1 Day Birdwatching in Lutembe Bay Tour

March 25, 2024

Experience the thrilling adventure of a 1 Day Birdwatching in Lutembe Bay Tour in Uganda and explore some of the most stunning bird-watching spots in the country. This immersive tour will take you on a journey through the breathtaking Lutembe Bay Wetland System located in Wakiso district and one of the newest Important Bird Area (IBA) in Uganda Situated at the mouth of Lake Victoria the largest fresh water lake in Africa, Lutembe bay is a shallow area that is almost cut-off from the main waters of Lake Victoria and punctuated with floating papyrus island. Lutambe bay supports different globally threatened and near threatened bird species, and over 110 butterfly species both common and rare ones. Lutembe bay being shallow makes it a very favourable breeding ground for mad and lungfish one of the diets for the endangered Shoebill Stork, the bay is a great archer of the White-winged (Black) Terns which are passage migrants and winter visitors starting August to May. The Lutembe bay water system plays a very critical role hydrologically, with the swamps surrounding the Murchison Bay naturally acting as filters for sediments, silt, and excess nutrients in surface run-off, wastewaters from industries, and sewage from Kampala City and Entebbe. However, the worst news to naturalists is that Lutembe Bay is being reclaimed and decimated for horticultural activities and given the high population in the surrounding there has been a significant effect by commercial and industrial development, urban wastewater, and conversion to agricultural land. Journeys Uganda if getting you to this natural wonder that is hopes stays for generation as it has a

lot to offer when it comes to bird watching near Kampala and Entebbe.

1 Day Birdwatching in Lutembe Bay Tour Details:

Destination: Lutembe Bay and Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)

A detailed itinerary:

Cost: Starting from 200 US Dollars.

1-day Birdwatching tour to Lutembe Bay and Uganda Entebbe Education Centre (UWEC)

After your early morning breakfast your guide will pick you at your hotel and drive to begin your birding adventure near the “New Lutembe Beach.” You can either take the Kampala-Entebbe route and split off at Namulanda or explore the gravel lanes between Kajjansi and Namulanda. The early morning magic hours of the day are enchanting. Insects flutter around as the sun rises, attracting bird species that feed on insects. The bay is characterized by shallow papyrus swamps, which provide ideal nesting and roosting sites for various bird species. This enables you have a clear view of spotting these unique feathered residents such as the Papyrus Gonolek, Black-headed Gonolek, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, African-wattled Lapwing, Orange Weaver, Slender-billed Weaver, Weyns’s Weaver, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Red-chested Sunbird, Northern Black Flycatcher, Great Blue Turaco, Double-toothed Barbet, Klaas’s and Diederik Cuckoo, Meyer’s Parrot, Red-headed Lovebird, African Marsh Harrier, Angola Swallow, White-headed Saw-wing, Splendid Starling, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Grey Crowned Crane, Swamp Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Duck, African Jacana, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Sooty Chat and many others. If you choose to do the boat ride, look out for Whiskered, Caspian, White-winged, and Gull-billed Tern, White-backed Night Heron, Greater and Lesser Swamp Warbler, Sedge and African-reed Warbler, the resident Grey-headed Gull and the other Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-billed Duck, African Pygmy Goose, Goliath, Purple and Grey-headed Heron, Yellow-billed and African Open-billed Stork, White-faced Whistling Duck, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Marsh, Common and Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ruff, African Snipe and other wading bird species. Additional Highlights: Mammals: Keep an eye out for Hilgert’s Vervet Monkey, Sitatunga, Spotted-necked Otter. Photographic Opportunities: The bay offers excellent chances for capturing stunning bird and wetland photographs. Special Moments: Enjoy a serene nature walk and explore the beauty of Lake Victoria. After you go for lunch and prepare for afternoon session.

Afternoon, we will visit the neighbouring Uganda Wildlife Education Centre to learn more about Uganda’s wildlife. The center’s mission is to inform the public about the nation’s many wildlife and conservation initiatives. You will get to observe a variety of animals up close, along with their habitats, and you will also learn intriguing facts about their diets, behaviours, and other details.

Meal plan: Lunch

The 1 Day Birdwatching in Lutembe Bay Tour includes all indicated meals, entry fees and Ground transfers.

This marks the end of our tour. In the evening, you will head back to your hotel / Entebbe Airport.