32 Days Best of Uganda birding Safari Experience

32 Days Best of Uganda birding Safari Experience

The 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience offers a comprehensive exploration of Uganda’s Natural wonders, Endemic Bird species and the Cultural heritage. You will learn about their ways of living, visit the different flourishing Attractions in different regions, participate in various activities and also meet eye to eye with the unique wildlife species of Uganda. This Safari will begin with an exploration of Sipi falls and thereafter you will proceed to Kidepo valley National park with an enroute drive through Pian Upe. You will then proceed with your fascinating journey to Murchison Falls National Park where you will see the World’s most powerful waterfall up close as it forces itself through an 8 meters gorge.

Drive southwards to Semuliki national park, trek the Chimpanzees of Kibale Forest National Park and also the Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey will then continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for an Ultimate Gorilla experience where you will spend a full hour with the Gentle Giants. Your safari will be more interesting since you will also drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where you will hike the montane forest to search for the high-altitude species. Your 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience will end with a drive to Lake Mburo National Park for more interesting Bird species.

Birding destinations

Sipi falls

Located in Eastern Uganda at the foothills of Mount Elgon in Kapchorwa district near the border between Kenya and Uganda. Sipi is comprised of 3 falls with its main falls having an altitude of 100m hence captivating you with its Natural beauty and serenity. Expect a hike to the 3 Sipi falls, birding, a visit to the coffee plantations, boat ride on the source of the Nile, and a visit to the sezibwa falls.

Pian Upe wildlife reserve

One of the newly established Safari destinations with untouched Natural beauty and serenity offering the best picturesque points. Pian Upe sits on an area approximately 2043 sqkm to the North of Mount Elgon.

Nested in the extreme boarder point of Uganda and South Sudan, Kidepo valley National park is a true gem with abundance of Wildlife in their Natural habitat. This virgin park was established in 1962 and it boosts of about 75 mammal species for example Cheetahs, Lions, Zebras, Kudus Buffaloes, African Elephants, hartebeests, giraffes, pygmy crocodiles, rock hyraxes, Leopards, water bucks, Oryx, Roan antelopes, elands, Uganda kobs, duikers. The park also has various bird species like the Nubian woodpecker, the Egyptian vulture, ostriches, Jackson’s hornbill, Karamoja Apalis, Red-and-yellow barbet, Dark chanting goshawk, chestnut weaver, black breasted sunbird, red throated bee eater, white-bellied go-away bird, Northern carmine bee eater among other bird species.

Murchison Falls National Park

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, Oribis, 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.

Semuliki National Park

Located in Western Uganda and known for being “The True Birder’s Haven” and it is home to the famous male and female hot springs. Semuliki National Park harbors about 53 mammal species including elephants, antelopes, bush babies, Uganda kobs, leopards, buffaloes, pygmy flying squirrel, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and also 441 bird species including yellow throated cuckoo, orange cheeked waxbill, rare shoebill stork, red throated bee eater, piping hornbill, kingfisher 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.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

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.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

One of Uganda’s oldest rainforests with more than 25000 years of age. The park is home to almost 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 otter, side-striped jackal, civet, numerous bats, rodents and 350 bird species like handsome francolin, purple sunbird, red headed blue bill, African blue cuckoo, regal sunbird, breasted sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, Shelley’s crimson among other bird species.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga the smallest National Park in Uganda. It is located in the Virunga ranges Kisoro district. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park boosts of being the only park in Uganda where one can trek the Golden monkeys and also the Silverback Gorillas. The park boosts of about 76 mammal species including  forest elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, black fronted duikers, giant forest hogs, golden cats, bush pigs, rodents, bats  and also it is a home to 180 bird species including the rift Albertine Endemics these include handsome spur fowl, dusky crimson-wing, red-throated Alethe, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batiks, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, collared apalis, mountain masked apalis, Archer’s ground robin, stripe-breasted tit, blue-headed sunbird, regal sunbird, strange weaver, montane nightjar, red-faced woodland warbler and Grauer’s swamp warbler.

