Uganda

Uganda! The Pearl of Africa! Our classic Uganda bird and wildlife adventure showcases amazing birds, incomparable Gorillas, encounters with troops of Chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and a plethora of other spectacular mammals. Not only a bird rich country, with more than 1000 species, including over 20 of those famous Albertine Rift endemics, the strange Shoebill, African Green Broadbill, African Grey Parrot, and the stunning Green-breasted Pitta, but also among the most beautiful of countries with awesome Murchison Falls, the source of the White Nile on Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake), snow-capped mountains, tropical lowland forests, typical African savannah and even desert. We visit when most birds will be in their finest breeding plumage, and we transect a wide variety of distinct habitats, including the legendary Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest, the Royal Mile at Budongo Forest, Kibale Forest, and Queen Elizabeth National Park, providing us with classic East African fauna and flora. A truly marvellous and unforgettable wildlife adventure and birding extravaganza!

Highlights
• Wonderful birds and mammals, from Shoebill and Turacos to Gorillas and Chimpanzees
• Exceptional variety from the tropical lowlands to the Virunga Range, Rwenzori Mountains and magnificent Murchison Falls

Itinerary

Pre-trip: July 3 – 7, 2012: Fox’s Weaver and Kidepo Valley National Park
Main Tour: July 7 – 25, 2012

Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe
We arrive in Entebbe; time permitting we bird around the garden city of Entebbe, away from the hustle and bustle of Kampala. Entebbe is on the shores of Africa’s greatest lake, Lake Victoria, and we should have time to bird the grounds of the hotel, the beautiful botanical gardens and other sites for specialties including African Hobby Falcon, gorgeous Black-headed Gonolek, Broad-billed Roller, a plethora of weavers and a host of others. Overnight Boma Guest House.

Day 2: Mabamba Swamp and Shoebill search
We embark on a morning boat trip on Mabamba Swamp, the world’s most famous site for Shoebill. We should also see a great variety of other birds on the lake, including Lesser Jacana, several water-associated weavers and Red-chested Sunbird (also usually near water). Then we head towards Masindi, looking for Orange Weaver, Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Eastern Grey Plaintain-eater, Double-toothed Barbet and masses of others en route. Close to Masindi we look for Brown Twinspot, White-crested Turaco and more. Overnight Masindi Hotel.

Day 3: Budongo Forest and Murchison Falls
We begin the day birding a different part of the Budongo Forest, Kanyio Pabidi, the best site for the localized Puvel’s Illadopsis, and is also good for other forest birds such as Black-billed Turaco, Crested Francolin and many others. We eventually head for Murchison Falls National Park, which is a world apart from the forests and swamps we have birded thus far. This is now an arid area and we look for dry land specials such as Vinaceous Dove, the beautiful and cheerful Spotted Morning Thrush, fabulous Red-throated Bee-eater, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, striking Silverbird, Beautiful Sunbird (an apt name), Eastern Chanting Goshawk and loads of others – this is easy birding in dry woodlands and savannah. After lunch, we start the drive to Nile Safari Lodge via the top of the falls. We have a short walk around the top of the falls down to the river’s edge; from here you will see the waters of the Nile narrow as they are forced through a rocky cleft and plunge down in a majestic cascade. OVERNIGHT Paraa Safari Lodge.

Day 4: Murchison Falls
After breakfast, we take a birding/game drive, getting back in time for lunch. After lunch, we take a boat trip to the bottom of the falls where it is possible to view hundreds of hippos, crocodiles and a variety of other wildlife. Today we look for species such as Denham’s Bustard, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-headed Lapwing, Rock Pratincole, Black-billed Wood Dove, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Black-billed Barbet, Wire-tailed Swallow, Speckle-fronted Weaver and many more. We also look for mammals such as the graceful Rothschild’s Giraffe, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Uganda Kob, Defassa Waterbuck, Buffalo, Elephant, Warthog, Hippo and Oribi, among many others. Overnight Paraa Safari Lodge.

Day 5: Return to Masindi
After an early breakfast with our packed lunches, we drive back to Masindi, through the scenic Butiaba rift valley escarpment, where there are good views of Lake Albert. En route, we will be on the lookout for Western Banded Snake-eagle, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Striped Kingfisher, Mocking Cliff-chat, Northern Crombec, Foxy Cisticola, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver and many others. Overnight Masindi Hotel.

Day 6: Budongo Forest
After another early breakfast, we proceed to the beautiful and famed (amongst birders) Royal Mile of the Budongo Forest with its tall forest, where a suite of forest kingfishers including Chocolate-backed, Blue-breasted, African Dwarf, African Pygmy and Shining Blue await us. Here also are Heuglin’s Francolin, White-thighed Hornbill, Speckled and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds, Yellow-crested and Brown-eared Woodpeckers, Little Grey Greenbul, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Spotted Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe, Red-tailed Ant-thrush, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Whistling Cisticola, Black-throated Apalis, Forest Flycatcher, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Western Black-headed Oriole, Purple-headed Starling and more. Overnight Masindi Hotel.

