Bird Uganda Safaris

Leisure Birding Tour in Uganda in 7 days.

Tour At-A-Glance;
Length: 7 days
Best time of year:All year round.

Overview
This tour is designed for individuals who prefer taking short vacations in easily accessible habitats which involve leisurely walks and do not require hiking or long drives. These might include pre- or post -conference attendees and student groups. You will experience a sampling of Uganda's tropical rainforests, untamed marshes, fresh open water and woodlands with a wide range of fauna and flora, in an area of less than 35,000 sq.km in Uganda's central region. You will be led by one of our best tour leaders with great knowledge of birds and habitats, and the cultures of people in the central region. We selected some of the best accommodation facilities in the country that are simple yet luxurious in nature.

ITINERARY

Day 1. Arrival.
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to Mabira Forest Eco-Lodge for an overnight stay. Early arrivals will have a chance of bird watching the 4km trail near the Lodge - this very day marks the begining of the central region birding vacation.

Day 2: Bird watching holiday to Mabira Forest.
Mabira Forest Reserve is the largest block of moist semi-deciduous forest remaining in the central region of Uganda. We shall explore the gently undulating country, characterized by numerous flat-topped hills and wide, shallow valleys. The list for Mabira Forest Reserve contains almost 300 bird species. The forest boasts many species of the Guinea-Congo Forests biome which are not well-represented in other protected areas in Uganda, for example Nahan's Francolin, Black-shouldered Nightjar, Capuchin Babbler, Grey Longbill and Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher. Lunch and overnight at the Eco-Lodge.

Day 3: Bird watching holiday to Mabamba bay and Mpanga forest
Today we visit Mabamba Village and its adjacent swamp, a labyrinth of channels and lagoons. The swamp is about 52km from Kampala. The road to Mabamba winds its way through areas of secondary forest and agricultural land attracting Red-headed Lovebird, African Crowned Hornbills, and a range of sunbirds including the Green-headed, Green, Red-chested, Collared, Marico and Scarlet chested. We shall stop over at Mpigi Swamp to look out for the Papyrus Gonolek and the White-winged Warbler. The road ultimately ends at a papyrus reed bed adjoining Lake Victoria. In the hand paddled canoes, we explore a maze of channels and mudflats searching for the majestic Shoebill, African Pygmy Goose, the rare Lesser Jacana, Carruthers' Cisticola etc.

In the afternoon transfer to Mpanga Forest, a beautiful compact forest protected as a scientific research site since 1953 which is criss-crossed with extensive network of paths from which we shall view the prolific bird life. The reserve protects an extensive patch of medium-altitude rainforest, characteristic of the vegetation that once extended over much of the northern Lake Victoria Hinterland. You will experience the silence of a noisy forest, witness floating paths of butterflies and enjoy the peace of solitude of a beautiful forest setting. Overnight at Lindsay Cottages.

Day 4: Bird watching holiday to Entebbe Botanical Gardens and Lutembe Bay.
Entebbe Botanical Gardens are situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, virtually on the Equator, and covers an area of 40.7 hectares. The gardens house a collection of species of plants of the tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zones. The habitat has attracted a diverse array of birds (c. 206 species) and monkeys (recently introduced). We shall look out for Orange weaver, Golden and Yellow-backed Weavers, Superb Sunbird, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Ross's and Great blue Turacos, etc.

Later in the afternoon we will visit Lutembe Bay. Lutembe bay is one of the most important migratory stopover sites in the Lake Victoria basin and a major roost site for many species, including large congregations of migrant waders. The bay is less than 8 sq. km but boasts over 200 species including more than 100 water birds. Two Red Data species have been recorded: occasional Shoebill and a Madagascar Squacco Heron. Regular waterfowl counts since 1993 show a total of 108 water bird species at the site, of which 26 are Palaearctic migrants. The bay regularly supports 20,000 - 50,000 roosting water birds, and sometimes many more between October and February when there are palaearctic migrants.

Day 5: Bird watching tour to Zika and Nsuki Forests.
Today, we awake early and head for Zika Forest. A spell at the Zika Forest will leave you breathless. It is a quiet kind of place, home to Red-tailed and Grivet Monkeys and lots of trees, butterflies and birds. In the afternoon we shall explore the bird watching potential of Nsuki Forest; a privately managed natural forest on the shore of Lake Victoria just opposite Lutembe beach. It is a good site for Blue-eared Starling, Purple Starling, Black-and-white Casqued, African Pied, and Crowned Hornbills, Little greenbul, Green Crombec, etc.

Day 6: Bird watching tour to Ngamba Island and Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), Entebbe.
Ngamba Island is a forested island on Lake Victoria that provides an "out of harm's way" haven to 42 orphaned Chimpanzees that are free to wander around the Island. It offers a unique opportunity for close viewing of the chimpanzees in an adapted environment. You will experience pre-arranged supplementary feeding times - 11:00 am and 3:00 pm each day. This attracts the Chimps to within meters of the raised walkway specially designed for easy viewing and excellent photographic opportunities.

Then we shall take a speed boat to access the Island, which is about 23 km offshore from Entebbe; and it takes about 45 minutes to get there. From there, we go birdwatching to the Uganda Wildlife Education Center where White Rhinos, Lions, several antelopes, snakes, primates, and birds can be found. The walk through is filled with vegetations and trees native to Uganda. The tops of the trees resonate with sounds of hundreds of birds.
We shall spend our night in Entebbe Resort Beach Hotel.

Day 7: End of Holiday / Departure.