DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Kampala - Mabamba Swamp

The wetland is newly discovered home for the most sought after bird the rare Shoebill.

Birding is done on the on the canoes in marsh channels. Special birds is including White winged Wabler, Papyrus Goneleck, Yellow backed Weaver, Blue headed coucal, Northern Brown throated Winding Cistocia, Goliath Heron and Black Cracke.

 

High end/luxurious accommodation:

Serena Kampala Hotel | Sheraton Hotel | Emin Pasha Hotel | Imperial

 

Low budget/basic accommodation:

Hotel Africana | Cassia Lodge | Capitol Palace Hotel |

 Imperial Royale Hotel | Metropole Hotel Kampala | Holiday Express

Hotel | Namirembe Guest House | Makerere Guest House |

Red Chili Hideaway

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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Day 2: Murchison Fall National Park

Begin with a panoramic drive north-west through the famous Luwero Triangle to Masindi Town.  A stop over is made at Masindi for snacks at Masindi Hotel

Your trip continues to Budongo Forest and to the spectacular fall where you can see the Nile's perfected beauty, and marvel as it compresses and squeezes itself from over 1 kilometre wide down through a 7-meter canyon. The 150-meter drop of the falls creates a thunderous roar and a beautiful rainbow in a plume of spray. See, feel and photograph the beauty of the spot as you spot out a countless bird species around.

            High class accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge | Nile Safari Camp | Sambiya River Lodge

            Budget accommodation: Red Chilli Hostels and Campsite

            Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park

Take a boat along the Victoria Nile to delta at Lake Albert. This is a home to hippos and many other enormous crocodiles as well as special birds which include Shoebill, Secretary bird, Abysinian roller and ground horn bill, Red necked Falcon, Blue breasted Bee, vinaceous Dove and Grosbeak Weaver.

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This afternoon cross for birding on the top of the falls. Look for White fronted black chat, Rock pranticoles, White crested Turaco, Grey woodpecker, Darter and Giant Kingfisher, Red Throated Bee eater, Red shouldered Cuckoo shrike, western Violent backed Sunbird, Black headed Gonoleck, Chestnut crowned Sparow weaver, Brown twinspot, Bar breasted firefinch, Red winged Pytillia and Red winged Grey wabler, Bruces pigeon and Ospery.

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             High class accommodation: Paara Safari Lodge | Nile Safari Camp | Sambiya River Lodge

             Budget accommodation: Red Chilli Hostels and Campsite

 

Day 4: Murchison Fall National Park

Take an early morning game drive on the northern banks of the Victoria Nile.

Birds recorded here include the Egyptian plover, Shoebill, Red winged Grey wabler, Rock pranticole, Secretary bird, Bat hawk, Denhams blustered, Pelfishing Owl, White chrested Turaco, Vinaceous dove, Senegal thicknee, Chestnutsparrow weaver, Carmie bee eater, Night jars, peanut winged and the White winged Canary.

Afternoon drive to Budongo forest.

Dinner and overnight at Kaniyo Pabidi cabins/cottages

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 5: Budongo Forest

Start early birding inside the Budongo Forest through the escarpment looking for Foxs Cisticola, White headed barbet, Northern crombec, Singing cisticola, Grey headed bush shrike, Black billed barbet, Grey headed Olive back, Black billed fire finch, Madagascar heron, Lesser masked weaver and Shikra.

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Afternoon birding at Budongo may be very productive. The forest is one of the largest and the most beautiful forest in Uganda. It is a home for African dwarf Kingfisher, African crowned eagle, Olive camarpotera, Yellow and grey long bill, Chocolate backed kingfisher, Red tailed Ant thrush, Velvet mantled drongo, Rufous crowned Eremomera, Iturbi batis and Nathans francolin.

               

                Dinner and overnight at Kaniyo Pabidi cabins/cottages

                Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 6: Budongo Forest: Royal Mile and Busingiro

Whole day birding at the Royal Mile Busingiro.

Key species include: African dwarf, and Chorcolate backed kingfisher, Green sunbird both Negrofinches, Wester black headed oriole, African emerald Cuckoo, Red tailed ant trush, Yellow long bill, Gray long bill, forest robin, Scaly breasted illadopsis, Rufous crowned eremomela, the elusive lemon bellied crombec, Yellow mated weaver, Yellow browned camropetera, Green crombec, Creasted malimbe and Red headed blue bill.