Day 7: Kibale Forest National Park.
We travel via Sebitoli to the incredible Kibale Forest National Park where we’ll track Chimpanzees (optional), look for Green-breasted Pitta, White-naped Pigeon and a plethora of other sought-after birds. This is also the richest site in Africa for primates and we are never disappointed – L’hoest’s Monkey, Dwarf Galago and many others are possible. Overnight Chimpanzee Guest House.

Day 8: Kanyanchu
After breakfast, we proceed to bird the vicinity of Kanyanchu and the main road. We will look out for birds like African Crowned Eagle, several superb barbets - Yellow-spotted, Hairy-breasted and Yellow-billed, African Emerald Cuckoo, Yellowbill, Narina Trogon, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Black-necked Weaver, Grey-crowned Negrofinch, White-breasted Negrofinch, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Olive-bellied Sunbird, Collared Sunbird, Narrow-tailed Starling and White-headed Woodhoopoe. Overnight Chimpanzee Guest House.

Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, we go to Bigodi swamp, returning in time for lunch. After lunch, we start the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains (the fabled “Mountains of the Moon”), crossing the Equator back to the southern hemisphere. Possibilities include Lizard Buzzard, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Great Blue Turaco, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Woodland Kingfisher, Little Greenbul, Winding Cisticola, Green Crombec, Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher, Bronze Sunbird, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Black Bishop, Black-crowned Waxbill and more. Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge.

Day 10: Bwindi – Impenetrable National Park
We now head to the Albertine Rift which is full of endemic birds, fabulous scenery and sprawling forests. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is for many the highlight of any visit to Uganda, in spite of other marvelous places sampled in this mega-diverse little country. We head to one of Africa’s most incredible forest birding sites via the Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is where the famous tree-climbing lions lurk, as well as a host of what are likely to be new trip birds that can include quite localized and sought-after species such as Brown-chested Lapwing. We reach Bwindi National Park, where we’ll bird Ruhija, Buhoma, “the Neck” and other famous sites, plus we’ll also do gorilla tracking (optional). Overnight Engagi Lodge.

Day 11: Optional Gorilla Trekking or Birding in Bwindi.
After breakfast, we start Gorilla Trekking (optional) OR continued birding for those who opt not to do the gorilla trekking in the fabled Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We recommend good walking boots and carry a good rain suit and enough drinking water in a backpack. Trekking can be tough and challenging and so a reasonable level of fitness is required. You will carry a picnic lunch. The thrill of seeing these rare apes is indescribable (no guarantee although rarely missed). We intend on spending an hour right next to these gentle giants. Overnight Engagi Lodge

Day 12: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After an early breakfast, we find that Bwindi Impenetrable forest doesn’t quite live up to its name as we penetrate it looking out for species like Black Bee-Eater, Grey-throated Barbet, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Dwarf Honeyguide, Elliot’s Woodpecker, African Broadbill, Slender-billed Greenbul, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Red-throated Alethe, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Green Hylia, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Short-tailed (Neuman’s) Warbler (a skulker), White-chinned Prinia, Mountain Masked Apalis, Bocage’s Bush-shrike, Luhder’s Bush-shrike, Pink-footed Puffback, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, Green-headed Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Black-billed Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver and so many others. Overnight Engagi Lodge

Day 13: Ruhija section of Bwindi
We transfer from the Buhoma section of Bwindi to the high altitude Ruhija section which can be surprisingly cool and we recommend having layers available. We travel via “The Neck”, looking for species such as Augur Buzzard, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Black Bee-Eater, Grey-throated Barbet, Red-throated Wryneck, Grey Woodpecker, Mountain Wagtail, Red-tailed Greenbul, Chubb’s Cisticola, Banded Prinia, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, African Blue-Flycatcher, Olive Sunbird, Green Sunbird, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Baglafechet Weaver, Yellow-crowned Canary and Yellow Bishop among others. Overnight Trekkers Tavern.

Day 14: Mubwindi Swamp
After breakfast, we spend the whole day doing a strenuous walk to Mubwindi Swamp (actually it’s the uphill trek back that’s so tough!) to search for African Green Broadbill (with luck we might find it at a nest), and others such as Mountain Greenbul, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, African Hill Babbler, Mountain Illadopsis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Bar-tailed Trogon, and Regal Sunbird among others and last but not least Grauer’s Rush Warbler which is amazingly localized. Overnight Trekkers Tavern.

