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Tour At-A-Glance;
Length: 19 days
Best time of year:Jan -March,May - August,Nov-Dec.
Key Sites: Mabamba, Kamengo, Budongo, Murchison Falls, Bwindi, Semliki.
Targets: Shoebill, Nahan's Francolin, Purple Breasted Cuckooshrike, African Green Broad bill, Green Breasted Pitta, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Chocolate Backed Kingfisher, African Piculet, Red Rumped Tinkerbird, Red Throated Alethe, Rufous Breasted Sparrowhawk, Pels Fishing Owl, Pennat Winged Night Jar.
Mammals: African Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Jackal, Baboons, Chimpanzees, Warthogs, and Giant Forest Hog.
Overview
Our Ultimate Uganda Birding Tour is designed to fulfill your wildest dreams about African birds and wildlife. This 26 day birding tour guides you through the most spectacular and productive birding sites in all of Uganda. Our itinerary includes stops at Mabamba Wetland (home of the iconic Shoebill stork), Budongo Forest, Semliki Forest, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and of course, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is ranked as the No. 1 African birding spot by members of the African Bird Club.
Our target species will include: Shoebill, Nahan's Francolin, Purple Breasted Cuckooshrike, African Green Broad bill, Green Breasted Pitta, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Chocolate Backed Kingfisher, African Piculet, Red Rumped Tinkerbird, Red Throated Alethe, Rufous Breasted Sparrowhawk, Pels Fishing Owl, Pennat Winged Night Jar. Along the way, we are likely to see land mammal such as: African Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Jackal, Baboons, Chimpanzees, Warthogs, and Giant Forest Hog to mention but a few. This expedition-length tour leaves almost no stone unturned in this beautiful country. Your total bird species list could reach over 500.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival for the tour.
Upon arrival, you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to the hotel. Early arrivals will have a chance to bird around Entebbe Botanical Gardens.
Stay in Sophie's Motel, Entebbe Traveller's Inn or Gately Inn for 2 nights.
Day 2: Bird watching safari to Mabamba Wetland.
After breakfast, we head to Mabamba or Kamengo Wetland, home of the Shoebill stork. Located 50 km (32 miles) west of Kampala, Mabamba and Kamengo are the nearest accessible bird watching site on the shores of Lake Victoria. Other special birds on this trail include; Lesser Jacana, Blue Swallow, Black-shouldered Nightjar, Afep Pigeon, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, Tit Hylia, African Pygmy-Goose, Spur-winged Geese, Long-toed Lapwing, Blue-breasted and Madagascar Bee-eaters, Gray-rumped Swallow, Greater Swamp-Warbler, Slender-billed Weaver, Lizard Buzzard, African Pygmy-Kingfisher and Plain-backed Pipit. Spot-necked Otter can occasionally be seen in the water.
Day 3: Bird watching safari to Mabira Forest.
Enjoy an early breakfast and leave for Mabira Forest, located 65 km east of Kampala. Specialties here include; Pied Hornbill, Forest Wood-Hoopoe, Black-bellied Seed cracker, Blue-breasted, White-bellied, Pygimy and Shining-blue Kingfishers, Yellow-throated and Speckled Tinkerbirds, Toro Olive Greenbul, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Fire-crested Alethe, Forest Robin, Blue-shouldered and Snowy-crowned Robin Chat, Nahan's Francolin, Yellow billed Barbet, Jameson's Wattle-eye, Tit Hylia, White-spotted Flufftail, Superb Sunbird, White-shouldered Tit, Magpie Manikin, Green Crombec, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Black-throated Apalis, Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher, African Paradise Flycatcher, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Sabine's Spinetail, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Blue-throated Roller and Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike. Mammals include Red-tailed and Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, Bush Duiker and Western Tree Hyrax.
Later, if there's time, we will make a brief visit to the source of the great River Nile.
Stay in the Rainforest Lodge, Gately on Nile or Collin Hotel.
Day 4: Bird watching safari to Murchison Falls N.P.