Lake Mburo National Park

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, topi and reedbuck. Lake Mburo National Park is also home to about 350 bird species like mosque swallow, black bellied bustard, bare-faced-go away bird, Ruppell’s starling, African rattled lapwing, pied kingfisher, Malachite kingfisher, Saddle-billed stork, Red-faced barbet, Yellow-breasted apalis among other bird species.

 

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

Your 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience will start with a pick up from Entebbe International Airport where our Professional driver guide from Paradise Adventure Vacations will meet and greet you, he will then brief you about the entire journey and thereafter he will drive you to your Hotel where you will have a delightful rest from your long flight and also 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 – Search for Shoebill Stork

You will wake up on day 2 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience and have a delicious breakfast and thereafter drive to Mabamba swamp to search for the rare Shoebill. Mabamba Swamp is located west of Entebbe on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, covering 2,424 ha with thick marshes of papyrus, water lilies and other wetland grasses. You will search for the shoebill stork which is a resident to this swamp, you will also encounter some bird species like African Fish Eagle, Purple Swamp hen, African Green Pigeon, African Jacana, African Pigmy Goose, African Marsh Harrier, Black Crake, Black Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black-crowned Waxbill, Black-headed Heron, Blue Swallow, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Black-winged Stilt, Cattle Egret among other bird species.

Location: Entebbe

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 3: Drive to Mabira Forest – Birding

On waking up, you will have a delicious breakfast specifically made for you and thereafter you will drive to Mabira Forest which is the biggest forest reserve closest to the City centre. The forest boosts of about 315 bird species, upon reaching you will search for Reed cormorant, Black headed heron, Marabou stork, Hadada ibis, Yellow-billed kite, Black-shouldered Kite, Hooded vulture, European Honey-Buzzer, African Harrier-Hawk, Ayres’s Hawk Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Crowned eagle,  Helmeted Guinea fowl, Crested Guineafowl, White-spotted Fluff tail, Red eyed dove, African Green-pigeon, Ring-necked Dove, Grey Parrot, Great Blue Turaco, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Diederik Cuckoo, Klaas`s Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo among others. You will have lunch and later dinner and an overnight in Jinja City.

Location: Jinja City

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

The Haven Eco River Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 4: Drive to Jinja and Discover the Source of the Nile – Transfer to Sipi Falls

Wake up early in the morning for your delicious breakfast and start your day 4 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience with a drive to Jinja to visit the source of the Nile. You will enjoy the scenic views of the Magical Jinja Bridge on your way and upon arrival, you will enjoy a mind blowing boat cruise to the source of the Nile. You will have your lunch in Jinja City and then transfer to Sipi where you will have dinner and spend the night.

Location: Sipi Falls

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Rafiki Lodge Sipi or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 5: Exploration of Sipi falls – Community Encounter – Coffee Visits

Wake up early morning for a heavy breakfast and start your Day 5 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience with a hike to the highest Sipi falls which may take about 3 hours, expect a beautiful scenic view of Lake Kyoga, Coffee plantations, Karamoja lowlands and the surrounding areas. For the bird lovers, also expect to see some bird species like the black collard Apalis, the African blue flycatcher, black shouldered kite, and Jackson’s francolin among others. Participate in abseiling as you breathe in nature at its best. You will return back to your accommodation for a heavy delicious meal and coffee from the land of Arabica coffee. You will have some rest of about an hour, then proceed for yet more exciting activities like mountain biking and archery. Our guide will also take you through the local trails and introduce you to the customs of the Sabiny people around. Return back to your accommodation for Dinner and an overnight.

Location: Sipi Falls

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Rafiki Lodge Sipi or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 6: Drive to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

After your morning breakfast, you will start your day 6 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience with a drive to Pian Upe wildlife reserve which is about 3 hours from Sipi falls. Pian Upe wildlife reserve is situated in between Mount Elgon National park and Kidepo Valley National Park.  You will check into your accommodation for a hot lunch and thereafter you will proceed for wildlife viewing where you will sight various bird species like the Fox weaver bird, superb sterlings, Green bitta, Secretary bird, Abyssinian ground hornbill, the rare shoebill stock and mammals like Roan Antelope, Hartebeests, Baboons, lions, leopards, cheetahs, Elands, savanna monitor lizards, giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs and mountain reedbuck. You will then return back to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight.