Day 15: Mgahinga Gorilla Reserve
We head for Mgahinga Gorilla Reserve, an incredibly scenic park incorporating the spectacular extinct volcanoes of the Virunga Range. Gorillas roam freely between Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC, since the park spreads into these countries as well. We head to Kisoro looking out for Handsome Francolin, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-faced Woodland-warbler, Grey Cuckooshrike, and Dusky Crimsonwing among others. Overnight Traveller’s Rest.

Day 16: Virunga Range
Today we drive to the visitor’s center at the base of the volcanic mountains. We bird the gorge loop trail looking out for Rwenzori Turaco, Dusky Turtle Dove, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Variable Sunbird and Black-headed Waxbill among others. We try for four crimsonwing species including Shelley’s, a very rare bird which will require luck to find. Overnight Traveller’s Rest.
Please note that by special request we offer an extension into Rwanda from here for Red-collared Mountain-babbler and further chances at any Albertine Rift endemics we may have missed in Uganda. Please e-mail info@birdingecotours.co.za if you are interested. This adds 4 days onto the tour and you do not miss out on Mburo.

Day 17: Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, we bird our way to Lake Mburo National Park en route back to Entebbe, arriving at Mbarara in time for lunch. We stay in Lake Mburo National Park for a night. Birding and wildlife viewing here is a delightful experience, and one of the highlights of a birding trip to Uganda. Possibilities include African Finfoot, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Black-bellied Bustard, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Blue-naped Mousebird, Nubian Woodpecker, Brown-backed Scrub-robin, Tropical Boubou, Fork-tailed Drongo and Golden-breasted Bunting. We will also enjoy great looks at mammals like the gorgeous Eland, the beautiful Zebra, Impala, Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Topi, Waterbuck, Oribi, Duiker, Buffalo, Hippo among others. Overnight Mantana Tented Camp.

Day 18: Return to Entebbe
After breakfast we return to Entebbe, arriving in the late afternoon. We watch for Bateleur, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Lilac-breasted Roller, Blue-naped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Yellow-breasted Apalis and many others. Overnight Boma Guest House.

Day 19: Departure
Time-permitting, we can bird around Entebbe, then transfer to Entebbe International Airport in time for our departure flight home.

Featured Birds and Mammals:

• Shoebill
• African Green Broadbill
• African Grey Parrot
• Green-breasted Pitta
• White-crested Turaco
• Puvel’s Illadopsis
• Red-throated Bee-Eater
• Northern Carmine Bee-Eater
• Rwenzori Turaco
• Shelley’s Crimsonwing
• Grauer’s Rush Warbler
• Gorilla
• Chimpanzee
 

Dates: July 7 - 25, 2012

Duration: 19 days

Price: $7,724 USD/CAD; single supplement $882 USD/CAD.

Tour Starts & Ends: Entebbe

Pre-trip July 3 – 7, 2012: Fox’s Weaver and Kidepo Valley National Park. Cost: $4,298 USD/CAD

What to Expect

• Fairly leisurely pace, with a few walks in rocky terrain; strenuous hikes to see Gorillas and African Green Broadbill
• Luxury to simple, clean lodgings; safari tent camps at a couple of spots
• Boat rides
• Good food
• Transport by minibus or converted 4 x 4 safari vehicles with professional safari guides
• Hot days and warm nights; cool at higher altitudes
• Group size 2-4 with local tour leader, 5-8 with local and international tour leader. Group sizes small since this tour involves a lot of forest birding.
• All meals included, a local birding guide, and all park, conservation and entrance fees; Gorilla permit ($500 US) and Chimpanzee permit ($150) not included

We often begin birding early in the morning, usually having breakfast before dawn. Days will usually start at first light to catch activity in the morning before the day warms up and activity slows down. We stay in mostly good quality accommodations, often in excellent birding localities; accommodations range from excellent first-class lodges to more basic lodges and safari-style tent camp lodge; all are comfortable, pleasant and safe. Roads are good for the most part, a little rough in some areas. There are several boat trips scheduled. Generally, the tour will proceed at a relaxed pace; Walking is mostly easy, with a few walks on rocky terrain. We spend one day on a strenuous walk to Mubwindi Swamp up and down hill to search for African Green Broadbill. The optional Gorilla trekking in the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest is challenging and a reasonable level of fitness is required. Please be advised that there is no guarantee of success although the Gorillas are rarely missed. In general, we keep to less traveled roads and fairly easy walking trails. Uganda is a diverse country, and we visit montane forests, huge grasslands, arid plains, and expansive wetlands. Most days will be warm or hot, dry and sunny; cloudy weather are to be expected and there will likely be rain. At higher elevations temperatures can be cool. Occasionally humidity is an inconvenience. We may rest for a mid-day ‘siesta’ on some days. We lunch at a local restaurant or take a picnic lunch into the field. During leisurely dinners we discuss the day’s activities and review the day’s list of sightings, and make plans for the next day. There will be innumerably splendid photographic opportunities!