18 Days Birding Tour with Gorilla Tracking

T18 Days Birding Tour with Gorilla Tracking

Uganda has established itself as the only nation on the continent where gorilla trekking can be combined with excellent birding. This tour provides a rewarding opportunity to see birds in a variety of environments, including forests, savannahs, wetlands, mountains and farmlands. Entebbe is where your 18 Days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking will start from.

Birding destinations

Lake Mburo National Park

You will visit Lake Mburo National Park which is located in the Southern part of Uganda in Kiruhura district. The park is known for its large herds of zebras, Impalas, Elands, Topis, and buffaloes among other species. The park is home to over 68 mammal species like zebras, elands, impalas, buffalos, Defassa waterbuck, oribis, leopard, hippo, hyena, and reedbuck.   Here, you will encounter the 350 bird species including the Red faced barbet (only seen here), African Fin Foot, mosque swallow, black bellied bustard, bare-faced-go away bird, Ruppel’s starling, African wattled lapwing, pied kingfisher, greater painted snipe, brown chested wattled plover, Abyssinian ground hornbill, African fish eagle, saddle billed stork, white winged warbler, rare shoebill stork, papyrus yellow warbler, Malachite kingfisher, Yellow-breasted apalis among others.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Thereafter, you will visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (UNESCOs World Heritage Site) is the best birding spot is Africa. The Park is located in South Western Uganda. The park is home to half of the World’s population of Mountain Gorillas which gives a great opportunity for Gorilla Trekking and Habituation in the park’s sectors like Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga. The park harbors 120 mammal species like Elephants, duikers,  yellow-backed duiker,  buffaloes, golden cats, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, black-fronted Duiker, clawless. More than 350 bird species have been recorded with 23 out of 24 Albertine Rift endemics which include African Green Broadbill, regal sunbird, handsome francolin, purple sunbird, red headed blue bill, African blue cuckoo , breasted sunbird, Ruwenzori turaco, Shelley’s crimson, African green pigeon, African harrier hawk, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Crowned hornbill, Giant kingfisher etc.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Moving forward, you will visit Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for having the Tree Climbing Lions at Ishasha sector of the park,  these lions are not found in any other National park in Uganda thus being “The Medley of Wonders”, the park is home to 95 mammal species including the 4 members of the Big 5 which are Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, Leopards and also Uganda kobs, bush bucks, oribis, bush pigs, forest hogs, hippos, sitatungas and over 600 Bird species like the African skimmer, rare saddle billed stork, grey headed kingfisher, African mourning dove, African crowned eagle, Nubian woodpecker, swamp flycatcher, grey capped warbler, little bee eater among other bird species.

 Kibale national park

Located in Western Uganda in Kabarole district and it was established in 1993, the park is known for being “The primate capital of the World” having various Chimpanzees with a population of over 1500 individuals including habituated ones which are about 120 making it the park with the highest primate population. Among the primates include the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, olive baboons, Mantled guereza, Potto, Vervet monkey, White-eyelid mangabey, Galago among others. The park is also home to about 120 mammal species including African golden cats, bush pigs, warthogs, blue and red duiker, rare sitatunga, forest hogs, African elephant, forest cape buffaloes, among others and also more than 300 species of birds including olive long tailed cuckoo, western tinker bird, grey parrot, blue breasted king fisher, blue headed sunbird, red faced woodland, yellow spotted nicator, little greenbul among other bird species.

Murchison Falls National Park

From Kibale Forest National Park, you will continue to Murchison Falls National Park. It is located in North Western part of Uganda covering areas like Masindi, Buliisa, Amuru, Pakwach etc. The park is the largest National park in Uganda with an area of 3840sq.kms. Through a game drive and a boat cruise on the Nile River, you will encounter the Big 5 mammal species like elephants, leopards, lions, buffaloes and the rhinos, you will also get an opportunity to view the Nile crocodiles, Hippos, bush bucks  Giraffes, Uganda kobs, Bushbucks, Elephants, Hartebeests, Oribs, waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas and various bird species like black bee eater, rare shoebill stork, weavers, grey crowned cranes, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Black-headed lapwing, Senegal thick-knee among others and later proceed to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for Rhino tracking.

 

Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe International Airport – Transfer to your Hotel

The 18 Days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking starts with a pick up from Entebbe International Airport where our professional driver guide from Paradise Adventure Vacations will warmly welcome you to the Pearl of Africa thereafter, he will brief you about the entire journey and then he will transfer you to your hotel where you will spend the rest of the day relaxing from your long flight.

