11 DAYS BIRDING SAFARI UGANDA
Price On Request
Tour Highlights
11 Day Birding Safari Uganda is an amazing exploration adventure with Uganda’s birds in diversity. Right from your arrival through the different communities with different bird species, the people are hospitable with unqic different cultural back grounds and setting. It gives you a start with Uganda’s rhinos in ziwa, Entebbe Birding sites like Uwec zoo, Lutembe Bay and Mbamba swamp with a number of birds such as the African Marsh Harrier, Papyrus Gonolek, House Sparrow, Weyn’s Weaver, , Fork-tailed Drongo, Feral Pigeon, Flappet Lark, Long-Crested Eagle, Stripped Kingfisher, Black Headed Gonolek, Ruppell’s Long-tailed Sterling, White-shouldered Tit, Sand Martin, Brown Snake-Eagle, Eurasian Hobby, Grosbeak Weaver, Blue-headed Coucal Grey-Headed Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, African Pied Wagtail, Pied King Fisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Yellow Billed Stork, Tawny Eagle, Carruther’s Cisticola, Ross’s Turaco, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Ashy Flycatcher, Rufous-napped Lark, , White-faced Whistling-duck, Fulvous Whistling-duck, Goliath Heron and the African jacana Common Stonechat, Common Greenshank, Little bee-eater, Whinchat, Grey Wagtail, Great Blue Turaco, Grassland Pipit, Orange Weaver, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Black-headed weaver, Slender-billed Weaver, Yellow-backed Weaver and so much more.
In serenity of nature and beyond. The Birding safari if you would refer to it with a visit to Kibale Forest and Bigodi wetland Sanctuary are unqic birding havens with over 335 bird species. Kibale Forest National Park also known as the primate capital,
Queen Elizabeth National Park is also unqic with its wildlife safaris, famous tree climbing lions with over 600 bird species that can be explored both on game safaris and boat rides on the kazinga channel and fact it being named after Queen Elizabeth of England when she visited the park in 1952. We cannot forget to talk about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home to the giant mountain gorillas with a number of endemic birds and over 340 bird species such as Archer’s Robin Chat, Red-faced woodland warbler, yellow-eyed fly catcher and Rwenzori Baits
Lastly a visit to lake Bunyonyi “its name meaning place of little birds is a good haven for birding both on land and on a boat ride around the island in search for melodies of birds and so much more. Indeed, the visit to Uganda on the 11-day Birding safari is worth it on your bucket list for birding lovers.
Before booking for the safari one can choose favorite eco-friendly accommodation in a range of budget, midrange and luxury accommodation.
DAY 1 Arrival and Optional Birding in Entebbe
Travel time is a few from the airport to the hotel.
Accommodation: Budget: Uwec Banda’s or Central Inn, Midrange: Boma Hotel or 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Luxury: Protea Hotel or Lake Heights Entebbe
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
You will be picked up from Entebbe International with a transfer to your hotel in Entebbe. Check in and relax at the hotel and rest of the day at leisure.
Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to do an optional activity which is off your main itinerary.
Optional activity: 1
Botanical Gardens that are located a few kilometers from the Airport for a birding excursion
The gardens are a good haven to Uganda’s birds and they include, splendid Ross and the great blue Turaco, Palm Nut vulture, African Grey parrot and whilst bat Hawk, grey kestrel, golden-backed weaver and slender billed,
Optional activity: 2
Visit Mbamba swamp
Mabamba swamp is home to a number of birds although most clients are interested in the big bird called the shoe bill stock. The birding safari is done on a motorized canoe on the search for the shoe bill stork and other bird species along the excursion to mabamba swamp.
DAY 2 Birding at Uwec Zoo and Lutembe Bay
Travel time from Uwec zoo to Lutembe Bay is 45 – 50 minutes’ drive.
Accommodation: Budget: Uwec Banda’s or Central Inn, Midrange: Boma or 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Luxury: Protea Hotel or Lake Heights Entebbe
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After your morning breakfast 7:00 am, you will be picked up for a half day birding adventure in the Uganda Wildlife Education Conservation Center. The Zoo educators together with your guide will take you through, expect to see the Ostrich, seasonal Egyptian goose, Little egrets at the first exhibit, shoe bill the fascinating big bird also found in Mabamba swamp in Entebbe, pelican, peacock, little owls, African Gray parrot, Graceful crested crane (National Bird), Marabou stork, Hammer kops, kingfishers at the chimp exhibit, the African Fish Eagle and the great blue turacos may be sighted. You will then have lunch at the Uganda wildlife conservation center at the lake side restaurant and proceed to Lutembe Bay for another birding experience.
