$4,388 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Pick-up, Mabamba Swamp & Transfer to Mabira Forest
Pick-up, Mabamba Swamp & Transfer to Mabira Forest
We pick you up from Entebbe/Kampala for an early boat excursion into Mabamba
Swamp, targeting the prehistoric Shoebill along quiet papyrus channels. Navigating
the papyrus mats reveals possibilities of the Lesser Jacana, White-winged Tern,
African Pygmy Goose, Blue-headed Coucal, Papyrus Gonolek, and Northern
Brown-throated Weaver and others. After a lunch break in Entebbe, we make the
2.5 to 3-hour transfer east into Mabira Forest. Late afternoon and dusk birding along
the forest edge with the site guide clearings provides initial looks at the Blue
breasted Kingfisher, Great Blue Turaco, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Nahan's
Partridge. you try the African Wood Owl, Square-tailed Nightjar at dust.
- Main Destination:
- Mabamba Swamp
- Activities:
- Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide) & Nature hikes/walks
- Accommodation:
- The Rainforest Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Full-Day Birding in Mabira Forest (Hard Core Forest Birding)
Full-Day Birding in Mabira Forest (Hard Core Forest Birding)
Spend a full day exploring interior trails of Mabira Central Forest Reserve with a
specialist local site guide. Focusing on canopy mixed feeding flocks and understory
skulkers, key and giant of this forest include the Forest Wood Hoopoe, Tit Hylia,
Velvet-mantled Drongo, Fire-crested Alethe, Purple-throated Cuckooshrike,
Sabine's Spinetail, Speckled Tinkerbird, Yellow-crested Woodpecker,
Jameson's Wattle-eye, Grey Longbill, Yellow-eyed Bristlebill, Forest Robin,
Yellow-spotted Barbet and other more.
- Main Destination:
- Mabira Forest Reserve
- Activities:
- Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide) & Nature hikes/walks
- Accommodation:
- The Rainforest Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Mabira Clean-Up, Drive to Masindi & Nyabyeya Dusk Birding
Mabira Clean-Up, Drive to Masindi & Nyabyeya Dusk Birding
Following early morning clean-up birding around the lodge clearings for elusive
species like the Weyns's Weaver, Red-headed Bluebill, White-spotted Flufftail,
Black-billed Turaco, Yellowbill we begin our 4 to 5-hour en-route birding journey
northwest toward Masindi town. Roadside stops along agricultural transitional zones
yield visual opportunities for the Crested Francolin, Marsh Widowbird, and
Commented [D2]: Just added, its midrange upper lodge.
Instead of cozy Griffin falls Camp.
Grey-crowned Crane. Arriving in late afternoon, we transition to dusk birding
around the old-growth trees, shrubs and farmland margins of Nyabyeya, targeting
the Brown Babbler, Black-headed Gonolek, Senegal Coucal, Bar-breasted,
Black-bellied, African Firefich, Compact weaver, Zebra Waxbill and more.
- Main Destination:
- Masindi (Town)
- Activities:
- Game drives (Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle), Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide) & Nature hikes/walks
- Accommodation:
-
Masindi Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Central Forest Reserve (Hard Core Forest Birding)
Central Forest Reserve (Hard Core Forest Birding)
We depart early for the legendary Royal Mile in Budongo Central Forest Reserve, accompanied by an expert local site guide. Under the high-canopy mahogany forest, we search for premier Albertine and lowland specialists including the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Ituri Batis, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Forest Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, White-thighed Hornbill, Yellow-spotted Nicator, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Piping Hornbill, Banded Prinia, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush and other more.
- Main Destination:
- Budongo Forest (Chimps)
- Activities:
- Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide) & Nature hikes/walks
- Accommodation:
- Masindi Hotel
Wildlife in Budongo Forest
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Transfer to Murchison Falls NP, Boat Trip & Dusk Game Drive
Transfer to Murchison Falls NP, Boat Trip & Dusk Game Drive
Drive 2 to 2.5 hours north into Murchison Falls National Park via Kaniyo Pabidi for the elusive Puvell’s Illadopsis, to open dry-savanna habitats yield the Silverbird, Bruce's Green Pigeon, and Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Beautiful sunbird, Cutthroat Finch, White-rumped Seedeater or more. At 11:00 AM, we board a 2-hour shared boat launch to the base of the falls, scanning riverbanks and sandbars for the Pel's Fishing Owl, Rock Pratincole, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, Pied Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, African Finfoot, Red-throated Bee-eater, and Wire-tailed Swallow. A late afternoon into dusk game drive across the northern tracks adds the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Abyssinian Roller, Black-headed Lapwing, Secretarybird, and others like Heuglin's Francolin.
