Uganda, a country close to Oregon State (USA) in size, shares different African biomes from the Eastern savannas, to the West African lowland forests, highland forests in the Albertine rift, Lake Victoria basin as well as the semi-arid Sudan-Masai ecosystems. More than 50% of Africa’s and 10% of the global population of birds is found here in Uganda. This is a sample of how diverse Uganda is. The country is not only rich in bird diversity but also hundreds of other fauna including more than 380 mammal species, over 120 reptiles, thousands of amphibians and butterflies, and unique flora all call Uganda home. Uganda also offers a whole package of different cultural diversity with over 50 different tribes and many of these cultures directly affect the wildlife conservation in this country. Some of the highlights on this tour include; a long list of over 350 bird species like the prehistoric Shoebill, at least 30 mammals including the Big Four of the big five mammals of Africa and major primates like the Chimpanzees as well as the endangered Mountain Gorillas.
Day 1: Arrival and visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens
On arrival, pick up and transfer to the Botanical Gardens to relax and enjoy birding. The botanical gardens were established in 1907 as a centre for research, they have a mixture of indigenous trees, herbs and water shores. They are an ideal destination for birders because they host a lot of bird species in varied habitats and some of the birds expected here include Black and White-casqued Hornbill, Bat Hawk, Gray Parrot, Olive-bellied, Green-throated, Collared and Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, Black-headed, Golden-backed and Orange Weavers, Woodland and Pied Kingfishers, Gray-crowned Crane, Klaas’s, Diederic and Red-chested Cuckoos, African Fish Eagle, Congo Pied and Crowned Hornbills, Ross’s and Great Blue Turacos among others. Overnight in Entebbe
Day 2: Shoebill Tracking and Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
We shall head out early in the morning to Mabamba swamp a Ramsar site and important Bird Area. Birding is done on the boat, where we ride to the deepest ends of the swamp to have a chance to see the mighty Pre-historical Shoebill. In Uganda, you have greater chances of seeing the Shoebill. The swamp is home to various bird species, resident and rare migratory birds like the Blue Swallow. Other birds here apart from the Shoebill include the Osprey, Squacco, Rufous-bellied, Grey, Purple and Goliath Herons, Yellow-billed Duck, Weyn’s Weaver, Allen’s Gallinule, Fulvous and White-faced Whistling Ducks, Black Heron, African and Lesser Jacanas, and Blue-headed Coucal among others. We shall later transfer via the equator to Lake Mburo National Park. Some of the suspects on the way include; Rufous-crowned and Broad-billed Rollers, Red-eyed, Laughing and Ring-necked Doves, Village Indigo birds and Eastern Plantain-eaters among others. Overnight at the lodge
Day 3: Full day Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is a prime spot for birding with a mixture of savannah woodland, open water, wetland and forest ecosystems. The small park boosts 350 species of birds from the diverse ecosystems. We shall do full-day birding in the park and some of the species to look out for are the African Finfoot, Papyrus Gonolek, Shoebill, Red-faced, Crested, Black-collared and White-headed Barbets, Green-backed, Nubian and Cardinal Woodpeckers, Dark-eyed Tit, Southern Black Flycatcher, Emerald-spotted and Blue-spotted Wood-doves among others. We will also have a chance to encounter various animals like the Common Impalas, Plain Zebras, Nile Bushbucks, Hippopotamus, Common Eland, and Topi among others.
Day 4: Birding to Ruhija, Bwindi
We shall do birding around the neighbouring communities, dams and water holes outside Lake Mburo National Park and birds to look out for are the Red-headed Lovebirds, Lesser Jacana, Open-billed, Saddle-billed, and Marabou Storks, Hadada and Sacred Ibises and others as we head out to Ruhija in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage site which is home to half of the population of the world’s Mountain Gorillas. Ruhija is the highest point in Bwindi and because of this, it is home to most of the highland Albertine Rift endemic bird species. We intend to use this opportunity to exhaust the list of endemics like the; Rwenzori Batis, Collared Apalis, Northern Double-collared and Regal Sunbirds, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Strange Weaver, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Dwarf Honeyguide, Stripe-breasted Tit among others.
Day 5: Birding to Buhoma through the neck
On our way to the Northern sector of Bwindi, we shall make a couple of stops to scan through the forests for other birds leaving at the lower elevations and we shall pass through an exciting part of the forest known as the neck that connects the two sectors where we can look for species like Jameson’s Antpecker, Pink-footed Puffback, African Black Duck, Bronze-naped pigeon, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat among others. While in Buhoma we shall do birding on the main trail, here we shall have an opportunity to sight the Neumann’s Warbler, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Slender-billed Greenbul, White-headed Bushshrike, Bar-tailed Trogon among others. We shall also do evening birding around the lodge and could chance on the nightjars.
Day 6: Gorilla Tracking and Evening Birding in the Forest
One must never miss the opportunity to do Gorilla tracking while in Uganda. This is indeed a lifetime experience that offers you a chance to interact with the endangered Mountain gorillas that are our close relatives. The activity could last anywhere from 1 – 8 hours depending on many factors like the movement of the Gorillas, or the physical strength and speed of the visitors. Even with these challenges a meeting with the giants is worth it as you will have an opportunity to see them feed, play and groom each other; this is a sight to see. After this rewarding activity, we can go for evening birding in the forest depending on the interests of the group.
