40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza
40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza: Take a 40-day extreme birding safari with Journeys Uganda for the most incredible and remarkable African birding safari. Uganda is home to a diverse array of rare bird species. Using the ideal season that Journeys Uganda recommends, this well-known safari travel operator will fulfil your wildest fantasies. During the dry season, the months of June, July, August, December, January, and February are the months that offer the best experience, and the safari departs from Entebbe International Airport.
This 40 Days Uganda birding extravaganza safari will help birdwatchers unveil the 23 Albertine Rift Endemics and the only endemic species to Uganda-Fox’s Weaver, the rare Shoebill Species, Papyrus Gonolek, African Finfoot, Black-Collared, Black-breasted, Red-fronted, Black-throated and Red-faced Barbet, White-backed Night Heron, and Albertine Rift Endemics such as the Green-breasted Pitta, Grauer’s Broadbill (African Green Broadbill), Neumann’s (Short-tailed) Warbler, Congo Serpent Eagle, Nahan’s Francolin, African Piculet, Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Sandgrouses, Bustards, Quail-plover, Secretary Bird, as well as the Budongo Forest’s only endemic Puvel’s Illadopsis, in the whole of East Africa and chances of trying out the very share and rare Shelley’s Crimsonwing with many many more bird species, our main focus is to find you over 750 bird species on the Uganda’s checklist.
Uganda is home to over 1031 different bird species. Its diverse range of habitats and vegetation zones of tropical, bamboo, Afro-montane rainforests, moorland on mountains, medium-altitude and lowland forests along the Great African Rift Valley in the southwest corner of the country, and, in opposition to these, the Sudan-Somalia extended woodland in the north of the country, which is connected to the Acacia-Commiphora bush lands and semi-desert prairies in the northeast. These are just a few of the places we will be exploring. Uganda’s central lakes, Kyoga and Victoria, have an inland River Nile that creates vast wetlands and floodplains, all of which are habitats for bird life.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe and transfer to Entebbe Botanical Gardens on our 40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza
Our company representative or guide will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Here is an overview of the safari itinerary. At the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, early arrivals will be acquainted with birding in Uganda. They are likely to see the nearly endemic Orange Weaver, Village, Northern-brown Throated, Slender-billed, Grosbeak, Black-necked, and Black-headed Weavers, as well as a variety of sunbirds, such as the Superb, Here live the seasonal Eurasian, the seasonal and migrating White-throated and Blue-checked Bee-eater, Yellow-billed Duck, Wood, Common and Green Sandpiper, Black Crake, African Jacana, Black-and-white Casqued, African Pied and Crowned Hornbill, Ruff, Striated Heron, Gull-billed and White-winged Tern, Blue Spotted, Red-eyed and Little Greenbul, an d the Green Crombec. You will have dinner and overstay at Papyrus Guest House or Jet Villas Equivalent.
Day 2: 40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza-Birding the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)
On our 40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza, this can serve as one of the starting points for your day’s Entebbe Peninsula birding trail. Though the centre officially opens at 8 am, an exemption is given for the birdwatchers, but may need to make previous communication so the authorities are available to open as early as possible for you to set off by 6.30 a.m.–7:00 a.m. Roughly 70 hectares surround lake Lake Victoria, where the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) is located. Before going inside to peruse the grasses, trees, and plants, you will first go birdwatching along the lakeshore to document some aquatic species. A variety of birds can be seen, including the following: Black-headed Weaver, Hadada Ibis, Spur-winged Plover, Pink-backed Pelican, Pied Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Green-headed Sunbird, Pied Crow, Little Egret, Hamerkop, African Fish Eagle, African Thrush, Palm-nut Vulture, Black-headed Gonolek, Hooded Vulture, African Harrier Hawk, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Snowy-headed Robinchat, among others. In the afternoon, you will have the chance to see wild animals in captivity or cage, such as Leopard, Lions, Cheetahs, Civet cats, Buffalo, antelopes, primates, reptiles such as snakes and crocodiles, and some birds, including the threatened Shoebill Stork, among others. Have Lunch and dinner at your hotel at Jet Villas or Papyrus Guest House.
Day 3 & 4: Birding to Mabamba Wetland and proceed to Lake Mburo National Park.
On our 40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza, following your early breakfast, we will go bird watching at Mabamba Wetland, an Important Bird Area located 50 km west of Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria. This is Uganda’s prominent wetland site for the rare Shoebill. Other bird species include the Papyrus Gonolek, Lesser Jacana, Seasonal Blue Swallow, White-winged Warbler, Purple and Allen’s Gallinule, Slender-billed and Northern-brown Throated Weaver, Common, and Lesser Moorhen, Glossy Ibis, Long-toed Lapwing, African Pygmy-Goose, Spur-winged Geese, White-faced and Fulvous Whistling Duck, Blue-breasted and Madagascar Bee-eaters, Gray-rumped Swallow Black Tailed Godwit, Greater and Lesser-swamp Warbler, African Reed Warbler, Lizard Buzzard, African Wattled Plover, Grey Headed Gull, among others.