Location: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Hotel Africana Moroto or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 7: Pian Upe wildlife Reserve – Full Day Birding

On waking up we shall have our delicious breakfast and then head out to search for the Fox weaverbird in case we failed to find it the previous day. We shall bird for more interesting bird species like ostrich, Jackson’s hornbill, hartlaub’s bustard and the white-headed buffalo-weaver. In addition, primates like vervet monkeys and olive baboons can also be spotted here.

Location: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Hotel Africana Moroto or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 8: Transfer to Matheniko-Bokora wildlife reserve

You will start your day 8 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience with a delicious breakfast and thereafter you will drive to Matheniko-Bokora wildlife reserve which is found in the North Eastern region of Uganda in Moroto district.  This drive will take about 2 hours to reach, upon arrival you will check into your accommodation for relaxation as you await a delicious lunch. Later you can opt to go for wildlife viewing within the reserve for mammals like roan antelopes, oribis, hartebeests, lions, buffaloes, Cheetahs, Bright’s gazelles, Elands, Leopards, Lesser kudu, Oribis, Oryx, Rothschild’s Giraffes, Spotted hyenas, Striped hyenas, Topis, Uganda Kobs and Zebras.

Location: Matheniko-Bokora Wildlife Reserve

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Hotel Africana Moroto or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 9: Matheniko-Bokora wildlife Reserve – Full day Birding

You will have a hearty breakfast and thereafter proceed for another birding experience, you will look out for species like Eastern bronze-napped pigeon, Abyssinian ground hornbill, mountain yellow warbler, verreaux’s eagle, Egyptian eagle, thick-billed honey guide, hartlaub’s turaco, Ethiopian swallow, pygmy falcon, black headed plover, cattle egret, red-billed Oxpeckers,  and the clapperton’s  francolin among other bird species.

Location: Matheniko-Bokora Wildlife Reserve

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Hotel Africana Moroto or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 10: Transfer to Kidepo valley National Park

After a lovely breakfast, you will drive to Kidepo Valley National park which is the True African Wilderness, this park is located in the extreme North Eastern corner of Uganda. The drive will take about 5 hours with fascinating sceneries and upon arrival we shall check in for our late lunch and then later go for an optional Nature walk around Apoka for more bird species.

Location: Kidepo Valley National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Kidepo Savannah Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 11: Kidepo Valley National Park – Birding in the Narus Valley

Today upon waking up, you will have your heavy delicious breakfast and then go on a morning game drive in the Narus valley. This drive will unveil various species of birds like the secretary bird, Carmine, ostrich, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Kori bustard, yellow billed hornbill, Karamoja apalis, silver shrike, Nubian woodpecker, black breasted barbet, Vivacious bird, Hoopoe, scarlet chested sun bird, white bellied go away bird, singing bush lark and little Weaver among others.

Location: Kidepo Valley National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Kidepo Savannah Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 12: Kidepo Valley National Park – Birding in the Kidepo Valley

On waking up, you will have a delicious breakfast and then continue with your ultimate birding experience to the Kidepo valley. Here, you will search for more species like the Common Ostrich, African Swallow-tailed Kite, Secretary Bird, Eastern Pale Chanting Goshawk, Pygmy Falcon, Fox Kestrel, Stone Partridge, Clapperton’s and Heuglin’s Francolins, Yellow-necked Spur fowl, Kori, White-bellied and Hartlaub’s Bustards, Violet-tipped Courser, Black-headed Plover, Four-banded Sand Grouse, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-crested Turaco, White-bellied Go-away bird, White-faced Scoops Owl, Long-tailed and Standard-winged Nightjars, Little Green Bee-eater, Eastern Yellow and Jackson’s Hornbills, Abyssinian and Rufous-crowned Rollers, the Abyssinian Ground, Red-fronted and Black-breasted Barbets, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Singing Bush lark, Red-winged Lark, Northern White-crowned and Yellow-billed Shrikes, Ethiopian Swallow, the Pied, Isabel line and Heuglin’s Wheaters, African Grey Flycatcher, Foxy and Red pate Cisticola, Karamoja Apalis, White-bellied Tit, Mouse-colored Penduline Tit, Slate-colored Boubou, Fan-tailed Raven, Superb Starling, Red billed Oxpeckers, Eastern Violet backed, Pygmy and Beautiful Sunbirds, Rufous and Chestnut Sparrow, Yellow-spotted Petronia, White-headed and White-billed Buffalo Weavers, White-browed and Chestnut- crowned Sparrow Weavers, Grey-capped Social and Speckle-fronted Weavers, Black-bellied and Black-faded Waxbills, the Green-winged, Orange-winged and Red-winged Pytilias, Steel-blue and Straw tailed Whydahs, and the Brown-rumped Bunting among others.

Location: Kidepo Valley National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Kidepo Savannah Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 13: Early morning game Drive – Transfer to Murchison falls National Park

On day 13 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience, you will have a delicious breakfast and proceed for an early morning game drive as you exit Kidepo Valley National Park. You will encounter the different mammal species like Lions, Zebras, Kudus Buffaloes, African Elephants, hartebeests, giraffes, Leopards, water bucks, Oryx, Roan antelopes, elands, Uganda kobs, and duikers. You will drive to Gulu City where you will have a stopover for your delicious lunch. Later you will then proceed to Murchison falls national park for relaxation after your long journey and have dinner and an overnight.

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 14: Murchison Falls National Park – Morning Game drive – Launch cruise to the Bottom of the falls – Hike to Top of the falls

Wake up for an early morning breakfast, prepare yourself for another exciting encounter. Day 14 of your 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience will start with an early morning game drive through different trails of the park like Albert trail, buligi trail and the Victoria trail. While here, you will meet eye to eye with different mammal species like Bufaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, bush barks, giraffes, warthogs, Jackson’s hartebeest, , crocodiles, hippos, Uganda kobs  among others, you will then return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch.

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 for the bird lovers.

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 . After the cruise, you will hike to the top of the falls for another breathtaking moment, take as many pictures as possible to keep you connected and give you beautiful memories of the Pearl of Africa. Then you will return back to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight.

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 – Boat Cruise to Delta Point – Evening Game drive

You will wake up early morning for a delicious breakfast on day 15 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience 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 a school of hippos drinking and playing in water. You will return back for your lunch and relaxation, later in the evening you will proceed for an evening game drive which will give you an opportunity to spot several mammal species like elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards if lucky enough, hippos among others.

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: Birding to Budongo Forest via Kaniyo-Pabidi

Upon waking up, you will have a hot delicious breakfast and then bird to Budongo forest through Kaniyo-pabidi Eco-tourism site. This forest is found in the southern part of Murchison Falls conservation area, it is also a habitant for quite a number of species of birds like the yellow-footed flycatcher, the Ituri batis, the white thighed hornbill, puvel’s Illadopsis, chocolate backed kingfishers to mention but a few. While here, you will also be able to view the blue mountains of Congo and the Rift Valley Escarpment.

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 17: Budongo Forest – Birding the Royal Mile

On day 17 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience, 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 18: Drive to Semuliki National Park – Birding with Nature walk

On waking up, you will have a delicious breakfast and thereafter you will proceed for about 3 hours drive to Semuliki National Park, during the drive you will pass through the beautiful rolling plains and the lush green forests in Uganda’s countryside giving you a breathtaking moment. Upon reaching you will check into your accommodation for a delicious lunch and then later you will stretch your legs with a smooth nature walk along the Sempaya nature trail. This trail will take you up to Semuliki’s male and female hot springs and it will give you great opportunities of spotting several bird species like red throated bee eater, piping hornbill, yellow throated cuckoo as well as some primates like red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys among others.

Location: Semuliki National Park

Accommodation Option:

Luxury

Semuliki Safari Lodge

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 19: Semuliki National Park – Birding

Today, you will bird the Semuliki forest which is the only connection to the great Ituri forest from Democratic Republic of Congo making it the spot where over 35 restricted-range specialists exist in East Africa. We shall spot birds like Spot-breasted Ibis, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, White-bellied Kingfisher, Nkulengu Rail, Piping Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, Black-Casqued wattled Hornbill, Black-throated Coucal, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, African Piculet, Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-thighed Hornbill, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Red-rumped Tinker bird, Long-tailed Hawk, Gabon Woodpecker, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Northern Bearded Scrub Robin, Lyre-tailed Honey Guide, Icterine Greenbul, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Xavier’s Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Blue-headed Crested-flycatcher, Red-bellied Malimbe, Swamp palm Bulbul, Orange-Cheeked Waxbill, Leaf-love, Blue-billed Malimbe, Grant’s Bluebill, Yellow-throated Nicator among others since the bird checklist in this park is over 400.

Location: Semuliki National Park

Accommodation Option:

Luxury

Semuliki Safari Lodge

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 20: Drive to Kibale 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 2 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 21: 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 22: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening Game drive

Your day 22 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience will start with a delicious breakfast and thereafter you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is about 2 hours from Kibale National park. You will check into your accommodation for a hearty lunch and then spend your afternoon relaxing. Later in the evening you will go for an Evening game drive in the different trails of the park where you will see mammals like leopards, elephants, lions, buffaloes, warthogs, bush bucks, bush pigs among others. You will return back for your dinner and an overnight.

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 23: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Birding in Kasenyi plains – Launch Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Day 23 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience will start with a hot breakfast and thereafter you will go birding in Kasenyi plains. This drive will expose you to bird species like yellow throated long crow, grey crowned cranes, red throat spur flow, white-backed vultures, white-headed vultures and also some mammal species like Topis, serval cats, cape buffaloes, lions, bush barks, side stripped jackals among others.

You will return for your hearty lunch and then later head out for an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. While on the cruise, you will view the herds of hippos taking in water, elephant’s drinking water on the banks of the Kazinga channel, Nile crocodiles resting in the shade at the shores and also various bird species like the martial eagle, grey crowned crane, African green pigeon, and handsome francolin among other bird species. We shall then return back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight.

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 24: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park through Ishasha sector

Day 24 of your 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience will start with an early morning breakfast and then you will check out of your accommodation to proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which is located south of Queen Elizabeth National Park and it will take about 5 hours to reach the Northern sector of Buhoma. During your journey out of Queen Elizabeth, you will drive through Ishasha sector to search for the tree climbing lions and other wildlife like Topis, Aardvark, lions, elephants, monkeys, Uganda kob, Hippos, leopards, water buck among others which are found in this sector of the park and then have a lunch stopover in Kihihi and proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for dinner and an overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Engagi Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 25: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Full day birding in Buhoma.

Wake up early morning for a hot breakfast and start your Day 25 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience, 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 greenbul 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

Engagi Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 26: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Buhoma to Ruhija

After a delicious breakfast on Day 26 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience, we go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Ruhija sector. 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-naped Pigeon, Pettit’s Cuckoo shrike, Tiny Sunbird, and a large number of indistinguishable greenbul etc. We will arrive at Buhoma in the evening for an overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Bakiga Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 27: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Full day bird watching

Wake up early in the morning for a heavy breakfast on Day 27 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience 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 delicious lunch break 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

Bakiga Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 28: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Birding in Mubwindi swamp

After your breakfast on day 28 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience, you will proceed to Mubwindi swamp where you will spot bird species like white tailed blue flycatcher, black throated apalis, dusky tit, least, willcock’s and dwarf honey guides, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Sharpe’s Starling, Mountain Buzzard, and Narina Trogon. We shall continue to the marsh where we shall see various birds like Black-billed Turaco, Olive, Elliot’s, Cardinal and Tulberg’s Woodpeckers, Brown-capped Weaver, Tiny and Purple-breasted Sunbirds, Northern Black Flycatcher, Blue-headed, Dusky crimson wing, Mountain Greenbul and western Citril.

