Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe airport – Kampala.
Upon arrival you will meet
by our driver/guide at Entebbe airport, depending on the time of arrival,
evening birding at Botanical gardens in Entebbe, then later transfer to Entebbe
for overnight stay and dinner.
Accommodation at Viavia Guest House (Comfort)
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Birding in Mabamba Swamp.
Early morning after
breakfast, continue with a birding safari to Mabamba swamp for shoebill stork.
Birding in the evening & stay at the lodge.
Accommodation at Viavia Guest House (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Kampala – Jinja
Early morning after
breakfast, go for Birding in Mabira Forest and afternoon visit the source
of the Nile in Jinja.
Accommodation at Jinja Nile resort (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Jinja – White water rafting on river Nile
Today you will spend the
whole day white water rafting on the Nile waterfalls in Jinja.
Accommodation at Cassia Lodge (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Drive to Murchison falls National Park
After breakfast, we drive
to Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National Park is
Uganda’s largest National Park (3893sq.km) and it protects a huge chunk of
untamed savannah bisected by the mighty River Nile. Today it is part of the
even much larger Murchison Falls Protected Area (5072sq.km) which includes the
adjoining Karuma and Bugungu Wildlife Reserves. It is named for the dramatic
Murchison Falls where by the World’s longest river explodes violently through a
narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge in a frothing pool 43 m
below. It is one of Uganda’s oldest conservation areas; it was initially
gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 to protect a savannah that Winston Churchill
described in 1907 as ‘Kew Gardens and the Zoo combined on an unlimited scale.
The park has 76 mammal species including; the lion, elephant, leopard,
hippopotamus, Rothschild giraffe, Cape buffalo, hartebeest, oribi, warthog, and
the Uganda Kob. The park also hosts over 550 bird species including the rare
Shoebill Stork.
Accommodation at Pakuba Safari Lodge (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Murchison falls national park.
After breakfast, we have a
game drive to the rolling plains where you will have chances of viewing;
Hartebeest, Lions, Buffalo, Primates, Mongoose, Giraffe and Elephants. After
lunch, we will have an afternoon launch cruise where you have chances to view
huge Nile Crocodiles, big Pods of Hippos, and other wildlife. You will also be
able to see a wide variety of water birds like; the Shoebill, Secretary Bird,
Abyssinian Roller and Ground Hornbill, Pied Kingfishers and many more.
Accommodation at Pakuba Safari Lodge (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Budongo royal miles.
Game drive to Budongo royal
miles for the first forest birds in the Budongo Forest. We bird Budongo’s
famous Royal Mile in the early morning. It is a wide forestry track considered
by many to be the country’s premier forest birding locality. This is the best
place in Uganda for Nahan’s Francolin, Cassin’s Spinetail, and Chestnut-capped
Flycatcher. There are many confusing forest Greenbuls to test us including;
Spotted, Xavier’s, White-throated, Red-tailed and Honeyguide Greenbuls. Canopy
flocks support Yellow-mantled Weaver, Rufous Thrush and Uganda Woodland
Warbler. The undergrowth along the track holds numerous skulkers including;
Scaly-breasted, Brown and Pale-breasted Illadopses, Fire-crested Alethe,
Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush,
Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Yellow Long-bill, and Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher.
We will keep an eye on any openings in the forest canopy such as; Cassin’s and
Crowned Hawk Eagles, Cassin’s and Sabine’s Spinetails, and White-throated
Bee-eaters are all possible. The area around the Park Headquarters is the only
site in East Africa for the elusive canopy dwelling Ituri Batis.
Accommodation at the Masindi Hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Masindi – Semuliki
Drive to Semuliki
national park while birding on the way and Lunch we have a stopover at a
restaurant en-route to the park.
Accommodation at the Semiliki Safari Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Semuliki national park.
The whole day birding in
Semuliki to look for endemic birds. Semliki Forest represents the only example
of Congo-Basin vegetation in Uganda. A large number of Guinea-Congo biome
species reach their eastern limits here, which is one of the richest for forest
birds in the country. No less than 131 of the 144 Guinea -Congo forest Biome
species have been recorded in Semliki Forest, as well as 31 Guinea Congo Biome
species, and 39 others that are only known from Semliki antional park in
Uganda. Other species such as White-tailed/Piping Hornbill (also recorded in
Budongo forest reserve), Capuchin Babbler and Blue-headed, Crested flycatcher
are now known from Mabira forest reserve, the Orange weaver is common along the
northern shores of Lake Victoria and the Red-billed Malimbe has been recorded
from Kibale National Park.
Accommodation at the Semiliki Safari Lodge (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Semuliki forest – Kibale
After breakfast, we drive
to Kibale forest National park, with a Community visit and birding in
Bigodi Swamp in the evening.