Depending on your arrival time, you will have an opportunity to see birds in Entebbe botanical gardens which is situated right on the lake’s edge as an introduction to Uganda birding for a variety of bird species like Orange Weavers, Violets black Weavers, red chested sunbirds, marabou stork, verreauxowleagles, hammerkops, African open billed stork, pied Kingfishers, giant king fishers, black headed heron, yellow billed duck, long tailed Cormorant, swamp fly catcher, black headed gull, common squaco, black headed Gonolek among others, you will later have dinner and an overnight.

Location: Entebbe International Airport

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Papyrus Guest House or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 2: Drive to Mabamba Swamp for shoebill – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park.

Wake up early morning for a heavy breakfast and start your Day 2 of the 18 Days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking with a drive to Mabamba swamp which is West of Entebbe. It is home to over 500 bird species including the renowned Shoebill Stork which is Uganda’s most recognizable bird. Here, you will see several endangered species, like Blue Swallow, Papyrus Yellow Warbler and White-winged Warbler. We will also sight other species like Greater Swamp-Warblers, Papyrus gonolek, Blue-chested Bee-eaters, Malachite kingfisher and Swamp Flycatchers etc. Later, you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for dinner and overnight.

Location: Lake Mburo National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Rwakobo Rock or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 3: Lake Mburo National Park – Transfer to Ruhija sector in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

The wide savanna and wetlands of Lake Mburo National Park will be explored in the morning after a delicious breakfast on Day 3 of the 18 Days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking. These habitats resemble the savanna environment of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, but with a lot more prickly acacia thickets. In Uganda, quite a few species are much specialized and are found nowhere else. Our top target will be the Red faced barbet which has a small range in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania to the west of Lake Victoria.

Other targets include African grey hornbill, African wood owl, Tabora Cisticola, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Green-capped Eremomela, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, African scops owl, African stonechat and Spot-flanked Barbet. The well-known Uganda safari mammals including warthogs, elands, common zebras, and impalas, may be seen at Lake Mburo which will give you unforgettable wildlife experiences. This birding safari is not limited to safari vehicles so we will also use a boat to look for the uncommon and elusive African Fin foot and also a White-backed Night-Heron, African darter, African spoonbill and African fish eagle. We shall then have lunch and then transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park for your dinner as well as an overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Gorilla Mist Camp or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Optional Gorilla Trekking – Birding in Ruhija

Upon waking up by the beautiful sounds of the birds singing in the sky, you will start your day Day 4 of the 18 Days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking with an early morning breakfast. If you opt for the trek, you will then wear appropriate clothing for the day like a long sleeved shirt, a pair of karky or jean trousers, a round cap, water proof boots to protect you against the falling tree branches of the Impenetrable forest and also in case of bad weather. Pack some snacks and water to help in keeping you hydrated during the trek.

Optional Gorilla Trekking

Proceed to the park’s headquarters for a briefing on the Do’s and the Don’ts while you are with the mountain gorillas, you will also be assigned a park ranger who will guide you during the trek and also a gorilla family to look out for and then start the search for the mountain gorillas which will take about 1 to 5 hours depending on their location. During your trek, you will encounter various primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey mangabeys, and blue monkeys and also bird species like handsome francolin, red headed blue bill, regal sunbird, breasted sunbird, African blue cuckoo, Rwenzori turaco, Shelley’s crimson, purple sunbird among other bird species.

On finding the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend only one hour with them as you learn about their ways of life, how they feed and take care of their young ones, how they communicate among others. Feel free to ask as many questions as possible about these gorillas and take memorable pictures and then you will return back to your accommodation for lunch.

Birding in Ruhija

If you opt for birding in Buhoma, you will proceed with the activity along the Buhoma Waterfall Trail which is a must – visit for bird lovers as you can spot the White-tailed Ant Thrush, splendid Black Bee-eater, dapper francolin, Yellow-eyed Black, and African Sooty Flycatchers along the green bamboo zone.  You will later return to your accommodation for lunch and later await dinner and an overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Gorilla Mist Camp or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 5: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Full day bird watching

Wake up early in the morning for a heavy breakfast on Day 5 of the 18 Days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking and then embark on your full day adventurous bird watching through the park to search for the different bird species such as Jameson’s Antpecker, Pink-footed Puff back, Crested guinea fowl, Waller’s Starling, White headed saw-wing, yellow-rumped, tinker bird, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, have a short break for lunch and later continue with your day activity. You will then return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and an overnight

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Gorilla Mist Camp or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Ruhija to Buhoma

After a delicious breakfast on Day 6 of the 18 Days Birding and Gorilla Trekking, we go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s lower-lying Buhoma area in the west. We will go through “The Neck” along the route, a brief section of forest that links the park’s southern and northern halves. This forest system is made up of a few Albertine Rift species with limited ranges and the eastern extension of the enormous Congo forests.

