Overview:

This is a Uganda birding safari |tour for birdwatching enthusiasts and Ornithologists, leading you to the alluring sites of Uganda. On this avian Uganda safari, you will search for the bird variety including; rare and endemic species in the forests of Bwindi and Kibale Forests as well as Queen Elizabeth national park. The selection of these birding sites give you a flawless taste of both the forest and savanna species.

While on this birding Uganda safari, you explore the environs of Bwindi Impenetrable forest, you will see some of the Albertine Rift endemic species, birdwatching will be done at Buhoma, Ruhija, and Munyaga trail. The park has over 350 species with 23 endemics like Short-tailed Warbler, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Doherty’s Bush Shrike and African Green Broadbill etc.

Queen Elizabeth has more than 600 recorded species, birding will be done at Kazinga channel, Mweya trail and Maramagambo forest. Kibale Forest is a dream destination for anyone on a birdwatching Uganda safari / tour, it hosts over 372 species with 6 that are endemic to the Albertine rift area like; Black-capped Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird etc. In the park, your birding tour will be done, in Magombe swamp, and around Bigodi wetland near the park.  

Details

Note: On your day of arrival for this birdwatching Uganda tour / safari, you will be warmly received by the company guide at Entebbe International Airport, 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 Palace, Bahai Temple and the East African crafts and Art Gallery for Souvenir shopping. This maybe time/day to change your money. O/N: Sheraton Hotel (Premium)/ Imperial Royale (Luxury)/ Cassia lodge (Midrange)/ Speke Hotel (Basic); Bed & Breakfast

Day 01: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park [Approx. 9 hour drive]

Start with breakfast at your overnight accommodation and start-off this birdwatching Uganda safari with an early drive to Bwindi, en-route you will have 2 stops; at the Equator and at Igongo Country hotel and Museum for lunch (Optional: cultural tour at the museum). You will enjoy the spectacular view and rich blend of nature on your journey southwest of Uganda through terraced highlands of Kigezi. On arrival, check-in to your accommodation.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB]: O/N: Gorilla Safari lodge (Premium-Luxury) or Ruhija Gorilla lodge (Midrange) or Ruhija Community Rest Camp (Basic)

Day 02: Birdwatching in Bwindi forest at Ruhija

Strat the day with an early breakfast, and transfer early to the forest at Ruhija to start off your birdwatching Uganda experience, with chances of seeing rare birds endemic to the Albertine rift such as; Short-tailed warbler, Shelley’s Crimson wing, Black Bee-eater, Stripe-breasted Tit, Olive Thrush, Yellow Bishop, African Green Broadbill, Blue-headed Sunbird, White-starred robin, Collared Apalis, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Regal sunbird, Strange weaver among others.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB]: O/N: Gorilla Safari lodge (Premium-Luxury) or Ruhija Gorilla lodge (Midrange) or Ruhija Community Rest Camp (Basic)

Day 03: Birdwatching tour at Munyanga water fall trail in Bwindi Impenetrable

Leave the lodge early after breakfast, to go birding at Munyanga trail. While on this interesting activity, expect to see the Bee-eaters, Starlings, Short-tailed warbler, Black-billed weaver, Red-headed blue bill, African emerald cuckoo, African bulbul, African blue & white-tailed fly catchers, Bar-tailed trogon, Barbets, Woodpeckers, African broadbill, Tinker birds, Robin chat among others. A variety of bird species are to be seen while on your birdwatching safari in Bwindi the best birding destination in Africa according to the African Birding club.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB] O/N: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Premium) or Buhoma lodge (Luxury) or Silverback lodge (Midrange) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Basic).

Day 04: Birding Uganda experience at Buhoma

Early after your breakfast, transfer to Buhoma for a stunning Uganda birdwatching safari experience. With your birding gears, [binoculars and cameras], you will have a spectacular birding tour, expect to see; the Raptors, Widow Birds, Bee-eaters, Common Bulbul, Wood-peckers, Honey Guides, Kingfishers, Starlings and many more.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB] O/N: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Premium) or Buhoma lodge (Luxury) or Silverback lodge (Midrange) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Basic).

Day 05: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park [Approx. 3hour drive]

After breakfast, leave Bwindi and travel northwards to Queen Elizabeth National Park, transit time is about 3 hours. On this beautiful drive, expect to have beautiful view of nature through this gorgeous part of the country. You will enter Queen Elizabeth through the Ishasha region best known for its tree climbing Lions, will this be your opportune moment to spot the Kings of the savanna plains? Transfer to the lodge where dinner and overnight will be.

