16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari
This 16-day Uganda Forest Birding Safari takes you through diverse landscapes and habitats of numerous bird species such as National parks, forests and swamps. Uganda, a small landlocked nation located on an elevated basin between the western and eastern arms of the Great Rift Valley, is home to over 1050 species of recorded birds, making it the top birding destination in Africa and possibly the entire world. With Journeys Uganda, Uganda has earned the title of “Eden of Birding.” Uganda, formerly known as the “Pearl of the British Empire,” is one of the most stunning nations on earth. It has Africa compacted into a tiny nation the size of Great Britain, with the best that the continent has to offer. A sixth of its surface is submerged under water. large lakes, such as Victoria and Albert, Lake George, Edward, and Kyoga. Equatorial Uganda has a western border with the Great Guinea/Congo Basin rainforest. As a result, Uganda is home to several West and Central African bird species that are not found in other parts of East Africa. Come sample these “Uganda specials” with us on this trip; they’re hard to find elsewhere!
Safari Highlights of the 16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari
Day1: Birding in Entebbe
Day2: Birding to Mabira
Day3: Birding Mabira Forest and transfer to Masindi
Day4: Birding Budongo Forest at Kaniyo Papid
Day5: Birding the Royal Mile
Day6: Masindi to Kibale Forest National Park
Day7 and Day 8: Birding Kibale National Park
Day9 and Day 10: Birding Semuliki National Park
Day11: Birding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day12: Whole day birding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day13: Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day14: Birding from Buhoma to Ruhija
Day15: Birding Ruhija- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-Transfer to Kampala
Day16: Birding to Kampala and Departure
Detailed Highlights of the 16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari
Day 1: Birding in Entebbe.
As soon as you arrive at Entebbe International Airport for the 16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari , you will be greeted by our representative, who will also take you to your hotel and provide you with a comprehensive briefing regarding your birding tour and Uganda in general. Early arriving visitors will also get to see the different Ugandan bird species at the Botanical Gardens. For the first three nights, we stay at Papyrus Guest House B.B. Keep an eye out for the African Wood and Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Slender-billed, Brown-throated, Black-headed and Yellow-Backed Weavers, Cormorants, Yellow-billed Duck, Grey-headed Gull, Pied, Giant, Pygmy, Striped and Malachite Kingfishers among other bird species.
Day 2: Birding to Mabira Forest
On this day of the 16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari ,we will travel to Mabira Forest following an early breakfast. This amazingly prominent forest is arguably the richest in the country, despite being secluded by the nearby sugar and banana fields; Well-maintained pathways facilitate easy birdwatching. Mixed flocks can frequently be seen along the wide paths, and noisy flocks of the nearly endemic Weyns’s Weaver—possibly the most beautiful of the species—spend their time in the canopy. In addition, the seasonal ponds in the forest may draw Blue-breasted, White-bellied, Dwarf, and Shining-Blue Kingfishers, as well as Congo (African) Pied Hornbills and Forest Wood-Hoopoes. Speckled Tinkerbird, Yellow-Throated Tinkerbird often seen in the forest canopy, the Yellow-eyed (Green-tailed) Bristle Bill and Toro Olive Greenbul are sly residents. Other commonly spotted species include the Forest Robin-Chat, the Fire-crested Alethe, and the Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, among others.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Mabira Rain Forest Lodge
Day 3: Birding Mabira Forest and transfer to Masindi
On the 3rd day of the 16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari ,we are going to Murchison Falls in the north today. No doubt, we will come across a lot of wonderful birds along the road. Certain species, such as the Banded Snake-Eagle, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Green-backed Eremomela, Black Bishop, Yellow-shouldered, and Marsh widowbirds, are found in damp meadows and marshes. Our best chance of locating the uncommon Yellow-billed Shrike and Yellow-bellied Hyliota will be in the dry woodlands further north. We may pause to look for African and less common Bruce’s Green Pigeons, White-headed Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, White Crested Turaco, flocks of Lesser Blue-eared and Violet-backed Starlings, and Piapiac, a small Carved that is associated with cattle and wild game, as the countryside becomes drier and features expansive grasslands scattered with fig trees.
