Overview:

On this Uganda birdwatching safari / tour and chimpanzee primate tracking Uganda safari, you will visit Kibale, Semliki and Murchison Falls national parks. Uganda is a prime birding destination, its verdant eco system characterized by lush forests, swamps, water bodies and extensive savannas make birdlife flourish. It is a mega spot for birdwatching enthusiasts and safari goers with over 1060 bird species, a population that accounts to nearly half of Africa’s total species and over 11% of the global population. It has won birding accolades for example from Birding International and African Birders Club, it is home to some of the endemic species like the Fox’s Weaver, restricted range species, endangered/ threatened species as well as common species.

This birdwatching Uganda tour and primate tracking safari, you will lookout for the bird and primate variety in the forests and reserves of Kibale Forest National Park with more than 300 bird and 13 primate species, Semliki National Park with more than 400 bird species and in Murchison Falls which is home to more than 450 bird species.

Details

Note: On the day of arrival at Entebbe International Airport for this Uganda birdwatching and primate tracking safari, you will be warmly received by the company guide, who will transfer you to your overnight accommodation in Kampala. Optional: depending on time of arrival and how you would be feeling, you may do a Kampala city tour visiting sites like Mengo [Buganda] palace, Uganda Martyrs shrine and the East African crafts and Art Gallery for Souvenir shopping. This maybe time/day to change your money. Overnight (o/n): Sheraton Hotel (Premium)/ Imperial Royale (Luxury)/ Cassia lodge (Midrange)/ Speke Hotel (Basic); Bed & Breakfast

Day 01: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park [About 6hours drive].

Take an early breakfast at your overnight hotel in Kampala, your guide will meet you here, and then embark on a drive to the Western part of the country in the direction of Fort Portal town. The drive will reward you with pleasant views in the countryside dotted by rolling tea estates. Lunch will be in Fort Portal, and later head to the lodge where your dinner and overnight will be.

Meal Plan: Half board: Overnight: Ndali lodge (Premium) or Crater safari lodge/Primate lodge (Luxury) or Primate Lodge (Midrange) or Kibale Forest lodge (Basic).

Day 02: Chimpanzee tracking and bird-watching in Kibale Forest

Start this Uganda birdwatching and primate safari with an early breakfast and transfer to Kanyanchu visitor reception area for registration, and briefing from the ranger, then enter the forest at 8:00am to start tracking these delightful apes. Once you meet them, you will be allowed an hour in their presence to watch them feed and display, swinging in tree branches with their pant-hooting calls. On this birding forest walk expect to come across a number of birds and other primates like the Blue monkeys, Pottos, and L’Hoest among others. After lunch in the afternoon, you will go for an evening birdwatching session.

Meal Plan: Full board [FB]: Overnight: Ndali lodge (Premium) or Crater safari lodge/Primate lodge (Luxury) or Primate Lodge (Midrange) or Kibale Forest lodge (Basic).

Day 03: Uganda Primate tracking and Birdwatching in Bigodi; transfer to Semliki National Park [About 3hour drive]

Transfer to Bigodi wetland, a wildlife corridor to Kibale National Park for an ultimate primate and birdwatching Uganda safari experience. The 3hour guided walk lets you explore the diversity in this wetland famously known as the home of the Great Blue Turaco, it hosts over 200 bird species and 8 primate species, with also mammals like the swamp dwelling Sitatunga. Later in the afternoon, return to the lodge for lunch, and then leave for Semliki National Park where dinner and overnight will be.

Meal Plan: Full board [FB]: Overnight: r Semliki Safari lodge (Luxury) 

Day 04: Birdwatching in Uganda's Semliki National Park and visit the hot springs.

Start off with breakfast and go for a birdwatching Uganda experience deep in the heart of Semliki, this will take you through the day starting off in the early morning hours. On this activity, expect to encounter lots of bird species as well as primates and if lucky the forest mammals like Elephants and Buffalos among others. You will also visit the hot spring; the park's famous attraction. Retire at the lodge in the evening. It is here dinner and overnight will be. Meal Plan: Full board [FB].