We transfer to Lake Mburo National Park in search of bird species, including the African Grey Hornbill, Blue-napped Mouse Bird, Trilling Cisticola, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Brown Parrot, Rufous-chested Swallow, Southern Red Bishop, Red-necked Spurfowl, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Temminck’s Courser, Common Quails, Black-bellied Bustard, Rufous-naped and Flappet Larks, and Yellow-throated Long Claw. Secretive papyrus specialty, like the Papyrus Gonolek, is also hidden in the park’s bordering marshes. Common Scimitarbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Northern Black Tit, Chin-spot Batis, Great Blue-eared Starling, Yellow-breasted Apalis, and others.
Additionally, the forest right next to Rwonyo also supports birdlife. 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, Rufous-chested Swallow, the largest Violet-tipped and Temminck’s courser, African Wattled Plover, Rufous-napped and Flappet Lark. There have been recent sightings of the Striped Pipit around the Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Yellow-throated Long Claw, and Southern Red Bishop. Be keen and differentiate the Glossy Blue-black, Southern Black Flycatcher from the Northern Black.
A modest number of the migrating Brown-chested Plovers are routinely sighted along the Eland Track, In the afternoon, we go for a boat ride in search of the Giant Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, African Finfoot, White-backed and Black-crowned Night Herons, and others, Interesting nighttime species, including the Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, African Scops-Owl, and Freckled, Black Shouldered, and Pennant-winged Nightjars may be seen when spotlighting is installed along the entrance road. Remain at Eagles Nest or Rwakobo.
Day 5: Birding on the Boat and transfer to Kisoro Via Echuya
After breakfast at our lodge, we go on a game and birding drive with an armed ranger, which increases our chances of seeing mammals like Buffaloes, Zebras, Elands, Impalas, Topis, and Rothschild’s giraffe. As we bird, we concentrate on looking for the Tabora Cisticola, Crested Black Collared, Brown Chested Plover, Red-faced Barbet, Coqui Francolin, Red Headed Weaver, Lesser-blue Eared Starling, and Red Headed Weaver. Thick-billed Cuckoo, Black Shouldered Cuckoo Shrike, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Green Capped Eremomela, Buff-bellied Warbler, Red-billed Wood Hope, the bare-faced Go-away-bird, and other birds connected to acacia,
We then drive out and head to Kisoro, making stops along the way to look for rare papyrus species such as the African Stonechat, Carruthers’s Cisticola, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Canary, Greater and Lesser Swamp Warbler, Highland Rush Warbler, and the locally scarce Papyrus Yellow Warbler. We will also continue and spend a few hours in the Echuya Forest Reserve, which will provide us with a brief introduction to a few Albertine Rift Endemics and high-altitude residents like the Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Black-faced Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Strange Weaver, the Rockefeller’s like looking Regal Sunbird, Handsome Spurfowl ( Francolin) among the endemics then the Doherty’s Bush-shrike, the Olive Green washed Mountain Yellow Warbler, the Intra African migrating Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Remeron Pigeon, Brown-capped Weaver, Thick-billed Seedeater, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Albertine Boubou, Olive Woodpecker, Mountain-yellow Warbler and many more, as we descend to our lodge watch out for Cape Robin-chat, Yellow Bishop, Yellow-bellied Waxbill (East African Swee), White-necked Raven, Yellow-crowned Canary, Mountain Buzzard. Have dinner and overnight at Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel.
Day 6 & 7: Whole day Hardcore birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
On our 40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza, start early and make your way to the Ntebeko Head Trail. Birding in Mgahinga is an exhilarating experience due to the unique bird species that can be found here, including the Dusky and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Kivu Ground, Handsome Spurfowl (Francolin), Olive Thrush, Rwenzori Turaco, Black-headed waxbill, White-tailed crested flycatcher, Brown Wood Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Evergreen Forest and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Afep Pigeon, Dusky Turtle Dove, Stripe Breasted Tit, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed, and Malachite Sunbird, Archer’s Robin-chat and White Starred Robin-chat, Rwanzori Batis, Regal Sunbird, Montane Oriole, Rwenzori and Black-faced Apalis, among others. Dinner and accommodation at the Travelers Hotel in Kisoro.
Day 8: Early morning transfer to Ruhija birding via Echuya Forest.
We bird around the forest edges, which is always quite productive, after an early morning breakfast as we go to Ruhija through the Echuya forest in search of Rwenzori Batis, White-napped Raven, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Stripe-breasted Tit, Black-faced Apalis, and Black-crowned Waxbill. Higher elevations are typical for this area of Bwindi. Uganda and possibly all of Africa’s best forest birding can be found at Bwindi. As the top birding location in Africa, according to the African Birding Club, it is home to around 23 extremely localised Albertine Rift endemics.
The primary unique bird species that we keep an eye out for in this area are the Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill, Western Green Tinkerbird, Thick-billed and Streaky Seed-eater, Black-billed Turaco, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Olive and Fine-banded Woodpecker, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, White-napped Raven, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Mountain Illadopsis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Grauer’s Rush, Red-throated Alethe, Red-faced Woodland, Grauer’s and Mountain Yellow Warbler, Buff Throated, Black-faced and Rwenzori Apalis, Pink-footed Puffback, Mountain Black Boubou, Mountain Greenbul, Regal Sunbird, Purple-breasted and Blue-headed Sunbird, African Shrike, Ashy, Dusky-blue, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Dusky Tit, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Grey-headed Sunbird, Mackinnon’s Shrike, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Montane Oriole, Sharpe’s, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Waller’s and Narrow-tailed Starling, Brown-capped, Strange, Baglafecht, Black-necked and Black-billed Weaver, the dark grey Dusky Crimsonwing, Bar-tailed Trogon, East African Swee, Yellow-crowned Canary, Oriole Finch, Mountain Buzzard, Cassin’s and Ayres’s Hawk-eagle, Handsome Spurfowl (Francolin), Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-chested Owlet, Scarce Swift, Black Bee-eater, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Elliot’s Woodpecker, African Broadbill, Archer’s Robinchat, Toro Olive-Greenbul, Equatorial Akalat, Abyssinian (Olive) Thrush, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, African Wood-Owl, and many others. You will stay at Bakiga Lodge or Equivalent.
Day 9 & 10: Birding safari to Mubwindi Swamp and Gorilla tracking.
We depart for a full day of birdwatching at Mubwindi Swamp after breakfast. This is the best place to see the Albertine Rift endemic species, such as the magnificent Regal Sunbird, Dwarf Honeyguide, African Green Broadbill, Stripe-breasted Tit, Strange Weaver, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, African Hill Babbler, Fraser’s Eagle-Owl, Northern Double Collared, Eastern Olive and Collared Sunbird, and many more species of birds that were mentioned above.
One of these two days is dedicated to an optional yet amazing walk to visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in their natural habitat. Depending on where the ranger guides and trekkers find the gorillas, the gorilla trekking experience could take two to six hours in the bush. We will begin with an early breakfast before departing the resort early to get to the park’s registration centre, where the trek will begin following introductions and the lead guide’s briefing on what to do once you have located the gorillas.
The experience of seeing the mountain gorillas is very amazing (thought-provoking), but instead, we are leaving the trek as an option activity because it can be too challenging for some guests with psychological and physical fitness problems. There will be a birdwatching trip in Ruhija and the surrounding areas for those who opt not to trek. You will have dinner at Bakiga Lodge or Gorilla Mist Camp.
Day 11: 40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza and Birding to Buhoma via the Neck.
On our 40 days Uganda birding extravaganza, expect birdwatching the entire day along the “Neck,” the route leading to Buhoma. Important bird species to see, especially at the neck, include African Black Duck, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Dwarf Honeyguide, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, African Shrike-flycatcher, Little Grey Greenbul, Mountain Wagtail, Black-billed Turaco, Red-throated Alethe, Narina Trogon, Toro Olive, Ansorge’s, Slender Billed, Little Grey, Red-tailed, Little and Cabanis’s Greenbul plus the Elliot’s and Fine-banded Woodpecker. Others include bee-eaters such as the Cinnamon-chested and Black Bee-eater, Red-headed Malimbe, Honeyguide Greenbul, Many-coloured Bush-shrike, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon. The skies are also good habitats for the Starlings, Black Saw-wing, Rock Martin, Ayres’s and Cassin’s Hawk-eagle and Black Saw-wing, among others.
As we head back into the forested area, keep an eye out for the Bright Red-rumped Dusky Twinspot, Grey Apalis, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Black-headed (Red-bellied) Paradise Flycatcher, Augur Buzzard, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Pink-footed and Northern Puffback, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Mackinnon’s Shrike, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Western Crested Guinea Fowl, Stripe-breasted Tit, Chubb’s Cisticola, African Stonechat, and Streaky Seed-eater. Black-faced Apalis, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Black-billed and Black-necked Weaver, Crowned Hornbill, Lead-colored Flycatcher, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, African Harrier Hawk, Green White-eye, Yellow-billed Kite, Yellow-rumped, Speckled, and Yellow-throated Tinkerbird. 3 nights of dinner and accommodations at the Buhoma Haven Lodge or Ride 4 a woman.
Day 12 & 13: Birding Buhoma, waterfall and Munyaga trails.
Here, we begin our birding excursion on the lower slopes of Bwindi after an early breakfast, looking for the White-bellied Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, African Broadbill, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s and Cabanis’s Greenbul, Olive Long-tailed and Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, and Black Bee-Eater. Equatorial Akalat, Fine-banded, Elliot’s and Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Green, Little Green, Grey-headed and Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, the extremely rare Short-tailed Warbler, Buff-throated, Black-throated and Grey Apalis, Pink-footed Puffback, Many-colored Bocage’s and Luhder’s Bush-shrike, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Waller’s, Stuhlmann’s, and Narrow Tailed Starlings, Black-billed, Brown-capped, and Black-necked Weaver, Oberlaender’s Ground-Thrush, and the rare Jameson’s (Woodhouse’s) Antpecker, among others.
Day 14: Birding Buhoma -Ishasha Plains and the southern Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Following an early morning breakfast, On our 40 days Uganda birding extravaganza you will have a full day birding en route to the Ishasha Plains, which is part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second-largest protected area, with a checklist of over 615 bird species. Expect to see a wide range of savannah birds such as Temminck’s Courser, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Golden Breasted Bunting, Blue Quail, Senegal and Wattled Lapwing, Black Coucal, Martial Eagle, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Ovambo Sparrow Hawk, Amur Falcon, African Moustached, Harlequin Quail, Grey Capped Terek Sandpiper, Common, Fawn-breasted, and Crimson-rumped Waxbill, and the seasonal Madagascar Squacco Heron on some of the ponds in the park, Brown Snake Eagle, Larks and Pipits, African Crake, Black Coucal, African Moustached, Broad Tailed and Grey Capped Warbler, and many other bird species. There are 96 different species of mammals in this park, a combination of both nocturnal and diurnal species. Return for dinner and overnight at Topi or Embogo Lodge.
Day 15 & 16: Birding in the Northern sector (Kasenyi Plains) and a boat ride on Kazinga Channel.
In pursuit of bird species such as the Black-bellied Bustard, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Spot-flanked Barbet, Brown Chested Plover, Diederik Cuckoo, Wattled, and Violet Backed Starlings, you begin your early morning game drive and birdwatch around the expansive grassland area. Ruppel’s Griffon, White-backed, White-headed and Lappet-faced vultures, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Green-winged Pytilia, African-golden Breasted Bunting, Black-headed Batis, Tropical Boubou, White-tailed, Flappet and Rufous-naped Lark then later a thrilling boat ride on the Kazinga Channel later in the day. This natural water channel links Lakes George and Edward and offers great viewpoints for photographing waterside birds and several Hippopotamuses. Observing wildlife from the boat gives us the chance to witness winter species such as the Terek, Lesser, Wood, and Common Sandpipers, African Finfoot, Lesser Black Backed and Gray-headed Gull, Marsh, Green, Three-banded Plover, African Skimmer, and African Spoonbill. Wire-tailed Swallow, Plain Martin, White-winged Black and Whiskered Tern, Black-backed and Gray-headed Gull, among others. Return to the hotel for dinner at Buffalo Safari Lodge or Pumba Safari Lodge.
Day 17 & 18: Transfer to Kasese and Birding in Rwenzori National Park.
After your morning breakfast, on our 40 days Uganda birding extravaganza, you will have a short game drive in the early hours of the day, and move further to Rwenzori National Park. The park’s rich habitats support birdlife of over 250 species, with unique birding spots such as Bujuku Valley, Kilembe Trail, Rwenzori Circuit, Kazingo Trail, Bukurungu Trail, Lake Mahoma, and Bamboo Forest. It will take us two nights to exhaust the birding spots. Along the way keep searching for species like the Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Fire-crested Alethe, Martial Eagle, Red-billed Dwarf, White-napped Pigeon, Black Chested Eagle, Rwenzori Batis, White-starred Robin, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, Long-eared Owl, Blue-headed sunbird, Scarlet-tufted Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Black-faced (Mountain-masked) Apalis, Illadopsis, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, among others. You will have dinner and an overnight stay at Equator Snow Lodge.
Day 19: Birding Rwenzori and Transfer to Semliki National Park Birding.
On our 40 days Uganda birding extravaganza, you will do birding early in the morning and then transfer to Semliki to bird en route. After arriving, relax for a while, and in the afternoon, you will check into the lodge and go for an evening nature walk and birdwatching tour along the road towards the Sempaya hot springs. Along the way, you may spot numerous bird species, including the rare White-napped Pigeon, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Forest Robin, Fire-crested Alethe, pairs of Congo-pied, Piping and Black Wattled Casqued Hornbill, Long-tailed Hawk, Red-billed Dwarf, Brown and Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Fawn-breasted and Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Chestnut-breasted Nigrita (Negrofinch), and the very rare Pale-fronted. It is also worthwhile to try seeing Bate’s Nightjar and Nkulengu Rail later. Finally, at dawn, you can always hear the Spot-breasted and Forest Robin, among others. Dinner and overnight stay at Bumaga Bandas.
Day 20: A whole day of birding on the main trail, Semliki Valley National Park .
On our 40 days Uganda birding extravaganza, wake up early, take your hot breakfast with packed lunch, and embark on the whole day birding along Kirumia, the main trail with its interlinking tracks that makes it rank as Uganda’s second birding hot spot, which provide special Guinea-Congo biome endemic species like the striking rather large but very shy Hartlaub’s duck, the white vented Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Congo Serpent Eagle, Yellow-throated Green Cuckoo, the extra ordinary large Long-tailed Hawk, Nkurengu Rail, Black-billed Dwarf, the very sensitive and shy White-crested, Red-Billed Dwarf, Piping, White-thighed and Black-wattled Casqued Hornbills, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Chocolate-backed, White-bellied and African Dwarf Kingfishers, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, Red-Chested Owlet, Bates’ Nightjar, Spotted, Lyre-tailed and Zenker’s Honeyguides, African Piculet, Gabon Woodpecker, Rufous-sided Broadbill, White-throated blue Swallow if you get close the oxbow lakes, Orange-tufted Sunbird, Yellow-eyed (Green-tailed) Bristlebill, Swamp Palm, Xavier’s, Simple and Eastern Bearded Greenbul, Yellow-throated Nicator, the disturbing and hard to see but easy to hear Capuchin Babbler, Grey-ground Thrush, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Ituri Batis, the very seasonal Red-billed Helmet-Shrike, Chestnut-breasted Nigrita (Negrofinch), Northern-bearded Scrub Robin, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, Black-winged Oriole, Black-bellied Seedcracker, Red-eyed Puffback, Chestnut-winged Starling, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed, Crested and Red-bellied Malimbes, Pale-Fronted and Grant’s blue bill, and others. Have dinner and stay overnight at UWA Bandas.
Day 21: Transfer to Kibale birding en route.
After breakfast, with our packed lunch, expect the whole day to drive to Kibale Forest National Park. While birding en route, searching birds along the old road can produce small, noisy flocks of the Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Ross’s and White-crested Turaco, Whistling Cisticola, Cabanis’s Bunting, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Orange-winged and Red-winged Pytilia, African Reed Warbler, Brown Babbler, Long-crested and Brown Snake-Eagle. As we get into Kibale Forest, stretch out as you look for the Grey and Buff-throated Apalis, Blue-throated Roller, Afep Pigeon, Black Bee-eater, Narrow-tailed Starling, Fraser’s (Rufous) Flycatcher Thrush, Narina Trogon, Yellow-mantled Weaver, African Shrike Flycatcher, Yellowbill, Honeyguide Greenbul, Yellow-billed Barbet, Black-billed Turaco is often heard, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, White-headed Wood Hoopoe and African Emerald Cuckoo, watch the skies for Sabines and Mottled Spinetail among others. Dinner and overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge.
Day 22 & 23: Whole day birding and Chimp tracking Kibale Forest National Park.
Birdwatching is a great experience in Kibale Forest National Park, and it will expose you to White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Green-breasted Pitta, Red-winged Francolin, Grey-throated Flycatcher, White-spotted Flufftail, White-napped Pigeon, Joyful Greenbul, Purple-headed glossy, Red-capped, Blue-shouldered, and Grey-winged Robin-chat, White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Eastern Olive sunbirds, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Masked Apalis, Splendid Glossy, Chestnut-winged, and Stuhlmann’s Starling are some of the species we will be searching for. Great, Bronze, Green-headed, Olive-Bellied, Green, Green-throated, and White-collared Olivebacks and numerous others are small to medium-sized birds. In the afternoon, have lunch at the hotel and take a stroll around the premises or Bigodi Wetland, which provides opportunities to see Vieillot’s Black Weavers and Village Weavers, the majority of which are constantly constructing nests. This trail provides the best views of birds like the Great-blue Turaco, Black-and-white-shrike Flycatchers, White-headed Saw-wing, Black-headed Weaver, Snowy-headed Robin-Chat, Red-faced Cisticola, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Black-and-white Mannikin, White-chinned Prinia, Little and Joyful Greenbul, Yellow-spotted, Yellow-billed, and Hairy-breasted Barbet, Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, African-shrike, Green Hylia, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, This is where the White-spotted Flufftail usually appears best when there are not many raindrops. Collared, Green-throated, Scarlet-chested, and Green-headed Sunbirds, Black-necked Weavers, among others,. Along the boardwalk and across the swamp keep an eye out for the Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, Common Waxbill, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Grey-winged Robin-chat and other primate species such as the Red-tailed, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Vervet, Red Colobus, Black and White Colobus and L’hoest’s monkeys. Afterward, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 24: Bird watching to Masindi, Uganda.
Following an early breakfast, Uganda’s iconic birding safari takes us to Masindi through the undulating landscapes. Birding stopovers will be at certain hidden spots of your experienced Ugandan safari guide, such as tea plantations, traditional homesteads, farmlands, and lunch as well. Expect to find special species like the Yellow Mantled and Forest Weaver, Buff-throated and Masked Apalis, Joyful Greenbul, Olive and Ducky Long-tailed Cuckoo, and Afep Pigeon. On the river, look out for African Black Duck, Mountain Wagtail, Cassine’s Flycatcher, and White-collared Oliveback. Over the forest and in the canopies, we have a collection of Purple-headed Glossy, Narrow Tailed, Waller’s and Stuhlmann’s Starling, Yellow-billed, Grey-throated, Yellow-spotted, and Hairy-breasted Barbet. The skies provide opportunities for the Mottled and Sabine’s Spinetail among others. As we continue further to Masindi, keep looking out for the Whistling and Singing Cisticola, Brown Twinspot, Grey-headed Oliveback, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Western-violet-backed Sunbird, and White-thighed Hornbill, among others. Later, check in at Masindi Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 25: Bird to Budongo Forest – Royal Mile and Busingiro.
We begin birding at dawn and drive towards the Royal Mile with its rich history, known to be the leisure park for the traditional ruler of Bunyoro Omukama Kabalega, hence the name Royal Mile. Key bird species for the two sections include African Dwarf, Blue Breasted, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Yellow Crested and Brown-eared Woodpecker, Chestnut-crowned Eremomera, Dusky long-tailed Cuckoo, Crowned Eagle, Spotted, Plain, Forest and Chestnut Capped Flycatcher, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Crested Malimbe and Red-headed Bluebill, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow and Grey Longbills, Olive-bellied Crombec, Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, Narina Trogon, Little Green Sunbird, Green Sunbird, White-Breasted Negrofinch, Western Black-headed Oriole, Dusky Long-tailed and African Emerald Cuckoo, Forest Robin, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Tit Hylia, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Yellow-mantled Weaver, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Lemon Bellied Crombec, Green Crombec, Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Xavier’s, Citrine, Slender-billed, White-throated, Spotted and Toro Olive Greenbul, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Yellow and Grey Longbill. Return to Masindi Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 26: Birding Kaniyo Pabidi and northern Murchison falls.
After an early morning breakfast, you will begin your early birding via Busingiro to the escarpment or Kaniyo Pabid sector of Budongo forest in search of the Puvel’s Illadopsis. This stretch serves as one of the best birding spots in Uganda. Bird species to see here include Rufous-sided Broadbill, Green Hylia, Collared, Superb and Green Sunbird, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Foxy Cisticola, White-headed and Black-billed Barbet, Northern Crombec, Red Winged Pytilia, Singing Cisticola, Sabine’s and Casin’s Spinetail, Lesser-masked Weaver, Grey-headed Oliveback, Black-bellied Firefinch, Buff-throated Apalis, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Green Sunbird, Sooty Flycatcher, Chestnut-wattle-eye, among others. In the afternoon, we cross to the northern sector of the park on a game and birding drive for woodland and savannah birds such as Senegal Thick-knee, Black-headed Lapwing, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Red-necked Falcon, and Martial Eagle, among others. Expect to see wildlife species such as Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, Giraffes, waterbucks, Kobs, Warthogs, and Jackals among others. we check in at Pakuba Game Lodge or equivalent. Later, we do a night drive in search of nocturnal nightjars and mammals. Dinner and overnight at Pakuba Game Lodge.
Day 27: Birding along the boat in Murchison Falls National Park.
After a leisurely breakfast, our 40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza begins at dawn on a boat along the Victoria Nile to the delta or on a birding drive to the delta. Later in the afternoon, you take a launch trip to the bottom of the falls. Keep an eye out for birds in this park, including Shoebill, Giant Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Sacred Ibis, Secretary Bird, Abyssinian Roller Pied Kingfishers, Ground Hornbill, Senegal and Water Thick-knees, Black-headed Gonolek, Red-throated Bee-eaters, Saddle-billed Stork, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Black-headed and Long-toed Lapwing, Little Bittern, Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Vinaceous Dove and Grosbeak Weaver. Buff-bellied Warbler, Bar-breasted Firefinch, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Marabou Stork, Rock Pratincole, Red-throated Bee-eater, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Silver Bird, Beautiful Sunbird, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Golden-backed Weaver, White-rumped Seedeater, African Darter and others. You will have a chance to see other animal species as they draw down the river to quench their thirst with water and cool off due to high temperatures, like Hippos, Elephants, Buffaloes, crocodiles, and other water birds. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 28: 40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza and Transfer to Kitgum, birding en-route.
After taking your breakfast early in the morning, we continue northeast and begin birdwatching as we go via Karuma and Gulu to reach Kitgum. Here, we tend to reduce on the journey to Kidepo Valley National Park. You can anticipate a few stopovers for birdwatching with our senior birding guide at secret sites along the route. We shall have lunch en route, and during your journey, pay attention to many bird species such as the Northern Brownbul, Martial Eagle, Pied Wheatear, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Black-headed Lapwing, Yellow-bellied Eramomela, Red-necked Falcon, Wood Warbler, Familiar Chat, and Nightingale, among others. It will be evening when we arrive in Kitgum, and we will check into the hotel for dinner and the night.
Day 29: Birding to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Head further northeast in the morning to reach Uganda’s most breathtaking national park. It is difficult for naturalists to see every attraction in a single visit to any natural enclave, but once you reach this rich, unparalleled national park, which is primarily made up of unpaved roads, the journey is quite rewarding. We plan to take advantage of the expansive plains in the Kalenga Hills, search for Hemprich’s Hornbills, and then go to the park, where we will spend three nights at Savannah Lodge for dinner and rest.
A variety of species not found in other Ugandan Savannah parks can be found in Kidepo National Park, which is quite interesting. We will be on the lookout for species like Red-and-Yellow Barbet, Brown-rumped bunting, Red-billed and Jackson’s Hornbill, the vividly coloured Purple Grenadier, Brown-backed woodpecker, Quail plover, Karamoja Apalis, Black-faced Firefinch, Cut-throat Finch, Emin’s shrike, Heuglin’s wheatear, Jameson’s Firefinch, Familiar Chat, White-bellied and Hartlaub’s Bustards, Yellow-spotted Bush-Sparrow (Petronia), Orange River and Ring-necked Francolin, Red-pate and Wing-snapping Cisticola, White-crested Turaco, the gigantic Black-breasted Barbet, Heuglin’s Courser, Orange, and Red-winged Pytilia, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Swallow-tailed kite, White-fronted Black-chat, Three-streaked Tchagra, White-bellied Tit, Pygmy Sunbird, Mocking, Cliff-chat, Kori, Long-billed Crombec, Rufous Chatterer At dusk, we try out a late drive to look for nocturnal birds such as Abyssinian nightjar, Long-tailed and Standard-winged Nightjars.
Day 30 & 31: Kidepo Exclusive birding and wildlife adventure.
We commence with an extremely early breakfast and dedicate the entire day to exploring one of Uganda’s least frequented yet most stunning national parks. We can also take a drive to the Kanangorok hot springs and combine our exploration of the Narus River Valley. Uganda’s third-highest location for wildlife richness, Kidepo Valley National Park, is home to 86 different species of mammals. Having 28 species that are unique to Uganda, it protects both large and small herbivores alike better than any other protected area. 463 verified and 26 unconfirmed bird species are included in the bird checklist, which is available for you to search for. We have the option of going on another game drive after lunch, or we can go to Kalenga and Kadepo to see a cultural performance by the indigenous Karamojongs, who are renowned for their distinct nomadic way of life, rich storytelling, and dancing traditions. Not only are these Karamajongos fixed, but all tribes in Uganda, have something unique, that you can share and learn. All you have to do is make the most of your time there with our eager interpreters. For dinner, and overnight stay at Savannah Lodge.
Day 32: Birding Moroto via Matheniko Bokora and environs.
As you depart the park, wake up early and set off to the foot of Mount Moroto following an early breakfast. To see early risers depending on what you missed on the previous game drive,. The guiding team of Journeys Uganda, led by senior birding guide Tamwenya Paul, recently drove this stretch a few years ago, and it is quite rich for birdlife. As you drive through Matheniko, keep an eye out for the Buff Crest Bustard, Jackson and Red-billed Hornbill, Steel Blue Whydah, Greater, Superb, and Lesser Blue-eared Starling, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, White-billed Buffalo-weaver, Fox and Lesser Kestrel, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, Red-fronted Barbet, and Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird, and you will start birding at dawn. we shall pay a visit to the Napak Rock Paintings. Seek out bird species like the Speckle-fronted Weaver, African Grey Flycatcher, and Yellow-billed Shrike. Expect a picnic at Moroto Forest Reserve during our lunch break.
As you enjoy a picnic lunch at Moroto Forest Reserve, Keep an eye out for the Abyssinian Roller, Rufous Chatterer, and Wood-chat Shrike, while you are sleeping. The next step is to explore the Loporokocho Swamp. Aim for water-associated bird species such as the Woodland Kingfisher, Common Moorhen, and African Jacana. Later in the afternoon, we shall go birding in the vast savannah areas of Moroto, searching for the only endemic bird to Uganda, the Fox’s Weaver, other birds include Karamoja Apalis, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, and others. Have dinner and overnight stay at Karatunga Safari Camp.
Day 33: Birding Moroto and transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve.
After breakfast, we set off to the interior of Eastern Uganda, but first do birding in Moroto towards the Kenya border, where we should find the red-fronted and Black-throated Barbet, red-fronted Tinkerbird, Yellow-vented Eremomela, Amethyst, Hunters and small purple-cupped Shining Sunbird, Grey-headed the unique Eastern Paradise and Straw-tailed Whydah, which is a birdwatcher’s dream come true with less traffic. There are many different species of birds of prey to be found in the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, including the Secretary Bird, Four Banded Sandgrouse, Quail-plover, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Fawn-colored Lark, small and neat Abyssinian Scimitarbill, and Uganda’s only endemic bird, the Fox’s Weaver. Not to mention the Cheetah and Roan antelope, the virgin grasslands, and woodland surroundings have produced an incredibly inviting habitat for dry country bird species and rare, unique creatures.
Numerous raptors find great habitat in the reserve’s Red Acacia and Bush Willows, together with Harrisonia abyssinica, and the skies. As the only native species in Uganda, the Fox’s Weaver will improve our birdwatching experience and make Pian Upe one of the greatest locations in the country. It has numerous nests on the main road trails. It is practically a must-see because its breeding season is around February and March. On arrival, you shall be transferred to your lodge as you prepare for an evening birding excursion at Pian Upe Game Reserve. Here are some rare species to look for in this reserve; these include the Red-fronted Warbler, Pygmy Sunbird, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Hunter’s and Beautiful Sunbirds, Yellow-billed Shrike, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, and the rare and nearly endemic Karamoja Apalis. Dinner and overnight at UWA Bandas.
Day 34: Birding Pian Upe and the Environs.
Get ready to go birdwatching in the Wildlife Game Reserve after waking up for an early breakfast. This wildlife reserve is part of the Kidepo Valley National Park. It is home to a variety of bird species, including the Jackson’s Hornbill, which is distinguished by its curved bill, and Superb Starlings. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Secretary birds, and Fawn Coloured Lark, are among the species you may expect to observe. Keep an eye out for the threaded nests made by the Fox’s Weavers. Have dinner and stay overnight at UWA Bandas.
Day 35: Birding Pian Upe and Transfer to Mount Elgon.
Explore Eastern Uganda’s least-explored birding paradise after breakfast. The region’s virgin grasslands and woodland habitats are dotted with red acacia and bushwillows with Harrisonia abyssinica among others. All have created an extraordinary habitat for the rare and sought-after dry-country birds and mammals, including Leopard, Cheetahs, Rolan Antelope, Spotted Hyena, and primates. The skies also serve as a great habitat for many birds of prey, including Hartlaub’s Bustard, Jackson’s Hornbill, Secretary Bird, Quil-prover, Karamoja Apalis, Beautiful Sunbird, and Four Banded Sandgrouse. Other birds to search for include the Fawny Lark, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, and Red-fronted Tinkerbird. After transferring to Elgon, you will have dinner and stay overnight at Lacalm Lodge.
Day 36: Birding Elgon and the environs.
After your early morning breakfast, on our 40 days Uganda birding extravaganza get to the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre, which is close to the park headquarters, by 6:00 a.m. Start with a guided nature walk through the montane forest to see species such as the White-chinned Prinia, Chubb’s Cisticola, and African Blue Flycatcher. Around mid-morning, we shall travel to Chebonet Falls and Bamboo Zone, the two excellent places in Uganda for birdwatching. In the bamboo zone, keep an eye out for species like Mackinnon’s Shrike and Lammergeier.
Expect to have a picnic in the forest during our lunch break. Enjoy a packed lunch while taking in the natural splendour of the woodland and hearing the sounds of the Black-collared Apalis and African Crowned Eagle. We are going to go birdwatching on the Sipi Falls Trail in the afternoon. Investigate the Sipi Falls Path. Aim for birds such as Luhder’s bush shrike, Tacazze Sunbird, and Jackson’s Francolin. Later on, we are going to explore the countryside and lower hills for birds. Go down to the farming areas and lower slopes in search of the Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Crowned Hornbill, and Baglafecht Weaver. You are going to spend the night and dine back at the Lodge (Sipi River Lodge).
Day 37: 40 Days Uganda Birding Extravaganza-Birding Mt Elgon National Park
After your breakfast, this full day of birding will enable you to search for birds like the Moustached Green Tinkerbird, White-starred Robin, Northern Anteater Chat, Cape Robin-Chat, Upcher’s Warbler, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Little Rock-Thrush, Nightingale, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Mountain Yellow Warbler, African Reed Warbler, Little Rush Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff, the Uganda and Brown Woodland Warblers, and African Reed Warblers. There is a chance of seeing the Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Ludher’s Bush-shrike, White-browed Crombec Fan-tailed and White-napped Raven, Chestnut Sparrow, Banded Prinia, Grey-headed Sunbird, Cape Rook, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Thrilling, Stout, and Rattling Cisticolas. Have lunch, dinner and stay overnight at Sipi River Lodge.
Day 38: Birding Mt Elgon-Transfer to Jinja for relaxation
Day 39: Birding Mabira Forest.
After an early morning breakfast, on our 40 days Uganda birding extravaganza, we shall transfer to Mabira Forest Reserve, Uganda’s largest surviving area of wet semideciduous forest, which is close to Kampala. Because it serves as a habitat for various bird species that are rare in the densely crowded and industrialized areas of Jinja and Kampala, it is one of the best sites to go birdwatching. On our birding trip today, keep a look out for the Cassin’s Hawk Eagle. Nahan’s Francolin has also been sighted in the woodland. Brown-eared, Buff-spotted, and Yellow Crested Woodpeckers, Olive-green Cameroptera, Red-capped, Blue Shouldered, and Snowy-crowned woodpeckers, Yellow-rumped, Yellow-throated, and Speckled Tinkerbirds, Grey and Yellow Longbills and Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, the white-less winged Forest Wood-hoopoe, Chestnut and Jameson’s Wattle-eye, Black Bellied Seed-cracker and the Blue-headed Blue-bill, Green-throated, Green, Orange Tufted and Superb Sunbird, Yellow Mantled Weaver, Fire-Crested Alethe, Little-green Sunbird, Dwarf, Blue Breasted, and Shining-blue Kingfisher, the large-tailed almost spineless Cassine’s Spinetail, the quiet, ground-dwelling dark brown robin-chat Chestnut and Jameson’s Alethe, the gorgeous greenish yellow banded Weyns’s Weaver, Narina Trogon, Blue-throated Roller, Brown-chested Alethe, Sabine’s and Mottled Spinel are all found here, within Mabira Forest. Have dinner and overnight at Rain Forest Lodge or Sunset Hotel.
Day 40: Birding Mabira Forest.
As we end our 40 days Uganda birding extravaganza, have your early morning breakfast, and search for the bird species you may have missed out on the previous day in Mabira Forest trails such as the magnificent Blue Turaco, the stunning Congo (African) Pied Hornbill, and the majestic African Crowned Eagle soaring high above the canopy, Blue-throated Roller, African Crowned Eagle, Yellow and Speckled Tinkerbirds, Nahan’s Patridge (Francolin), White-spotted Flufftail, Forest Robin, Speckled and Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Tambourine Dove, Honeyguide and Toro Olive Greenbul, and African Paradise Flycatcher, Fire Crested Alethe, Forest Wood Hoopoe, Purple Throated Roller, Black-bellied Seedcracker, Red-headed Bluebill among others. After transfer to Kampala and back to Entebbe for your flight back home, share the magical birding tales of the-experience.
Departure: Return to Entebbe International Airport.