Uganda’s largest national park, Murchison Falls, is renowned for its abundant wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and the falls that give the park its name. Along with sporadic sightings of lions and Patas monkeys, abundant views of hippos, crocodiles, Elephants, Cape Buffalo, Uganda Kob, and Waterbuck are possible. In the marshes, there is still another opportunity to spot the elusive and prehistoric Shoebill Stork among a plethora of widely distributed African bird species. There are many more water birds that we hope to see, including the majestic Gray Crowned Crane (Uganda’s national bird), Senegal Thick-knee, Woolly-necked, Saddle-billed, and Yellow-billed storks, African Finfoot on lucky days, Hamerkop (near their enormous stick nests), Egyptian and Spur-winged geese, Osprey, African Fish-Eagle, Black Crake, African (Purple) Swamphen, and Intermediate Egret. Spur-winged; Long-toed Lapwing; African Jacana; African Skimmer flocks among others.
The Victoria Nile gushing down the narrow valley is breathtakingly visible from the viewing point at the top of Murchison Falls. The preferred perches and nesting grounds of Rock Pratincole are bare, rocky islets. A good number of these pretty waders should be wheeling in the fall spray. This area’s thick riverine forest is home to several notable species, including the Spotted Morning-Thrush, Double-toothed Barbet, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Purple-banded Sunbird, and the magnificent White-crested Turaco, which is frequently regarded as the most beautiful member of its striking family.
Going on a night drive to look for one of Africa’s most stunning birds, the Standard-winged Nightjar, will be worthwhile this evening and tomorrow evening. One of the trip’s highlights will probably be seeing Nightjar flutter up the track with his strange standards trailing behind him. Slender-tailed, Long-tailed, Plain, and Swamp nightjars, the Northern White-faced Owl, the Spotted Thick-kneed Owl, and Greyish Eagle-Owl are some other potentials. Some of the nocturnal creatures we might see are the Uganda Grass-Hare, Blotched and Common Genets, African Civet, White-tailed Mongoose, and Servals. The majestic Victoria Nile is visible from our magnificent lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, which is set on a ridge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Budongo Eco-Lodge
Day 4: Birding Budongo Forest at Kaniyo Papid
On this day of the 16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari, the famous Budongo Forest will be our biring destination in the south early this morning. We will be spending a significant portion of the day in the expansive Budongo Forest Reserve, which is the largest natural forest region in East Africa. This will be our first introduction to birding in central Africa’s forests. Our focus will be on the Kaniyo Pabidi area, which is the only known location in East Africa for Puvel’s Illadopsis, which is located in the southern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. This bird and many other woodland species are what we should expect to find. For a large portion of the day, we will search for a diverse range of common species as well as more specialized ones that are unique to the area, including the Western Crested Guineafowl, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Blue-throated Brown and Little Green Sunbird, Red-headed Bluebill, White-crested Turaco, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Record of Rufous-sided Broadbill have been registered here, Forest Robin, Spotted Greenbul, Golden-crowned and Brown-Eared Woodpecker, Blue-breasted, Chocolate-backed and African Dwarf Kingfisher, African Emerald Cuckoo, Yellobill, Nahan’s Partridge and Yellow and Grey Longbills are among the many bird species to look out for here.. Here are a few more unique birds that are native to West Africa: The following birds are among them: White-thighed Hornbill, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Dwarf, and