As you touch down at Entebbe International Airport, a warm welcome awaits from a dedicated RORENA Tours and Safaris representative, marking the commencement of your captivating Uganda birding expedition. This seamless transition sees you whisked away to your comfortable accommodation in Entebbe.

Should your arrival align with the morning hours, an enticing prospect arises: a chance to explore the avian wonders of the Botanical Gardens in Entebbe. This verdant haven promises a delightful introduction to the rich birdlife of Uganda. Alternatively, if your journey brings you in later, settle into your chosen lodging and anticipate the exciting start of your Uganda birding escapade the following day.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

The initial significant quest of our expedition involves seeking Uganda's most celebrated avian species, the Shoebill. We travel to a swamp's brink and embark on petite vessels that grant us passage into its shallow waterways. If fortune favours us, we can witness this prehistoric-appearing creature perched in the marsh or majestically gliding above us.

We anticipate rewarding encounters with the Lesser Jacana and Yellow-billed Duck within these expansive spaces. Our bird-watching journey continues into the dense stands of papyrus, where we stay vigilant for sightings of the Blue-chested Bee-eater, Swamp Flycatcher, Papyrus Gonolek, and Greater swamp warblers as they traverse the narrow waterways separating one papyrus cluster from another.

To conclude our day, we will venture towards Lake Mburo National Park, enriching our birding experience by surveying various fertile wetlands en route.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Our morning will investigate Lake Mburo National Park's sprawling savanna and lush wetlands, a landscape reminiscent of Kenya's iconic Masai Mara, albeit punctuated by an abundance of prickly acacia thickets. This park is home to several species unique to Uganda and found nowhere else. Our primary avian objective is the Red-faced Barbet, a bird with a limited distribution across Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania, all situated west of Lake Victoria.

Additional species on our radar include the Tabora Cisticola, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Green-capped Eremomela, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, and Spot-flanked Barbet. Lake Mburo National Park also boasts a rich diversity of mammals, featuring classic safari inhabitants like the Warthog, Eland, Common Zebra, and Impala. However, our exploration isn't confined to land-based vehicles; we will embark on a boat journey in search of the African counterpart of the neotropical Sungrebe, the elusive African Finfoot, and perhaps even spot a White-backed Night-Heron.

As the afternoon unfolds, we will ascend into the foggy highlands of Bwindi National Park. The dense cloud forest here starkly contrasts Mburo's savanna, providing a refreshing change of scenery.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

For those choosing to embark on the gorilla tracking adventure this morning, prepare for one of the most profound wildlife encounters on the planet. This isn't a mere observation exercise; these expressive creatures engage with you as much as you do with them. We ensure our group is assigned to a specific Gorilla family for the day. With the wildlife authority restricting each gorilla family to one group, the experience is intimate and personal. Despite the cost of tracking permits, the overwhelming sentiment among participants is immense satisfaction, with many expressing a desire to repeat the experience.

The significance of this encounter cannot be overstated. Unless you are firmly against a moderate hike ranging from half an hour to four hours, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Porters are available to assist with carrying your equipment for a nominal fee of $20 a day, making this adventure accessible to most of our clients. Those who opt out of gorilla tracking will dedicate their morning to bird watching. The group will reconvene in the afternoon for a stroll along a wide trail, watching for the Collared Apalis, Grauer’s Warbler, Gray Cuckooshrike, Black-billed Turaco, and numerous other montane species.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Embrace the opportunity to explore Bwindi, a birdwatcher's paradise that consistently ranks as a tour highlight. The Albertine Rift region, often spoken about without much explanation, contributes to this area's fascination. This region is distinct due to its location along the western branch of the recently formed geological marvel known as the Great East African Rift System. Flanked by the elevated Tanzanian Craton with Lake Victoria to the east and separated from the massive Congo basin by the Rwenzori Mountain range on the west, the Albertine Rift boasts a plethora of endemic and geographically limited species of birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Large, mixed-species flocks will be found in this region's beautiful and comfortably climate-controlled mountains. Your adventure begins in the morning as we head downhill towards the swampy terrain, the preferred habitat of the elusive African Green Broadbill. Spotting this tiny jewel does require luck. Traversing forest roads and trails, expect to see endemic species such as Ruwenzori (Collared) Apalis, Red-crested Alethe, and Archer's Robin-Chat. With patience, the striking yet elusive Doherty's Bushshrike might be lured out of a thicket, or you might stumble upon a group of chattering White-headed Woodhoopoes. The remarkable calls of the Great Blue Turacos echo across valleys, while the honking of Black-and-white-casqued Hornbills could lead us to their location.

