10 Days Birding Uganda
This 10 Days Birding Uganda : will take you to some of Uganda’s best birding spots for your birding experience. Firstly, the safari will first take you to Mabamba swamp which is a great spot for bird watching. It is also the only place where the elusive Shoebill can be spotted at any one time of the day. Secondly, the safari will continue to Lake Mburo National Park which is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah parks. Additionally it is best for water and acacia associated birds, harboring different bird species. The birding safari will continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is Uganda’s most famous park.
The park contains over 600 bird species making it a must visit destination for birders to Uganda. Migratory birds are seen from November to April however birds can be seen throughout the year. Later, you will head to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which is one of the most biologically diverse rain forests in Uganda. As a matter of fact, the park protects an estimated 400 mountain gorillas which is roughly half of the world’s population. Additionally, the park has over 350 bird species, with 14 not recorded anywhere else in Uganda. The safari will conclude with Mgahinga National Park found in southwestern Uganda and blessed with a unique bird fauna. In addition, some of these species are endemic to the Albertine Rift Mountains.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Birding in Mabamba swamp-Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park-Boat cruise
After an early breakfast, you will be picked by one of our representative from Great Nest Image Safaris. You will be transferred to the dock where you will take a boat to Mabamba swamp. The swamp is generally one of the best places for spotting rare shoebill. Here, you will go for birding using a canoe while looking our for different bird species.
These include; African jacana, Malachite kingfisher, Papyrus gonolek, White-winged black terns. Yellow-backed weaver, Goliath herons, White-winged warbler, Northern brown-throated weaver. Pygmy geese, Papyrus canary, Gull-billed terns, Blue-headed coucal, Grey-headed gulls, etc. Afterwards, you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park reaching in time for lunch. Later in the afternoon, you will go for a boat ride on Lake Mburo and while here look out for different bird species.
These include; White-headed barbet, Red-faced barbet (only seen in here). Nubian woodpecker, Red-shouldered cuckoo-shrike, Long-tailed cisticola, Yellow-breasted apalis. White-winged tit and Fin foot, Papyrus yellow warbler, Saddle-billed stork. Blue-breasted kingfisher, Hairy-breasted barbet, Pelicans not to mention but a few. However, you will also be to spot water animals like the Hippos & Crocodiles. Later you will check in your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
- Hyena hill lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 2: Morning game drive-Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and go for an early morning game drive. While here, you will spot different animal species such as Hyenas, leopards, buffalos, bushbucks and waterbucks, etc. While on the game drive, also watch out for different bird species. These may include; Wagtails, Verreaux’s eagle owl, Martial eagle, Blue headed coucal among others. Later you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation
- Buffalo safari lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 3: Early birding-Boat cruise
You will have your early morning breakfast and later go for birding. You will head to Lake Katwe well known for the huge population of Flamingos. Here, you will also come across different birds species such as the warbler, the beautiful black headed gonolek.
Red chested sunbird, Yellow-backed and lesser masked weavers, Pin-tailed whydah. Slender-tailed nightjars, Temminck’s courser, Red-capped lark, Lesser flamingos. African broadbill, Pink backed pelican, Bar-tailed godwit among others. After having lunch, you will set off for a boat ride on Kazinga channel. Generally, this channel is said to host a number of bird species. Birds to watch out include; African skimmers, Long tailed cormorant, Goliath heron, Pied kingfisher, etc. The channel also harbors the world’s largest concentration of Hippos, Monitor lizards as well as Crocodiles. Later you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
- Buffalo safari lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 4: Game viewing-Transfer to Bwindi
After your morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and drive towards the Ishasha plains in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The plains are generally popular for the tree climbing lions commonly sighted in the fig trees especially on hot days. Other big game include; Antelopes, Elephants and Buffalos. Later you will have your lunch and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation
- Gorilla closeup lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 5: Birding Buhoma
After an early breakfast, you will set off with a picnic lunch for your full day birding along the trails in Buhoma. Here, the area is well known in excellent for forest species and numerous Albertine endemics. While here look out for the Bar-tailed trogon, Wagtails, Short-tailed warbler, Kivu ground thrush. White-bellied robin-chat, Black bee-eater, Grey flycatcher, African dusky blue flycatcher and much more. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Accommodation
- Engagi lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 6: Early birding in Buhoma-Transfer to Ruhija
After breakfast, you will do an early birding through the lush forest in Buhoma before heading to Ruhija. You will drive to Ruhija via the Neck which is productive to a number of bird species. These include; Red-headed bluebill, Bar-tailed trogon, Wagtails, Blue-throated roller among others. Later you will check in your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
- Trekkers Tavern Cottages
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 7: Full day birding in Ruhija
After your morning breakfast, you will head to Ruhija sector. In fact, this place is popular for one of the Africa’s most sought rarest bird known as the African Green Broadbill. However, for the best sight, you will walk down to Mubwindi Swamp. While here; also look out for African crowned eagle, Purple-breasted sunbird, not to mention but a few. Later you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Trekkers Tavern Cottages
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 8: Birding in Ruhija-Transfer to Mgahinga National Park
After breakfast, check out of the lodge, go for an early birding, and afterwards, transfer to Mgahinga National Park. You will arrive late in the afternoon and you can decide to have a rest or do some community visits. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Accommodation
- Travelers rest hotel
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 9: Birding in Mgahinga-Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
You will have your morning breakfast and later transfer to Ntebeko camp where you will trek through several montane habitants. While here, look out for the Olive pigeon, Rwenzori nightjar, White-necked raven. Archer’s robin chat, White-tailed blue flycatcher among others. You will have lunch and later transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation
- Hyena hill lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 10: Transfer to Kampala
After your breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and later depart to Kampala/Entebbe reaching late in the evening.
End birding tour
Number of Days
10 Days / 9 Nights
Included
- All Park entry fees
- A professional birding guide
- All transportation including fuel
- Meals at the lodge
- All activities (included in the itinerary)
- All accommodation (included in the itinerary)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip/Airport transfer
- Bottled drinking water
Excluded
- International flights
- Personal items
- Extra meals
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
What to pack during your birding Trip
- Hat
- Boots
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Field guide book
- Appropriate clothes for birding
- Insect repellants
- Drinking water
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