Day 1: Arrival
On your arrival, meet and greet with our professional bird guide. Depending on your time of arrival, have a birding safari at Entebbe Botanical gardens; this place has got some families of butterflies which include; Swallowtails such as Green Banded Swallowtail, Emperor Swallowtail, Narrow Green Banded Swallowtail, etc. Charaxes, Hairstreaks, etc. The birds include;Yellow-fronted Tinker bird,Splendid Glossy Starling,Scarlet-chested,Creamy White-eyes, Olive, Green Sunbirds, Double-toothed Barbet, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Woodland,Pied Kingfishers, Pygmy, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Slender-billed, Golden-backed, Holub’s Golden Weavers,Hamerkop, Grey-headed Sparrow,Egyptian Goose, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Sunbird, Vieillot’s Black, Pink-backed Pelican, Grey Woodpecker, Eastern Grey Plantain Eater. More of the birds include; Alpine, Palm, White-rumped Swifts, Palmnut Vulture, African Green Pigeon,Yellow-throated Greenbul, African Thrush, Green Crombec, Long-tailed Cormorant, Great Blue Turacco, Marabou Stork, Yellow-billed Duck, White-chinned Prinia, Snow-headed Robin-chat, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher.
Finally dinner and overnight at a lodge in Entebbe.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Serena Lake Victoria Resort
Midrange: Cassia Lodge
Budget: Common Lens Inn hotel
Day 2: Birding in Mabira Forest.
Mabira Forest Reserve is one of the largest block of moist, semi deciduous forest remaining in the central region of Uganda. This forest occupies gently undulating country which is characterized by numerous flat topped hills and wide, shallow valleys. The valleys have got some papyrus swamps. The proximity of Mabira to Kampala and the presence of various ecotourism facilities makes this an important Bird Area. It is a popular site for the birders
The bird list includes; Cassin’s Hawk,White Spotted Flufftail, Dusky Long Tailed Cuckoo,African Dwarf Kingfisher,White Casqued Hornbill, Cassin’s Honey guide, Speckled Tinker bird, Yellow – throated Tinkerbird, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Gray-green Bush-shrike, African Shrike Flycatcher, Western Black-headed Oriole, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Plain Greenbul, Dusky Tit, Dusky-crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Buff Spotted Wood pecker, Buff-throated Apalis, Common Bristlebill,Gray Parrot, Nahan’s Francolin, Black Shouldered Nightjar.
Finally dinner and Overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation:
Luxury: The Rain Forest Lodge
Midrange / Budget: Mabira forest camp
Day 3: Morning birding tour in Mabira Forest and transfer to Budongo forest.
On the way to Budongo, you will resume your birding tour. This is the largest forest area in East Africa. If time allows, you will spot many bird species which include; White-crested Turaco, the Crested Guinea-fowl sporting their punk “hairdos,” Yellow and Gray Long bills, Chestnut-crowned Eremomela, Red-headed Blue Bill, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Olive-bellied Crombec, Little Green Sunbird, among others. There are also many other special birds with a West African origin: Green-breasted Pitta, Blue-breasted, White-thighed Hornbill, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Dwarf & Chocolate-backed Kingfishers, Yellow-crested & Brown-eared Woodpeckers, Western Black-headed Oriole, Fous-crowned Eremomela, Red-headed Malimbe Yellow Bill, Yellow-spotted, Buff-throated, Hairy-breasted & Yellow-billed Barbets, Black-eared Ground-Thrush, Green Hylia, Black-throated & Black-capped Apalises, Ruthe elusive Lemon-bellied Crombec, Crested &and also various forest starlings among others.
This forest is also a prime area for wide range of the primates which include; the black and white colobus, blue and red monkeys, some chimpanzees. The forest also has many butterfly species such as Acreas and Charaxes which also call this tropical rain forest home. The Green-veined and the Blue-spotted Charaxes are two of the most common butterfly species in Budongo Forest.
Then finally dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Budongo Eco Lodge
Midrange: Masindi Hotel
Budget: New Court View Hotel
Day 4: Birding Royal Mile and Busingiro sections of Budongo forest.
Have breakfast and after, you will embark on a tour of Royal Mile. This is one of Uganda’s best forested bird watching spots. It’s one of the most known historically leisure spot for the Bunyoro King, hence the name royal mile. This royal mile is one of the best places in Uganda for the cassin’s spinetail, Nahan’s Francolin, Flycatcher. There are many confusing forest Greenbuls to test us including the white throated, Xavier, Red tailed and Honey guide green buls. Canopy flocks supportRufous Thrush and Uganda Woodland Warbler.
The undergrowth along the track holds numerous skulkers including Scaly-breasted, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Fire-crested Alethe, Brown and Yellow-mantled Weaver,Pale-breasted Illadopses, Grey-throated Tit-flycatcher. Yellow Long-bill,Rufous Flycatcher-thrush, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Red-tailed Ant-thrush. 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-eatersare all possible. The guide will also point out the various butterflies which are found in the forest.
Later in the afternoon, you will go birding to Busingiro section, the birds here include; Tit Hylia,IturiBatis,Lemon-bellied Crombec,Black-throated Apalis,Red-headed Malimbe, Sooty Flycatcher, Buff-throated Apalis, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Tambourine Dove. More of them include; Green Sunbird, Superb Sunbird, Golden-breasted Bunting, Rufous Flycatcher Thrush. You will also spot many other birds including; Spinetails,African Fish Eagle,White-rumpedSpinetail,Pied Kingfisher,ngola Swallow,Swifts,Sabine’s Spinetail,Hamerkop,the African Jacana, APurple-headed Starling, White-headed Saw-wing, Cassin’s Spinetail, Osprey, Black-shouldered Kite, Senegal Council.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Budongo Eco Lodge
Midrange: Masindi Hotel
Budget: New Court View Hotel
Day 5: Birding to Semliki National Park.
Embark on a whole day drive to Semliki National park in Bundibugyo district then make frequent stops in order to scout the birds and to stretch out your legs. You will see many birds including; Ross’ Turaco, Village Indigo Bird,Ruppel’s Long-tailed Starling, Jackson’s Widow bird, Hooded Vulture, Plantain Eater, Wood Hoopoe, Scimitar Bill, Lilac-breasted Roller, Black Kite, Common Stonechat, Baglafecht Weaver, African Dusky Flycatcher, Common Fiscal, Black-winged Bishop.
Then finally dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Semuliki Safari Lodge
Midrange: Ntoroko Game Lodge
Budget: Kirimia Guest House
Day 6: Birding in Semliki National park
Have breakfast at the lodge and proceed for birding at Kirimia trail in Semliki. Some of the birds include; Forest Robin,Great Blue Turacco, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Little Green Sunbird, Grey-throated Tit Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Barbet, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Blue-throated Variable Sunbird, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Brown Illadopsis, Pale-fronted Negrofinch, Little Grey Greenbul, Yellow-throated Nicator, Red-tailed Ant-thrush, Grey-throated Sunbird, Collared Sunbird, Black-winged Oriole, Red-tailed Greenbul, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Red-tailed Greenbul, Grey-headed Negrofinch, African Pied, Red-billed Dwarf, Brown-eared Woodpeckers, Grosbeak Weaver, Olive Green Camaroptera, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Chestnut-breasted Negro-finch, Black and White Casqued hornbill, Palm-nut Vulture, Piping Hornbill, Western Nicator, Splendid Glossy Starling, Crested Guinea fowl and Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, among others.
Furthermore, you will view species like; the Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Grey-headed Sunbird, Jameson’s Wattle-eye, Xavier’s, Green Hylia, Blue-throated Sunbird, Buff-throated Apalis, Green Crombec, White Crested, Black Dwarf Hornbills, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Eastern Bearded Greenbul, Blue-billed Malimbe, Grant’s Bluebill, Sooty Boubou, Red-headed Bluebill, Male Tambourine Dove, Red-chested Cuckoo, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, White-spotted Flufftail, Pygmy Kingfisher, Cabanis’ Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Green Pigeon, Rufous Flycatcher Thrush, Toro Olive Greenbul, Yellow-browed Camaroptera. You will also view many butterfly species within the park.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Semuliki Safari Lodge
Midrange: Ntoroko Game Lodge
Budget: Kirimia Guest House
Day 7: Morning birding and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
You will begin the day with birding in the morning. Then later you will transfer to Kibale national park.You will have some chances of viewing the palm nut vulture, northern black fly catcher, black winged bishop, white headed saw wing, and the white faced barbet. You will also bird along the road side where you will view many birds including; joyful greenbuls, slender billed, brown capped, grosbeak, black capped, white chinedprinia, white eye, olive long tailed cuckoo, great blue Turacco, grey throated barbet, yellow white eye, Red headed Malimbe, Bush shrine, blue throated sunbird, purple headed starling and the Emerald cuckoo, etc.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Primate Lodge
Midrange: Kibale Forest Camp
Budget: Rwenzori View Guest House
Day 8: Birding and chimp trekking in Kibale Forest national park.
Have breakfast and have a whole day of birding and chimp tracking experiences. Chimpanzee trekking is the most famous activity in the park, plus tracking a myriad of other primate species, including, olive baboons, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, L hoest blue, Grey checked Mangabey, Vervet and the red tailed monkey, other animals include; Bush pig and the bush buck, Harvey’s and Peter’s Duikers.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Primate Lodge
Midrange: Kibale Forest Camp
Budget: Rwenzori View Guest House
Day 9: Birding trip to Maramagambo Forest.
You will proceed to Maramagambo forest, birding along the way; you will view some bird species which include; Yellow-bellied and Jameson’s Wattle-eyes, Black Bee-eater, Ant-Thrush, Brown and Grey-chested Illadopsis, Brown-eared Woodpeckers, Shinning Blue Kingfisher, Narina Trogon, Least Honey guide, Grey Greenbul, Brown-chested Alethe, and the African Finfoot plus a lost of butterfly species. The trail through this forest leads past an impressive bat cave. You may come across a python that lives in the caves and also feeds on the bats.
Then dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Midrange: Enjojo Lodge
Budget: @the River Lodge
Day 10: Birding tour to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
You will transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park. It harbors many birds including; Red-throated Alethe, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Black-faced Apalis, Grauer’s Warbler, Banded Prinia, Mountain Masked Apalis, Ashy Flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Black-and-white-shrike Flycatcher, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, African Hill Babbler, Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Mountain Illadopsis, Rwenzori Batis, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Grey-headed Sun bird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Dusky Tit, Blue-headed Sunbird, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Sooty Boubou, Pink-footed Puffback, Doherty’s Bush Shrike, White-napped Raven, African Golden Oriole, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Narrow-tailed Starling.
More of the birds include; Strange Weaver,Brown-capped Weaver,Dusky Crimsonwing,Montane Oriole, Waller’s Starling, Black-billed Weaver, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Magpie Mannikin, Yellow-crowned Canary, Ayre’s Hawk Eagle, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Thick-billed Seed-eater, Streaky Seedeater,Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Handsome Francolin, Mountain Buzzard, African Green Broadbill, Shelly’s Crimsonwing, Bar-tailed Trogon, Petit’s Cuckoo Shrike, Oriole Finch, Archer’s Ground Robin, Black-billed Turacco, Ansorge’s Greenbul, African Broadbill, African Green Broadbill, Tullberg’s Woodpecker, African wood Owl, Rwenzori Nightjar, Red-chested Owlet, Scarce Swift, White-bellied Robin Chat, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Black Bee-eater, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon Elliot’s Woodpecker, Western Green Tinker bird, Toro Olive Greenbul, Equatorial Akalat, Olive Thrush, White-tailed Ant Thrush, and more.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Midrange: Bakiga Lodge
Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp
Day 11: Gorilla tracking experience in Bwindi national park.
After an early morning breakfast you will be briefed by your ranger / tour guide and after start your gorilla trekking journey, you will enter into the amazing rainforest (gorilla sanctuary) as it offers an exciting, heavily forested and dense landscape interrupted by plenty of animal trails that provide access for tourists tracking these resident animals. Mammals thriving here include majorly the endangered mountain gorillas, elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, the rare golden monkey, black-fronted Duikers, bushbucks, leopards to mention but a few. However, the charming mountain gorillas form the highlight of the park, you will continue to the misty Bwindi forest in search of the world’s most sought after and endangered species. The trekking adventure takes you through impressive hikes exploring the attractive forest landscapes characterized by rugged terrain which makes it quite challenging to explore.
The time and track taken while looking for these beautiful primates varies according to their movements, “Remember they are also wild animals”. The duration of the activity is between 2 – 8 hours inclusive of one (1) hour direct contact with these unfamiliar creatures as they forage, socialize and make their joyous tactics with the frightening eyes of the Silverback. Once tracked, observing, spending time with and photographing these gentle, peaceful and shy apes is a unique, breathtaking, inspiring, and thrilling life time memorable adventure that leaves you desiring to have it again.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Midrange: Bakiga Lodge
Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp
Day 12: Birding to Entebbe.
Finally, you will bird as you travel to Entebbe for your departure flight.
End of tour with Love Uganda Safaris