Chocolate-backed Kingfishers; Western Black-headed Oriole; Yellow-spotted, Hairy-breasted, & Yellow-billed Barbets; Green Hylia; Buff-throated, Black-throated & Black-capped Apalises; Black-eared Ground-Thrush; Rufous-crowned Eremomela; the elusive Lemon-bellied Crombec; Crested & Red-headed Malimbes; Ituri Batis and more. Additionally, we will be at a prime location for a variety of primates, including Black and White Colobus, Blue and Red-tailed Monkeys, and, if we’re lucky, Chimpanzees (the largest population of Chimpanzees in Uganda reside in this area). EVENING at the Masindi Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Masindi Hotel
Day 5: Birding the Royal Mile
We refer to this broad forestry route as “The Royal Mile,” and it’s the best place in the nation to go forest birding. That’s where we’ll be birding today. Buff-spotted Flufftail, Tambourine Dove, Yellowbill, skulking forest Cuckoos, the three forest-dwelling Kingfishers, Chocolate-backed, Blue-breasted, and African Dwarf, the enormous White-thighed Hornbill, Yellow-spotted, Hairy-breasted, and Yellow-billed barbets and their diminutive cousins, the tinkerbirds (Speckled, Yellow-throated, and Yellow-rumped, being likely), Western Black-headed Oriole, Green Hylia, Gray and Yellow longbills, the rarely seen Uganda Wood-Warbler, Gray, Buff-throated, Black-throated, and the stunning Black-capped apalises, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Green and elusive Lemon-bellied crombecs, African Forest-Flycatcher, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Purple-headed Glossy-Starling, Little Green, Green, Collared, Olive-bellied, Blue-throated Brown and the Grey-headed Sunbirds. We will carefully go through every flock of forest Greenbuls we come across, searching for Plain, Gray, Yellow-whiskered, Slender-billed, Honeyguide, White-throated, Xavier’s, Red-tailed, White-throated and the eye-catching Spotted greenbuls. There are a lot of puzzling forest Greenbuls to challenge us. The gorgeous Nahan’s Partridge (Francolin) may be found in Uganda’s greatest location. Although it is a pretty typical occurrence, seeing this elusive and nearly threatened species will require patience and good fortune as you enjoy the 16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari .
In the dense undergrowth beside the track, we will look for the many understory skulkers, which could include Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Fire-crested Alethe, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Yellow-browed and Olive-green Camaropteras, and Scaly-breasted, Brown, and Pale-breasted Illadopses. We will monitor any gaps in the forest canopy since there is a chance of seeing White-throated Bee-eaters, Cassin’s, Mottled, and Sabine’s spinetails, as well as Cassin’s and Crowned hawk-eagles. There is a nearby woodland pond where the spinetails periodically drink, and it is here that we also hope to see a pair of spectacular Shining-blue Kingfishers. The Uganda woodland Warbler, Rufous Thrush, Crested and Red-headed Malimbes, and Yellow-mantled Weaver are all supported by canopy flocks. The Park Headquarters area is the only place in East Africa where you can encounter the mysterious Ituri Batis, residing in the canopy.
Day 6: Masindi to Kibale Forest National Park
Today we are going to drive to Kibale, which is a little way south of Masindi. We might have time to go birdwatching at the Rift Valley escarpment throughout our journey if time permits. We should be on the lookout for species including Vinaceous Dove, Black-billed Barbet, Cliff-chat, Foxy Cisticola, Red-winged Pytilia, and Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver. The following species should continue to be seen when birding here and along the way: Western Banded Snake-Eagle, Great Blue Turaco, Lizard Buzzard, Red-Chested Swallow, Joyful Greenbul, Masked Apalis, and Green-headed Sunbird. These species are unique to East Africa and more analogous to the rainforest of West Africa.