Expect to see Egrets, storks, Black winged stilt Hammer kop, Tree pipts, Yellow throated long claw, Flappet, Rufus necked larks, Senegal African wattle, Spur winged lap wing, Grey clapped sedge and Reed wobblers, Common moorhen, Black crake, chets, Weavers, widow bird, Doves, White and Brown scrub robin, Grassland plain backed, Blue headed coucal and white brown coucal. You will later return to the lodge, relax as you wait for dinner.
DAY 3 Transfer from Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park
Travel time from Entebbe or Kampala to Kibale Forest National park is 4- 5 hours.
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp Budget, Isunga Lodge Midrange, Papaya Lake Lodge luxury
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You will be picked up by your guide at 7:00 am after breakfast, check out Driving to the western region of Uganda in a serenity of rolling hills and land scape. You shall have lunch enroute in Fort portal town overlooking the scenic Rwenzori mountains, also known as the” mountains of the moon”. After lunch you will drive through Fort portal town to your accommodation reaching late afternoon.
DAY 4 Full Day Birding in Kibale Forest
Accommodation: Budget: Kibale Forest Camp, Midrange: Isunga Lodge, luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge or Kyaninga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (packed) & Dinner
After breakfast 9:00am, you will head to the forest for a full day birding adventure. Kibale forest is blessed with over 335 bird species and these include the Uganda woodland warbler, grey-winged robin, Abyssinian ground thrush, grey headed oli, grey-throated flycatcher, crested fly catcher, red-winged francolin, red-cheated, fluff tail, white napped pigeon masked and black cappedapalises, chest nut wing starling orange among etc. You have packed lunch, continue with your birding experience and later return to the lodge.
DAY 5 Birding in the Bigodi Swamp
Accommodation: Budget: Kibale Forest Camp, Midrange: Isunga Lodge, luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge or Kyaninga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (packed) & Dinner
Have your morning coffee or tea at 8:00 am, set out to visit to the Bigodi swamp, Bigodi is at the edge of Kibale Forest and during the swamp walk trail, we shall look out for a number of birds with sights and sounds of harmonic melody of birds such as Papyrus Gonolek, the great blue turaco, shining blue king fisher, pied hornbill, and yellow spotted, hairy breasted and yellow billed. You may have packed lunch in Bigodi or return to the lodge for lunch. Rest of the day at leisure at the lodge.
DAY 6 Transfer from Kibale Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Travel time from Kibale National park to Queen Elizabeth National park is 2 hours
Accommodation: Budget & Midrange: Enjojo Safari Lodge or Marafiki Safari Lodge or Ishasha Jungle Lodge Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp or Mweya Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You will have breakfast 8:00 am, check out driving to queen Elizabeth National park with a scenic view of the Rwenzori ranges and Savannah grassland plains. Queen Elizabeth is a diverse birding haven to about 600 bird species which may include the African Broadbill, Martial Eagle, Black Rumped Fly catcher, African skimmer, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, white Tailed Lark, Black Bee eater and the pink backed pelican. Etc. You will check in at the lodge have lunch and rest of the day at leisure at the lodge. You may have an optional evening game drive based on time.
DAY 7 Crater Lakes Birding and Boat Safari
Accommodation: Budget & Midrange: Enjojo Safari Lodge or Marafiki Safari Lodge or Ishasha Jungle Lodge Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp or Mweya Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After your morning breakfast, set out for the drive to explore the scenic crater lakes and they are good spots for birding. Blue lake, Lake Katwe, Nyamunuka and Munyanyange are a birding haven. You will also visit the bat cave to look at the bats, if lucky you may see the African rock python or the forest cobras. You will drive back to the lodge for early lunch on time for your boat safari.
Afternoon drive to the dock, you will set off for your boat safari on the kazinga channel where Lakes Edward and Gorge in the Park. While on the boat safari you will sight and listen to melodies of different bird species such as African Broadbill, Martial Eagle, Black Rumped Fly catcher, African skimmer, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, white Tailed Lark, Black Bee eater and the pink backed pelican. etc.
We shall also witness schools of hippos in a profusion of crocodiles at the shoreline together with numerous wildlife species coming down to bathe and drink some water to cool off the heat.
You shall drive back to the lodge, relax and have dinner with overnight.
Day 8 Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Birding.
