birding bwindi>bird watching tours semliki uganda>birding tours mabira uganda>lake mburo bird watching>package birding vacations uganda
A 21-Day birding Itinerary.The sites to be visited include Mabamba, Lake Mburo,Mgahinga, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Semliki, Kibale, Budongo forest, Murchison falls and Mabira Forest.
Arrival in the evening and overnight at Gately Inn Entebbe.
Day 1: mabamba for the Shoebill.
Transfer to Lake Mburo N.P. via mabamba wetlands for the shoebill and other water birds.
After breakfast drive to L. Mburo N.P birding via Mabamba wetlands. Dinner and overnight Mantana tented Camp or Mihingo Lodge or Acadia cottages.
Day 2: Lake Mburo N.P
After early breakfast, we will take an early morning boat ride in search of African Finfoot and other water birds. Our highlight will be Brown-chested Plover, Spot-Flanked, Red-faced and White Headed Barbets, Coqui’s and Red winged Francolin, Greater/Lesser Honey Guides, Marico/Scaret Chested/Variable/Copper Sunbirds, Greater Blue Eared Starling, White-Winged Warbler, Trilling cisticola, Carruthers’ Cisticola, Papyrus Gonolek, Sulpher Breasted Bush Shrike, Tabora cistcola, white winged tit, African pendurine tit, Nubian wood pecker, Black Billed Wood Dove Green backed pecker, Yellow-billed Oxpecker and Nothern Brown –throated weaver, We shall drive later in the day and stop at Agip motel in Mbarara town for lunch break. After lunch drive to Mgahinga National Park. Dinner and overnight at Tourist Hotel or Travelers’ Hotel.
Day 3: Bird Mgahinga National Park
After breakfast with your packed lunch, drive to Ntebeko camp from where we will start our trek to probably the most scenic protected area in Uganda. We will take the gorge trail that loops half way up to Mt Sabinyo through a variety of montane habitats. Handsome Francolin, Dusky Turtle Dove, Western Green Tinkerbird, Rwenzori Doubler Collered Sunbird, Dwarf Honey guide, Mountain Burzard, Olive Thrush, Archers’s Robin,Brown Wood Warbler, Doherty’s Bush shrike, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Nightjar, Malachite Sun bird, Kivu Ground Thrush, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Lagden’s Bush shrike, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird, Montane double-collared Sunbird, Cape Robin, Rwenzori Batis,Red Faced Woodland Warbler,Mt.Masked Apalis,Rwenzori Apalis,Black Headed Waxbill etc .Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 4: Transfer to Ruhizha birding via Echuya Forest.
After early morning breakfast, bird as we proceed to Ruhija through Echuya forest. Look for birds such as Archer’s Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Mountain Masked Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, White-napped Raven, Black-crowned Waxbill and other AREs that we had missed in Mughinga. Later continue to Ruhija via Nyamuriro Swamp for Papyrus
Endemics . Dinner and overnight at Ruhizha Gorilla Friends camp or Ruhizha Mist Camp or Gorilla Lodge or Tavern Cottages.
Day 5: Bird Mubwindi Swamp
After early breakfast, we will walk down with packed lunch to Mubwindi swamp looking for specials like the green Broabill, Grauer’s Rush warbler,Evergreen Forest Warbler, Dwarf Honey-guide,Grey Chested Illadopsis, Cabanis’s Greenbul, Mt.Greenbul,Sharps Barred Long Tailed Cuckoo, Starling, Oriole Finch,the incredible Purple-breasted Sunbird,Slender-billed, Wallers, Narrow-tailed and Stuhlmann’s Satarlings,Dusky, Red-faced, Abyssynian and Shelleys Crimsonwings,Strange weaver and many other specials. Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi N.Park( Bohoma Sector) birding via the ‘neck’
Depart for Buhoma via the neck birding en-route for species like Tambourine Dove, Black bee-Eater, Mountain Wagtail, Toro Olive-Greenbul, White-starred-Robin, Strange Weaver, Dusky Twin Spot, Grauer’s Warbler, Black bee-eter, Red Throted Wryneck among others.We will be birding through farmland, forest edge and forest Habitats. We shall do a short village walk around Buhoma area after arrival for Magpie Mannikin in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma community rest Camp or Engagi Lodge or Silver back Lodge or Gorilla Forest Camp.