             Dinner and overnight stay at your preferred hotel/lodge.

             Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 7: Kibale Forest National Park

Leave very early for Kibale National Park.

Kibale Forest birds include Grey winged robin, Blue shouldered robin chat, Yellow spotted barbet, Black billed Turaco, White napped pigeon, green breasted pitta, Red chested fluff taill, African pitta, Joyful green bul cabanis green bull, Grey throated fly catcher, White bellied crested flycatcher, masked a pail, Nathans francolin, Tinny sunbird, white collard Olive back among others also this forest is home to the 13 primate species.

       Luxury accommodation: Ndali Safari Lodge | Primate Lodge

       Budget accommodation: The Tree House at Kanyankyu Ecological Centre | Chimp’s Nest | Nature lodges

       Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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Day 8: Kibale Forest - Semuliki National Park

Half day birding in Kibale, this is incorporated with a chimp walk.

Among other bird species to spot includes: White tailed anti thrushes, purple headed, Glossy starling, Brown illadopsis, Masked Apalis, Green breasted pitta, white Napped pigeon, Toro Olive Green  bull, Black billed Turaco, Buff spotted woodpecker and Green cromber.

Afternoon drive to Semiliki National Park.

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          Luxury accommodation: Semiliki Safari Lodge

          Budget accommodation: Semiliki Bandas and Campsite

          Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 9: Semuliki National Park

Whole day birding in the forest.

Semiliki in known for it is most sought after rarities and these include: Congo serpent eagle, Black throated coucal, Grey throated rail, Nkulengu rail, Long tailed hawk, Spot breasted ibis, Capuchin babber, Yellow throated nicater, Nothern beareded scrub robin, Red chested owlet, Western bronz napped pigeon, Black collared lovebird, White beilled kingfisher, red rumped thinker bird, Lyre tailed honey guide, Zenker honey guide, White throated blue swallow, Bates nighters, Yellow throated cuckoo, Orange tufted sunbird, Black winged oriole, Red billed crombic, Rufous sided broadbill, Icterine green bul, Swamp palm bulbul, Cresasted malimbe, ferry breasted bush shrinke, pale fronted negrofinch and piping, Red billed, Black dwarf, White created, Black casqued wattled and White thghed hornbill.

         

          Luxury accommodation: Semuliki Safari Lodge

          Budget accommodation: Semuliki Bandas and Campsite

          Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 10: Semuliki National Park

Whole day birding in the forest. Kirumira trails have become the most popular trail for its richness in diversity of bird species.

Luxury accommodation: Semuliki Safari Lodge

Budget accommodation: Semuliki Bandas and Campsite

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 11: Semuliki - Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning drive southwards to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is the second largest park in Uganda.

Serious birders may be interested to know that the one day record of Queen Elizabeth National Park is 296 species out of 610 recorded in the parks. An excellent variety of birds can be seen and these include pelicans, Skimmers, Kingfishers, Thick Knees, Storks, Martins, Swallow, Weavers, canaries, Kites, and many grassland specialties. Evening birding is very productive.

 

           High class accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge | Jacana Safari Lodge

           Budget: Mweya Hostel | Institute of Ecology | Simba Safari Camp

           Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 12: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Whole day birding in the park. An early game drive in an open savannah is an ideal for spotting savannah birds.

The afternoon launch cruise is much rewarding along the Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake George and Edward, is among the best know in the region for its high diversity of bird species include: African Skimmer, green wood and common sandpiper, grey headed gull, plain martin lesser swamp warbler and yellow billed Oxpecker.

          High class accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge | Jacana Safari Lodge

          Budget: Mweya Hostel | Institute of Ecology | Simba Safari Camp

           Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The great home for the endangered mountain gorillas.

Species of birds include: Black rufous warbler, Grauers wabler, Band prina, Black faced apalis, Black throated apalis, Mountain masked apalis, Red throated alethe, Yellow eyed black flycatcher, Ashy flycatcher, Dusky blue flycatcher, Neumanns Warbler and Red faced woodland warber.

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       High end/luxurious accommodation: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp | Bwindi Resort | Volcanoes

       Medium class accommodation: Buhoma Lodge | Engagi Lodge | Lake Kitandara Tents | Silverback Lodge

       Low budget/basic accommodation: Buhoma local community Bandas

       Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 14: Bwindi

With an early morning breakfast ready for trekking which begins at 8:00 a.m with a briefing from the UWA staff guide on the rule and regulations regarding trekking the endangered mountain Gorillas.