Bwindi is also home to several common species like Mountain Sooty Boubou, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Ruwenzori Hill Babbler, Red-faced Woodland, Neumann's, and Grauer’s Warblers, Black-faced Apalis, White-tailed Blue-Flycatcher, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed, and Regal Sunbirds, Stripe-breasted Tit, Dusky Crimson-wing, and Strange Weaver. Rare species such as Kivu Ground-Thrush, White-bellied Robin-Chat, and Dusky Twnspot are also hoped to be seen. Chimpanzees, Guereza Colobus, and Blue and L'Hoests Monkeys are often spotted in the treetops.

Post-breakfast, we travel west to Bwindi National Park's lower-altitude Buhoma sector. En route, we will traverse "The Neck", a slender stretch of forest linking the southern and northern sections of the park. This forest forms the eastern extension of the expansive Congo forests coupled with several limited-range species from the Albertine Rift.

This accessible and completely safe section of the forest extends into the DR Congo, providing birding enthusiasts an ideal location to sightsee otherwise challenging species. These include Cassin’s Flycatcher, Black Bee-eater, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, Tiny Sunbird, and various difficult-to-identify greenbuls. By afternoon, we will reach Buhoma for a two-night stay.

The mid-altitude section of the national park offers a unique experience compared to the higher Ruhija region. Our birdwatching targets include the Bar-tailed Trogon, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Willcock’s Honeyguide, Black-billed Weaver, Sooty Flycatcher, and many species of starlings, sunbirds, and greenbuls. This is one of the best sites to spot the newly described Willard’s Sooty Boubou, distinguishable by its pale blue eyes, unlike the more common Mountain Sooty Boubou.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

As we journey northwards, the environment undergoes a swift metamorphosis from montane woodland to expansive savanna. This savanna differs from Lake Mburo National Park's, resembling Kenya and Tanzania's iconic flat-topped tree savannas. Additionally, it features savannas dominated by Candelabras and euphorbias similar to cacti. The sight of cactus-like trees amidst verdant grasslands presents an intriguing contrast.

During our 18-day birding tour with gorilla tracking, we shall traverse the peculiar Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth, renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions. This region also boasts a rich avian diversity, including species like the Blue-throated Roller, Sooty Chat, Red-necked Francolin, and Black-and-white Shrike Flycatcher.

We will reach our luxurious lodge on a peninsula between Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel by late afternoon. The lodge gardens are a haven for birds such as the Northern Black Flycatcher, Black-headed Gonolek, Red-chested Sunbird, and Slender-billed Weaver.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a sanctuary for both mammals and birds. It provides a unique opportunity to observe classic African megafaunas such as hippos and elephants, buffalo, Kopi (the local equivalent of Impala), and numerous waterbucks and bushbucks. The park also serves as a magnet for waterbirds, boasting a wide diversity that can be observed quickly.

Our morning will be spent on an extended "game drive" through the park's savanna, dotted with euphorbia plants. We'll look for birds like the African Wattled Lapwing, Temminck’s Courser, Martial Eagle, African Crake, Flappet Lark, and Moustached Grass Warbler.

We embark on a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon. This journey is often regarded as one of Africa's most remarkable birdwatching and photographic experiences. The channel is typically teeming with large mammals and waterbirds in close quarters. We usually spot the majestic Gray Crowned Crane, the peculiar Hamerkop, and delicate African Jacanas gracefully stepping over lily pads near the boat. Occasionally, we encounter large flocks of birds, including African Skimmer, Gull-billed Tern, Gray-headed, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Post-breakfast, we embark on our journey to Kibale, where we'll spend the night. The route offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching in open country and waterbird habitats. If time permits, we plan an afternoon visit to the community-managed Bigodi Swamp. This location is ideal for spotting primates such as Gray-cheeked Mangabey and Central African Red Colobus, along with birds like the Speckled Tinkerbird, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, White-spotted Flufftail, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Bocage’s Bush-shrike, and Western Nicator. The papyrus patches in the swamp are home to the incredibly elusive White-winged Swamp Warbler.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

We rise before dawn, embarking on a quest to spot one of Africa's most coveted avian treasures, the Green-breasted Pitta. This "mega" bird has recently become accessible, though locating it still requires luck. Kibale is also renowned for its Chimpanzees, and those who choose this activity will participate in an official park chimp tracking session later in the morning. Chimp tracking terrain is flatter than gorilla tracking, but we will be off trail, following the chimps as they move with far more agility than we do, navigating around vines and over logs. It's an enjoyable pursuit, and upon finally locating the chimp group resting or feeding in the trees, a sense of achievement is felt.

