32 Days: The world most Sought After Birds -Uganda birding safariThis is a once-in-a-lifetime bird Watching experience. This Safari takes you to all Uganda’s prime birding spots including Africa’s number one birdwatching spot, Ruhijja in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You have the opportunity to see specialties from the Albertine Rift Mountains and from the fivebiome species of Central and Eastern Africa to which Uganda is a midst. These biomes comprise the Sudan–Guinea Savanna with 22 Ugandan species restricted to it, the Guinea–Congo Forests biome with 144 species, the Lake Victoria Basin biome with 12 species, the Afrotropical Highlands biome with 88 species, and the Somali–Masai biome with 32 species. All the selected sites are very rich in other wildlife and flora, expect to meet a big number of mammalsfor example; Lions, Buffaloes, Leopards, Hippopotamus, Warthogs, and many more.
Tour Highlights :Departs: Entebbe International Airport Tour Length: 32 Days Focus: Birding | Game Viewing Key Species: Shoebill Stork, Orange Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, African Finfoot, Red-faced Barbet, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, African Green Broadbill, Handsome Francolin, Kivu Ground Thrush, Green-breasted Pitta, African Piculet, White-throated Blue Swallow, Puvel’s Illadopsis, Nahan’s Francolin, Karamoja Apalis, Fox’s Weaver, Taita Falcon Expected of birds: 650 Species Birding Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Group Limit: Maximum 8 Bird Photography: Worthwhile Possible Extensions: Mountain Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking
DAY 1: Arrival for Uganda Bird watching Safari:Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, transfer to the Hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, we bird Entebbe botanical Gardens or Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.Overnight at Laico Lake Victoria Hotel | Entebbe Traveller Inn (Full Board)
Yellow throated
Day 2: Uganda Avian Life Tour to Mabamba & L. Mburo National Park – (Shoebill, Orange Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek)
Early in the morning, we bird Via Mabamba Swamps for the elusive Shoebill, Some papyrus endemics, the African and Lesser Jacanas, the White-faced and Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Blue breasted bee-Eater, Carruther`s Cisticola, The Black-Chested, Brown and western Banded Snake Eagles, a number of Gull and Heron Species and other water birds species to L. Mburo National Park for our night. We have a short stop at the Equator for an informative talk, photography and the equator experience. Overnight at Mihingo lodge | Arcadia Cottages (Full Board)
Fork tailed Drong
Day 3: Birding Tour of L. Mburo N.P-(African Finfoot, Papyrus Yellow Warbler & Red-faced Barbet)
Have an early morning breakfast before going birdwatching in a game car, bird and return for lunch then later go for a boat ride in search for the African Finfoot, Coqui, and the Red-winged Francolins, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Barefaced Go-away bird, Harlequin and Blue Quails, Common Button Quail, White-headed and Black-billed Barbet, Greenwood Hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, Blue-napped Mousebird, Blue-breasted and Shining-blue Kingfishers, Lilac-breasted Roller, African-grey Hornbill, the Nubian, Buff-spotted, Brown-eared, and the Grey Woodpeckers, Trilling, Stout, and Wing-snapping Cisticolas, Red-necked spurfowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, African-wattled Plover Rufous napped and Flappet larks, Rufous-chested Swallow ,Yellow-throated Longclaw, Black-winged Bishop, Chubb’s, Carruther’s and a number of other Cisticolas, the Lesser and Great Swamp Warblers, Black Crake, Common Squacco, Striated, Goliath, Purple, Black-headed, Grey, and Black-headed Herons, Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans, the African Fish Eagle, among others.Dinner and overnight at Mihingo Lodge | Arcadia Cottages (Full Board)
Stilt black Winged
Day 4: Uganda Birding Safari to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park :Today, we bird to Kisoro in western Uganda for the birding experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is the country’ most scenic protected area. Overnight at Geo lodges/ Travellers Rest Inn (Full Board)
Day 5: Mgahinga Uganda Avian Safari – (Shelley’s Crimsonwing Lagden’ Bush-shrike) :We bird through a variety of Montane habitats, In search of the Rwenzori Turaco, Dwarf Honeygude, Kivu Ground Thrush, Rwenzori Double-collared, Regal and the Purple-breasted Sunbirds, Archer`s Robin chat, The cinnamon Bracken and Mountain Yellow Warblers, the Dusky and much Sought after Shelley’s Crimson-wing and many more. Overnight at Geo Lodges / Travellers Rest Inn (Full Board)
Turaco
