13 Days Birding Safari and gorilla in the Pearl

A Journey Through Uganda’s Top Birding and Wildlife Hotspots

Day 1: Arrival – Entebbe International Airport.

Airport pick-up by guide.
Transfer to your lodge in Entebbe.
Optional evening birding in the Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Accommodation options: Hotel No 5 (luxury), Admas Hotel (Mi-range), Via Via Hotel (Budget)

Day 2: Mabamba Swamp – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Early morning birding at Mabamba Swamp for the iconic Shoebill Stork (via canoe).
Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Evening birding walk in the sanctuary.
Target Birds: Shoebill, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, African Jacana.
Overnight.

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park.

Morning transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
Visit the Top of the Falls for spectacular views and birding.
Afternoon boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the falls.
Target Birds: Rock Pratincole, African Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron, Pell’s Fishing Owl (chance).
Overnight.

 Day 4: Game Drive & Birding – Murchison Falls.

Early morning game drive in the northern sector with birding focus.
Afternoon leisure or optional nature/birding walk.
Target Birds: Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Secretary Bird, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Denham’s Bustard.

Overnight.

 Day 5: Birding & Transfer to Kibale National Park.

Morning birding en route through Budongo Forest or escarpments.
Scenic transfer to Kibale National Park.
Target Birds: Puvel’s Illadopsis (Budongo), African Grey Parrot, Black-billed Turaco.
Overnight: Kibale.

Day 6: Green-breasted Pitta & Turaco Trails.

Activities:
Early morning walk in Kibale Forest to seek the elusive White-breasted Pitta.
Afternoon relaxation followed by evening birding in Turaco Trails.
Target Birds: Green-breasted Pitta chance, Narina Trogon, Great Blue Turaco.
Overnight: Kibale.

 Day 7: Edge Forest Birding & Nature Walk.

Morning birding along the forest edge and community trails.
Evening guided nature walk.
Target Birds: Joyful Greenbul, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Black-billed Weaver.
Overnight: Kibale.

 Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Activities:
Morning transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP.
Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel for waterbirds.
Target Birds: African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork, Malachite Kingfisher.
Overnight: Queen Elizabeth NP.

 Day 9: Game Drive & Birding – Queen Elizabeth NP.

Morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains for savannah birds and   wildlife.
Afternoon rest and evening birding.
Target Birds: Temminck’s Courser, Martial Eagle, Grey Kestrel, Black-headed Gonolek.
Overnight: Queen Elizabeth NP.

 Day 10: Maramagambo Forest – Ishasha – Bwindi.

Morning birding in Maramagambo Forest.
Drive through Ishasha sector to spot tree-climbing lions.
Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Target Birds: Forest Flycatchers, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Brown   Illadopsis.
Overnight: Bwindi NP (Buhoma or Ruhija, depending on next day tracking permit)

 

 Day 11: Birding – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Full-day birding in the forest trails.
Target Birds: African Green Broadbill, Black Bee-eater, Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing (rare).
Overnight: Bwindi NP.

 Day 12: Gorilla Tracking – Transfer to Lake Mburo NP.

Morning Gorilla Tracking (non-birding highlight).
Afternoon transfer to Lake Mburo National Park.
Evening Option: Night birding drive or campfire.
Overnight: Lake Mburo NP.

 Day 13 (Departure Day): Lake Mburo – Entebbe.

Morning game drive and walking safari for birding and mammals.
Return to Entebbe via the equator stop.
Target Birds: African Finfoot, Crested Francolin, Tabora Cisticola, Red-faced Barbet.
End of Tour