Travel time: 2 – 5 hours depending on the sector and lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Accommodation: Budget: Gorilla Friend’s Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Trekkers Tavern, Mid-range: Silver Back Lodge or Bwindi Forest Lodge & Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge or Buhoma Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After morning breakfast you will check out, through the southern sector of queen Elizabeth National Park known as the ishasha sector famous for tree climbing lions expect to see a number animals such as; water bucks, elephants, antelopes, buffalos, kobs among others, with your packed lunch look out for the famous tree climbing lions and a number of bird species on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a home to the endangered mountain gorillas with half the number of those remaining in Bwindi. Bwindi is a birding haven of about 340 bird species. You will arrive the park in the afternoon, have lunch and set off for another birding experience. Archer’s Robin Chat, Red-faced woodland warbler, yellow-eyed fly catcher and Rwenzori Baits and many other bird species. You will later return to the lodge in the evening for dinner.
DAY 9 Birding in Bwindi Forest & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Travel Time from Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi is 2- 3 hours
Accommodation: Budget: Ann Kansiime Back Parkers, Mid-range: Bunyonyi Eco Resort, Luxury: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
You will have your early morning breakfast at the lodge, then set off to the forest for Birding on the lookout for the Olive long tailed cuckoos, Fine branded and Oriole-finch, Fraser’s Eagle owl, Bar-tailed Trogon, will cock’s Honey guide and the Black Bee-Eater etc. Return back to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi the land of 29 islands also called (place of small birds). Upon reaching your accommodation you will check in, relax and have dinner.
DAY 10 Lake Bunyonyi Birding Experience & Boat Ride
Accommodation: Budget: Ann Kansiime Back Parkers, Mid-range: Bunyonyi Eco Resort, Luxury: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After your early morning breakfast at the lodge, you will set out for a boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi for a birding adventure as we look out unqic bird species such as African Harrier Hawk, Grey Crowned Cranes, Goliath Herons, White Egrets, wood pecker etc. You will return to the lodge for lunch with relaxation while enjoying the scenic view of the lake. The lake is also famous for its 29 islands that are scattered in the center of the lake. You shall also have dinner at the lodge.
DAY 11 Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala
Travel Time from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala is 7- 8 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
After your early morning breakfast, you will check out of the lodge then drive towards Kampala. You shall stop over at the Equator for lunch, Equator experience, take pictures or buy souvenirs and later you shall embark on your journey to Kampala or Entebbe on time for your flight back home.
Tour Costs
Tour Includes
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure or
- Meet & greet at Hotel or place of stay in Kampala or Entebbe
- Ground transport in a private well-maintained safari van or land cruiser
(Selection at time of inquiry) with a popup roof for game viewing with internet
- English speaking driver / guide
- Fuel costs as per your itinerary
- 10 nights’ Accommodation at your selected lodge or hotel
- Meals mentioned on the itinerary
- Activities & Park entrance fees: 10 nights 11 days
- Birding Safari
- Uwec Zoo &Lumbee Bay
- Kibale National Park
- Bigodi Wetlands
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat Cruise
- Crater drive
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Lake Bunyonyi
- Boat Cruise Safari
- Box of material water in your Safari Vehicle
- Drop off at your hotel or place of stay
Tour Excludes
- X International flights
- X Visa Fees and Requirements
- X Meals not listed in the itinerary
- X Optional activities during the trip
- X Medical & travel insurance
- X Tips to different service providers eg guides, helpers and hotel staff
- X All personal expenses (Beverages/ Soft Drinks on meals, alcohol, laundry services,
- X souvenirs
General Tips on your safari:
- Health is key all trekkers as its key to have your safari and trek the gorillas in a heath condition. Usually clients with infectious diseases like flu are not allowed to track reason being it can easily affect the endangered giant chimps or gorillas. Their DNA is 98.7% close to that of human beings
- The age limit for gorilla tracking and chimpanzee tracking is 15 years and above.
- Booking of your gorilla and chimpanzee permits is done in advance in order for you not to miss out on the experience when permits are fully booked.
- A porter can be hired in case you want to be carried for trekking, bags. For the trekking porter or helper, a fee of US$ 15 is charged
- Hot air Balloon safari can also be experienced in Murchison falls National Park and this includes bush breakfast
- Lion Experiential is an amazing experience you get to track the lions off the main tracks. On this track you are accompanied by a doctor from Uwa
What to bring on your safari:
- Rubber Boots, trousers and rain gears or rain coats and cloth gloves
- Mosquito repellant.
- Insect repellant
- Sun screen
- Drinking during the trekking experience
- Binoculars are also essential for birders or when one books a hot air balloon safari
Related Tours
10 Days East and Northern Uganda Wild Safari
3 Days Giant Gorilla Trekking Experience
1 Day White Water Rafting Adventure