- Main Destination:
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Activities:
- Game drives (Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle), Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide) & Boat trip
- Accommodation:
- Bamboo Village Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Transfer to Kibale Forest Edge Afternoon Optional Chimp Track
Transfer to Kibale Forest Edge Afternoon Optional Chimp Track
We embark on a scenic 6 to 7-hour southwards drive along the Albertine Rift corridor to the edge of Kibale National Park. In the afternoon, undertake chimpanzee tracking excursion. Forest-edge and marshy vegetation yield the Shining-blue Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Barbet, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Western Nicator, Joyful Greenbul, White-collared Oliveback, Lizard Buzzard, Speckled Mousebird, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Honeyguide Greenbul, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, and Cassin's Grey Flycatcher.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Activities:
- Game drives (Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle) & Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)
- Accommodation:
- Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Wildlife in Kibale NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
African Green-breasted Pitta Quest & Bigodi Swamp Birding
African Green-breasted Pitta Quest & Bigodi Swamp Birding
Entering Kibale Forest before dawn, we focus on locating the elusive African Green-breasted Pitta during its morning display window. Mid-morning forest trail birding yields the Afep Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Crowned Eagle, Narina Trogon, Black-capped Apalis, Yellow-crested Woodpecker or more. The afternoon shifts to community edge habitat and scrub for the Southern White-faced Scops Owl, Black Bee-eater, Yellow-mantled Weaver, Marsh Tchagra, Black-necked Weaver, Zebra Waxbill, Bronze Sunbird, Thick-billed Weaver, Seed Cracker and more.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Activities:
- Walking safaris (with an armed guide) & Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)
- Accommodation:
- Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Full day birding in Semuliki Valley Forest with a site guide
Full day birding in Semuliki Valley Forest with a site guide
A 1.5 to 2-hour descent down the Albertine Rift escarpment brings us into Semuliki Valley National Park. Guided along the Kirumia Trail deep into true lowland Guinea-Congo forest, target specialties include the Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Black-casqued Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Spot-breasted Ibis, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Leaf-love, Xavier's Greenbul, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Grant's Bluebill, Yellow-throated Nicator, Rufous-breasted Bushshrike and many more specialties.
- Main Destination:
- Semuliki National Park
- Activities:
- Walking safaris (with an armed guide), Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide) & Nature hikes/walks
- Accommodation:
- Mountains of the Moon Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Semuliki Morning Clean-up & Dusk Kasenyi Plains Game Drive
Semuliki Morning Clean-up & Dusk Kasenyi Plains Game Drive
Morning birding covers remaining lowland forest edges for the Black-dwarf Hornbill, Forest Robin, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Swamp Plam Bulbul. After lunch in Fort Portal, a 2.5 to 3-hour drive leads south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. A dusk game drive across the Kasenyi Plains targets the Senegal Lapwing, Spot-flanked Barbet, Rufous-naped Lark, Flappet Lark, White-tailed Lark, Temminck's Courser, Red-necked Spurfowl, Martial Eagle, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, Swamp Flycatcher, and Square-tailed Nightjar.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Activities:
- Game drives (Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle) & Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)
- Accommodation:
- Engiri Game Lodge - Cottages
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Kasenyi Drive, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise & Drive to Buhoma
Kasenyi Drive, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise & Drive to Buhoma
Early savanna birding precedes an 11:00 AM private boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Key waterbird species include the African Skimmer, Pink-backed Pelican, Great White Pelican, Saddle-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, Water Thick-knee, Kittlitz's Plover, Long-tailed Cormorant, and Malachite Kingfisher. In the afternoon, we drive 3.5 to 4.5 hours through the Ishasha sector toward Buhoma, Bwindi, spotting the Black-lored Babbler, Mustached Grass Warbler, Stout Cisticola, Brown Snake Eagle, and Sooty Chat en route.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Activities:
- Game drives (Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle), Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide) & Boat trip
- Accommodation:
- Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Full-Day Birding in Buhoma (Bwindi Forest Hard Core Birding)
Full-Day Birding in Buhoma (Bwindi Forest Hard Core Birding)
A dedicated full day traversing the trail system of northern Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with a specialist local guide. Under the middle and lower forest strata, targets include the Short-tailed Warbler, Kivu Ground Thrush, Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Mountain Illadopsis, Red-throated Alethe, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Neumann's Warbler, Chapin's Flycatcher, Dusky Blue Flycatcher, Bar-tailed Trogon, and Black-billed Turaco.