This location is ideal for birders to observe a variety of species like Cassin’s Flycatcher, Black Bee-eater, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Petit’s Cuckoo shrike, Tiny Sunbird, and a large number of indistinguishable greenbuls etc. We will arrive at Buhoma in the evening for an overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Ride 4 a Woman or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Full day birding in Buhoma.

Wake up early morning for a hot breakfast and start your Day 7 of the 18 Days birding and Gorilla Trekking, then you will proceed to the national park’s mid-elevation portion that has a significantly different feel from the upper Ruhija area. One of the best places to see the newly described Willard’s Sooty Boubou, which differs from the more widespread and frequently seen Mountain Sooty Boubou in having pale blue eyes. The Bar-tailed Trogon, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Willcock’s Honey guide, Black-billed Weaver, African broadbill, Sooty Flycatcher, and several kinds of starlings, sunbirds, and greenbuls are some of the species we want to see throughout our full day of birding on the park’s trail system. You will later have your dinner and Overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Ride 4 a Woman or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 8: Buhoma to Queen Elizabeth National Park

As we travel north on day 8 of the 18 days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking, the landscape rapidly changes from montane forest to a more open savanna. This savanna is different from the one in Lake Mburo National Park in that it resembles the flat-topped tree savannas of Kenya and Tanzania and is dominated by candaleras, which are euphorbias that resemble cacti. Seeing cactus-like trees surrounded by luxuriant meadows is an odd sight.

We will go through Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha sector, which is renowned for its tree-climbing lions. While here, our eyes will also be fed by a variety of bird species including the Blue-throated Roller, the Black-and-white Shrike Flycatcher, the Red-necked Francolin, and many more. We will get to our opulent lodge, which is situated on a peninsula between Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel by late afternoon. Birds like the Northern Black Flycatcher, Black-headed Gonolek, Red-chested Sunbird, and Slender-billed Weaver are abundant in the lodge gardens.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Twin Lake Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park – birding with Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

You will wake up on day 9 of the 18 days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking and have a hot breakfast. You will go on an extended game drive through the park’s euphorbia-studded savanna to see birds like African crake, Flappet lark, African wattled lapwing, Temminck’s courser, martial eagle, moustached grass warbler among others. We shall have lunch at the lodge and then later proceed for a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel which is a 32km long natural channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George. This cruise will give us an opportunity to see the Nile crocodiles, hippos and also elephants. We shall encounter a variety of bird species including the African Fish Eagle, the yellow-billed stork, and the African skimmer.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Twin Lake Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 10: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park – Bigodi Wetland and Community Visit

On waking up by the beautiful sounds of the birds, we shall have our delicious breakfast and then drive to Kibale National park which is the Primate Capital of the World. This drive will take about 3 hours as you will be welcomed by a variety of Vervet monkeys, black and white colobuses. You will check in for lunch and later head to Bigodi wetland for a swamp walk and during this walk you will spot some butterfly species and birds like the Black-crowned Waxbill, White-spotted Fluff tail, White-breasted Negrofinch, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Black Bishop, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Black & white Shrike-flycatcher, Western Nicator, Superb Sunbird, among others. You will then proceed for a community walk where you will taste the Gins brewed from bananas, craft making, coffee processing, among others and return for dinner and overnight.

Location: Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Kibale Forest Camp or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 11: Kibale Forest National Park – Optional Chimpanzee Tracking – Birding

We shall wake up for breakfast and embark on a fun filled Chimpanzee trekking activity. This activity will start with a briefing on the dos and Don’ts’s when you are with the chimpanzees. Upon finding them you will spend a full hour with them while learning their behaviors, how they feed and carry out their daily activity. You will also encounter primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Olive baboons, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Red colobuses, and Mantled guereza.

For those who won’t go chimp trekking, you will be amazed on hearing the haunting wails and screams in the forest, you will encounter bird species like black-bellied seed cracker, black collard apalis, various vermilions and black malimbes among others.

Location: Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Kibale Forest Camp or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

 Day 12: Drive Masindi to Budongo Forest

On waking up on day 12 of the 18 days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking, you will have your hearty breakfast and thereafter drive to Masindi which is the gateway to Budongo Forest. This drive will be more interesting as you will drive through the rural areas of Uganda. In case we arrive in time we will walk through the woodlands in town in search for the white-crested turaco and grey headed olive back.

Location: Budongo Forest

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Budongo Eco Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 13: Full day in Budongo Forest

On day 13 of the 18 days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking, you will have a lovely breakfast and then explore the delights of the impressive Budongo forest. We shall spend time at the amazing Royal mile which is a public but lightly used road, your eyes will be fed by the Nahan’s francolin, Cassin’s spin tail, chestnut-capped flycatcher, and we shall also search for the chocolate-backed and African dwarf kingfisher. There are also plenty of colorful species like white-thighed hornbill and black bee-eater.