Day 7: Birding To Queen Elizabeth National Park
We shall head to Uganda’s second-largest National Park in Uganda which was named after the late Queen of England. It is one of the most visited parks in Uganda and harbours a very long bird list of over 600 different species. The different habitats in this park like the dry plains in Kasenyi, fault lakes, explosion craters, and wetlands among others favour a diversity of wildlife which includes large herds of Elephants, big schools of hippos, different ungulates like the Uganda Kob, big cats like the lion and leopard among others. This park is also home to the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha in its southern sector. We shall pick up a few species along the way some of which include the Sooty Chat, Palm-nut Vulture, Red-necked and Crested Francolins, Bateleur, Banded and Brown Snake-eagles, Black Bee-eater, Crested and Helmeted Guinea fowl to mention a few. Overnight at Bush Lodge
Day 8: Morning Birding in the Savannas and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Early in the morning we shall be out birding in the savanna and birds that we could encounter include the Yellow-throated Longclaw, Senegal Lapwing, Collared Pratincole, Black-chested, Beaudoin’s, Brown and Banded Snake-Eagles, Rufous-naped, Red-capped and Lappet Larks, Southern Red Bishop, Plain-backed and African Pipits, Martial and Long-crested Eagles, Woodland and Grey-headed Kingfishers, Temminck’s Courser, Red-eyed, Ring-necked and Laughing Doves, Palm nut, African White-backed and Lappet-faced Vultures among others. In this game drive, we could be lucky enough to encounter the Kings of the Jungle (lions), gentle elephants, stealthy leopards graceful Kobs among other animals. In the afternoon, we shall take a boat cruise on the mighty Kazinga Channel which connects the Rift Valley Lakes of Edward and George. You will stand an opportunity to see waders and other birds like the; Pied, malachite and Grey-headed Kingfishers, Collared Pratincole, Kittlitz’s, Common-ringed and Three-banded Plovers, Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans, African Spoonbill, Lesser Swamp Warbler, African Skimmer, African Fish Eagle, Hamerkop, Yellow-billed, Marabou and Open-billed Storks, Reed and Great Cormorants, Hadada and Sacred Ibises, Egyptian Goose, African Wattled and Spur-winged Lapwings, Water Thick-knee and many others. Some of the other possible wildlife sightings include big mammals like elephants, buffalo and hundreds of hippos, waterbuck, bushbuck, and hyena, plus reptiles like the Nile crocodile and Monitor Lizard. We shall later retire back to the lodge.
Day 9: Birding to Kibale and Evening Bigodi Swamp Walk
After breakfast, we shall drive through the Savannas as we head out to Kibale National Park commonly known as the primate capital of the world, home to 13 species of endangered primates which include the Chimpanzee one of our closest relatives. The park is also a diverse ecosystem with a Forest, community and a swamp that is home to over 400 bird species, like Black Bee-eater, Golden-crowned Woodpecker, Yellow-spotted and Yellow-billed Barbets, Black-necked and Yellow-mantled Weavers, Olive-green Camaroptera, Cassin’s Flycatcher and also home to the rare L’Hoest, Uganda Mangabey and Red Colobus monkeys. On arrival to the forest we shall do an evening Swamp walk into the bigodi swamp, this swamp is known for its extensive array of biodiversity where you can see a large percentage of primates, like the Red and Mantled Guereza Colobus, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoest and Vervet monkeys. You may also encounter several snake species like the Blanding’s and Splendid Tree Snakes, Forest Cobra, and Jameson’s Mamba as well as Chimpanzees among other animals. Apart from a large number of animals, you can record a wonderful list of over 200 species of birds in the swamp like Shining Blue and Blue-breasted Kingfishers, Great Blue and Ross’s Turacos, White-spotted Flufftail, Hairy-breasted, Grey-throated and Yellow-billed Barbets, Red-headed Bluebill, Plain, Toro Olive and Little Greenbuls among others.
Day 10: Chimpanzee Tracking and Afternoon Birding In the Forest
Another life experience is Chimpanzee tracking which takes half a day, you get to spend time with these primates observing how they relate with each other, grooming each other, feeding and hunting. After this interesting activity, we shall go birding in the Kibale forest birds to look out for include the Green-breasted Pitta, Joyful Greenbul, African Black Duck, Narina Trogon, Black-billed Turaco, Yellow- mantled Weaver, Afep and White-naped Pigeons, Red-headed Malimbe, Fraser’s Flycatcher-Thrush, Yellow-mantled Weaver, Blue-breasted and Shining Blue Kingfisher, Chestnut and Jameson’s Wattle-eyes among others.
Day 11: Birding To Masindi
We shall head out in the morning to transfer to the northwestern part of Uganda as we do some more birding around the communities where we shall pass and some of the expected include; the Stripped and Woodland Kingfisher, Great Blue and Ross’s Turacos, Lesser-stripped, Red-rumped and Mosque Swallows, Black-and-White-casqued Hornbill, White-browed Coucal, Brown-throated Wattle-eye. As we transition from forest to more open habitats towards Masindi, birds to expect include the African Green Pigeon, Vinaceous Dove, Banded Snake-eagle, Long crested eagle, Village and Vieillot’s Weavers, Little and White-rumped Swifts, Grey-crowned Crane, among others. This is one of the longest journeys to cover on this tour and we shall later check in at Masindi Hotel.
Day 12: Birding the Royal Mile and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Historically the royal mile was known as a hunting ground for the King of Bunyoro. South of Murchison Falls the Royal Mile is one of the most sought-after birding destinations for birders. The flat terrain of the quiet trail is very rewarding with a list of over 200 bird species. Birds to look out for include; the Puvel’s Illadopsis, Chocolate – backed ad African Dwarf Kingfishers, Ituri Batis, Forest Robin, White-spotted Flufftail, Fire-crested Alethe, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Uganda Woodland Warbler, White-thighed and Black-and-White-casqued Hornbills, Yellow-crested and Brown-eared Woodpeckers, Cassin’s and Sabine’s Spine-tails, Narina Trogon, Honeyguide and Spotted Greenbuls, Crowned Eagle, African, Cassin’s and Ayre’s Hawk Eagles, Fraser’s Forest, Black and White Shrike, African Shrike, and Sooty Flycatchers, Narina Trogon, and Crested Guinea fowls, Willcock’s Honeyguide, Chestnut and Jameson’s Wattle-eyes, among others. After an interesting excursion, we shall head out to Murchison Falls National Park the largest protected area in Uganda named after the most powerful waterfalls where the River explodes through a narrow gorge. It is bisected by the mighty river Nile, the park is a diverse ecosystem dominated by Borass’s savanna grasslands, woodland, and Riverine and forest habitats. It is home to four of the African Big Five, over 76 mammal species and home to over 450 bird species and also a sanctuary for migratory birds. Some of the few species to pick on the way include the silverbird, Black-billed wood dove, Black-billed Barbet, Northern Red Bishop, Yellow Bishop, Cut-throat Finch, Dark-chanting Goshawk, Namaqua Dove, Blue-naped Mousebird, Mocking Cliff chat, Singing Cisticola, and Chestnut-breasted Rock Bunting. We shall later check in at the lodge.
Day 13: Full Day Birding In Murchison Falls National Park
We shall do birding in the Savanna area of the park, woodland areas and along the river shores. Some of the culprits expected include Saddle-billed Stork, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Dark-chanting Goshawk, Denham’s and Black-bellied Bustards, Little, Red-throated, Swallow-tailed and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters , Speckle-fronted Weaver, Piapiac, Red-necked Falcon, Grey and Dickinson’s Kestrels, Martial Eagle, Short-toed, Beaudoin’s and Black-chested Snake Eagles, Secretary Bird, Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers, Shoebill, White-browed and Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weavers, Abyssinian Roller, Silverbird, Northern Crombec, Black-billed Wood, Vinaceous and Mourning Collared Doves, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Speckled and Blue-naped Mousebirds, African Harrier-Hawk, Fawn-breasted and Common Waxbills, Black-bellied and Red-billed Firefinches, Heuglin’s and Crested Francolin, Helmeted Guineafowl, Black-headed and Crowned Lapwings, Northern Red Bishop, Rattling and Foxy Cisticolas, Grey crowned Crane, Cattle Egret, Ruppell’s Griffon, White-backed, Hooded, Palm-nut and Lappet faced Vultures among many others. We also expect to encounter numerous mammal species like lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, hartebeest, leopards, Oribi and thousands of Uganda Kob among other antelopes. Return to the lodge.
Day 14: Morning Boat Cruise to the Delta and Transfer to Kampala
In the morning before we head out to Kampala, we shall have a morning boat cruise to the Nile Delta which is a prime spot for birding with over 78 water birds. It’s the best spot to see the Shoebill in the park. Birds to expect include the Goliath, Purple, Squacco, Striated, Black-crowned Night and Grey Herons, Senegal and Water Thick-knees, Egyptian Plover, Red-throated and Blue-breasted Bee-eaters, Wire-tailed Swallow, African Darter, Long-tailed Cormorant Giant, Pied and Malachite Kingfishers, Rock Pratincole, Bat Hawk, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Osprey, Lesser and African Jacanas, African Fish Eagle, Woodland Kingfisher, Egyptian and Spur-winged Geese, Openbill, Caspian, Three-banded, Common-ringed and Little-ringed Plovers, White-winged and Gull-billed Terns, Ruddy Turnstone, African and Greater Painted Snipes, Comb Duck, Fulvous and White-faced Whistling Ducks, Blue-billed Teal and Northern Brown-throated Weavers among many others. We shall later transfer back to Kampala/ Entebbe depending on our flight schedules.
Day 15: Optional Botanical Gardens and Departure
Before heading out to the Airport we can, re-visit the botanical gardens and try to look for the birds that we didn’t see or enjoy the cool environment on the shores of Lake Victoria before the long flights back home. This will mark the end of our tour.