At a height of about 4,000 feet, Kibale National Park spans a vast area of 760 square kilometres and preserves a sizable tract of rainforest that is good for birdwatching. It is well-known for its chimpanzees and is home to the largest diversity and concentration of primates in all of East Africa. This forest is a “must-see” because of its amazing birds and primates, convenient access, first-rate infrastructure, and a wide range of engaging activities. Kibale has an amazing and abundant bird life, with over 335 species identified. the main focus here is the Green-breasted Pitta, and other birds will include the Blue-shouldered and Grey-winged Robin-chat, African Broadbill, Willcock’s & Thick-billed Honeyguides, Cassin’s Honeybird, Cassin’s and Mountain Wagtail along the river the crosses the forest, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Petit’s Cuckoo-Shrike, African Crowned Eagle, White-naped and Afep Pigeon, on very lucky days the Red-winged Francolin can be heard and sighted, Black-billed Turaco, Narina Trogon, Black Bee-eater, White-headed Wood Hoopoe, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, the visiting African Pitta, and White-headed Wood Hoopoe Happy & Honeyguide Greenbuls, Brown-and-White Flycatcher, Masked Apalis, Banded Prinia, Pink-footed Puffback, Narrow-tailed, Waller’s and Chestnut-winged Starling, and the Sunbirds not leaving out Weavers.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Chimpanze Forest Lodge Kibale
Day 7 and Day 8: Birding Kibale National Park
Travel to Kibale National Park early in the morning. This jungle is home to more than a dozen different species of primates, including the grey-cheeked Mangaby of the 12 and the chimpanzee, L’Hoests, red-tailed, blue, and red colobus. Scaly Francolin, Marsh Tchagra, Black-bellied Seedcracker, Green-backed Twinspot, Pittas, Bicolored Mannikin, White-naped Pigeon, Afep Pigeon, Happiful Greenbul, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Black Bee-eater, and numerous other birds can be seen here. It’s rewarding to take a nature walk at Kihingamy Wetland. The Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Blue-headed Coucal, and Blue-breasted Kingfisher all call this area home. It includes lunch. Primates Lodge for dinner and the night.
Day 9 and Day 10: Birding in Semuliki National Park
We pack a picnic and head out for a full day of bird watching in Semliki Forest after an early breakfast. About 700 meters above sea level, the forest is a lowland tropical rainforest. Boots are required since certain areas may flood during the rainy season. Despite this, it remains Uganda’s best forest for birdwatching. The Spot-breasted Ibis, Northern Bearded Scrub-robin, Capuchin Babbler, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Yellow-throated Green Cuckoo, White-bellied Kingfisher, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Black-winged Oriole, Red-eyed Puffback, Crested and Red-bellied Malimbe, Brown-crowned Eremomela, Zenker’s Honeyguide, and African Piculet are among the many species found in this moist semi-deciduous forest. Some of the endemic species found in this region are also found in the West African Guinea-Congo biome. Spend the night at the Semliki Safari Lodge.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Picnic lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Semuliki Safari Lodge
Day 11: Birding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Once breakfast is finished, we depart. We travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the south, birdwatching, with a packed lunch. We observe birds while travelling along the Ishasha road, which is a popular spot for lion climbers. For three nights, we spend time at Gorilla Resort.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Gorilla Resort
Day 12: A whole day of birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
We grab our lunch packs and head into the forest this morning after breakfast to spend the entire day birdwatching as we enjoy the 16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari. Encountering hundreds of vibrant butterflies and locations with streams and cascading waterfalls while strolling along woodland trails is an amazing natural experience. Uganda’s best forest birding can be found in Bwindi. Black Sawwing, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Black and White Shrike, African Blue Flycatcher, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Luhder’s, Bocages, and numerous coloured Bush-shrikes, Mountain Greenbul, Black-billed, Black-necked, peculiar Weavers, Variable Sunbird, and Grey-crowned Negrofinch can all be seen in and around the lodges and camps. We approach the forest proper on the main trail, which winds past enormous trees and patches of trunks covered in lichen. Numerous species will be noted along the main track; these may include olive pigeons, black bee-eaters, crested guineafowl, the Montane masked Apalis, Rufous chested Flufftail, Red-chested Owlet, Red-fronted Ant Pecker, barbets, greenbuls, starlings, warblers, aka lats, and fine-banded woodpeckers. Another trail leads to the waterfall trail, which is a good place to see many different species, including White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Cassin’s Hawk-eagle, Red-throated Alethe, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, and Kivu Ground Thrush. Additionally, there is a possibility that we will come across groups of chimpanzees and primates like L’Hoest’s Blue and Red-tailed Monkeys.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Gorilla Resort
Day 13: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
On this day of the 16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari, we have a packed lunch because we will be going gorilla tracking all day. The gorillas’ movements in pursuit of food are the basis for gorilla tracking. Walking can take 20 minutes or a full day. Keep in mind that, as these are mountain gorillas, they are mountain dwellers. Thus, the workout demands sufficient energy to climb and descend the mountains, even their high slopes. Porters are available in the neighbourhood. They assist in moving big items and baggage for the guests. Primarily, gorilla tracking is an incredibly fascinating sport that entails trekking through the forest to locate these magnificent primates. It’s important to guarantee physical fitness because this can be a demanding sport. We move to Ruhija, the southernmost region of Bwindi, today.