Day 6: Avian Tour to Ruhija in Uganda-(African Green Broadbill & Shelley’s Crimsonwing) : Today we bird Ruhija in search of the darling African Green Broadbill, Handsome Francolin, Strange Weaver, Shelley’s and Dusky Crimson-wings, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, White-browed Crombec, White-naped Raven, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Sharp’s Starling, Mountain masked and Rwenzori Apalises and many more. Overnight at Ruhija Gorilla Lodge | Trekkers Tavern (Full Board)
Palmnut volture
Day 7: Whole Day Birding Mubwindi Swamp- (Handsome Francolin, Grauer’s Rush Warbler & Chapin’s Flycatcher) :As we bird Mubwindi Swamp we look out for the Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, White-tailed Blue-flycatcher, Brown-capped warbler, Black-billed weaver, Black-necked weaver, Red-headed Malimbe, Grey-headed Sparrow, Waller’s Starling, Stuhlmann’s starling, Montane Oriole, Many Coloured Bush Shrike, Bocage’s Bush Shrike, Brown Crowned Tchagra, Pink Footed Puffback, Ludher’s Bush-shrike, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Mountain Illadopsis, Rwenzori Nightjar. Overnight at Ruhija Gorilla Lodge | Trekkers Tavern (Full Board)
African Green Pigeon
Day 8: Birding Tour to Buhoma in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Dwarf Honeyguide, Kivu Ground-thrush, Oberländer’s Ground-thrush) :As we bird to Buhoma, we look out for species like, the Black Bee-Eater, Dusky Tit, Brown-caped Weaver, the Yellow-billed and yellow-spotted Barbets, the African and Black-and-white Shrike-flycatchers, Common Stonechat, Brown-throated and Chestnut Wattle-eyes, Apalises, just to mention but a few of the forest species. Overnight at Gorilla Resort | Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Full Board)
Yellow throated
Day 9: Uganda Birdwatching and Optional Gorilla Tracking at Buhoma :There are less than 800 mountain gorillas in the whole world. Uganda is home to more than a half of these beautiful, majestic gentle giants and yet endangered apes. Therefore, Gorilla tracking in Uganda is a must
experience not to be missed. Bwindi impenetrable forest habituates families of mountain gorillas along with other species of primates for example, Chimpanzees, Colubus monkeys, Olive baboons, name it. To be certain of going gorilla tracking, it is a must you buy a permit which is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). It is our duty to arrange this for you should you be interested in this memorable activity.
Gorilla 10
At Buhoma, we look out for species like, the Black Bee-Eater, Dusky Tit, Brown-caped Weaver, the Yellow-billed and yellow-spotted Barbets, the African and Black-and-white Shrike Flycatchers, Common Stonechat, Brown-throated and Chestnut Wattle-eyes, Apalises, Equatorial Akalat, Slaty Flyacatcher, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Black-throated Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Grey Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, the Olive-green and Grey-backed Camaropteras, White-chinned Prinnia, Green Hylia, Short-tailed Warbler, White-tailed Antithrush, Cape Wagtail, Grey-capped Warbler, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, White-browed Crombec, the list is long. Overnight at Gorilla Resort | Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Full Board)
Pied King
Day 10: Uganda Avian Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park-(Black-winged Pratincole & White-napped Pigeon) :Today we head to Queen Elizabeth National Park; we bird through the Ishasha sector as we look out for the African Thrush, Ruppell’s Long-tailed Sterling, Black-headed Gonolek, Slender-billed Weaver, Little Weaver, Black-headed Weaver, Grey-headed Sparrow, Red-headed Lovebird, Spur-winged Lapwing, the African, Red-eyed and African Morning Doves, the Winding, Croacking and Zitting Cisticolas, and hundreds of other Savanna Species. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge | Bush Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp (Full Board)
White browed Robin
Day 11: Birding Uganda Queen Elizabeth National Park-(Lesser Kestrel & Lesser Flamingo) :Early in the Morning we leave for a game drive for more Savanna Species and in the afternoon we take a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel for water birds like the Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans, African Skimmer, Yellow-billed and the Saddle- billed storks, African Wattled Lapwing, Long-toed Lapwing, Black-winged Stilt, Water Thick-knee, Collared Pratincole, the Grey-headed, Black-headed and Slender-billed Gulls, Grebes, Ducks and many more. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge | Bush Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp (Full Board)
Pink backed Pelican
Day 12: Birding to Kibale Forest National Park of Uganda :After an early morning breakfast, set off for Kibale Forest NP, along the way expect to see; the Fan-tailed Widowbird, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, the Black and Black-winged Red Bishops, the African Palm and Little Swifts, Common Bulbul, Doves, Pigeons, the Lesser-stripped and Angola Swallows among others. Overnight at Kibale Primate Lodge | Kibale Forest Camp (Full Board)
Blue breasted kingfisher
Day 13 & 14: Birding and Optional Chimpanzee Tracking at Kibale Forest NP- In Uganda (Green-breasted Pitta) :We bird here for two full days in search of the darling Green-breasted Pitta and more forest species like the, Brown Illadopsis, Brown Illadopsis, Brown-capped Weaver, Brown-
chested Alethe, Black-headed Oriole, African Emerald Cuckoo,African Green-pigeon, Black-crowned Tchagra, African Wood Owl,African/Rwenzori/Abyssinian Hill-Babbler, Alpine Swift, Ashy Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Black Bee-eater, Black Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo-shrike, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Black-and-white Mannikin, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher,Black-billed Turaco, Black-billed Weaver, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, African Dusky Flycatcher, Black-headed Weaver, Black-necked Weaver, African Citril (Western Citril),Black-throated Apalis, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Blue-throated Roller, African Blue Flycatcher, Bocage’ Bush-shrike, Bronze Mannikin, Zebra Waxbill, Bronze Sunbird name it. Overnight at Kibale Primate Lodge | Kibale Forest Camp (Full Board)
African Pitta
Day 15: Bird From Kibal to Semuliki Valley National Park in Uganda :Today morning, we bird Kibale Forest for more forest species possibly missed the previous days and later proceed to Semliki Valley National Park.Overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge | Vanilla Hotel (Full Board)
Day 16: Uganda Birding Tour of Semliki Valley NP-(African Piculet, Great Snipe, Sassi’s Greenbul, and White-throated Blue Swallow) :Early in the morning, we take on to the Kirumia trail for our whole day birding experience. We look out for a number of predominantly Central African species which cannot be found anywhere else in East Africa yet are some of the continent’s most spectacular and sought-after birds such as; Long-tailed Hawk, Congo Serpent Eagle, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, the Nkulengu Rail, and other species;Blue Swallow, White-throated Swallow, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Spotted Greenbul,White-starred Robin, Lowland Akalat, Red-throated Alethe, Fire-crested Alethe, Snowy-headed Robin-Chat, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Red-eyed Puffback, White-tailed Robin-Chat, Northern Bearded Scrub-Robin, Capped Wheatear, Common Stonechat, Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, Oberlaender’s Ground-Thrush, Grey Ground-Thrush, Little Grey Greenbul, Toro Olive Greenbul, Mountain Greenbul, Yellow-throated Nicator, Western Nicator, just to mention but a few. There is a single, unconfirmed report of the globally threatened Lesser Kestrel. Overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge | Vanilla Hotel (Full Board)
Bar- tailed Trogon
Day 17: Semliki to Fort Portal- Uganda Birding Safari: The earlier session of this day will be spent searching for forest species possibly missed the previous day after which, we head to Fort Portal for the night. Overnight at Rwenzori Travellers Inn (Full Board) .
Day 18: Uganda-Africa Birding Journey to Murchison Falls National Park :Today we transfer to Murchison Fall National Park birding via the Escarpment in search for, the Yellow-rumped and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbirds, Foxy Cisticola, Black Bishop, the Northern and Black-winged Red Bishops, Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting, Tropical Boubou, the Grey-crowned and Black-crowned Tchagras, Stripped Kingfisher, White-headed Barbet, and many more .Overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge | Red Chilli Rest Camp (Full Board)
Cinnamon Chested bee eater
Day 19: Birding Tour in Murchison Falls NP-(Lesser Kestrel, Black-winged Pratincole, and Shoebill) Today, we do Game drive birding in search for, The Giant, Pied, Malachite, Stripped, Chestnut-bellied, Blue-breasted, Woodland and the African Pygmy Kingfishers, House Martin, African Rock Martin, Lesser Stripped Swallow, Ethiopian Swallow, Angola Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Rufous-chested Swallow, Nightingale, Rock Thrush, Pied Wheatear, Whinchat, Common Redstart, White-fronted Black Chat, Sooty Chat, Isabelline Wheatear, Common Bulbul, Cameroon
Sombre Greenbul, Yellow-throated Greenbul, the Black, White-breasted, and Red-shouldered Cuckoo Shrikes, the Black and Penduline Tits, the Arrow-marked, Black-lored and Brown Babblers, Nubian Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Lesser Honeyguide, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Black Scimitarbill, Green Wood Hoopoe, a number of Buzzards, Barbets, Rollers, Harriers, Vultures, Eagles, Bee-eaters, Warblers, and so forth.
Wool necked Stork
We also take a boat on the Victoria Nile for water birds like the elusive Shoebill Stork, Little Grebe, Great White and the Pink-backed Pelicans, Red-knobbed Coot, African Water Rail, Allen’s Gallinule, Black Crake, African Crake, Black-crowned Crane, Southern Pochard, The Egyptian, African Pygmy, and the Spur-winged Gooses, Storks like; the Saddle-billed, Open-billed, Abdim’s, White, Yellow-billed, Marabou, and the Wooly-necked, the Little and Dwarf Bitterns, Night Heron, Black Heron, Goliath Heron, Purple Heron, Green Backed Heron, Common Squacco Heron, Great White Egret, Cormorants, the African and Eurasian Spoonbills, the Lesser Flamingo, Lesser Jacana, African Finfoot, Painted Snipe, Wattled Plover the list is very long. Overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge | Red Chilli Rest Camp (Full Board)
African Moustached Warbler
Day 20: Birding to Budongo Forest via Kaniyo Pabidi- Uganda Safaris :We leave the park birding and head to Uganda’s biggest Forest Reserve and the second most important after Semliki National Park. We bird Kaniyo Pabidi for a few hours then proceed to the hotel in Masindi. Overnight at Masindi Hotel | New Court View Hotel (Full Board)
Day21: Uganda Twitcher Tour in Budongo Forest (Puvel’s Illadopsis, Nahan’s Francolin) :Today, we bird Budongo Forest which has a prolific birdlife with two species of birds not found elsewhere in East Africa: 10 of the 22 species of the Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome and 93 of the 144 species Guinea–Congo Forests biome that occur in Uganda.
We bird the marvelous Royal mile and several other trails for the whole day. We look for the Puvel’s Illadopsis and Nahan’s Francolin other special birds include; the Yellow-billed Barbet, Grey-throated Barbet, Honeyguide Greenbul, Chocolate–backed Kingfisher,White-headed Saw-wing, White Wagtail, Black-eared Ground-Thrush, Little Crake, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, African Paradise Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Lemon-bellied Crombec, African Moustached Warbler, Green-backed Eremomela, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, African Citril, African Golden-breasted Bunting, Black-crowned Waxbill, Bronze Mannikin, Black-billed Bluebill, Black-winged Red Bishop, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Spectacled Weaver, Black-necked Weaver, Yellow-backed Weaver, Compact Weaver, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Holub’s Golden Weaver, Red-headed Weaver, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Purple Starling, Purple-headed Starling, Splendid Starling, Northern Puffback, Black-headed Gonolek, Tropical Boubou, Isabelline Shrike, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Western Violet-backed Sunbird and many more. Overnight at Masindi Hotel | New Court View Hotel (Full Board)
Pin tailed Whyder
Day 22: Uganda Twitcher Safari to Kidepo Valley National Park :Have breakfast then Bird to the 480 species search adventure in the only IBA located entirely within the Somali– Masai biome. The park has the second-highest bird record of any Ugandan protected areas, after Queen Elizabeth National Park and supports some of the rarest species in Uganda, such as Black-
breasted Barbetand Karamoja Apalis. We stop in Gulu town for lunch. Overnight at Apoka Safari Lodge | Apoka Rest Camp (FB)
Banded Prinia
Day 23: Whole Day Uganda Twitcher Tour in Kidepo Valley (Karamoja Apalis, Sandgrouses) :Today, bird the Kidepo Valley for special species and view a lot of other wild life. In the search, expect sight of the Karamoja Apalis, Black-breasted Barbet, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Buffalo Weavers, The Common Ostrich, Secretary Bird, African Swallow-tailed Kite, Eastern Pale Chanting Goshawk, Pygmy Falcon, Fox Kestrel, Stone Partridge, Clapperton’s and Heuglin’s Francolins, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Kori, White-bellied and Hartlaub’s Bustards, Violet-tipped Courser, Black-headed Plover, Four-banded Sand Grouse, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-crested Turaco, White-bellied Go-away bird, White-faced Scoops Owl, Long-tailed and Standard-winged Nightjars, Little Green Bee-eater, Abyssinian and Rufous-crowned Rollers, Abyssinian Ground, Eastern Yellow and Jackson’s Hornbills, Red-fronted Barbet and many more.Overnight at Apoka Safari Lodge | Apoka Rest Camp (FB)
Ostrich
Day 24: Birds Of Uganda Tour at Namamu Kwenyi/Katarumu :The earlier session of this day, we bird the Namamu Kwenyi area and the Kidepo River (Katarumu) in the evening for some water species.
Overnight at Apoka Safari Lodge | Apoka Rest Camp (FB)
Day 25: Bird Uganda Safari to Lake Bisina :With Lunch packed, the safari starts early in the morning since the way is long, a flight to Soroti is also recommendable. Here we search for the Fox’s Weaver which is endemic to Uganda. Overnight at Kumi Hotel (FB)
Red faced woodland warbler
Day 26-27: Uganda Bird Watching at Lake Bisina (Fox’s Weaver, Shoebill, and Papyrus Gonolek) :We bird for two days in this area as we search for the Fox’s Weaver (Uganda’ endemic bird). The area has water habitats harboring the Shoebill and a number of other bird species, both water and woodland. Overnight at Kumi Hotel (FB)
Day 28: Uganda Avian Journey to Mt. Elgon National Park :The park harbours 43 of the 144 species of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome and 56 of the 88 species of Afro-tropical Highland biome that occur in Uganda. There are isolated records of the near-threatened species, the Taita Falcon. Overnight at Locam Lodge (FB)
Dwarf Honeyguide
Day 29: Birding Tour of Mountain Elgon in Uganda (Taita Falcon, Hunter’s Cisticola) :Whole day birding, search for Hunter’s Cisticola and Jackson Francolin, Moorland Francolin, Moustached Green Tinkerbird, Alpine Chat, White-starred Robin, Cape Robin-Chat, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Little Rock-Thrush, Northern Anteater Chat, Nightingale, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Mountain Yellow Warbler, African Reed Warbler, Little Rush Warbler, Upcher’s Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff, the Uganda and Brown Woodland Warblers, Green Hylia, White-browed Crombec, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Stout, Thrilling, and Rattling Cisticolas, chances of seeing the Banded Prinia, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Northern
Double-collared Sunbird, Grey-headed Sunbird, Yellow-billed Shrike, Ludher’s Bush-shrike, Cape Rock, Fan-tailed and White-napped Raven, Chestnut Sparrow, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, White-headed Buffaloe-Weaver and many more. Overnight at Locam Lodge (FB)
Fan tailed widow
Day 30: Birding Trip to Mabira Forest of Uganda:We bird all the way to the biggest forest reserve closest to the city center with a record of 315 bird species. The forest has 74 of the 144 species of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome that occur in Uganda. Overnight at Rain Forest Lodge Mabira (FB)
Vulture
Day 31: Birding Mabira Forest In Uganda-(Nahan’s Francolin) :Whole day birding, Search for the Nahan’s Francolin which is an IUCN Red list’ endangered species, Cassin’s Hawk-eagle, White-spotted Flufftail, Afep Pigeon, Grey Parrot, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Black-shouldered Nightjar, Sabine’s Spinetail, Cassin’s Spinetail, Blue-throated Roller, African Dwarf Kingfisher, White-bellied Kingfisher, Forest Woodhoopoe, African Pied Hornbill, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Speckled Tinkerbird, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet,Yellow-billed Barbet, Green-breasted Pitta, African Shrike-flycatcher, Jameson’s and Chestnut Wattle-eyes, Forest Robin, Fire-crested Alethe, Red-capped Robin-Chat, the Speckle-breasted, Yellow-crested, Brown-eared, and the Buff-spotted Woodpeckers, Cassin’s Honeyguide, Red-tailed Bristlebil, etc. Overnight at Rain Forest Lodge Mabira (FB)
Zitting Cistico
Day 32: End of Tour – Departure
Cost Includes :– Accommodation and meals,- Vehicle and fuel costs (Full Time 4×4 Tourist vehicle with pop-up for birding in the Savanna).- Professional English-speaking Bird Guide,- 1 Mountain Gorilla Tracking Permit ,Chimpanzee Tracking Permit , Rhino Tracking Fees,- Game Rangers,- Nature Walk Fees,- Park entrance fees,- Nocturnal Primate Walk,- All birding spots Entrance Fees,- Boat trips,- Launch Cruises,- Canoes,- Game drive,- Site Guides Fees,- Drinking water throughout
Cost Excludes: – Laundry fees, Drinks in Bars, Tips, Entry visas, Airport taxes, Telephone calls
– Airfares to and from Uganda.
