TOUR UG9: BIRDING IN UGANDA (15 Days)
This safari starts and finishes in Entebbe.
With over 1,100 bird species, Uganda has this precious jewel that is not found in many nations around the world. The expedition visits tranquil Murchison Falls National Park, including the forests of Budongo (180 Square miles) and the much smaller Kaniyo Pabidi (25 Square miles); the dense forest of Kibale in Western Uganda; Queen Elizabeth’s unique location and diversity; the gorilla forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga; and finishes with Lake Mburo National Park with its glorious landscapes. Birders could see up to 450 bird species, as well as other wildlife – primates, game. (The Gorilla tracking permit in Mgahinga is included in the safari cost).
The wetter months (February – May and September – November) are usually recommended for birding as most birds breed during this time and are more active and vocal.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Entebbe airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Imperial Resort Beach Hotel for overnight (BB).
Day 2: We will leave via Kampala for the journey to Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi, birding on the way. Lunch en route and continue to Murchison. Bird watching at the top of the Falls and proceed to your lodging, making brief game viewing stops on the way before retiring for the night. In Murchison Falls over 450 species have been recorded, including the shoebill, Saddle-billed stork, red-necked falcon, Green-backed Heron, Fluvous Whistling Duck and Blue-breasted Bee-eater. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours] O/N: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp (FB).
Day 3: On the game drive, bird north of the Nile. You could carry a packed lunch. Launch trip to the bottom of the mighty falls, after which the park is named. View crocodiles, hippos and birds lazing around on the banks of the Nile - the rare shoebill stork, African jacana, goliath heron, migrant swallows, red-throated bee-eaters, gees, whale-headed stork and the ever-present fish eagle. O/N: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Camp (FB).
Day 4: An early start, carrying a packed lunch. Bird either Budongo Forest or Kaniyo Pabidi. Birdlife is exceedingly rich – up to 332 different species have been recorded - including the rare blue-throated roller, dwarf kingfisher, velvet-mantled drongo and grey-chinned sunbird. A three-hour walk allows you an opportunity of seeing up to 60 bird species. Both forests are also rich in chimpanzees, monkeys and other primates. Lunch and drive to Hoima. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours] O/N: Crown Hotel/Kolping Guest House (FB).
Day 5: Start for Kibale Forest via Fort Portal, past huge tea and coffee plantations. Arrive in time for lunch. Bird Magombe/Bigodi swamps. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours] O/N: Ndali Lodge/Mantana Camp (FB).
Day 6: Bird Kibale forest. Over 320 species have been recorded here, including the yellow-spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinkerbird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the African pitta, the crowned eagle as well as wetland species. O/N: Ndali Lodge/Mantana Camp (FB).
Day 7: Bird the lakes near your lodge and continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park. In QE over 500 species of birds have been recorded. The shoebill stork, the black bee-eater, many species of kingfisher and several falcons, eagles and flamingos are some of the variety. Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The launch trip along the Kazinga Channel is rich in game, especially hippo, buffalo, elephant and a vast array of birds. [Approximate driving time: 3 hours] O/N: Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 8: Early start, carrying a packed lunch. Bird Maramagambo Forest, Lake Kikorongo, and Kasenyi Track. See the illustrious blue lake in Maramagambo Forest. O/N: Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (FB). [This is a long day].
Day 9: Chimp tracking and bird watching in Kyambura Gorge. Leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Bird the waterfalls, the main track and the area around the camp. Bwindi has over 350 species, more than 184 of which are endemic to the forest. Birding in this park allows you to see up to 100 bird species a day including the Great Blue Turaco, the Black-billed Turaco, the Crested Guinea and Africa’s friendliest bird, The Pied Wagtail. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours]. O/N: Bwindi Tented Camp or Buhoma Homestead (FB).
Day 10: Start for Ruhija (in Bwindi). With your guide, bird the Mubwindi swamps nearby. O/N: Bwindi Tented Camp/Buhoma Homestead (FB).
Day 11: Bird the Ruhija area and continue to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, birding en route. Over 79 species of birds have been recorded in Mgahinga, including the coloured Rwenzori turaco and the very rare Grauer’s swamp warber. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours] O/N: Mount Gahinga Rest Camp or Mgahinga Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 12: Go gorilla tracking. Bird Gahinga Forest. O/N: Mount Gahinga Rest Camp or Mgahinga Safari Lodge (FB).
Day 13: Drive to Kabale. Visit Lake Bunyonyi, the lake of “small birds” for birding. Continue to Lake Mburo National Park. The lovely landscape is complemented by Lake Mburo itself and four smaller lakes, beautiful and tranquil surroundings where you will see impala, eland, kingfisher, waterbuck, zebra and buffalo. After lunch, a canoe trip in the afternoon to see a variety of water birds. Your guide will keep you a safe distance away from the hippos and crocodiles! [Approximate driving time: 3 hours] O/N: Mantana Mburo Camp (FB).
Day 14: An early morning game drive. Drive to Mpigi and visit Mabamba Swamp, time permitting, for pelicans, eagles and the rare shoe-bill stork. Return to Kampala. Lunch in Masaka. Arrive late afternoon (HB). Transfer to the airport. Tour ends.
More Uganda Tours
For all categories of accommodation, ALL drinks (except bottled water) are excluded in the safari cost and clients are to pay for them direct to the hotels/Camps / Lodges. Clients could choose to fly out the following day in cases where there are no flights for their departure on the last day of the itinerary. A supplement for the extra night will be required.
Flights
Merit Safaris will advise the most appropriate airlines to use to fly to Uganda. We could book your flights; alternatively you can contact your tour operator or travel agent.
Safaris start and end either in either Entebbe or Kampala in Uganda; or Kigali in Rwanda.
For those who wish, a visit for an extra three days by air, to the Karamojong nomadic farmers/cattle rustlers in the North, can be arranged. Please contact us for details.
Unless otherwise stated, prices quoted include a safari car for the itinerary stated, accommodation on a shared basis and meals (in Kampala/Kigali bed and breakfast only and on safari full board), 1 boat/launch trip, park fees, chimpanzee permits and one gorilla permit.
Prices do not include airfares to Uganda/Rwanda, entry visas and airport taxes, all personal expenditure such as tips, telephone calls, laundry and drinks. For single rooms, the supplement (SRS) has to be paid. Fees for mountain climbing, fishing and other specialist activities will attract an extra charge where not stated.
Prices are quoted in US Dollars. At the time of booking, clients should confirm with us the prevailing exchange rates for Pounds and Euros, if they wish to pay in those currencies. At the time of booking, the client(s) will need to pay for all gorilla permits needed in full otherwise a deposit equivalent to 20% of the cost of a safari paid, whichever is higher.
Key to Itineraries:
| O/N: |
Overnight |
| FB |
Accommodation on Full Board basis. All meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) are included in the safari cost. |
| HB |
Accommodation on Half Board basis. One meal (either lunch or dinner) as well as breakfast are included in the safari cost. |
| BB |
Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis. Only breakfast is included in the safari cost at the stated property. |
| B |
Accommodation on Bed Only basis. All meals at the stated property are not included in the safari cost. To be paid for directly by the client. |
