Booking for : 25 Days Uganda Grand Birders Tour
25 Days Uganda Grand Birders Tour
Tour Details
This is a Uganda’s birding safari that explores the best of Uganda’s Important Bird Areas as w ell as other places of interest from montane vegetation to equatorial rain forests and wetlands.
Mabamba Swamp
This is a common site for those interested in birding especially close to the city. Here you will find African water/Swamp bird species like shoebill stork, pink-barked pelican, long-tailed cormorant, saddle-billed stork and marabous and others. Thereafter you will proceed to Lake Mburo National Park where you will be able to see several species including the conqui francoin, the blackheaded squacco, kingfisher, red-naked spurfowl, temminck’s courser, black bellied bustard and African wattled lapwing. More wild life can be seen as you do a game drive while entering the park including impala, waterbuck, zebra, buffalo, hippos and crocodiles.
Mgahinga National Park
Here birding safari is also popular where you will see most of the Albertine Rift valley endemic species including; the Handsome Francolin, Dusky Turtle Dove, Rwenzori Turaco, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, White-starred Robin, Equatorial Akalat, Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Banded Prinia, Grauer’s Warbler, Chestnut-throated Apalis.
Echuya Forest
Echuya forest reserve is ranked among the top 10 birding spots in Uganda together with Muchuya swamp which consists of over 100 bird species recorded. Birding here can be rewarding with a variety of bird species including Dwarf Honeyguide, Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, Strip-breasted Tit, Regal Sunbird, Doherty’s Bush-Shrike, Montane Oriole, Strange Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver and the Strange Weaver.
Why you choose this package!
- Game Drives
- Gorillas
- Uganda Birds
Day 1,Arrival
Upon arrival at Entebbe international airport, you will be met with our driver guide for meet and greet and then transfer to a hotel. O/N Boma Guesthouse Entebbe (BB)
Day 2,Kampala – Mabamba Swamp – Lake Mburo National Park
Very early in the morning you will set off to bird Mabamba Swamp in Mpigi. Here you will find African water/Swamp bird species like shoebill stork, pink-barked pelican, long-tailed cormorant, saddle-billed stork and marabous and others. Thereafter you will proceed to Lake Mburo National Park where you will be able to see several species including the conqui francoin, the blackheaded squacco, kingfisher, red-naked spurfowl, temminck’s courser, black bellied bustard and African wattled lapwing. More wild life can be seen as you do a game drive while entering the park including impala, waterbuck, zebra, buffalo, hippos and crocodiles.
O/N: Acardia Mburo Cottages or Mihingo Lodge (FB).
Day 3,Lake Mburo National Park
This morning we will go for a game drive for more wildlife experiences and more bird species along. Later in the afternoon, we will have a launch cruise on Lake Mburo searching for the rare white backed night heron, African fin foot, African giant king fisher, papyrus gonolek and the white winged weaver among others.
O/N: Acardia Mburo Cottages or Mihingo Lodge (FB).
Day 4,Lake Mburo NP - Mgahinga National Park
This morning, we will have another game drive as we exit the park heading westwards with lunch enroute as we proceed the journey to Mt. Mgahinga Park.
O/N: Travellers Rest Hotel or Mt. Gahinga Lodge (FB).
Day 5,Mgahinga National Park
Today, we will have a full day birding in Mgahinga Forest where you will see most of the Albertine Rift valley endemic species including; the Handsome Francolin, Dusky Turtle Dove, Rwenzori Turaco, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, White-starred Robin, Equatorial Akalat, Red-throated Alethe, Archer's Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Banded Prinia, Grauer's Warbler, Chestnut-throated Apalis.
O/N: Travellers Rest Hotel or Mt. Gahinga Lodge (FB).
Day 6,Echuya Forest – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Echuya forest reserve is ranked among the top 10 birding spots in Uganda together with Muchuya swamp which consists of over 100 bird species recorded. Birding here can be rewarding with a variety of bird species including Dwarf Honeyguide, Red-throated Alethe, Archer's Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Grauer's Rush Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer's Warbler, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, Strip-breasted Tit, Regal Sunbird, Doherty's Bush-Shrike, Montane Oriole, Strange Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver and the Strange Weaver. You will continue birding by the road to Ruhiija in the south west of Bwindi Park. O/N: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 7,Bird Mubwindi Swamp
This morning, we will start birding in Mubwindi swamp where you expect to watch species including; the Handsome Francolin, African Wood Owl, Rwenzori Nightjar, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black Bee-eater, Western Green Tinkerbird, Dwarf Honeyguide, Fine-banded Woodpecker, African Green Broadbill, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Shelly's Greenbul, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Red-throated Alethe, Archer's Robin-Chat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Grauer's Rush Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Strip-breasted Tit, Tit Hylia, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Dusky Twinspot, Dusky Crimsonwing. Just a few out of the 320 recorded bird species in Bwindi.