Even those not tracking chimps will likely hear their eerie cries echoing through the forest. Bird flocks in the area include the delicate Forest Robin, among numerous illadopses and alethes. The Black-bellied Seedcracker can be found at the forest edge, while the canopy is home to various vermilion and black malimbes and the sharp Black-collared Apalis. During our 18-day birding tour with Gorilla tracking, we'll also look out for Gray-throated, Yellow-spotted, and Yellow-billed Barbets building nests in dead snags. Fruiting figs in the area attract the enormous Great Blue Turaco, a bird that seems straight out of a cartoon.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

This marks the most extensive travel day of our journey, taking us to Masindi, the entry point to Budongo. We will seize the opportunity to birdwatch at various locations en route. Many participants find this drive particularly enjoyable as it veers off the main roads and traverses through rural Uganda, offering a genuine glimpse into local life. If our arrival time permits, we might explore the woodlands south of town in search of the White-crested Turaco and Gray-headed Oliveback.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

We dedicate an entire day to uncovering the wonders of the magnificent Budongo Forest, a vast expanse of lowland rainforest that offers the most convenient global access to the Congo rainforest. Our exploration includes time at the remarkable Royal Mile, a public yet scarcely used road. The forest authorities have cleared the shrub growth for 20 feet on either side of this road, providing exceptional views of undergrowth bird species and enhancing canopy views beyond what most lowland rainforests offer. Canopy species, typically hidden by undergrowth and mid-canopy trees, are visible and can be observed through a scope.

Budongo Forest is Uganda's prime location for spotting Nahan’s Francolin, Cassin’s Spinetail, and Chestnut-capped Flycatcher. We'll also be looking for the striking Chocolate-backed and African Dwarf Kingfishers. The forest teems with illadopses and alethes, and the variety of greenbuls here is astounding. For those less interested in cryptic birds, plenty of more vibrant species like the White-thighed Hornbill and Black Bee-eater.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

As we traverse towards Murchison Falls National Park, we briefly halt at the Butiaba escarpment. Despite being close to the Budongo rainforest, it showcases a contrasting arid savanna landscape and hosts species such as Mocking Cliff-Chat, Foxy Cisticola, and Brown Babbler. Our journey leads us across extensive wild landscapes with distinctive open palm savannas, a feature unique to East Africa. We might spot birds like the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Senegal Lapwing, White-rumped Seedeater, and the unusual Piapiac during our travel.

By late afternoon, during our comprehensive 18-day birding expedition with gorilla tracking, we reached the banks of the Nile. Our accommodation is on the White (or Albert) Nile, originating from Lake Albert and flowing to Khartoum, where it unites with the Blue Nile before proceeding towards the Mediterranean. Another segment of the Nile within the park is the Victoria Nile, linking Lake Victoria, plunging spectacularly over Murchison Falls, and emptying into the northern edge of Lake Albert. We plan to spend two nights in Murchison Falls National Park.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

We dedicate an entire day to exploring Murchison Falls National Park, where we aim to spot silverbirds, Buff-bellied Warbler, Black-headed Batis, Black-headed Gonolek, and the highly localised White-rumped Seedeater. The riverine thickets are home to species such as White-crested Turaco, Double-toothed Barbet, and Heuglin’s Francolin, among others.

In the afternoon of our comprehensive 18-day birding expedition with Gorilla tracking, we embark on a boat trip to the base of the Murchison Falls. Here, the Victoria Nile narrows dramatically and cascades over the escarpment with immense power. This spectacle is not only visually stunning but also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. We anticipate getting close to the typically elusive Rock Pratincole.

The following day, we undertake a separate boat journey downstream to the point where the Victoria Nile feeds into Lake Albert, forming a delta with tributaries and papyrus marshes. In case we missed it earlier, this diverse habitat array is ideal for spotting Shoebill and numerous other waterbirds and arboreal species like Red-throated and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

In the early morning hours, we might halt at Kaniyo Pabidi, where we have an optional opportunity to track Chimps if previous attempts on our trip were unsuccessful. This location is also the prime spot in East Africa to search for the localised Puvel’s Illadopsis. Following lunch in Masindi, we return to Kampala, where we'll spend our final night.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Depending on the timing of our departure flights, we might have the opportunity for some last-minute forest birdwatching just east of Kampala. While it's unlikely that we will spot many new species on this day, it presents a fantastic chance to gain a closer look at some elusive birds that may have been challenging to spot earlier in our journey. Our tour culminates with late afternoon or evening international departures from Entebbe International Airport. We appreciate your choice of RORENA Tours and Safaris and look forward to welcoming you back!

Location: Entebbe International Airport

Accommodation Options: No (End of tour)

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Included

• Airport Transfers
• Car and Fuel with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide
• Rhino Tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Mid-range Accommodations and Meals
• All en-route meals and bottled mineral water throughout your tour.
• All park entrances and activities feel and all applicable government taxes.
• Afternoon game in Lake Mburo National Park
• Nature Walk in Lake Mburo National Park
• Bigodi Sanctuary swamp and community Safari
• Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Excluded

• International and domestic flights
• Country entry visa
• Personal travel insurance
• Items of personal nature/laundry/telephone charges
• Souvenirs and gifts, Tips
• Alcoholic and other soft drinks (sodas, particular juice order at the lodge and wines)