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Ensure to carry along with you rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, jungle boots etc. The guides will lead you inside the  beautiful ecosystem to see the shy primates for a group you have been booked for.

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Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare mountain gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. The tracking may take between 2 and 6 hours but it’s well worth the effort.

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      High end/luxurious accommodation: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp | Bwindi Resort | Volcanoes

      Medium class accommodation: Buhoma Lodge | Engagi Lodge | Lake Kitandara Tents | Silverback Lodge

      Low budget/basic accommodation: Buhoma local community Bandas

      Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 15: Ruhija Mumbwindi Swamp

The 4 km trail to Mumwindi Swamp drops from 2,350m to 2,050m and is the best place for some of the most difficult to find of all Rift endemics including Graucer, African green , Broadbill Regal Sunbird and Arcers Robin Chart.

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Mumwindi Swamp at an elevation of 2,050/6,725 ft holds dwarf honey guide, stripe breasted tit, Strange weaver, Black headed waxbill, Bartailed trogon, white headed Woodhoope, wallers and Stuhlmanns starling and the Handsome froncolin, Montana nightjar.

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     High end/luxurious accommodation: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp | Bwindi Resort | Volcanoes

     Medium class accommodation: Buhoma Lodge | Engagi Lodge | Lake Kitandara Tents | Silverback Lodge

     Low budget/basic accommodation: Buhoma local community Bandas

     Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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Day 16: Bwindi - Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is a very special place every part of it is alive with a variety of interest and colour. The park contains an extensive area of wetland. The park harbours several species of mammals including zebras, Impala, elands, topi and buffaloes.

The bird population include, Gree backed woodpecker, Yellow billed oxpecker and Northen brown throated weaver.

         High class accommodation: Mhingo Safari Lodge | Acadia Cottages | Mantana Tented Camp

         Budget end accommodation: Rwonyo Rest Camp and Bandas | Mburo Tents

         Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 17: Mburo Kampala

Begin your day with an early morning cup of African tea followed by morning bush walk, return to Kampala/Entebbe via Crocodile Farm with a picnic lunch.

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High end/luxurious accommodation: Serena Kampala Hotel | Sheraton Hotel | Emin Pasha Hotel | Imperial

Low budget/basic accommodation: Hotel Africana | Cassia Lodge | Capitol Palace Hotel | Imperial Royale Hotel | Metropole Hotel Kampala | Holiday Express Hotel | Namirembe Guest House | Makerere Guest House Red Chili Hideaway

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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Day 18: Kampala - Mabira Forest

Whole day birding Mabira.

Lying astride highway to Eastern Uganda less than an hours’ drive from Kampala Mabira Forest supports over 300 bird species, many of which are difficult to see elsewhere in Uganda. An excellent trail network allows access.

Flowering trees are inviting to the sunbirds like the superb sunbirds, Blue Throated Brown, Green Throated and Olive bellied. Other forest species include Forest Robin, Grey crowned Nerofinch, African Blue Flycatcher and Speckle breasted Woodpecker.

Return to Kampala for dinner and overnight stay.

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High end/luxurious accommodation: Serena Kampala Hotel | Sheraton Hotel | Emin Pasha Hotel

Low budget/basic accommodation: Hotel Africana | Cassia Lodge | Capitol Palace Hotel | Metropole Hotel Kampala | Holiday Express Hotel | Namirembe Guest House | Makerere Guest House | Red Chili Hideaway

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 19: Kampala Birding - Departure

Half day birding around Kampala.

Uganda’s large and modern capital lies on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Its well wooded outskirts offers greater opportunities supporting a wide variety of birds. In fact, the city of Kampala may provide your best chance of seeing certain species such as Bat Hawk and African Hobby. Both breed regularly in tall trees in the urban area and are commonly observed overhead at  dusk in the city centre for example around Makerere University and the Sheraton Hotel.

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Another good spot for these spectacular birds is near Backpackers Hostel, African Hobby has rested in the campsite and Bat Hawk is regularly seen nearby. Take the second left after the turn off to the Backpackers Hostel on the Road to Natete and walk down the road to the last big house at the end. A Bat Hawk often perches in the massive tree here at dust.

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After your afternoon lunch prepare to drive to the airport for your evening flight back home.

Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch

 

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