Day 05: Game viewing in Tooro-Semliki reserve and later Head to Hoima [Approx. 5hour drive]

After breakfast, go for a game viewing session in the Tooro-Semliki wildlife reserve, looking out for mammals and other wildlife species within the reserve, later return to the lodge for lunch, checkout and transfer Northwards through the Great Bunyoro region and the Albertine rift valley region to Hoima or Masindi. Overnight will be at the lodge in Hoima or Masindi.

Meal Plan: Full board [FB]: Overnight: Bugoma Jungle lodge/ Miika Resort hotel (midrange) or Masindi hotel/ Country Inn Motel (basic).

Day 06: Transfer to Budongo Forest Reserve [Approx. 5hour drive]

Begin with an early breakfast, leave in time continue northwards to Murchison Falls conservation area in Budongo Forest. Arrive in time for lunch and in the late afternoon hours, go for a birdwatching Uganda safari experience through the reserve, in Kaniyo Pabidi section or birding along the Royal Mile with an experience of the canopy towering overhead. The nature walk will reward you with a variety of forest species including primates.

Meal Plan: Full board [FB]: Nile Safari lodge (Premium) or Paraa Safari lodge (Luxury) or Murchison River lodge (Midrange) or Budongo Eco-lodge (Basic).

Day 07: Birdwatching in Budongo Forest Reserve; head to Murchison.

Wake up early to catch the morning birdwatching session. After breakfast you will enter the forest, to lookout for the bird variety in the reserve, the mornings are ideal for spotting birds as they leave their nests to start off their day, the forest is characterized by beautiful scents, sights and sounds. The activity lasts about 3hours, return to the lodge for lunch, leave for the park and head to the top of the falls rewarding you the best photography moments and it’s the highlight of your visit to the park.

Meal Plan: Full board [FB] Overnight: Nile Safari lodge (Premium) or Paraa Safari lodge (Luxury) or Pakuba Safari lodge (Midrange) or Heritage lodge (Basic).

Day 08: Birding on a launch trip to the delta and upstream to the falls.

After breakfast, transfer to Paraa for a morning launch cruise along the Nile to go birding around the delta, this area presents opportune moments to see the Shoebill stork- a prehistoric looking bird often seen in the marshes here.

After lunch you will participate in another launch trip to the bottom of the falls, the trip that eventually culminates into the frontal display of the falls rewards you with a variety of bird species including water birds and the Albertine rift endemics, the cliffs on the banks are crammed with birds; also expect to come across mammals and reptiles. Meal Plan: Full board: Overnight at the lodge.

Day 09: Game drive and transfer back to Kampala [Approx. 6hours drive]

After breakfast, go for an early game drive through the Northern bank, where you will see the wildlife in the rolling savannas characterized by Borassus palms; expect to see the African Elephants, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Buffalos and many others, later drive off back to Kampala with lunch enroute. You will be transferred to the Airport for your flight or be dropped off at the hotel. Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Rate Inclusion

*Park entrance fees *Chimpanzee tracking permit per person in Kibale *All activity fees unless labeled as optional *Professional English Speaking guide/driver *Ground Transportation in 4x4 Safari vehicle (Van for Basic or Midrange and land cruise for Luxury) *Round trip Airport/hotel transfers *Drinking mineral water in the car *Meals as the itinerary describes *Amref Air Ambulance *Personal Hand Sanitizers on tour

Rate Exclusions

*Tourist Visa fees (visa can be arranged on request) *Pre & Post Tour Accommodation [can be arranged on request] *Airline tickets [arranged on request] *Tips, Gratuities and expenses of personal nature *Travel insurance.

Contact us for low season discounts and save more on your trip. April, May and November. To customize your trip or if more than 6 pax, request for a quotation safaris@avenstravelworld.com