The option to move to Mubwindi swamp is dependent on the client as this stretch is physically demanding though it is rewarding as you get to see the various Albertine rift endemics like the Rwenzori Apalis, strip-breasted tit, regal sunbird, Rwenzori Nightjar, collard Apalis among others.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Bakiga Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 29: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Relaxation

On this beautiful morning, you will wake up to a heavy delicious breakfast and thereafter you will start your drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is about 2 hours drive from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park, we shall bird along the way at Echuya forest for some Albertine Rift Endemics that we might have missed in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This day 29 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience will have a rest and relaxation from the previous day’s activities. Upon reaching you will check into your accommodation for a hearty lunch and you may spend the rest of your afternoon watching and hearing the beautiful sounds of the birds singing where “Gold meets Silver.” Later you will have dinner and an overnight.

Location: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Travellers Rest Hotel or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 30: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Birding

After an early hot breakfast on Day 30 of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience, drive to Ntebeko Camp from where we shall start our birding as we trek to one of the most scenic areas in Uganda. We take the gorge trail that loops half way up Mt. Sabinyo, through a variety of montane habitats harboring the Dusky Turtle Dove, Rwenzori Turaco, Cape Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, White-eyed Slaty and White Tailed Blue Flycatcher, Olive Wood-pecker, White-starred Robin, Mountain Yellow Warbler, White-napped Raven, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Yellow-crowned Canary, Streaky and Thick Billed Seedeater on our birding today we shall have a bigger focus on the shy Shelly’s Crimson-wing among other birds. Dinner and overnight stay.

Location: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Travellers Rest Hotel or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 31: Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – Boat Ride

On waking up on day 22, you will have your breakfast. Today we traverse a variety of montane habitats along the Gorge trail seeking out the different bird species unique to this region. The species to search for include; The Dusky Turtle Dove, Cape Robin-chat, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bronze Sunbird, Black-headed Waxbill and Streaky Seedeater. While on your day 31 of 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience, we may encounter the Handsome Francolin, Kivu Ground Thrush and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, White Starred Robin, Greater Double collard Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, Archer’s Robin Chat, Olive Pigeon, and Black headed waxbill, Western Green Tinker bird, Malachite Sunbird, Cape Robin.

We shall then drive to Lake Mburo National Park where we shall move to the open grassland north of the camp, particularly along the Zebra Track, it’s worth exploring species such as Coqui Francolin, Red-necked Spur fowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, African Wattled Plover, Rufous-Naped and lapped Larks, Rufous-chested Swallow, Yellow-throated Long claw and Southern Red Bishop. Later we will have our 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 32 Lake Mburo National Park – Nature walk or Horse Riding – Drive to Entebbe International Airport or your Hotel

Upon waking up on your final day of the 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience, you will have an early morning heavy breakfast and then you will proceed for a Nature walk or horse riding within the park which will take about 2 to 3 hours, this experience in Lake Mburo national park will take you off the main paths and you will go deep into the bush trails to enjoy the park and see herds of zebras, giraffes, Elands, impalas, buffalos, Defassa waterbucks, oribis, leopards, hippos, hyenas, Topis and reedbuck among others.  After this unique experience, you will then drive to Entebbe International Airport or your Hotel. You will have your lunch stopover enroute to your destination. Thank you so much for specifically choosing Paradise Adventure Vacations on 32 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari Experience!!!

Location: Lake Mburo National Park

Accommodation Option: No

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

The Safari Package  Includes:

• Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
• Private transport for 32 days in a well-modified safari Extended land-cruiser (4WD,air-conditioned and pop-up roof)
• Fuel for 32 days
• English safari driver guide for 32 days
• Mid-range accommodation for 31 nights 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
• Boat ride 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 Pacakge 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)

Mid-range Safari	2 People 1 room	4 People 2 rooms	6 People 3 rooms	7 People+
Price Per Person	$15,252	$11,232	$9,892	GET A QUOTE