After an early breakfast we leave for Murchison Falls National Park. This is Uganda's largest national park and protects a chunk of untamed African savannah which is bisected by the mighty River Nile. Named for the dramatic Murchison Falls, the Nile, the world's longest river ,violently explodes through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment and plunges into a frothing pool 43 m below. Wildlife populations have largely recovered from the poaching of the 1980s. In the lush borassus grassland to the north of the Nile, African Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe and a variety of Antelope are regularly encountered on game drives, while Lions are seen with increasing frequency. In the southeast, Rabongo Forest is home to chimps and other rainforest creatures.
In terms of ranking, this park is the best for wildlife tours of Uganda and number nine in the list of Africa's Birding Hotspots. The Nile itself hosts one of Africa's densest hippo and crocodile populations, and a dazzling variety of water birds including the world's most inaccessible wild population of the rare Shoebill.
You will have lunch at Masindi Hotel and proceed to Murchison Falls National Park. Depending on the weather and time, you may have a chance for a short birding break at Kanio Pabide in Budongo Forest.
Specialty birds include Puvell's Illadopsis, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Yellow and Grey Longbills, Red-tailed Ant-thrush, White-crested Turacco and Afep Pigeon.
Stay in Red Chilli, Sambiya River Lodge, Para Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge.
Day 5-6: Bird watching safari in Murchison Falls N.P, Bird watching to the top of the falls.
We start birding after an early breakfast. Depending on local conditions, either drive or boat along the Victoria Nile to the delta. Later in the afternoon, we take a launch trip to the bottom of the falls. Recorded birds here include; Shoebill, Secretary Bird, Abyssinian Roller and Ground Hornbill, Pied Kingfishers, Red-throated Bee-eaters, Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Senegal and Water Thick-knees, Black-headed and Long-toed Lapwing, Little Bittern, Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Vinaceous Dove and Grosbeak Weaver. Buff-bellied Warbler, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Bar-breasted Firefinch, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Marabou Stork, Red-throated Bee-eater, Silver Bird, Beautiful Sunbird, Black-headed Gonolek, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Golden-backed Weaver and White-rumped Seedeater, Rock Pratincole, Darter and Giant Kingfisher. Special birds at the top of the falls include White-fronted Black Chat, White-crested Turacco, Gray Woodpecker, Red-throated Bee-eater, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike, Bat Hawk, Fox's Cisticola, Western, Violet-backed Sunbird, Black-headed Gonolek, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Brown Twinspot, Bar-breasted Firefinch, Red-winged Pytilia, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Bruce's Pigeon and Osprey.
A variety of large mammals, including large concentrations of Elephants, Buffalos, Rothschild's Giraffe, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Lions, Leopards and the ever alert Oribis and Kobs, can be seen many places along this route.
Day 7: Bird watching safari to Budongo Forest.
You start early birding to Budongo Forest through the escarpment, which is one of the best birding hotspots in Uganda. Recorded birds here include Fox's Cisticola, White-headed Barbet, Northern Crombec, Singing Cisticola, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Black-billed Barbet, Grey-headed Oliveback, Black-bellied Firefinch, Madagascar Heron, Lesser-masked Weaver, Painted Snipe, Woolly-necked Stork, Grey Headed Bush Shrike, and Beautiful Sunbird.
Afternoon birding at Budongo, one of the largest and most beautiful forests in Uganda, may be very productive as it is home to the most sought after birds of Uganda. These include: African Dwarf Kingfisher, African Crowned Eagle, Olive Camaroptera, Yellow and Grey Longbills, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Red-tailed Ant-thrush, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Rufous-crowned Eremomera, Ituri Batis, Nahan's Francolin, Bat Hawk, African Wood Owl, White-faced Wood Owl, White-crested Turaco, Ross's Turacco, Grey Parrots, Piping Hornbill, White-thighed Hornbill, Black-shouldered Nightjar.
In addition to birding, this forest is home to Chimpanzees and Uganda's most beautiful butterflies.
Stay in Masindi Hotel or Court View Hotel.
Day 8-9: Bird watching safari to Budongo Forest - Royal Mile and Busingiro.
Here we have two days of birding the Royal Mile and Busingiro. Key species include: African Dwarf and Chocolate-backed Kingfishers, Chestnut-crowned Eremomera, White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow and Grey Longbills, Olive-bellied Crombec, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Dusky long-tailed Cuckoo, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, Forest Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Camaroptera and Cabanis Bunting, Brown-backed Scrub- Robin, Narina Trogon, Golden-crowned Woodpecker, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, Little Green Sunbird, Green Sunbird, both Negrofinches, Western Black-headed Oriole, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Yellow Longbill, Grey Longbill, Forest Robin, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, the elusive Lemon-bellied Crombec, Yellow-mantled Weaver, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Green Crombec, Crested Malimbe, Red-headed Bluebill, Cassin's Hawk Eagle, Little Greenbul, Slender-billed Greenbul, White-throated Greenbul and Plain Greenbul, Spotted and Toro Olive Greenbul.
Day 10: Bird watching safari to Kibale Forest National Park.
We make an early start for Kibale National Park, where more than 335 rainforest species have been recorded. Superb birds and primates combined with easy access, a good infrastructure and a variety of interesting activities make this forest a "must-see."
Kibale harbors the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa and is famous for its Chimpanzees. Kibale protects a remarkable 13 primate species, including the very localized Red Colobus and L'Hoest's Monkey, Galagos, Blue monkey, Red-tailed and Vervet Monkey.
Kibale Forest has the highest number of recorded sightings of Green-breasted Pitta, which is another sought after bird of Uganda. Other birds include: African Pitta, Grey-winged Robin, Red-winged Francolin, Joyful Greenbul, White-napped Pigeon, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Red-chested Flufftail, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Uganda Woodland Warbler, White-collared Oliveback, Leaf-love, African Broadbill, Willcock's Honeyguide, White-winged Warbler, White-spotted Flufftail, Scaly-throated Honeyguide.
Kibale Forest is also home to Elephants, Buffalo, Giant Forest Hog and antelope species. Stay in Chimpanzee Guesthouse, Nature Lodges or Ndali Lodge.
Day 11: Bird watching safari and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest N.P.
Kibale's major attraction is the opportunity to track habituated Chimpanzees. These delightful apes are more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, and they are tremendously entertaining to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees.
We assemble for briefing as you prepare for chimp tracking. The movement of the chimps depends upon the availability of food and hopefully they won't be too far away! If our morning is successful in locating these brilliant primates, then we'll spend the afternoon birding along the Kamwengye - Fort Portal Road. Birds recorded here include: White-tailed Ant-Thrushes, Purple-headed Glossy-Starling, Brown Illadopsis, Green-breasted Pitta, White-naped Pigeon, Masked Apalis, Toro Olive-Greenbul, Black-billed Turacco, Buff-spotted Woodpecker and Green Crombec.
Day 12: Bird watching safari in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
The morning will be spent birding in the Kibale Forest. Key species include; Green-breasted Pitta, Cabanis Greenbul, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Red-chested Owlet, Crowned Eagle, White-naped Pigeon, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Crested Guineafowl, Western Nicator, Blue-throated Sunbird, Olive Sunbird, Green Sunbird, and Purple-banded Sunbird. After lunch we'll head to the Bigodi Wetland, a papyrus and swamp forest. We hope to find such papyrus endemics as White-winged Warbler, White-collared Oliveback and Papyrus Gonolek. Other species we may encounter along the 4 km trail are; African Marsh Harrier, African Harrier-Hawk, Willcock's Honeyguide, Grey Parrot, Black-billed Turacco, Yellow-billed Barbet, White-breasted Negrofinch, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Grey Greenbul, Red-faced Cisticola, White-chinned Prinia, Snowy-crowned Robin Chat, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher and Red-headed Malimbe.
Day 13: Bird watching safari in Sebitoli and transfer to Semliki forest.
After an early morning breakfast, we drive to Sebitoli section of the Kibale National Park. The habitat here consists of a swamp surrounded by low, scrubby secondary forest and cultivation. The list includes; Green-backed Twinspot, Scaly Illadopsis, Olive Camaroptera, Uganda Spotted Woodpecker, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Red-capped Robin Chat and Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Great Sparrow-hawk, Red-headed Bluebill, Luhdher's Bush Shrike.
It is a good site for a number of birds that are hard to find elsewhere including Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Cabanis's Greenbul and Joyful Greenbul as well as White-spotted Flufftail, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Lesser Honeyguide, Blue-shouldered Robin Chat, White-chinned Prinia, Grey Apalis, Olive-green Camaroptera and White-collared Oliveback.
We may encounter chimps on this trip, as well.
We have lunch in Fort Portal town and afternoon transfer to Semliki NP.
Stay in Vanilla Hotel or Semliki Safari Lodge.
Day 14-15: Bird watching safari in Semliki forest, Kirumya Trail.
After a dawn breakfast we will drive into Semliki National Park for birding. This forest is ranked NUMBER TWO in Uganda Birding spots by the African Bird Club Members. Depending on the weather and information from our site guides, we will either bird along the road or the Kirumya Trail or other Forest Trails. Semliki Forest marks the eastern extension of the Great Ituri Forest.
This makes it the best place in Uganda to encounter some of the West African species that cannot be easily accessed from other places. Specialties include; Congo Serpent Eagle, Black-throated Coucal, Grey-throated Rail, Nkulengu Rail, Long-tailed Hawk, Spot-breasted Ibis, Capuchin Babbler, Yellow-throated Nicator, Northern Bearded Scrub Robin, Red-chested Owlet, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, White-bellied Kingfisher, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Zenker's Honeyguide, White-throated Blue Swallow, Bate's Nightjar, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Orange-tufted Sunbird, Black-winged Oriole, Red-billed Helmet Shrike, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Icterine Greenbul, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Crested Malimbe, Blue-billed Malimbe, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, Pale-fronted Negrofinch, Piping Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, White Crested Hornbill, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, and White-thighed Hornbill.
Day 16: Bird-watching safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After breakfast you will drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is the second largest national park in Uganda. It is named after the Queen of England who visited it in 1954. In terms of bird diversity, this park ranks one of the best in Uganda, with over 600 species recorded, and a one-day record of 296 species. Special birds include; Harlequin Quail, Blue Quail, Small (Common) Buttonquail, African Crake, White-winged Warbler, Martial Eagle, African Skimmer, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, Papyrus Gonolek, Amur Falcon, Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Lowland Akalat, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Shoebill, Black Bee-eater, Caruthers's Cisticola, Terek Sandpiper, Secretary Bird, and Temminck's Courser.
Mammals include; African Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Ugandan Kobs, Side-striped Jackal, Baboons, Chimpanzees, Bush Bucks, Water Bucks, Warthogs, Giant Forest Hog to mention but a few.
Stay in Mweya Hostel, Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Lodge.
Day 17: Bird watching in the park
You start early for a game drive and birding the vast grassland area the whole morning. Later in the afternoon you have an exciting boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This is a narrow neck of water that connects Lakes George and Edward, with excellent photographic opportunities for waterside birds and abundant Hippopotamus.
Amongst the birds you are likely to encounter include African Skimmer, Striated Heron, African Spoonbill, Water Thick-knee, Three-banded Plover, Marsh, Green, Wood and Common Sandpiper, Gray-headed Gull, Plain Martin, Lesser Swamp-Warbler and Yellow-billed Oxpecker.
Day 18: Bird watching safari in Maramagambo Forest.
After breakfast, we go bird watching in the Imaramagambo Forest. Specialties at Imaramagambo Forest include: Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, Jameson's Wattle-eye, Black Bee-eater, White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Brown Illadopsis, Grey-chested Illadopsis, Shining Blue Kingfisher, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Narina Trogon, Least Honeyguide, Grey Greenbul, Brown-chested Alethe, and African Finfoot.
The trail through the forest leads past a bat cave, which is rather impressive, and if we are lucky we may come across a Python that lives in the cave and feasts on the bats. Later in the afternoon, we shall drive to Kabale.
Stay in White Horse inn.
Day 19: Bird watching safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Ruhiija.
We will bird along the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, especially aorund its productive forest margins. Bwindi is generally at a higher altitude and therefore is cooler. Temperatures range between 10 and 18 degrees centigrade. Forest birding at Bwindi ranks the best in Uganda. It is home to over 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics.
Specialty birds include; Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Grauer's Warbler, Banded Prinia, Black-faced Apalis, Black-throated Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black-flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Chapin's Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Cassin's Grey Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, White-bellied Crested-flycatcher, Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Mountain Illadopsis, African Hill-Babbler, Dusky Tit, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Grey-headed Sunbird, Mackinnon's Fiscal, Sooty Boubou, Pink-footed Puffback, Doherty's Bush-shrike, White-naped Raven, Montane Oriole, African Golden Oriole, Stuhlmann's Starling, Narrow-tailed Starling, Waller's Starling, Strange Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver, Black-billed Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Magpie Mannikin, Yellow-crowned Canary, Thick-billed Seedeater, Streaky Seedeater, African Green Broadbill, Shelly's Crimsonwing, Oriole Finch, Mountain Buzzard, Ayre's Hawk-eagle, Handsome Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, Barred Longtailed Cuckoo, African Wood-Owl, Rwenzori Nightjar, Scarce Swift, Bar-tailed Trogon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Black Bee-eater, (Western) Bronze-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Tullberg's Woodpecker, Elliot's Woodpecker, African Broadbill, Western Green Tinkerbird, Lagdens Bush Shrike, Petit's Cuckoo-shrike, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Archer's Ground Robin, Toro Olive-Greenbul, Ansorge's Greenbul, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Robin chat, Olive Thrush, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Grauer's Rush-warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Neumann's Warbler and Red-faced Woodland Warbler.
In addition to this excellent birding spot in Africa, Bwindi is home to the most sought-after cousins of human beings, the Mountain Gorillas. Other mammals include Rwenzori Duiker, Yellow-backed Duiker and L'Hoest's Monkey.
Stay in Trekker's Tavern or Ruhija Campsite.
Day 20: Bird watching safari to the Mubwindi Swamp.
After breakfast we head for a whole day's birding to Mubwindi Swamp. The 4 km trail to Mubwindi Swamp drops from 2350 m to 2050 m and is the best place for some of the most difficult to find of all rift endemics including; Grauer's (African Green) Broadbill, the beautiful Regal Sunbird, and Archer's Robin Chat. Mubwindi Swamp is home to Dwarf Honeyguide, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Apalis and African Hill Babbler (sometimes treated as a separate species), Rwenzori Hill Babbler, the rare and localized Grauer's Scrub-warbler and Carruthers' Cisticola, very difficult to see species include Fraser's Eagle-Owl, African Green Broadbill, Grauer's Rush Warbler, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Grauer's Broadbill, Archer's Robin Chat, Eastern Mountain-Greenbul, Strange Weaver, Black-headed Waxbill, Bar-tailed Trogon, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Waller's Starling, Stuhlmann's Starling, Ludher's Bush-shrike, Handsome Francolin and Montane Nightjar.
Day 21: Bird watching safari to Buhoma through The Neck.
We will spend a whole day birding on the road to Buhoma through the "Neck." Key species include: Mountain Wagtail, Red-tailed and Shelley's Greenbul, Cassin's Flycatcher, Black Duck, Banded Prinia, Grey-throated Barbet, Common Buzzard, Tree Pipit, Chin-spot Batis, Black-billed Turacco, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Dwarf Honeyguide, Red-tailed Greenbul, and we should come across bee-eaters including Black Bee-eater and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Many-coloured Bush-shrike, Ayres's Hawk-eagle, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Narina Trogon, Honeyguide Greenbul, Red-throated Alethe, Gray Apalis, African Shrike-flycatcher and Red-headed Malimbe; and in areas of dry fern vegetation, we expect to watch the Dusky Twinspot.
Other birds here include; Mackinnon's Fiscal, Yellow-billed Waxbill, Black Saw-wing, Chubbs' Cisticola, Grey Apalis, Augur Buzzard, Petit's Cuckoo Shrike, Pink-footed, Northern Puffbacks, Red-tailed, Little Grey Greenbuls, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Red-throated Martin, East African Swee (Yellow-bellied Waxbill), Yellow White-eye, Dark-capped Bulbul, Yellow-bellied Kite, Yellow-rumped, Speckled-rumped Tinkerbirds, African Stonechat, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Stripe-breasted Tit, Montane-masked Apalis, Red-faced Woodland, Montane Yellow Warbler, Regal Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Yellow-throated Leaf Love, Crested Guinea Fowl, African Crowned Hornbill, Lead-colored Flycatcher, Black-necked Weaver, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Yellow-spotted Barbet, African Harrier Hawk.
Stay in Gorilla Resort, Gorilla Forest Camp, or Bwindi View Guesthouse.
Day 22: Gorilla tracking in the forest
We set off early with packed lunch to the park headquarters for a briefing prior to Gorilla Tracking. Prepare for one of the most exciting experiences of your lifetime! Don't forget your camera!
Gorillas are gentle animals and it is an unforgettable experience to photograph them as they interact, and to gaze into their intelligent eyes. Watch them in awe as they play and go about their daily activities. Each encounter is different and has its own rewards; you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in a delightfully playful display. Don't forget your camera!
Day 23: Birdwatching safari in Bwindi, Buhoma.
The whole day will be spent birding Buhoma. Interesting species here include: Rufous-chested Flufftail, (Western) Bronze-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Willcock's Honeyguide, Toro Olive Greenbul, Red-throated Alethe, Grauer's Warbler, Neumann's (Short-tailed) Warbler, Chapin's Flycatcher, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Mountain and Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Grey-headed and Blue-headed Sunbird, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black Bee-eater, Blue-throated Roller, Tullberg's Woodpecker, Elliott's Woodpecker, Petit's Cuckoo-shrike, Shelley's Greenbul (recognized by their woodpecker-like behavior), Ansorge's Greenbul, Banded Prinia, Black-faced Apalis, Gray Apalis, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, White-browed Crombec, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, White-bellied Crested-flycatcher, Pink-footed Puffback, Luhder's Bushshrike, Stuhlmann's Starling, Black-billed Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver, Thick-billed Seedeater, Grauer's Warbler, Neumann's Warbler, Black-tailed Oriole, Kivu Ground-thrush, Willcock's Honeyguide and African Broadbill.
Day 24: Birdwatching safari to Lake Mburo National Park.
Lake Mburo National Park boasts 313 different bird species which include the ra, White-winged Warblers, Black-Billed Barbets, Crested Francolin, Brown Parrot, Red-necked Spur, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Temmincks Courser, Common Quails, Green Wood hoopoe, Blue-napped Mouse bird, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, African Grey Hornbill, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola, Lilac-breasted Roller, Coqui Francolin, Black-bellied Bustard, African Wattled Plover, Rufous-naped and Flappet Larks, Rufous-chested Swallow, Southern Red Bishop, and Yellow-throated Long Claw among others. The fringing swamps in the park also hide secretive papyrus specialties such as the Papyrus Gonolek.
Common conspicuous birds we may encounter on our journey to Lake Mburo include Crested Francolin, Common Scimitar Bill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Trilling Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Northern Black Tit, Chin-spot Batis, Great Blue-eared Starling, and Marico Sunbird. The woodland in the immediate vicinity of Rwonyo also supports many of these widespread species.
The more open grassland north of the Rwonyo Camp, particularly along the Zebra Track, is worth exploring for species such as Coqui Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck's courser, African Wattled Plover, Rufous-napped and Lapped Larks, Rufous-chested Swallow, Yellow-throated Long Claw, and Southern Red Bishop. A small number of the migratory Brown-chested Plover is regularly observed. The impressive Southern Ground Hornbill is a rare visitor of the grassland around the Mirrlti valley Trail.
Spot lighting along the entrance road may produce interesting nocturnal species such as the African Scops Owl, Verreux's Eagle, and Fiery-necked, White-tailed, and Pennant-winged Nightjars.
Stay in Arcadia Cottages, Mantana Tented Camp or Mihingo Lodge.
Day 25: Game Drive and Boat Trip.
Start early after breakfast and go for a bird watching and game drive. Have lunch at the lodge. Later in the afternoon transfer to Kampala.
Day 26: End of the Ultimate Birdwatching Safari of Uganda / Departure.
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Bird Uganda Safaris Ltd