Day 7: Bird Bwindi N.Park
After Breakfast, bird along the main trail for species like Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Montane Masked Apalis, Short-tailed Wabler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Western Bronze-naped Pegion,Dusky and Olive Long-tailed Cuckoos,Fraser’s Eagle owl, Montane( Rwenzori)Nightjar, Bar-tailed Trogon,Black bee-eater,Willcock’s honeyguide, Fine-banded and Elliot’s Woodpeckers, Grey-chested and Mountain Illadopses, White bellied Robin-Chat, Oberlander’s Ground Thrush, Black-faced Rofous Warbler, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Many-coloured Bush-Shrike,Brown-capped Weaver, Red-fronted Antpecker ,Ansorge’s.Carmeron Somber, Redtailed,Yellow Whiskered Little Greenbuls,Green throted,Grey Headed ,Green Headed, Blue throated Brown,Bronze Green, Little Green Olive(western) Sunbirds and Oriole-Finch Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 8: Gorilla Tracking
After early morning breakfast, we will visit the highest elevation forest, one of the world’s great natural treasures providing home to Mountain Gorillas and various endemic birds. Gorillas are often watched from just a few feet away and hopefully we should find a party of Gorillas. If you come back from tracking early, we will do evening birding. Lunch and dinner as above.
Day 9: Transfer to QUENP
Early morning transfer to Queen Elizabeth N.Park via Ishasha and we shall have our lunch on the way. At Ishaha, We shall see a variety of Game including climbing lions, Elepahnts Buffaloes
and other game. Having reached in the evening , we shall bird around the hotel on arrival in the evening for species like Blue quail, African Crake, Ross’s Turaco, Jackson’s Pipit, Red-headed lovebird, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Black bee-eater,White-backed,Lappet Faced,Ruppel’s,White headed,Palmnut Vultures,Martial,Wahlbergs,Weterh Bandedsneck,A.Fish Egales, Shining Blue King fisher have our dinner and spend a night at Mweya Safrai Lodge or Jacana Lodge or Kingfisher Lodge or Hill top lodge or Simba Lodge.
Day 10: Bird Queen Elizabeth N. Park.
After Breakfast, a morning game drive and birding will be ideal. Lunch at the lodge and go for the boat trip in the afternoon on Kazinga channel where we shall see a variety of wild life and bird life as well. A variety of game such as hundreds of hippos, crocodiles will be viewed. Other animals like Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda kobs, Bush buck, Water bucks, Warthog will also be viewed. A number of bird species are also available here which include Green-backed, Heron, Yellow-billed stork, saddle-billed stork, African Spoonbill, martial eagle, Common quail, African Crake, White tailed lark, Rufous naped lark, Plain backed Pipit, Grassland pipit and many other savanna birds. Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 11: Transfer to Semliki N.Park
After breakfast we will transfer to Semliki birding en-route through QENP and the northern side of Rwenzori Mountains that are dry Savanna woodland and later bird along the edge of the Park later check in at the lodge in evening. Look for species like , white tailed lark,Broad tailed Warbler, Compact weaver,Lizzard Burzard ,Long Crested Eagle Brown Snake/Black Chested snake Eagle,Green Backed Eremomela, Pale Frycatcher,Sooty Chat, Black Billed Barbet,Huglines Francolin,Black Winged Redbishop, Southern Redbishop, Black Bishop,Whistling Cisticola,Brown Backed Woodpecker,Cabanis/Golden Breasted Buntings Orange Cheacked Waxbill,White-crested black Dwarf,Red-Billed Dwarf, Piping and Black-wattled Hornbills, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Spotted,Lyre-tailed and Zenker’s Honeyguides,African Piculet, Gabon Wood pecker,Red-sided Broadbill, White-throated blue Swallow, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Sassi’s Olive, Xavier’s, Swamp, Simple and Eastern Bearded Greenbuls, Yellow-throated Nicator,Capuchin Babbler, and ,Lemon-bellied Crombec, Red-eyed puffback, Grant’s blue bill and many more. Dinner and overnight at Vanilla lodge or Semliki Safari Lodge.
Day 12: Whole day Birding Kirumia Trail.
After breakfast, we will head to kirumia trail for the Semuliki specials mainly the Hornbills,Forest Robin,Yellow Throated Nicator,Red,Green Tailed Brislebills,Fire Crestedc/Brown Chested Alethes,Yellowbilled,Yellow Sported Hairly Breasted Barbets,Ruofus Sided Broadbill,Grants Bluebill,Red Rumped Tinkerbird Xavier’s,Icterine,Toro Olive,Little Grey,Slender Billed Greenbuls,Leaflove,HoneyGuideGreenbul,Whitethroated Greenbul,Red Tailed,Ruofus Flycatcher Thrushs Swamp Bulbul,Wilcocks,Lyer Tailed,Spotted,Least,Zenker’s Honeyguides,African Piculet,Crested,Blue-billed,Red Bellied Malimbes,Maxwell’s Black Weaver and many others. Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 13: Whole day drive to Kibale N. park.
Trasfer to Kibale birdig on the way if time permits try Sebitore another site in Kibale N.Park . Dinner and overnight at Chimpanzee Guest House or Chimp nest lodge or Mountains of the moon or Primate Lodge.