Accommodation at the Kibale Forest Camp (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Kibale forest national park
After an early breakfast, we
drive to Kibale National Park visitor center for briefing and chimp
tracking. The activity may last from a few hours to several hours. Kibale
forest is home to 13 primates of Uganda. 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; the Speckle-breasted
Woodpecker, Cabanis’s Greenbul and Joyful Greenbul as well as White-spotted
Flufftail, Dusky and Olive Long-tailed Cuckoos, Lesser Honey guide,
Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, White-chinned Prinia, Grey Apalis, Olive-green
Camaroptera, White-collared Oliveback and Blue Breasted Piffa.
Accommodation at the Kibale Forest Camp (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park
After Breakfast, drive to
Queen Elizabeth national park while having an amazing view of the Rwenzori
Mountain ranges. This park was named after the Queen of England who visited it
in 1954 & is the second largest national park in Uganda. It boasts
the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world. This is
evidenced by the presence of open Savannah, rain-forest, dense papyrus swamps
and brooding crater lakes, and the vast Lake Edward. Evening Game drive at
leisure with advise from your guide and time available.
Accommodation at Kasenyi Safari Camp (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Queen Elizabeth national park
There will be a morning game
drive searching for; Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Waterbucks,
Warthorgs and many more. After lunch, you have an exotic and exciting launch
trip on the Kazinga Channel. The launch trip is one of the most exciting water
activities in Uganda. The Kazinga channel is a narrow neck of water that
connects Lakes George and Edward, with excellent photographic opportunities for
waterside birds and abundant Hippopotamus, huge families of buffalos, and
elephants. And you are likely to encounter some bird species as well.
Accommodation at Kasenyi Safari Camp (Comfort) or Mweya Safari lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Transfer to Bwindi.
You start early after
breakfast, We will also drive through the Ishasha section where, if lucky, you
may be able to view tree climbing lions and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Park
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to approximately half of the world
endangered population of Mountain Gorillas. This vast reserve offers arguably
the most productive montane forest birding in Africa and supports 23 of
Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift endemic bird species. Once part of a much larger
forest that included the Virunga Volcanoes in neighbouring Rwanda, Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park is now an ecological island within a sea of human
cultivation and therefore of big conservation importance. Forest birding in
Bwindi ranks the best in Uganda. It is home to 23 highly localized Albertine
Rift Endemics. Special birds include; Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler,
Banded Prinia, 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, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Magpie Mannikin,
Yellow-crowned Canary, Thick-billed Seed-eater, 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, Lagden’s 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 to
mention but a few.
Accommodation at Bwindi Gorilla haven (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 15: Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park.
After breakfast, we shall
assemble at the Park Offices for the briefing prior to this historic
event. Gorilla tracking is a very
captivating activity; It might take 1-8 hours which involves walking in the
wilderness in search of these gentle giants. Gorilla Tracking can be a
challenging activity, therefore ensure physical fitness. Eight people are
permitted per group per day. On occasions the Gorillas prove elusive but often
can be found within an hour by the tracker guides. It is a wonderful experience
to stare in to the eyes of these gentle giants; watch them in awe as they play
and go about their daily activities. Gorilla Tracking is indeed a “once in a
lifetime” experience that you must never miss. Each encounter with the gorillas
is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close
view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters’ frolic and
swing from vines in a delightfully playful display.
Accommodation at Bwindi Gorilla haven (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 16: Birding in Ruhija
After Breakfast, head out to
the Ruhija section of Bwindi Forest which is a key birding area on
the Albertine region. Some of the key birds sighted here include; the African
Green Broodbill, Dusky Twine Sport, Mountain Yellow Warble, Colored Apatis,
Narina Erogon, Strange Weaver and Broadbill Camp.
Accommodation at Bwindi Gorilla haven (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 17: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Lake
Mburo is the
only park in Uganda to contain Impala and the only one in the rift
region to host Burchell’s Zebra and Eland. In Uganda, Topi are only found
in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth national parks. Common wildlife
species include; warthog, buffalo, oribi, Deffassa Water buck and reedbuck.
Leopard and hyena are also present while hippo and crocodile are found in the
lake. Common conspicuous birds we will encounter on our journey to Lake Mburo
include; Crested Francolin, Emerald Spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced
Go-away Bird, Blue-napped Mousebird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Green Wood hoopoe,
Common Scimitar Bill, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Nubian
Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Northern Black Tit,
Chin-spot Batis, Greate Blue-eared Starling, and Marico Sunbird. The woodland
in the immediate vicinity of Rwonyo also supports many of these widespread
species.
Accommodation at Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Comfort).
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 18: Whole day Birding and game drive in the Park
After breakfast, we will
have a morning game drive in the Park looking for mammals including; Zebras,
Impalas, Elands, Topi and Buffaloes. In the afternoon, we will have a boat trip
looking for bird specialties and other mammals in the Park.
Accommodation at Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Comfort).
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 19: Transfer to Kampala
After an early breakfast, we
drive out of the park having our lunch on the way. We stop en route to visit
the Mpambire Royal Drum makers. We also stop over at the Equator for
photographs and continue to Kampala or Entebbe in time for your flight back
home.
Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Kampala or Entebbe
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