Uganda Birding Tour (6 Days)
Birding in Entebbe, Kampala, Queen Elizabeth & Lake Bunyonyi
This is a 6 days safari starting and ending in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. The safari will take you through different birding destinations in Uganda.
Bids in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Entebbe environments hide a variety of swamp/wetland birds as well as water birds that can be seen around the shores of Lake Victoria and the neighboring wetlands. The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre also gives you the chance to see a number of birds which include Ostriches, the crested crane, African grey parrots, Helmeted guinea fowl, the beautiful peacock, Egyptian goose among others.
The safari will later take you to Queen Elizabeth National, the only national park in Uganda boasting of over 606 bird species. The various habitats of the park which range from grasslands, woodlands, moist tropical forests and wetlands, including both fresh water and lakes and saline crater lakes have attracted various birds including large congregations of birds such as Great white pelicans, Gull billed tarns, African skimmers, Caspian plovers among others. The drive in the park as well as the launch cruise are always rewarded by seeing different wildlife including thousands of hippos, elephants, buffaloes among others. From Queen Elizabeth National park, the safari will extend you to the famous Lake Bunyonyi. Dotted with twenty small islands and encircled by steep terraced hills, Bunyonyi is a magical spot as well as a haven for birders which include prolific weaver colonies along the lake shores, grey-crowned crane and a variety of herons and egrets. Bunyonyi is also probably the best place in Africa where several pairs of diurnal spotted-necked otter can be seen.
TOUR ITINERARY - UGANDA BIRDING TOUR
Day 1: Birding in Entebbe and its Environments
Our safari guide will pick you from your hotel and drive you to Entebbe. Early search for birds from Garuga and other areas around Lake Victoria-Africa’s largest lake! On the search look out for Blue Monarch, Brown Twin Spots, Fain tailed Widow bird, Moustached Warbler, White headed Barbets, Black headed Gonolek, Striped Kingfisher, African Pied hornbill, Diederik’s Cuckoo, Black Bishop, among others. Have lunch at Entebbe town and then connect to Uganda Wildlife Education centre, a home to captive animals. The educational-intergenerational centre has got over 250 species of birds which include the rare shoebill stork, parrots, ostriches, and seven species of weavers, such as the rare Northern Masked Weaver and Orange Weaver, among others. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Kampala – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Have a Passover at the equator for photography and souvenir buying. Continue to Mbarara for lunch and then drive southwest wards passing through the Western Rift Valley which is characterized with a number of birds.
As we enter Queen Elizabeth National Park enjoy an evening game drive through the park where you may see different birds and animals most especially antelopes and warthogs. Dinner and overnight at Jacana Safari Lodge/Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 3: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, go for an early morning game drive through the park. On the drive you will not only see the wild but also different bird specie found in the park. From the open grassy plains you may see different birds such as the Saddle billed stork, White and Abdims Stork, Brown Snake Eagle, Whalbergs Eagle, Bateleur, African harrier-hawk, Marsha Eagle and Grey Kestrel among others. After the drive return to the lodge for relaxation as you wait for your lunch. In the afternoon, proceed to the Kazinga channel for a launch cruise. While on the cruise you may see different animals such as hundreds of hippos, elephants and many migratory bird species, such as the Grey headed Gulls, White winged black Terns, African skimmers, Morning Dove, Water Dikkops, Great white and Pink-Backed Pelicans, among others. Return for dinner and overnight at Jacana Safari Lodge.
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth – Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, depart from Queen Elizabeth for the little known “Switzerland of Africa” situated in the “coolly” Kabale region. Dotted with at least 20 small islands and encircled by the steep terraced hills, Lake Bunyonyi-Africa’s deepest lake is a magical spot for birders. Transfer to Bushara Island by a hired motor boat. On the ride you have the chance to see different bird species as well as the spectacular scenery of the terraced Kigezi hills. Dinner and overnight at Bushara Island Camp
Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi
You have a whole day for exploration, relaxation and birding from the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi and its islands that you will traverse by using a hired boat/canoe. Visit the Akampene “punishment island where the Bakiga used to dump unmarried pregnant girls to teach the young girls a lesson. The girls could die from there and if lucky be picked by strangers who can’t afford dowry! A nature walk through Mukoni Village may reward you by seeing a number of birds such as the African Hobby, Swamp Flycatcher, Black Kite, Bronze and Red-chested Sunbirds, Scarlet-chested, White-headed Saw-wing among others. Dinner and overnight at Bushara Island Camp
Day 6: Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala
After breakfast return to Kampala passing through the beautiful rural side of Uganda, a country gifted by nature. Have lunch enroute. Arrive in Kampala late afternoon.
END OF THE BIRDING TOUR IN UGANDA