Day 14: Wholeday Birding Kibale N.Park
Birding in Kibale N.P is a delightful experience. We shall look for species such as Afep Pegion, Green-breasted Pitta, Joyful Greenbul, Grey-winged Robin, Grey-throated Flycatcher, Dark Backed Weaver,White Browed Crombec,Olive long Tailed Cuckoo,Yellow Mantled Weaver Emard Cuckoo. Masked and black-throated Apalises, Chestnut winged Starling, Orange-tufted and tiny sunbirds, White-collared Olive-back and many more. Lunch at the hotel. Go birding bigode swamp in the evening. Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 15: Transfer to Murchison Falls N.Park:
After Breakfast we shall drive to Murchison Falls N.Park. This will be a wholeday drive and you will get there in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli or Nile Safri Camp, or Paraa Lodge or Sambiya River Lodge.
Day 16: Whole day Birding Murchison Fall N.P
After Breakfast, We will head for a game drive around the park where a number game will be viewed like giraffes, Elephants, buffaloes, Impalas and many more. You will head to Albertine Nile for the Albertine endemics . Our key species in Murchison will be
Shoebill, Secretary bird, Red-necked Falcon, Heuglin’s Francolin, Denham’s Bustard, Senegal Thick-Knee, Egyptian-plover, Rock Pranticole, Black-headed Plover,African Skimmer, Bruce’s Green Pegion, Vinaceous dove, White-crested Turaco, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Long-tailed,Pennant-winged and Standard winged Nightjars, Red-throated, Swallow-tailed and Carmine Bee-eaters, Abyssinian Roller, Black Scimitarbill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-billed Barbet, Brown
backed Woodpecker, Spotted Morning Thrush, White-fronted Black Chat, Silverbird , Singing bird,Foxy and Black-backed Cisticolas, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Green-backed Eremomela, Yellow-billed and Emin’s Shrikes, White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, Lesser Blue-eared and Bronze-tailed Starlings, Beautiful Sunbird,Chestnut-crowned Sparrow weaver, Northern Red Bishop, Grey-headed Olive-back, Red-winged Pytilia, Brown Twinspot, Bar-bellied Firefinches, Black-rumped Waxbill, Paradise Whydah,White-rumped Seedeater and brown-rumped and Cabanis’s Buntings. Later return to the lodge. Dinner and overnight as above
Day 17: Morning boat trip afternoon Transfer to Budong Forest.
After Early morning Breakfast, we will head for a boat trip in search of water birds as listed above up to the bottom of the Nile. Later head to Budongo Forest via Kaniyo Pabidi for the Puvel’s Illadopsis and many other birds. Later you will continue to Masindi and overnight at Courtview Hotel or Masindi Hotel.
Day 18: Wholeday birding the royal mile
After breakfast, proceed to bird at Royale mile for the new birds, coming
back in time for lunch. After lunch drive back for afternoon birding. Look
out for species like Cassins’s Hawk Eagle, Nahan’s Francolin, Black-collared Lovebird, Cassin’s and Sabine’s Spine tails, Chocolate-backed, blue breasted and African Dwarf Kingfishers, Piping Hornbill, Red-sided Broadbill, Green-breasted pitta, Spotted Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe,,Black-capped Apalis, Brown-crowned Eremomela, Grey and yellow Longbills, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, Jameson’s Wattle-eye,Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Brown Twinspot and Grey-headed Olive-back. Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 19: Wholeday birding Budongo(busingilo and the escarpment in the afternoon)
After breakfast drive to Busingiro bird for the morning later to theButiaba Escarpment which is good for the dry savanna birds like Foxy Cisticola Pygmy Sunbird,White Fronted black Chat,Cabanis,Brown Rumped.Cinamo Breasted Rock Buntings,Red ,Orange and Green winged Pytilias,Swallow Tailed Bee Eater,Vitelline’sMasked Weaver,Northern Crombec,Siliver Bird,Brown Barbler and many others.Drive back to Masindi. Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 20: Transfer to Mabira birding en-route
After early morning breakfast, we will go for birding in search of the missed species then later transfer to Mabira Forest birding en-route. Lunch on the way. Dinner and overnight at Mabira Rain forest Lodge or Kingfisher Lodge or Sun Set Lodge.
Day 21: Whole day birding Mabira Forest
After breakfast, bird a whole day Mabira forest. We shall try for birds such as Speckle -breasted woodpecker, Forset wood hoope,Tit hylia,Yello mantled weaver,Valvet mantled drongo, Black belly seed craker,Yellow and grey Long bill, African Grey Parrot, Afep Pigeon, Blue throated Roller, Blue shouldered Robin chat,
Black-throated Apalis, African Blue flycatcher, Dusky Tit, Forest Robin,
Little Olive and other superb sunbirds, Grey-throated barbet, Yellow-spotted barbet, Hairy breasted,Double-toothed Barbet and Local African Pied Hornbill.