O/N: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 8,Track Gorillas
This morning we go tracking Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Tracking begin at 8:00am with briefing and can last for up to 9 hours in the jungle. Tracking may be challenging but coming face to face with these primates is a remarkable non forgettable experience you will ever have. Several bird species and other primates can be viewed on track.
O/N: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp or Mahogany Springs (FB).
Day 9,Bird Buhoma through `The Neck`
Take a morning bird watching in Buhoma through “The Neck” where the forest narrows and birding can be excellent in the forest. It covers a distance of about 50km however can take a full day of bird watching due to the variety of bird species in this area. You may see the strange grauer’s warbler, white-brown crombec, the rare Jameson’s antpecker and others. Thereafter you will drive back to Buhoma for dinner and overnight.
O/N: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp or Mahogany Springs (FB).
Day 10,Bird Buhoma Main Trail
Here you will go birding as you search for species including; the olive long-tailed cuckoo, bar-tailed trogon, Dusky tit, kivu ground- thrush, white-tailed Robin-chat, Equatorial Akalat, white-tailed ant-thrush, red-throated alethe, white-belied crested flycatcher, northern double-collared sunbird, black-billed weaver, magpie Mannikin and in the open forest the favourable species include the Africa goshawk, the Dazzling black bee-eater, blue-throated roller, sooty flycatcher and forest starlings.
O/N: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp or Mahogany Springs (FB).
Day 11,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After a morning breakfast you will drive to Queen Elizabeth Park through Ishasha section which is famous for climbing lions with a game drive where you will see most of the savannah species. Queen Elizabeth Park which boosts with over 500 species of birds including the shoebill stork, the black bee-eater, Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture, African White-backed Vulture, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Bateleur, Long-created Eagle, Martial Eagle, Grey Kestrel, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, African Wattled Plover, Crowned Plover, Senegal Plover, Kittlitz’s Plover, Rufous napped Lark, Flappet Lark, White-tailed Lark, Brown-backed Srub-Robin, Zitting Cisticola, Croaking Cisticola, Grey-capped Warbler, Black-lored Babbler, Grey backed FiscalBlack-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo, Pin-tailed Whydah. On a game drive you will also see other species like Guinea fowls, elephants, giraffes and Kobs.
O/N: Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Mweya Lodge (FB).
Day 12,Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today, we will spend the whole day birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park with options of Maramagambo Forest, Kazinga channel of the Lake George area. We will also take a game drive for more wildlife experiences.
O/N: Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Mweya Lodge (FB).
Day 13,Queen Elizabeth NP– Kibale Forest National Park
You will go for a morning bird watching in Kyambura Gorge while viewing the steep slopes as wells chimpanzees some of the bird species which could be watched include the Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture, African White-backed Vulture, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle. In the afternoon you will relax and have lunch after which you will proceed for a boat cruise on Kazinga Channel where you will view several birds quenching up including various animals like hippos, crocodiles, kobs, buffaloes and elephants. Later in the afternoon, we will drive to Kibale Forest National Park.
O/N: Primate Lodge or Ndali Lodge. (FB)
Day 14,Kibale Forest National Park
Today, we will start the day with an early morning walk viewing birds in Kibale Forest which is known to have over 320 recorded bird species including the Green-breasted pitta, African pitta, Abyssinian ground thrush, Crowned eagle, Dusky crimson wing, Black-capped apalis, Collared apalis, Purple-breasted sunbird, Black bee-eater, Yellow spotted nicator, Little greenbul, Black-eared ground thrush, Brown-chested alethe, Yellow-rumped tinker bird, Blue-breasted kingfisher. Birding in Kibale forest is also an opportunity for you to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat, including many other species of primates. Kibale forest contains the largest number of primate in Africa.
O/N: Primate Lodge or Ndali Lodge. (FB)
Day 15,Bigodi swamp, Kibale Forest National Park
BIgodi swamp is managed by Kibale Association Rural and Environmental development (KAFRED) which was formed in 1992, it is a Community Based project purposely to protect the local environment while advancing health, education and economic growth in the wider local community. You will go for birding in Bigodi swamp trails made the community tourism project, you can see the great blue turaco, hornbill, waxbill, weaver, cuckoos, kingfisher, flycatcher and many other species. You will also go birding around the crater lakes before returning to the lodge for a rest.
O/N: Primate Lodge or Ndali Lodge. (FB)
Day 16,Kibale – Budongo Forest
You will take a long drive northwards to Budongo Forest area with numerous birding stops en route. The drive will take you through astonishing sceneries tea plantations and local villages arriving in the evening for a dinner and rest overnight.
