Day 11: Maramagambo Forest - Kibaale National Park
After an early breakfast, we head for Maramagambo forest.
A few specialties at maramagambo forest include the Yellow-bellied
and Jameson's Wattle-eyes, Black Bee-eater, White-tailed
and Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Brown and Grey-chested Illadopsis,
Shinning Blue Kingfisher, Brown-eared Woodpeckers, Narina
Trogon, Least Honeyguide, Grey Greenbul, Brown-chested Alethe.
The trail through the forest leads past a bat cave, which
is rather impressive, and if we are lucky we may come across
a Python that lives in the cave and feasts on the bats.
In the afternoon to Fort Portal, overnight and accommodation
at drive to Ndali Lodge / Primate Lodge/ Chimpanzee Forest
Guest house.
Day 12: Transfer to Semiliki Wildlife Reserve
After breakfast transfer to Semiliki Wildlife Reserve birding
en route. Birds to watch for are the crested Francolin and
the helmeted guinea foulbrood-billed roller, green wood
hoopoe. Overnight and dinner at Semiliki Lodge. |
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Day 13: Birding
in Semiliki
Whole day birding in this beautiful game reserve and key species
include shoebill, African pygmy goose,red necked Falcon, Abyssinian
ground hornbill, blue breasted bee-eater, Black billed Barbet,
piacpiac leaflove and Black –chinned quail finch. Community
walks and visits to the Hot springs. Overnight Semiliki Lodge
Day 14: Kibaale – Chimpanzee Tracking
Upon arrival, proceed to Kibaale National Park visitors’
reception for briefing for the afternoon Chimp trek. Kibale
Forest is reputable for the greatest variety and highest concentration
of primates in East Africa. Birding in the afternoon along
the main road may be productive. Kibale National Park is a
good site for a number of birds that are hard to find elsewhere
including Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Cabanis's Greenbul
and Joyful Greenbul as well as White-spotted Flufftail, Dusky
and Olive Long tailed Cuckoo, Lesser Honeyguide, Blue-shouldered
Robin Chat, White-chinned Prinia, Grey Apalis, Olive-green
Camaroptera and White-collared Oliveback. Overnight and accommodation
at drive to Ndali Lodge / Primate Lodge/ Chimpanzee Forest
Guest house |
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Day 15:
Birding and Nature Walk
After breakfast, we have another chance for birding in the
forest. The results of the previous will determine to either
birding to Sebitoli Section or birding Kanyancu area. In
the afternoon visit the Top of the world and nearby crater
lakes for a guided nature walk. Overnight and accommodation
at drive to Ndali Lodge / Primate Lodge/ Chimpanzee Forest
Guest house
Day 16: Budongo Forest
Take a long drive to Budongo Nature Reserve, passing though
verdant countryside and traditional homesteads and farms
on a dusty and bumpy road. Depending on time of arrival,
there may be chance for birding along the way at Busingiro
Section of Budongo forest. Budongo is one of the most extensive
forests in East Africa and is famous for it’s various
bird species and chimpanzees. Special Species to look out
for include the yellow-footed flycatcher, black-shouldered
nightjar, and African wood orol; the white crested Turaco,
piping hornbill. Dinner and overnight at Kaniyo Pabidi
Day 17: Royal Mile
This is the Uganda's historically known leisure spot for
the traditional King, hence the name Royal Mile
Early breakfast, continue birding in Busingiro section in
search for birds such as the spotted greenbul, lemon-bellied
crombec, the banded snake eagle, black bishop, Ituri Batis,
the green-breasted pitta, chocolate backed kingfisher, cassins
hawk eagle, black eared ground thrush, Grey headed oliveback
and the shinning blue kingfishers. Other fauna to look out
for include the chimpanzees, baboons, potto, black fronted
drinker, blue drinker, blue monkey, black and white colobus,
and the giant forest squirrel. Dinner and overnight at Nile
Safari Lodge/ Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 18: Game Drive, Birding and Top of the fall
After breakfast, we may take a game drive to the delta and
thereafter a trip to the top of the falls. Special birds
to look for include Shoebill, Secretary Bird, Abyssinian
Roller and Ground Hornbill, Pied Kingfishers, Red-throated
Bee-eaters, Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis,
Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Senegal Thick-knee, Water Thick-knee,
Black-headed Lapwing, Long-toed Lapwing, Little Bittern,
Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Vinaceous
Dove and Grosbeak Weaver. Other specials include Buff-bellied
Warbler, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Bar-breasted Firefinch,
Red-winged Grey Warbler, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Marabou
Stork, Red-throated Bee-eater, Silver bird, Beautiful Sunbird,
Black-headed Gonolek, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Golden-backed
Weaver and White-rumped Seedeater, Pels Fishing Owl, White
Crested Turaco, Vinaceous Dove, Senegal Thicknee, Bruce’s
Green Pigeon, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Carmine Bee-eater,
Night jars (Pennant-winged &Standard-winged), White
rumped canary etc. Overnight and Dinner at Paraa Safari
Lodge/ Nile Safari Lodge. |
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Day 19: Murchison
– Mabira Forest
After an early breakfast, drive to Mabira Forest; arrive late
evening with chances to see the marabou stork, black kite
and the hooded vulture. Mabira forest reserve is the largest
block of moist semi-deciduous forest remaining in central
Uganda and contains almost 300 different bird species. Among
those to look out for one the Nahans Francolin, the blue headed
Crested Fly Catcher, leaf love,
Grey spotted wood pecker, Black shouldered Night Jar, Violet
beaked starting, Capuchin Babbler, Yellow rumped Tinker bird
and the Grey long bill. Lunch break and continue birding in
the evening. Lookout also for other primates likes monkeys.
Overnight and dinner at Rain forest Lodge
Day
20: Relax at the Source of the Nile
After morning bird watching in Mabira Forest, proceed to Jinja
for a boat cruise or just relax at the Haven Lodge , Overnight
and Dinner the Haven
Day 21: Transfer to
the Airport
Depending on your flight, you will be transferred from Jinja
directly to the Airport. |
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