21 days – Birding loop
Day 1 – Arrival Entebbe; met and transferred to your hotel for the overnight stay. Depending on your arrival, and if keen, you may go for a birding walk through the Botanical gardens in Entebbe. These have existed since the colonial days and are a habitat to several bird species. Amongst which are the weavers, sunbirds, eagles, crows, kites to mention but a few. Return to the hotel for the rest of the evening, staying at Airport Guesthouse BB
Day 2 – After breakfast – you will go to Mabamba swamp, by boat trip on lake Victoria, cross to the swamp area where you will cite the shoebill the rare bird and most sort after, there will be several other species, which include…….., return to the mainland, and there after go through the botanical gardens for the rest if the afternoon, overnight as above.
Day 3 – Today you will go birding for most of the day at Lutembe beach area, an area known for its vast birdlife. Its located along the Lake Victoria shores, there are various bird species both migratory and local birds. Overnight as above DB
Day 4 – Depart for Lake Mburo park, in this park there about 350 bird species, and game is different from the other parks, especially with the Zebras that are found only in this park. Upon arrival in the park, you will check in at your lodge, have lunch and then start with an afternoon birding drive, rare shoebill stork, papyrus yellow warbler, African finfoot, saddle billed stork with chances of viewing the game while they lick on salts as the sun is setting. Overnight stay at Lake Mburo Safari lodge FB
Day 5 – Whole day birding in the park, plus a boat ride on Lake Mburo, learn about its history, while enjoying the views you will keep on with the birding as well. Overnight as above
Day 6 – Lake Bunyonyi is beautiful, with several islands, some of which have a significant history attached to them, as you will learn while visiting the area. Along the drive you will be birding until you get to your lodge. A boat ride to the lodge will take you through magnificent views of the close by island as you cruise pass, and the nature walk will allow more birding till early evening. Overnight stay at Heritage Lodge FB
Day 7 – Transfer to Bwindi national park, this is a short drive of about 3 hours, so you will arrive in time to check in, have a quick lunch and then you go birding for the rest of the afternoon. Bwindi impenetrable forest, has an enormous birdlife, and also known for various buffer fly species. While in Bwindi, you will go birding in the forest , the swamp and Ruhija – from where you will site over 300 bird species, amongst which are some of the common include – African green pigeon, African harrier hawk, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Crowned hornbill, Giant kingfisher. Overnight stay at Haven Lodge FB
Day 8 – OPTIONAL gorilla trek; it would not be a good one, if you came to Bwindi and not experience the gorilla trek, which is the spectacle of this park. The endangered animals – gorillas, a decade or so ago where reducing tremendously and would have been extinct had it not been for the conservationist who intervened to save these great animals – “human’s cousin” as it is normally stated. They were less than 300 at the time, but now they have multiplied to over 1500, commendable work indeed! Start with a briefing, then set out to trek the gorilla family that you have been assigned to, it’s advisable to bring with a small backpack, to carry personal items, and the lunch pack and extra drinking water. Hiking shoes, long pants and long sleeved shirt, a hat, sunglasses are a good idea, as well as a light rain jacket. Overnight stay as above
Day 9 – Another day in Bwindi – birding entirely traversing through the forest, the hillsides and the swamp, and Rujiha, return early evening to the lodge. Overnight stay as above
Day 10 – Today you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth park, there over 600 bird species in the park, both migratory and resident, savannah, water and woodland birds. You will drive through the Ishasha the southern sector of the park, birding en route, with chances of spotting the tree climbing lions that are specific to this part of the park. Stop over for lunch en route and continue with birding as you drive through to the lodge, overnight at Kingfisher lodge FB
Day 11 – Day’s birding today, the park is mainly savannah lands, and the bird species are about 500 and more. Game viewing as you drive through and later a boat cruise on the kazinga channel famous for its enormous birdlife, Overnight stay as above
Day 12 – Another day for birding, and later this evening you may go looking for the nocturnal birds, if keen and if time allows it. Overnight as above
Day 13 – Early departure for Kibale park, another densely forested area, this forest is a habitat to several primate species, and the chimpanzees. There animals like the sitaunga, the raccoons living in the forest though rarely sighted. The bird species recorded are about 370, and those specific to this area include Nahans francolin, Cassin Spine tail, Red winged francolin, White-tailed barbet and more. Birding for most of the day while in the forest and the surrounding. Later return to the lodge for the night. Overnight stay at Kibale forest cottages FB
Day 14 – OPTIONAL Chimpanzee tree; the trek starts with a brief and then led by the experienced rangers into the forest to track the chimpanzees as they go about with their daily. While tracking the chimpanzees, you will be spotting birds, and as well as other primates, like the L’Hoest monkey, Blue Monkey, Black and white colobus, red tailed monkey and many more. Complete the day birding and then return to the lodge for the overnight.
Day 15 – Early start, depart for Murchison; a rather long drive therefore birding en route will be limited. Lunch will be picnic en route and then continue on to the park. Overnight at Murchison River Camp FB
Day 16 – While at Murchison falls park, you will go on the game drive, a boat cruise on the river Nile, – famous in this park are the falls, a magnificent when viewing them from the top and the bottom, the wildlife is different with some animals found only in this park. The birdlife is enormous, some of which are endemic, and other’s rare species, all of which you will experience. Overnight as above
Day 17 – Today you will visit the Budongo forest, from where you will spend most of the day birding, the forest has various bird species and primate which include chimpanzees, baboon, and monkeys. Return to the lodge for the overnight.
Day 18 – An early start for Kidepo park, another long drive, with limited birding. Arrive later this afternoon at Nga’ moru lodge in the park. If time allows you may go birding early evening, then return for dinner and overnight at Nga’ moru lodge.
Day 19 – Kidepo park has got over 450 bird species, and those specific to the area are the Ostrich and the Clappertons Francolin. Migratory birds are birds are either breeding or incubating in these areas. This is another park in Uganda where you find the tree climbing lions, in addition to Ishasha section at Queen Elizabeth park; you will view more game as you traverse the lands. Overnight as above
Day 20 – Domestic flight transfer back to Entebbe. Overnight stay at Airport Guesthouse BB
Day 21 – Today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departure flight.
Activities:
Birding – main activity
Boat rides
Game drives
Optional: Gorilla trek – $700pp, Chimpanzee trek- $200pp
Price:
Per person sharing: – USD5300 -USD 7100
Min 2 pax – Max 6 pax