5-Day Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
5-Day Birding in Lake Mburo National Park safari takes you to unique birdwatching destinations that are close to the capital, Kampala, and offer unforgettable birding experiences. These birding spots include Entebbe environs, famous for both forest and water birds; Mabamba Wetland, popular for the elusive Shoebill; and Lake Mburo National Park, famous for savannah, water, and acacia tree-related dwelling birds.
5-Day Birding in Lake Mburo National Park starts with a visit to Entebbe Botanical Gardens and Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC), and along the shore of Lake Victoria, before proceeding to other encounters in Mabamba Wetland. The Entebbe environs are famous for unique bird species such as Black-necked Weaver, Grosbeak, Village Weaver, Black-headed Weaver, migrating white-throated and Blue-checked Bee-eater, Green Sandpiper, African Pied Hornbill, among others. After, you will head to Mabamba Wetland for its unique water-dwelling birds, such as the famous and iconic Shoebill Stork, and lastly to Lake Mburo National Park, which houses over 350 species of birds.
Highlights of 5-Day Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe and transfer to UWEC along the shores of Lake Victoria and Botanical Gardens.
Day 2: Bird Mabamba swamp
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 4: Full day birding in Lake Mburo National Park.
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala.
A detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe and transfer to UWEC along the shores of Lake Victoria and Botanical Gardens.
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our company representative will warmly welcome you and after transfer you to your booked hotel to refresh. You will get briefed about your 5-day Uganda birdwatching safari and if time allows you will visit Entebbe Botanical Gardens to see over 170 bird species and after transfer to Uganda Wildlife Education Centre to see bird species such as the Northern Brown-throated and Black-headed Weaver, African Jacana, Northern Masked Weaver African Paradise, African Pied Hornbill, Striated Heron, White-winged Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Baglafect Grosbeak, Golden Backed and Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Great Blue Turaco, flycatchers include Red-bellied, swamp, Lead Colored, and Crested Shrike Flycatchers, raptors include African Goshawk, African Hobby, Gabar Goshawk, Shikra, small Banded Snake Eagle, African Fish Eagle, among others. Retire for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel (Luxury), 2-friends Hotel (Mid-range), Jet Villas (Budget)
Day 2: Birds At Mabamba Swamp
Following your 5-Day Birding in Lake Mburo National Park, wake up early, have breakfast, and then transfer to Mabamba swamp for an unforgettable birding encounter. The canoe ride on Mabamba water-logged area will expose you to the eye-catching flora and counts of birds that enjoy the natural surroundings’ food, which comprises insects, snails, and other water organisms. The rare shoebill stork is the top spot of the day. Other species include Squacco, Long Toed Plover, African Water Rail, Purple Pygmy Goose, Goliath Herons, Yellow-billed Duck, Grey, and Black Headed Heron, White Faced Whistling Duck, Moorhen, Allen’s Gallinule, African Jacana, and Black Crake may be spotted in the area. You may also spot the elusive Sitatunga antelope and other wildlife species. The en-route stopovers along the swamps near the road might expose you to species like Yellow-crowned Bishop, White winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, and Weyns Weaver, among other species.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel (Luxury), 2-friends Hotel (Mid-range), Jet Villas (Budget)
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
The meeting begins early in the morning, following breakfast, and travels 240 kilometres, or three to four hours, from Kampala to the southwest region of Uganda. The Rufous-bellied Heron, Lilac-breasted Roller, and Wolly-Necked Stork are among the birds you may see along the way. You may see the water experiments that support the separation of the northern and southern hemispheres, and take some amazing pictures when you stop at the equator. Proceed to Lake Mburo National Park and arrive early for lunch. You will start your birdwatching adventure in the Rwonyo area in the evening and spend the night there.
The experience begins early in the morning, following breakfast, heading to the southwest of Uganda 240km approximately taking about 3 – 4 hours’ drive from Kampala. Visitors have chances of spotting birds en route, including the Rufous-bellied Heron, Wolly-Necked Stork, and Lilac-breasted Roller, among other species. You may witness the water experiments that support the separation of the northern and southern hemispheres, and you will take some photos. Proceed to Lake Mburo National Park, arriving early for lunch and relaxing. In the evening, you will embark on the birding encounter within the Rwonyo environs before retiring overnight at your booked Lodge.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Arcadia Cottages (Midrange), and Eagles Nest (Budget).
Day 4: Encounter Birds in Lake Mburo National Park
After an early morning breakfast, embark on a full-day lookout for birds in the savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo National Park. Explore the park on foot following the respective trails in the company of an armed ranger for safety reasons, especially to save you from attacks by wild animals. Explore the Warukiri and Miriti and swamps, the Rubanga forest, and the salt lick, among others. You will have a chance to see bird species like Bateleur, Grey Crowned Crane, Brown-chested Lapwing, Coqui Francolin, Black-bellied Bustard, Ross’s Turaco, Rufous-bellied Heron, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Red-headed Lovebird, Brown Parrot, White-headed Barbet, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Nubian Woodpecker, Green Wood-hoopoe, Red-faced Barbet, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Common Scimitarbill, White-winged Tit, Long-tailed Cisticola, African Finfoot, and the Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, among other birds. The afternoon boat ride on Lake Mburo will expose you to counts of Kingfishers, herons, pelicans, and the elegant African Fish Eagle.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Arcadia Cottages (Midrange), and Eagles Nest (Budget).
Day 5: Transfer Back to Kampala
After an early morning breakfast, take a bird walking safari in the park to search for some of the birds that you might have missed on the previous search or have another encounter with the birds that were spotted on the previous encounters. After this short walk, you will transfer back to Entebbe as you search for a few bird species en route.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Inclusions of the 5-Day Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
All ground transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel for 5 days
Accommodation for 4 days as specified in the itinerary
Lunch and bottled drinking water for 5 days
A Private experienced English-speaking Tour driver/guide
Park entrance fees
All airport transfers, including pick-ups and drop-offs
Park Ranger and guiding fees
Exclusions:
Personal insurance
Travel ticket
Visa Ticket
Domestic and international flights
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks such as wine, juice, soda, etc.
Personal expenses such as tips, gifts, laundry services, souvenirs, etc