14 Days Birds of Uganda Tour

We leave via Kampala for the journey to Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi, birding on the way. Lunch en route and continue to Murchison. Bird watching at the top of the Falls and proceed to your lodging, making brief game viewing stops on the way before retiring for the night. In Murchison Falls over 450 species have been recorded, including the shoebill, Saddle-billed stork, red-necked falcon, Green-backed Heron, Fluvous Whistling Duck and Blue-breasted Bee-eater. [Approximate driving time: 6 hours]

On the game drive, bird north of the Nile. You could carry a packed lunch. Launch trip to the bottom of the mighty falls, after which the park is named. View crocodiles, hippos and birds lazing around on the banks of the Nile – the rare shoebill stork, African jacana, goliath heron, migrant swallows, red-throated bee-eaters, gees, whale-headed stork and the ever-present fish eagle.

An early start, carrying a packed lunch. Bird either Budongo Forest or Kaniyo Pabidi. Birdlife is exceedingly rich up to 332 different species have been recorded – including the rare blue-throated roller, dwarf kingfisher, velvet-mantled drongo and grey-chinned sunbird. A three-hour walk allows you an opportunity of seeing up to 60 bird species. Both forests are also rich in chimpanzees, monkeys and other primates. Bird Lake Albert. Lunch and drive to Hoima. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours]

Start for Kibale Forest via Fort Portal, past huge tea and coffee plantations. Arrive in time for lunch. Bird Magombe/Bigodi swamps. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours]

Bird Kibale forest. Over 320 species have been recorded here, including the yellow-spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinkerbird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the African pitta, the crowned eagle as well as wetland species.

Bird the lakes near your lodge and continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park. In QE over 500 species of birds have been recorded. The shoebill stork, the black bee-eater, many species of kingfisher and several falcons, eagles and flamingos are some of the variety. Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The launch trip along the Kazinga Channel is rich in game, especially hippo, buffalo, elephant and a vast array of birds. [Approximate driving time: 3 hours] O/N: Buffalo Safari Lodge (FB).

Early start, carrying a packed lunch. Chimp tracking and bird watching in Kyambura Gorge. In the afternoon, bird Maramagambo Forest, Lake Kikorongo, and Kasenyi Track. See the illustrious blue lake in Maramagambo Forest. O/N: Buffalo Safari Lodge (FB).

Leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Bird the waterfalls, the main track and the area around the camp. Bwindi has over 350 species, more than 184 of which are endemic to the forest. Birding in this park allows you to see up to 100 bird species a day including the Great Blue Turaco, the Black-billed Turaco, the Crested Guinea and Africa’s friendliest bird, The Pied Wagtail. [Approximate driving time: 4 hours]

Go gorilla tracking with birding while there. Be prepared for a tough, ardous day in the jungle, but coming face to face with the great primates is well worth it.

Start for Ruhija (in Bwindi). With your guide, bird the Mubwindi swamps nearby. Continue to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, birding en route. Over 79 species of birds have been recorded in Mgahinga, including the coloured Rwenzori turaco and the very rare Grauer’s swamp warber. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours]

Bird Gahinga Forest.

Drive to Kabale. Visit Lake Bunyonyi, the lake of small birds for birding. Continue to Lake Mburo National Park. The lovely landscape is complemented by Lake Mburo itself and four smaller lakes, beautiful and tranquil surroundings where you will see impala, eland, kingfisher, waterbuck, zebra and buffalo. After lunch, a canoe trip in the afternoon to see a variety of water birds. Your guide will keep you a safe distance away from the hippos and crocodiles! [Approximate driving time: 3 hours]

An early morning game drive. Drive to Mpigi and visit Mabamba Swamp, time permitting, for pelicans, eagles and the rare shoe-bill stork. Return to Kampala. Lunch in Masaka. Arrive late afternoon (HB). Transfer to the airport. Tour Ends.