Day 14: Birding from Buhoma to Ruhija in Bwindi.
We will be travelling today from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s lower forest biome to its rarely-seen higher woodland. We will look for the following in the scrubby areas beyond Buhoma: Yellow Bishop, Village Indigobird, Black-throated Seed-eater, Baglafecht, Black-necked, and Holub’s Golden Weavers, Brown-backed Scrub-Robin, Ross’ Turaco, and Rufous-necked Wryneck. We will travel by “The Neck,” another well-known birdwatching location, further down the road. Here, we’ll look for birds like the intriguing Chapin’s Flycatcher, Mountain Wagtail, Pink-footed Puffback, Black Goshawk, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Cassin’s Honeyguide, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, White-chinned Prinia, and the uncommon Tiny Sunbird. Many seedeaters can be found grazing in the planted areas, even farther up the road. The much-coveted Dusky Twinspot and Yellow-bellied, Black-headed, and Black-crowned Waxbills will be our primary objectives here. This area is also home to African Stonechat, Cape Canary, Streaky and Thick-billed Seedeaters, and African Citril. From deep under the bracken, the noisy Chubb’s Cisticolas will taunt us, and from the thick undergrowth, one can entice the stunning Doherty’s Bushshrike out. From their elevated, exposed perches, Mackinnon’s Shrikes survey the road.
We don’t want to fly past the large number of unique birds that can be found at these elevations. Thus, our accommodations will be at a basic yet well-run private camp. Two nights in excess at the Trekkers Tervan
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Bakiga Lodge
Day 15: Birding Ruhija-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and transfer to Kabale
We will keep an eye out for African Black Ducks and Mountain Wagtails in the tiny, swift-moving streams in the bamboo forests at the highest altitude. Buzzards, mountainsand augurs Ayres Hawk-Eagle, Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, Brown-necked Parrot, Black-billed Turaco, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Rameron Pigeon, and Brown-necked Parrot Olive Woodpecker, Thick-billed, Least, and the elusive Dwarf Honeyguides; Western Green Tinkerbird; Black Sawwing; Gray Cuckoo-shrike; Olive Thrush; White-starred Robin; Stripe-breasted Tit; Eastern Mountain, Honeyguide, Red-tailed, Shelley’s, and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls; The stunning Gray-chested Illadopsis; African Hill Babbler (including the Ruwenzori Hill Babbler, a local form that is frequently considered a full species); Black-faced, Ruwenzori, and Chestnut-throated Apalises; Red-faced Woodland-Warbler; White-tailed Blue-Flycatcher; Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher; Ruwenzori Batis; Mountain Sooty Boubou; the uncommon Lagden’s Bushshrike; Sharpe’s Starling; Black-tailed Oriole; Odd Weaver, and Oriole Finch. Blooming trees are home to the magnificent Albertine Rift Endemics, the Purple-breasted Sunbird, the Blue-headed Sunbird, and the Regal Sunbird. Ruhija may provide views of some of the most exquisite and sought-after African seedeaters, including the dusky, red-faced, and secretive Shelley’s crimson wings.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Bakiga Lodge
Day 16: Birding to Kampala and Departure
After breakfast, we shall bird to Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Expect to spot some avian species along swamps. When we reach Kampala, you will be transferred to the Airport for departure or to your hotel room in case you’re still around. The end of the 16-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari