Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
You will be picked by the company guide who will transfer you to your hotel and depending on your time of arrival, then proceed to Entebbe Botanical Gardens. This one is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria; and the gardens are virtually on the equator. They cover an area of 40. 7 hectares. This place has got a collection of plant species of the tropical, sub-tropical and also the temperate zones; with many shrubs and other plants .This habitat has got over 206 species of birds as well as monkeys. Some of these include; Golden and Yellow-backed Weavers, Orange weaver, Superb Sunbird, Ross’s and Great blue Turacco, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, etc. Then later transfer to the lodge for overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Serena Lake Victoria Resort
Midrange: Cassia Lodge
Budget: Common Lens Inn Hotel
Day 2: Birding in Mabamba or Kamengo and afternoon walk at Mpanga Forest.
Have breakfast and proceed to Mabamba- Kamengo wetland; which is about 50 km west of Entebbe. This is one of the few remaining swamps in Uganda which are protected by the local people. It’s an extensive papyrus swamp with its channels of labyrinth and the lagoons. This swamp is home to many species of the famous shoebill stork; which is Uganda ‘s famous avian resident.
The company guide will make special efforts for you to view this bird within the swamp. You will also have a chance to view many other birds which include; Long-tailed Cormorant, Pelican, Goliath Heron, African Fish-Eagle, African Water Rail, African Marsh-Harrier, Yellow-billed Duck, and Malachite Kingfisher. Along with slightly more local species such as; Long-toed Plover, Blue-headed Coucal, Papyrus Gonolek, among others.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Serena Lake Victoria Resort
Midrange: Cassia Lodge
Budget: Common Lens Inn Hotel
Day 3: Birding in Murchison Falls national park
You will have breakfast early in the morning. After, you will depart to Murchison falls national park; you will have a stopover at Masindi town and have lunch. Then proceed to the park; arriving in the evening. You will view many birds including; Yellow Fronted Tinkerbird,Gray-headed Bush Shrike, African Fin foot, Namaqua dove, Northern and Black winged Red Bishops. Further more they include; Black Bellied Fire finch, Black – faced Wax bill and March Tchagra Cliff Chat, Singing Cisticola, Green Winged Pytilia, Red Backed Shrike, Crested Francolin, Black Headed Bush Shrike, and many more.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: Red chilli Rest Camp
Day 4: Whole day birding trip in Murchison falls national park
Have breakfast at the lodge, then proceed for a morning game drive; where you will view many animals including; elephants, Buffalos, Giraffes, lions, antelopes and the leopards. Then you will return to the lodge for lunch as you prepare for an afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls.
Here, you will view many birds including the; Abyssinian Roller and Ground Hornbill,Red-throated Bee-eater,Saddle-billed Stork,Long-toed Lapwing, Little Bittern, Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Blue-breasted Bee-eater,Red-throated Bee-eater,Bar-breasted Firefinch,White-rumped Seedeater, White-rumped Canary ,Night jars(Pennant-winged & Standard-winged). Further more,you will view; Silver bird, Beautiful Sunbird, Secretary Bird, Pied Kingfisher, Buff-bellied Warbler,Black-headed Gonolek,Speckle-fronted Weaver,Golden-backed Weaver,SacredIbis, SacredIbis,Goliath Heron, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Senegal Thick-knee, Black-headed Lapwing, Vinaceous Dove and Grosbeak Weaver. Other specialties include Spotted Morning-Thrush, Pels Fishing Owl, White Crested Turaco, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, among others.
Dinner and Overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: Redchilli Rest camp
Day 5: Birding safari to Budongo forest
Depending on the road conditions, you will have a chance to enter through the escarpments or through Kaniyo pabidi. The escarpments are known for their panoramic view of Lake Albert and Rift valley. It has got many species of birds including; the Puvell’s Illadopsis.
Budongo forest is the largest natural forest in East Africa. You will expect to find a wide range of many birds such as White Crested Turacco,the crested guinea fowl sporting their punk “hairdos”, Black-eared Ground-Thrush, Chestnut Crowned Eremomela, Yellow and Gray Long bills, Olive-bellied Crombec, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Black-throated Little Green Sunbird, Green-breasted Pitta. In addition to the above, you will find; Hairy-breasted & Yellow-billed Barbets, and Red-headed Blue Bill among others.
There are also many other special birds with a West African origin: White-thighed Hornbill, Blue-breasted, Dwarf & Chocolate-backed Kingfishers, Yellow-crested & Brown-eared Woodpeckers, Yellow Bill, Western Black-headed Oriole, Yellow-spotted. Furthermore, they include; Rufous-sided Broadbill, Green Hylia, Buff-throated, & Black-capped Apalis, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, the elusive Lemon-bellied Crombec, Crested & Red-headed Malimbe and also various forest starlings among others. You will also view many primates which include; Black and white Colobus,Blue& Red-tailed Monkeys and even the chimpanzees. You will also view many butterfly species within the forest. There are over 200 butterfly species.
Accommodation:
Budget: Kaniyo Pabidi campsite
Midrange: Budongo Eco Lodge
Day 6: Whole day bird watching along the Royal Mile
You will have a short bird watching drive from the hotel. Then proceed to one of Uganda’s bird watching spots; the royal mile and its Uganda’s historically known leisure spot for the traditional kings. The forest here contains many species of birds which include; Western Black-headed Oriole, White-thighed and Black-and-white-casqued Hornbills, Yellow-spotted and Yellow billed Barbets along with Red-tailed and Blue Monkeys.
Along the trail, you will view many other birds including; Scaly-breasted, Red-tailed Ant-Thrushes skulk in the shadows, Red-tailed Bristle bill, Pale-breasted and Brown Illadopsis. Greenbuls are always a challenge and include Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Cameroon Sombre, Buff-throated Apalis, Slender-billed, Green Crombec. In addition, you will view the Honey guide and Spotted Greenbul, whilst other regular species are Speckled Tinker bird, Rufous-crowned Eremomela; and both White-breasted and Grey-headed Negro finches.
Then lower down, we will see Chocolate-backed and African Dwarf Kingfishers, White-spotted Fluff tails; and the elusive Nahan’s Francolin. It is believed to be one of the most handsome of all Ugandan birds. Other possibilities here are; the Great Sparrow hawk, Cassin’s Hawk-eagle, Forest Robin, Crested Guinea fowl, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Tambourine Dove, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, rey Parrot. Furthermore they include; the African Emerald and Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoos, Yellow bill, White-throated Bee-eater, Yellow-throated Tinker bird, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Dusky Tit, Western Nicator, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Red-headed Malimbe, Black-throated and Black-capped Apalis.
Accommodation:
Budget: Kaniyo Pabidi campsite
Midrange: Budongo Eco Lodge
Day 7: Bird watching to Kibale forest.
Have breakfast and drive to Kibaale national park; where you will arrive in fort portal in the late afternoon. This park is one of the best destinations for chimpanzee trekking safaris. It also contains some of the loveliest and the most varied tracts of all tropical forests in Uganda. It has got over 13 primate species including the famous Chimpanzees and various other species of small primates. The number represents Uganda’s most diverse population of the endangered primates.
This Park has got many bird species as well, which include; blue headed sun bird, the Black capped Apalis, Dusky crimson wing, Collared Apalis, and Red faced woodland warbler and purple breasted sunbird. If you are lucky you may also see the African pitta. Other bird species to look out for include; Abyssinian ground thrush, Green breasted pitta, Black bee eater, Brown chested Alethe, Yellow spotted Nicator, Brown chested Alethe, Yellow Rumped Tinkerbird, Little Green bul, Black eared ground thrush, Blue breasted kingfisher, and the Crowned eagle.
Accommodation:
Budget: Rwenzori View Guest house
Midrange: Kibale Forest Camp
Luxury: Primate Lodge
Day 8: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest National Park
Have breakfast at the lodge. Then proceed to Kibale national park visitor center for briefing and later proceed for chimp tracking. The activity will take some hours where you will view many species of primates, you will return to the lodge for lunch as you prepare for birding in the afternoon along the main road and after you will proceed to Bigodi wetland were you will view many birds including; Cabanis’s Greenbul, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, and Joyful Greenbul as well as Olive long tailed Cuckoo. In addition you will also view the White-spotted Fluff tail, Blue-shouldered Robin Chat, Grey Apalis, Lesser Honey guide, White-chinned Prinia, Olive-green Camaroptera and White-collared Olive back.
Accommodation:
Budget: Rwenzori View Guest house
Midrange: Kibale Forest Camp
Luxury: Primate Lodge
Day 9: Bird Watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
This park was named after the Queen of England who visited it in 1954. It is the second largest park in Uganda. It has been ranked among the best birding destinations in Uganda with over 610 species recorded. Some of these include; Blue Quail, Button quail, Harlequin Small (Common) African Crake, Black Bee-eater, White winged Warbler, African Skimmer. In addition they include; Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Papyrus Gonolek, Amur Falcon, Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Lowland Akalat, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Martial Eagle, Shoebill. Furthermore they include; Caruthers’s Cisticola, Terek Sandpiper, Secretary Bird, and Temminck’s Courser. Mammals include African Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Lion, Leopard, Side-striped Jackal, Baboons, Uganda Kobs, Chimpanzees, Bush and Water Bucks, Warthogs, Giant Forest Hogs, among others.
Accommodation:
Budget: Simba Safari camp
Midrange: Ihamba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 10: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have breakfast, and later undertake a morning game drive around the park. This park has got diverse Eco-system of savannah, rain forest, papyrus swamps and many crater lakes. During game drive, you will view many animals including; Lions, Leopards, Giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, Elephant, Deffassa water buck, Uganda Kob, Topi, and bush buck.
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Accommodation:
Budget: Simba Safari camp
Midrange: Ihamba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 11: Travel to Bwindi National Park.
You will proceed to Bwindi impenetrable national park via Ishasha sector. Here you will have a chance to view the tree climbing lions; continue and arrive in the park in the evening. You may also enjoy birding on the self-guided Munyaga trail. This park was voted as one of the best birding spots in Uganda and Africa as well. It is also home to over 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics.
Accommodation:
Budget: Broadbill Forest camp
Midrange: Bakiga Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Day 12: Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Have breakfast. Then you will to the proceed to the park headquarters for briefing before tracking the gorillas. The activity takes 1 to 8 hours; so a reasonable degree of fitness is needed. This experience is wonderful since it brings into contact with the Mountain gorillas. This is a once in a life time experience that you must never miss. So, each of the encounters is different and has its own rewards; but you are likely to enjoy the close view of these adults while they are feeding, grooming and resting as the young ones frolic and swing from vines in a delightfully playful display.
Then finally dine and overnight at a hotel of your choice.
Accommodation:
Budget: Broadbill Forest camp
Midrange: Bakiga Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Day 13: Whole day bird watching on the Main trail.
Bwindi is at a higher altitude; therefore it’s cooler. The temperatures range between 10 to 18 degrees centigrade. Birding at Bwindi ranks the best in Uganda. Its home to over 23 highly localized Albertine Rift Endemics. The birds found in the park include; Grauer’s Warbler,Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Pale-breasted IlladopsisBandedPrinia, Black-throated Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Red-throated Alethe, Rwenzori Batis, Yellow-eyed Black-flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher,Black-faced Apalis, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher, Grey-headed Sunbird, African Golden Oriole, White-bellied Crested-flycatcher, , MDoherty’s Bush-shrike, ountainIlladopsis. In addition they include; Strange Weaver, African Hill-Babbler, Dusky Tit, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Sooty Boubou, Thick-billed Seedeater, Dusky Crimsonwing, Yellow-crowned Canary, Pink-footed Puffback, White-naped Raven, Montane Oriole, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Narrow-tailed Starling, Waller’s Starling, Brown-capped Weaver, Black-billed Weaver, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Magpie Mannikin, Streaky Seedeater, African Green Broadbill, Shelly’s Crimsonwing, Oriole Finch, Mountain Buzzard, Ayre’s Hawk-eagle, Red-chested OwletHandsome Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, Black Bee-eater, Barred Longtailed Cuckoo, African Wood-Owl,Western Green Tinkerbird, Rwenzori Nightjar, Scarce Swift, Bar-tailed Trogon. Furthermore they include; White-bellied Robin chat, Toro Olive-GreenbulCinnamon-chested Bee-eater, (Western) Bronze-naped Pigeon, , Tullberg’s Woodpecker, Elliot’s Woodpecker, Equatorial Akalat, African Broadbill, Lagdens Bush Shrike, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Archer’s Ground Robin, , Ansorge’sGreenbul, Olive Thrush, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Grauer’s Rush-warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Neumann’s Warbler and finally the Red-faced Woodland Warbler.
Then at the end of the day, finally dine and overnight at a hotel.
Accommodation:
Budget: Broadbill Forest camp
Midrange: Bakiga Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Day 14: Birding to Lake Mburo National Park
You will have breakfast in the morning; then transfer to Lake Mburo national park; arriving in the evening. This park is about 260 sq.km. It has got different fauna from other reserves. It’s covered by grassy valleys, and also smaller lakes. It’s also covered with extensive open and wooded acacia savannah. This park is also a home to the largest plant and wildlife species which include; gigantic eland antelope as well as the Zebras, Topi, Impala & Buffaloes. The others include; klipspringer, Burchell’s zebra, giraffes, hippopotamus, and several acacia associated birds.
Accommodation:
Budget: Eagles Nest
Midrange: Arcadia Cottages
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Day 15: Whole day birding in the Park and a boat ride on the lake.
Have breakfast,have have a morning game drive; where you will have a chance of viewing many animals including; zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, topi. You will also have a chance of viewing the parks’ sculptured land scape with rolling grassy hills and idyllic shorelines. Then you will have a boat cruise where you will be able to spot hippos, crocodiles and many water birds like the Pied Kingfisher,Great White Egret, and brilliantly colored Papyrus Gonolek, African Fin foot, Fish eagle, Papyrus Yellow Warblers the Night Heron and many more.
Accommodation:
Budget: Eagles Nest
Midrange: Arcadia Cottages
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Day 16: Transfer to Entebbe.
Have breakfast, then transfer to Entebbe via Kampala; finally arriving in the evening for your flight/ you will be transferred to your Hotel for an overnight.
Accommodation:
Budget: Common Lens Inn
Midrange: 2 Friends Beach Hotel
Luxury: Serena Lake Victoria Resort
Day 17: Departure Day.
You will have breakfast, then have an opportunity to bird in the botanical gardens.
Then finally, transfer to Entebbe Airport to catch your flight