Location: Budongo Forest

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Budongo Eco Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 14: Drive to Murchison falls National Park with a stopover at Butiaba Escarpment

We shall wake up for breakfast on day 14 of the 18 days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking and thereafter drive to Murchison falls national park. Make a stopover at Butiaba Escarpment which holds completely different arid savannah landscapes and species like foxy cisticola, mocking cliff chart, and brown warbler. Then continue inside the park and be welcomed by the Abyssinian ground hornbill, white-rumped seedeater, weird piapiac, and the Senegal lapwing.

Location: Murchison falls National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Pakuba Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 15: Murchison falls National Park – Morning Game drive – Afternoon Boat Cruise to Bottom of the falls

You will wake up early morning for your morning breakfast and then embark on a game drive to the different trails of the park, you will see not only bird species but also abundance of mammal species like warthogs, elephants, lions, giraffes, Bufaloes, among others as the mammal checklist in this park reaches 76.

You will return back for your delicious lunch and then later in the Afternoon, you will embark on an afternoon boat cruise upstream to the bottom of the falls and it will take about 3 hours, while on the cruise, you will see the Nile crocodiles resting under the shade, herds of hippos while in water, elephants swimming and drinking water at the water banks and also be on the lookout for the different bird species like the shoebill, the black bee eater, grey crowned crane, marabou stork, Malachite kingfisher, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Long-tailed nightjar, Senegal thick-knee, Black-headed lapwing, Long-toed lapwing , Black-billed barbet,  and many others, you will have a view of the magnificent Murchison falls as it roars and pours its waters through an 8m narrow gorge.

Location: Murchison falls National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Pakuba Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 16: Murchison falls National Park – Morning Boat Cruise to Delta Point – Relaxation at Leisure

You will wake up early morning for a delicious breakfast on day 16 of the 18 days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking and then proceed for a boat cruise downstream to the Delta point with tributaries and marshes. This point is where the Nile enters Lake Albert and it is a great habitat of Shoebill, it is also home to several water birds like Red-throated and Northern-Carmine bee eater, Papyrus Gonolek and the Grey Crowned Crane. While here, you will also feed your eyes with school of hippos drinking and playing in water. You will return back for your lunch and relaxation at leisure.

Location: Murchison falls National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Pakuba Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 17:  Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Rhino Tracking

On this day of the 18 days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking, you will wake up for your hearty breakfast and then drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will meet eye to eye with the Giant Rhinos, while here you will watch these endangered, magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. You will encounter not only the white rhinos but also some antelopes like bush bucks, Uganda kobs, oribis, waterbucks and also bird species like Grey-crowned crane, Heuglin’s Francolin, Red-headed Bluebill, Red-headed Malimbe, Grey Kestrel, Marico Sunbird, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Namaqua Dove, Nubian Woodpecker, Pallid Harrier and also the rare Shoebill. You will have your lovely delicious lunch and then spend the rest of your day relaxing at leisure.

Location: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Amuka Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 18: Drive back to Entebbe International Airport or your Hotel

On the final day after your breakfast, you will drive to Entebbe International Airport or your Hotel, this drive will take about 6 hours to reach including a lunch stopover. You will buy some Souvenirs at Entebbe International Airport as you bid farewell to Uganda, The Pearl of Africa. Thank you so much for choosing Paradise Adventure Vacations on your 18 days Birding Tour with Gorilla Trekking and we hope to see you again!!!

Location: Kampala (City)

Accommodation Option: No (End of tour)

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

The Safari Package Includes:

• Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
• Private transport for 18 days in a well-modified safari Extended land-cruiser (4WD,air-conditioned and pop-up roof)
• Rhino Tracking in Ziwa rhino Sanctuary
• Flue for 18 days
• English safari driver guide for 18 days
• Mid-range accommodation for 17 night on full board (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
• All en-route meals and bottled mineral water throughout your tour
• All park entrance and activities feel and all applicable government taxes
• Afternoon game in Lake Mburo National Park
• Nature Walk in Lake Mburo National Park
• Bigodi sanctuary swamp and community safari
• 1 Chimpanzee Trekking permit per person (Kibale forest national park)
• 1 Mountain gorilla trekking permit per person in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park (Buhoma sector )
• A visit to the Equator land mark
• Batwa Community Encounter
• Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

The Safari Package Excludes:

• International and domestic flights
• Country entry visa
• Personal travel insurance
• Items of personal nature/laundry/telephone charges
• Souvenirs and gifts, Tips
• Alcoholic and other soft drinks (sodas, special juice order at the lodge and wines)

Special Deals on African Safari 2024-2025 (Rates Per Person in USD)

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