Meal Plan: [FB] O/N: Kyambura Gorge lodge (Premium) or Elephant Plains lodge (Luxury) or Buffalo Safari lodge (Midrange) or Simba safari camp (Basic).

Day 06: Birdwatching in Queen Elizabeth on a launch trip at Kazinga channel and safari drive

Queen Elizabeth Park is a classified Important Birding Area [IBA] as by Birding International. On the launch trip at Kazinga channel and Mweya trail, expect to see a variety of bird species like Great white & Pink-backed Pelicans, Great Cormorants, Long-tailed Cormorants, Open-billed Stork, King Fishers, African Jacana, and Malachite Flycatchers among others. The park’s vastness and diversity in flora, and its stretch from the dotted foothills of Ruwenzori in the North, southwards along the shores of lakes Edward & George to the Ishasha region all combine to give habitats to birdlife and opportune moments for birdwatching in Uganda on safari. The game in the park just spices up your experience. Return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight. Meal Plan: Full Board [FB]

Day 07: Bird watching in Uganda's Maramagambo forest reserve

Today after having an early breakfast, leave your lodge for birdwatching in Maramagambo forest reserve south of the park to trace birds in this dense rainforest. The forest is home to numerous birds, expect to see the rare Forest fly-catcher, White-napped Pigeon, the Striking Ruwenzori Turaco. Beneath the shady canopy of the forest is the Bat cave, expect to see the Weavers, Shrikes, Starlings and Bitterns etc.  

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB], O/N: Kyambura Gorge lodge (Premium) or Elephant Plains lodge (Luxury) or Buffalo Safari lodge (Midrange) or Simba safari camp (Basic).

Day 08: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park [Approximately 3 hour drive]

After breakfast, checkout from the lodge. You will depart from Queen Elizabeth, northwards to Kibale Forest; a park which is home to 355+ bird species. Lunch will be enjoyed en-route to the park. On arrival to the park, you will go check-in to your booked lodge.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB]. O/N: Ndali lodge (Premium) or Crater Safari lodge/Primate lodge (Luxury) or Primate lodge (Midrange) or Kibale Forest Camp (Basic).

Day 09: Birding in Bigodi wetland near Kibale Forest

A hearty breakfast, and transfer to Bigodi wetland, a community project managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED). The 8km wetland is an important wildlife corridor to the park with over 200 recorded bird species. The wetland is referred to as the home of Great Blue Turacos, anticipate to see birds like the Hornbills, Turacos, Parrots, Cranes, Kingfishers, Pigeons, Hadada Ibis, and Egrets among others.

Meal Arrangement: Full Board [FB]. O/N: Ndali lodge (Premium) or Crater Safari lodge/Primate lodge (Luxury) or Primate lodge (Midrange) or Kibale Forest Camp (Basic).  

Day 10: Birdwatching Uganda tour in Kibale Forest

Start with an early breakfast and then go for birdwatching deep in the heart of Kibale forest national park. Expect to see a variety of bird species including 6 that are endemic to the Albertine rift region i.e. Black-capped Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Collarped Apalis, Dusky-Crimson-wing, Purple-breasted Sunbird, and Red-faced Woodland Warbler. Others include the Crowned Eagle, Green-breasted Pitter, Egrets, Abyssinian Ground-thrush, Olive-ibis, Spot-breasted Ibis, Yellow-spotted Nicator, and Yellow Rumped-tinker bird. The park is home to a number of primates such as Chimpanzees, monkey species that you may come across.

Meal Plan: Full Board [FB], overnight and dinner at the lodge

Day 11: Transfer back to Kampala [Approx. 6 hour drive]

Sign-off your Uganda birdwatching tour with breakfast, and later leave for Kampala. On the drive, you will enjoy the lush green country sides on the Fort Portal-Kampala highway dotted by tea-plantations. Lunch will be enjoyed en-route. On arrival in Kampala you will then be transferred to the airport for your flight or drop-off at the hotel. Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch. End of Safari  

Rate Inclusion

*Park entrance fees *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 cruiser for Luxury or Premium) *Round trip Airport/ Hotel transfers *Drinking mineral water in the car *Meals as the itinerary describes *Amref Air Ambulance *Hand Sanitizers

Rate Exclusions

*Tourist Visa fees (visa can be arranged on request) *Pre & Post Tour Accommodation [can be arranged on request] *Airline ticket [arranged on request] *Tips, Gratuities and expenses of personal nature *Foods and beverages outside the meal plan *Personal travel insurance *Gorilla or Chimpanzee tracking permits

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