Albertine birding and wildlife tour 14 days
Overview
This 14 days birding and wildlife tour focuses on the western region of the country which is a hotbed of biodiversity. At the center of the biodiversity is the Albertine rift which runs along the western border of Uganda. The Albertine rift is an excellent birding destination as it harbors endemic bird species with 25 recorded in Uganda.
If you are coming for a birding trip through East Africa add Uganda to your itinerary.This 14 day birding and wildlife tour is your ideal package
Day to Day Program
Day one: Arrival at Entebbe Airport and transfer to your hotel
Today you shall arrive in Uganda via Entebbe International Airport and you will spend the day relaxing away at your hotel in Entebbe.
In case of a morning arrival in Uganda, you can go for an evening birding in the Botanical Gardens in Entebbe.
Overnight African Airport Guest house
Day 2: Travel to Semuliki National Park
After early breakfast you will drive to Semuliki National Park. The drive time from Entebbe/Kampala to Semuliki is about 8 hours. Semuliki National Park is situated on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and protects the easternmost extension of the Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. Semuliki National Park brings central African species into East Africa.it boosts of 441 bird species representing 40% of Uganda total.
Night in semuliki Bandas.
Day 3: Full day birding in Semuliki and later transfer to Kibale
Early set out for birding in Semuliki National Park. You will spend much time on Kirumia trail which is the most popular birding trail in Semliki National Park. This trail is famous for birds like African piculet, maxwells Black weaver,blue –billed malembe,yellow throated Nicator,Black dwarf Hornbill,Nkuleng Rail,piping Hornbill,yellow throated cuckoo,white-crested hornbill,leaf-love,red rumped tinkerbird,etcIn the evening you shall transfer to Kibale National Park for overnight at kibale forest camp.
Day 4 – Full day birding in Kibale (looking for green-breasted Pitta) and Bigodi Swamp walk
Today you will set off for a half day of birding in Kibale forest and top on the list of the birds to look for is the elusive Green-breasted Pitta.other speicies include Black-billed Turacco, Honeyguide Greenbul, Purple-headed Starling, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Green-throated Sunbird, Little Green Sunbird, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Mountain Wagtail, Narrow-tailed Starling, Superb Sunbird, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, African Grey Parrot, Black Weaver, Speckled Tinkerbird, Long-crested Eagle, and many others.in the afternoon you will go birding in bigodi swamp. Overnight Kibale forest camp
Day 5 – Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
Today you shall go for the chimpanzee tracking adventure in Kibale National Park. After an early breakfast we drive to Kibale Forest National Park visitor center for briefing prior to chimp tracking. Kibale Forest is known for its thirteen species of primates; Monkeys like the; Black and White Colobus, Red Colubus, Red Tailed and Blue Monkeys. Others are Olive Baboon, Chimpanzee, Pottos and Bush Babies. Our tracking may last for a few to several hours and we will conduct light birding along the way. Overnight Kibale forest camp
Day 6 – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After productive birding in the lowland forests of Semuliki and Kibale you will now head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a beautiful savanna park. Depart from Kibale after your breakfast at about 8am and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is about 3 hours of drive. After settling in and having lunch you will go for a drive in the park for birding and animal watching.Optional: night safari for nocturnal species.
Night at Bush Lodge
Day 7 – Morning birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park and afternoon boat cruise
Early rise and set out for an early morning drive in the beautiful savanna plains for birding and game viewing. While on your birding safari, little will you avoid Mammals such as; African Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Ugandan Kobs, Side-striped Jackal, Baboons, Chimpanzees, Bush and Water Bucks, Warthogs, Giant Forest Hogs to mention but a few.
Later in the afternoon you have an exciting boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. This is a narrow neck of water that connects Lakes George and Edward, with excellent photographic opportunities for waterside birds and abundant Hippopotamus. The birds you are likely to encounter include: African Skimmer, Striated Heron, African Spoonbill, Water Thick-knee, Three-banded Plover, Marsh, Green, Wood and Common Sandpiper, Gray-headed Gull, Plain Martin Lesser Swamp-Warbler and Yellow-billed Oxpecker. Night at Bush Lodge
Day 8 – Transfer to Bwindi National Park
After breakfast you shall transfer to Bwindi National Park while birding along the way. You shall drive through the Ishasha plains which is famous for the tree-climbing lions.
Night at Ride 4 A woman
Day 9 – Whole day birding in Buhoma looking Short-tailed Warbler
Today you will spend the day birding in Bwindi National Park, particularly the Buhoma sector. Bwindi National Park protects a mountain forest which harbors 24 out of the 25 Albertine rift endemic birds in Uganda. Today top on our list of Albertine rift endemics will be the Short-tailed Warbler. Night at Ride 4 a woman.
Day 10 – Gorilla tracking in Bwindi National Park
Today you shall go for the gorilla tracking in Bwindi National Park. You will transfer to the park office at 7am to meet the park guides for briefing and allocation of the gorilla groups before setting off into the jungle to search for the gorillas. The gorillas are endemic to the Albertine rift and close to half of their population is in Bwindi National Park. Gorilla tracking is a captivating pursuit; it involves walking in the wilderness in search of these great apes. On occasions the Gorillas prove elusive but often can be found within an hour by the tracker guides. Each encounter is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in a delightfully playful display. This once-in-a-lifetimeexperience is NOT TO MISS!
After gorillas experience you shall spend the rest of the day relaxing away at the lodge.
Day 11 – Transfer to Ruhija through the “Neck”
After breakfast you shall go birding through the “Neck” on your way to the Ruhija sector of Bwindi National Park. This is section offers excellent views of birds. Overnight at Bakiga lodge
Day 12 – Full day birding in Mubwindi Swamp looking for African Green Broadbill
Today is another day spent birding in Bwindi National Park. You will go birding in Mubwindi Swamp which is the popular spot for the African Green Broadbill, one of the most sought after Albertine Rift Endemic in Bwindi.
Day 13 – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and evening birding
After early breakfast you shall transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. This is the smallest savanna park in Uganda and can offer great birding and animal watching opportunities. After settling in at the lodge you shall later go for birding in the beautiful savannah and acacia thickets. Species to see include :Black-headed Oriole, White-backed Scrub Robin, Bateleur, Ruppel’s Long-tailed Starling, Common Bulbul, Brown Parrot, Ruppel’s Griffon Vulture, Grey Hornbill, White-browed Coucal, Lesser Masked Weaver, Water Thick-knee, Wood Hoopoe, Verreux’s Eagle Owl, Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Little Bee-eater, Chinspot, Tawny Eagle, Senegal Lapwing, Plain-backed Pipit, Greater Honeyguide, Sooty Chat, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Red-faced Crombec, Brown-tailed, Bronze-tailed Starlings, Northern Brubru, Grey Kestrel, Coqui Francolin, Broad-billed Roller, Grassland Pipit, and Golden-breasted Bunting.
Night at Rwakobo Rock
Day 14 – Morning boat on Lake Mburo looking for the African Finfoot and transfer to the airport
Today you shall set out for an early morning boat ride on Lake Mburo which is the biggest lake in the park. Top on the list of the birds to see is the African Finfoot which is a special of Lake Mburo National Park. You will then have breakfast and depart for Entebbe airport to catch your flight
Cost per person
2 pax :$ 6,290
4 pax : $ 4,700
6 pax: $ 4,130
Tour Package Includes:
- Transport in a 4WD Land crusser with pop-up roof for excellent safari view;
- All fuel for the birding tour;
- English speaking Ugandan bird guide;
- Accommodation as listed in the program;
- All breakfasts and dinners included;
- Park-entrance fees according to the program;
- All activities described in the itinerary;
Excludes:
- International air fares and entry visa Uganda
- Gorilla permit $ 800
- Chimpanzee permit $ 250
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation;
- A porter during the gorilla tracking (someone who carries your daypack);
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance;
- Government tax or park fees increase;
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc;
All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.).
