Birding Uganda and Game Drives

We start our day with an early morning breakfast before heading out for birding. Our birding adventure begins on a boat as we explore the Delta, followed by a game drive in the car. During our morning boat excursion, we aim to spot a variety of birds, including the Shoebill, Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans, African Water Rail, Allen’s Gallinule, Black Crake, African Crake, Grey-crowned Crane, Southern Pochard, Egyptian Goose, African Pygmy Goose, Spur-winged Goose, Saddle-billed Stork, Open-billed Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, and Marabou Stork. We also hope to see the Little Bittern, Dwarf Bittern, Night Heron, Black Heron, Goliath Heron, Purple Heron, Green-backed Heron, Little Grebe, Common Squacco Heron, Great White Egret, Great Cormorant, Long-tailed Cormorant, African Spoonbill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Lesser Flamingo, Lesser Jacana, African Finfoot, Painted Snipe, and Wattled Plover. After our boat experience, we transfer to a car for birding in the savannah, where we search for species such as the Secretary Bird, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Red-throated Bee-eater, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Striped Kingfisher, Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Woodland Kingfisher, and African Pygmy Kingfisher. Additionally, we look for the African Rock Martin, Lesser Striped Swallow, Ethiopian Swallow, Angola Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Rufous-chested Swallow, Nightingale, Rock Thrush, Pied Wheatear, Whinchat, White-fronted Black Chat, Sooty Chat, Common Bulbul, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Black Cuckoo Shrike, White-breasted Cuckoo Shrike, Red-shouldered Cuckoo Shrike, Black Tit, Penduline Tit, Black-lored Babbler, Brown Babbler, Nubian Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Lesser Honeyguide, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, and many more. Accommodation: Mid-range – Pakuba Safari Lodge Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning, after breakfast, we will transfer to Kibale Forest, making a stop at the Butiaba Escarpment to go birdwatching. Keep an eye out for various interesting bird species, including the Beautiful Sunbird, Black-billed Barbet, Grey-winged Pythilia, Buff-bellied Warbler, Northern Crombec, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Whinchat, Flappet Lark, Little Weaver, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Lesser Blue-eared Starling, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Marsh Tchagra, Copper Sunbird, Green-backed Eremomela, Long-crested Eagle, and Foxy Cisticola, among others. Kibale Forest is home to 13 species of primates, with the chimpanzees being the primary highlight, as they can be easily seen during chimp trekking. Accommodation: Mid-range – Turaco Tree Tops Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We will start our day with an early morning breakfast and pack our lunches to maximize our time in the forest. Our primary focus during the morning birding session will be to search for the elusive Green-breasted Pitta. This sought-after bird can be quite challenging to spot in the forest, but with the help of our guide and the rangers, we hope to improve our chances of seeing it. While searching for the Green-breasted Pitta, we will also be on the lookout for a variety of other bird species, including the Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Great Blue Turaco, Yellow-throated Nicator, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Red-headed Malimbe, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Grey-winged Robin, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Red-chested Flufftail, African Pitta, Joyful Greenbul, Cabanis Greenbul, Grey-throated Flycatcher, Masked Apalis, Nahan’s Francolin, Tiny Sunbird, White-collared Olive Back, and many more. Accommodation: Mid-range – Turaco Tree Tops Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, after breakfast, we will head to Semuliki National Park for a chance to observe Central African bird species unique to East Africa. Along the way, we will make several stopovers at nearby forest patches and swampy areas to spot different bird species. We will spend the day birdwatching in Semuliki Forest, which is an extension of Congo's Ituri Forest. During our visit, you will have the opportunity to explore both the ‘female’ and ‘male’ hot springs located within the park. Some of the bird species we will be looking for include the Congo Serpent Eagle, Grey-throated Rail, Nkulengu Rail, Long-tailed Hawk, Spot-breasted Ibis, Yellow-throated Nicator, Northern Red-chested Owlet, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, White-bellied Kingfisher, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Zenker’s Honeyguide, White-throated Blue Swallow, Bate’s Nightjar, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Orange-tufted Sunbird, Black-winged Oriole, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Icterine Greenbul, Swamp Palm Bulbul, as well as Crested and Blue-billed Malimbes, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, Pale-fronted Negrofinch, and various species of Hornbills including Piping, Red-billed, White-crested, Black-casqued, Wattled, and White-thighed. Accommodation: Mid-range – Mountains of the Moon Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, after an early breakfast, we will begin our trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with opportunities for birdwatching along the way. We will have several stopovers for both birding and photography, allowing you to capture the beautiful scenery of this region. As we drive, you will pass by several crater lakes, homesteads, and farms, with the stunning Rwenzori Mountains ahead. Please note that the roads in the crater lake region are not paved, which can make travel difficult during the rainy season. Due to the planned stopovers for pictures and birding, you can expect to arrive at your lodge later that afternoon. Accommodation: Mid-range – Parkview Safari Lodge Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we will explore the Mweya Peninsular and the Kasenyi area, which are popular locations for game drives. We will conclude our day with a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon. Keep an eye out for the following bird species: African Skimmers, Malachite Kingfishers, White-winged Terns, Swamp Flycatchers, Grey-capped Warblers, Grey-headed Kingfishers, African Jacanas, Pin-tailed Whydahs, Martial Eagles, Gabon Nightjars, and many more. Accommodation: Mid-range – Enjojo Lodge Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early morning breakfast, we will begin our game drive in the Ishasha sector, which is famously known for its tree-climbing lions and diverse bird species. Following this, we will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. During this journey, you may have the chance to spot birds that you might have missed the previous day. After a short game drive, we will continue our journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Accommodation: Mid-range – Buhoma Haven Lodge Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early breakfast today, we will head back into the forest for birdwatching along different trails. The guides at the site will assist us in locating a variety of unique birds. Keep an eye out for the following species: Stuhlmann's Starling, Narrow-tailed Starling, Waller's Starling, Montane Oriole, African Golden Oriole, African Green Broadbill, Oriole Finch, Mountain Buzzard, Ayre's Hawk Eagle, Handsome Francolin, and many more. After lunch, we will transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Accommodation: Mid-range – Enjojo Lodge Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After enjoying your morning breakfast, you will begin your journey back to Entebbe. Along the way, you will cross the equator, allowing you to experience both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time. Take some time to shop for souvenirs in the craft stores, and have a quick picnic lunch before heading to the airport. Main Destination: Entebbe Accommodation: No accommodation Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, and drinking water