- Main Destination:
- Buhoma Sector (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)
- Activities:
- Walking safaris (with an armed guide) & Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)
- Accommodation:
- Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
The Neck & Ruhija Section Birding (After Optional Gorilla Tracking)
The Neck & Ruhija Section Birding (After Optional Gorilla Tracking)
Drive 2 to 2.5 hours through "The Neck" riverine forest pass connecting Buhoma to Ruhija. Streamside stops offer the Mountain Wagtail, Dusky Twinspot, Chin-spot Batis, and Western Bronze-napped Pigeon. Continuing into high-altitude Ruhija, afternoon roadside and School Trail birding targets the Handsome Francolin, Stripe-breasted Tit, Regal Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, and Red-faced Woodland Warbler.
- Main Destination:
- Ruhija Sector (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)
- Activities:
- Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide) & Nature hikes/walks
- Accommodation:
-
Bakiga Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Mubwindi Swamp Trail – Ruhija Section (Hard Core Birding)
Mubwindi Swamp Trail – Ruhija Section (Hard Core Birding)
We descend into the high-altitude Mubwindi Swamp guided by a local site specialist to target rare Albertine Rift endemics. Key montane and marsh species highlighted include the African Green Broadbill, Grauer's Rush Warbler, Archer's Ground Robin, Dwarf Honeyguide, Ruwenzori Batis, Montane Masked Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Collared Apalis, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Flavescent Greenbul, Ruwenzori Nightjar, African Hill Babbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, and all other possible endemics. We return to Bakiga Lodge for a second night.
- Main Destination:
- Ruhija Sector (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)
- Activities:
- Walking safaris (with an armed guide) & Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide)
- Accommodation:
- Bakiga Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Echuya Forest to Mgahinga National Park
Echuya Forest to Mgahinga National Park
Morning roadside birding out of Ruhija connects via a 3 to 3.5-hour drive through Echuya Forest to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Echuya bamboo and scrub yield the Highland Rush Warbler, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, and White-browed Crombec. Afternoon into dark birding along the lower slopes of Mount Sabinyo targets the Ruwenzori Turaco, Lagden's Bushshrike, Archer's Robin-Chat, Sheltered Scrub Warbler, Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, African Goshawk, Montane Nightjar, and Rwenzori Hill Babbler.
- Main Destination:
- Kisoro (Town)
- Activities:
- Game drives (Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle), Specialized birding (with a professional birding guide) & Nature hikes/walks
- Accommodation:
- Ichumbi Hotel - Kisoro
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 15
Mgahinga Morning Clean-Up & Transfer to Lake Mburo NP
Mgahinga Morning Clean-Up & Transfer to Lake Mburo NP
Morning clean-up birding along Mgahinga's Gorge Trail offers final looks at the Western Green Tinkerbird and more that was missed before we embark on a 5.5 to 6.5-hour drive northeast to Lake Mburo National Park. Arriving in the late afternoon, dusk birding around the park entrance and acacia woodland yields the Bare-faced Go-away-bird, White-backed Vulture, Red-faced Barbet, Rufous-chested Swallow, Crested Barbet, Long-tailed Nightjar, and Black-shouldered Nightjar.
- Main Destination:
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Gorillas)
- Activities:
- Walking safaris (with an armed guide) & Nature hikes/walks
- Accommodation:
- Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Wildlife in Mgahinga Gorilla NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 16
Lake Mburo Morning Boat Cruise & Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe
Lake Mburo Morning Boat Cruise & Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe
Morning birding in Lake Mburo includes a 10:00 AM boat safari targeting the White-backed Night Heron, African Water Rail, and Pied Kingfisher. Surrounding savanna edges and acacia stands offer the Spot-flanked Barbet, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Southern Red Bishop, Green Wood Hoopoe, Tabora Cisticola, and Red-headed Lovebird. Following lunch, we begin the 4 to 5-hour return drive back to Kampala or Entebbe for your evening international flight departure.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Activities:
- Game drives (Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle), Walking safaris (with an armed guide) & Boat trip
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP
- Meals & Drinks:
