12 Days Birding and Wildlife Safari In Uganda

12 Days Birding and Wildlife Safari In Uganda

Explore Uganda in 12 Days! This birding and wildlife safari will take you to the wilderness in Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable and Lake Mburo National Parks and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Mabamba swamp. Enjoy the jungle to experience the chimpanzees, gorillas, wildlife, birds in Uganda.

Itinerary

Day 1: Birding in Mabamba Swamp

Stop At: Mabamba Swamp Bird Watching, Kasanje, Mabamba, Uganda
Morning drive to Mabamba swamp for the Shoebill Stork and other water birds. Look out for many different birds on our way to the swamp, like the Papyrus Gonolek, White Winged Warbler and Weyns Weaver. This Swamp is one of the best places to spot the exceptional Shoebill Stork. But we should not under look other species found here, like the Allen’s and Purple Gallinule, Grey, Purple, Rufous Bellied and Goliath herons, African and Lesser Jacanas, Squaco Herons, the Globally threatened Pallid Harrier and Blue Swallow the migrant species, a variety of egrets, ducks etc. The best way to enjoy the rich bird life is by canoe and you might even have the luck to encounter the elusive Sitatunga Antelope, adapted to swampy habitats.

Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Stop At: Murchison Falls National Park, Murchison Falls P.O.Box 455, Masindi Uganda
After an early breakfast, you will drive from Kampala towards the northwest, visit the impressive Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to track rhinos and have lunch along the way. From there you will continue to Murchison Falls National Park, taking a short stop at the top of the falls, then proceed to your lodge.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Game Drive and Boat cruise on the Nile

Stop At: Murchison Falls National Park, Murchison Falls P.O.Box 455, Masindi Uganda
In the morning you will have a game drive along the Northern banks of the river and with the help of your guide you will see various animals. After you will return at the lodge, rest and lunch. In the afternoon, you will have a boat ride to the bottom of the falls and you will see several animals such as hippos, giant crocodiles and birds, and not so far away Uganda Kobs, elephants and waterbucks.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Stop At: Kibale National Park, Kasese Uganda
Today you will depart from Murchison Falls National Park and head southwest driving through the impressive Albertine Escarpment of the Western Rift Valley; have Lunch en route. Go through Hoima to the beautiful Fort Portal town which is located in the shadow of Mountain Rwenzori.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking

Stop At: Kibale National Park, Kasese Uganda
Early morning after a breakfast, you will set off for trekking chimpanzees in the forest. These primates are quite mobile and seeing them is not guaranteed, forest walk will be very rewarding with views of other primates and birds like the hoestes, grey cheeked mangabeys, Red-colobuses, Red-tailed monkeys and the Blue tailed monkeys plus butterflies. Your guide will detail you about the impressive flora and fauna found in this verdant forest. After lunch, you will visit the Kasenda Crater Lake area or take the Bigodi swamp walk.
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth and Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel

Stop At: Queen Elizabeth National Park, 410 kilometers from Kampala, Kasese Uganda
After breakfast you will leave Kibale Forest National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will reward you with great views of the Rwenzori Mountain Range as well as game viewing. You will have lunch at your Lodge. In the afternoon you will have a boat cruise on the famed Kazinga Channel and this will take you past very high populations of hippos, plus other several animals. This boat cruise offers you a great chance for photography, game viewing as well as bird watching.
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 7: Game Drive and Crater Experience

Stop At: Queen Elizabeth National Park, 410 kilometers from Kampala, Kasese Uganda
Begin the day with a game drive in the morning along the Kasenyi plus Queens Mile to see elephants, mangoose, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, lions, spotted hyenas, waterbucks and warthogs, plus various bird species. This drive will take you up to Lake George and later return for lunch at your lodge. After lunch you will go to explore the Crater Lakes region.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 8: The tree climbing lions in Ishasha and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Stop At: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Buhoma Kanungu and Kisoro, Kabale Uganda
You will set off with a packed lunch and drive to Bwindi through the Ishasha area of the Park looking for the tree climbing lions which can only be seen in this part of Uganda. Fortunately the terrain is open savannah scattered with acacia and fig trees. You will enjoy your picnic lunch and later continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Duration: 9 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 9: Mountain gorilla Trekking

Stop At: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Buhoma Kanungu and Kisoro, Kabale Uganda
Right After breakfast in the early morning you will head to the park headquarters where you will be briefed before going gorilla tracking. The rainforest is thick and it’s crisscrossed by several animal trails. The joy of finally meeting the gorillas and even spending an hour with them will certainly be very memorable an experience. Generally Gorillas are huge peaceful yet shy animals however you will have a chance to take photographs and observe them play, feed and care for their young. In the afternoon, go for Birding in Mubwindi swamp
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 10: Explore Lake Bunyonyi

Stop At: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Plot 10 and 11 Kashambya, Kabale, Uganda
After your breakfast, drive to Kabale through the beautiful terraced verdant hills. This place is known as the “Switzerland of Africa”. You will enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Bunyonyi. After lunch you will take a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi to the numerous islands to sight see as well as view the various bird species.
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 11: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

Stop At: Lake Mburo National Park, Mbarara Uganda
In the morning, you will head to Lake Mburo National Park which is the smallest of Uganda’s national parks, and there you will have a game drive to see elands, topi, impalas, oribi, zebras and cape buffalos; plus a boat ride on the lake. This park is a very stunning birding paradise with bird species such as Carruther’s cisticolas, Papyrus gonoleks and Brown-faced lapwings. After lunch you will head back to Kampala with a stopover at the equator crossing for photography.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 12: Nature Walk and Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe Airport

Stop At: Entebbe Crafts Village, Portal Road, Entebbe Uganda
You will for an early nature walk. There you will see numerous zebras, Impalas, warthogs and antelopes living in their many natural habitats. A good camera is a must have which in this instance offers you better pictures of Uganda’s true wilderness. Proceed with your journey to Kampala, with a stopover for lunch in Masaka and another at the Equator to take photos hence arriving in Kampala/Entebbe Airport for your flight back home.
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.