O/N Budongo Eco Lodge (FB).
Day 17,Budongo Forest
This day starts your two days birding experience in Budongo forest. You will go quietly searching for birds following ``The Royal Mile” this is one of the best birding spots in Uganda and it’s also well known for traditional and historical leisure spots for kings hence the name ``Royal Mile”. You will search for bird species including some of; African Crowned Eagle, Nahan's Francolin, White-spotted Flufftail, Sabine's Spinetail, Cassin's Spinetail, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, Blue-throated Roller, Piping Hornbill, White-thighed Hornbill, Hairy-breasted Barbet and many more.
O/N Budongo Eco Lodge (FB).
Day 18,Budongo Forest
You will start birding in Budongo forest following the main trail, the forest has several of the Albertine rift valley species among which you could see; the Brown-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Spotted Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Rufous-crowned Elemomela, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Black-capped Apalis, Ituri Batis, Chestnut-caped Flycatcher, Grey-headed Sunbird, Western-black Headed Oriole.
O/N Budongo Eco Lodge (FB).
Day 19,Budongo Forest – Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, drive northwards to Murchison Falls Park birding through the Kaniyo Pabidi section of Budongo forest which is a new discovery for Puvell’s Lladopsis, Black-billed turacco, narina tragon, blue-throated roller and Fire-crested alethe. On your bird watch you will also have chances of seeing primates in the forest like Chimps, Monkeys and others.
O/N: Baker’s Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 20,Murchison Falls National Park
You will bird the largest national national park in the pearl of Africa, habituates about 360 recorded bird species. Some the other species which can be seen in the park include blue-throated roller, dwarf kingfisher and grey-chinned sunbird, African Darter, Goliath Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, Abdim’s Stork, Shoebill, White-faced Whistling Duck, Secretary Bird, Osprey, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Martial Eagle, Hugli’s Francolin, Denham’s Bustard, Spotted Thick-knee, Senegal Thick-knee, Rock Pratincole, Black-headed Plover, Long-toed Plover, Black-billed Wood-Dove, Veracious Dove, Long Tailed Nightjar, Standard-winged Nightjar, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Blue-naped Moosebird, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Red-throated Bee-eater, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Black Scimitarbill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Black-billed Barbet, White-fronted Black Chat, Silverbird, Beautiful Sunbird, Piapiac, Speckle-fronted Weaver, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Vaseline Masked Weaver, Bar-breasted Firefinch, White-rumped Seedeater, Saddle-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, Spur-winger Geese, Black Crake, Grey-crowned Crane, Blue-naped Moosebird, Spotted Morning Thrush, Nothern Crombec, Red-winged Grey Warbler, to mention but just a little.
O/N: Baker’s Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 21,Murchison Falls Park
You will start with a morning boat ride on the Nile birding with the sun behind you. Here you will go searching for water species including snake eagle, fish eagle, the rare shoebill, Egyptian goose, the African darter, bee-eaters, shoebill stork, Goliath heron, Red-Naked Falcon, saddle billed stork, and animals like hippos, crocodiles. You will head to the bottom of the falls for a glance at the spectacular falls in the focal park of the country. You will later go for an afternoon game drive in the park to see some savannah species including hartebeests, elephants, Cape buffalos, Rothschild’s giraffes, waterbucks, Oribis, bushbucks, bohor reed bucks, hyenas and probably lions.
O/N: Baker’s Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 22,Kidepo National Park (OPTIONAL)
This takes you to the northeast of the country where you will take a long full day drive to Kidepo National Park. For those who do not wish to take this trip will drive back to Kampala for their departure.
O/N Apoka Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 23,Kidepo National Park (OPTIONAL)
Kidepo Park lies on a rugged semi-arid valley of Karamoja province in the north eastern part of Uganda. Kidepo boasts of total recorded bird species of 475 second to queen Elizabeth Park. Among these you will see on your birding trail include; ostrich, African swallow-tailed kite, eastern pale chanting goshawk, pygmy falcon, fox kestrel, stone partridge, clapperton’s, yellow nacked spurfowl, kori, white-bellied and hartlaubb’s bustards, violet-tipped couser, black headed plover, four-banded keet, white-crested turaco. The grasslands adjacent to the airstrip are good place for searching for the striking black-headed plover, singing bush lark, whilst harlequin quail, common buttonquail, black bellied bustard, croaking cisticola and flapper larks. O/N Apoka Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 24,Kidepo National Park - Masindi (OPTIONAL)
Drive back to Masidni via Gulu, you will have a stopover for dinner and rest overnight.
O/N Masindi Hotel (FB)
Day 25,Masindi – Entebbe
You will drive back to Entebbe via Nakasongola and Luwero then transfer to Entebbe airport for your evening flight.
Tour Ends.
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