Visit Uganda and embark on a Birding and Primates journey to meet one of the world’s most endangered species – the mountain gorilla-the gentle giants at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to half the world’s Gorillas estimated at 440 out of the 880.Encounter Uganda’s birdlife, chimpanzees while hiking through the tropical forests with experienced guides. Enjoy your trip to the Zebra &Impala heartland, keep awake for the sightings of the tree climbing lions. Enjoy boat cruises on the marshlands and lake channels as you search for the elusive Shoebill and other aquatic wildlife. Your challenging treks will be rewarded with this action packed adventure.
Day 1. Arrival in Uganda
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and meet up with Rafiki Safaris’s team. Depending on time and stamina levels, we can transfer to your accommodation and rest and/or visit the nearby Entebbe Botanical Gardens ,an excellent birding spot to get started on arrival. Stay Gately Inn Entebbe
Day 2. Birding at Mabamba Marshland, transfer to Lake Mburo NP
Early breakfast, then out to nearby Mabamba Marshland on the shores of Lake Victoria. This is one of the few remaining swamps in the country protected by the local communities – an extensive papyrus swamp with its labyrinth of channels and lagoons, classified as an Important Bird Area, and home to several pairs of Shoebills, Uganda’s most famous avian resident. In the afternoon, we head westwards to our first of many national parks, Mburo Lake. This park has varied habitats from open Acacia woodlands, to a number of papyrus-lined lakes and swamps. We’ll have the afternoon and the following day to cover several different habitats. Stay at Rwakobo Lodge
Day 3. Morning Birding and transfer to Bwindi.
Lake Mburo National Park contains multiple habitats, and our time will be divided between birding an extensive area of wetland and the lake, some forested areas, and open country with numerous mammals . No fewer than 300 different bird species have been recorded in the park, an indication of the high diversity present here. The more open acacia grassland particularly along the Zebra Track, is worth exploring for species such as Coqui Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, Blackbellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, and African Wattled Lapwing.Later we head southwards, to Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Birding on the road at Bwindi Forest is usually productive. Look for Sharpes Starling, Cinammon Chested Bee-eater, Mountain Buzzard, Mountane Oriole, Olive Wood pecker, Handsome Francolin, Mountain Masked Apalis, Chestnut Throated Apalis, Olive Pegion, Black Saw-wing.Stay at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Day 4. Birding Mubwindi swamp
Today we spend a whole day either walking down to the Mubwindi Swamp through the Mubwindi Trail, or the Bamboo area and the community trail. The 4km trail to Mubwindi Swamp is the best place for some of the most difficult to find of all the Albertine Rift endemics including Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill, the beautiful Regal Sunbird, and Archer’s Robin-Chat. Mubwindi Swamp is also home to Dwarf Honeyguide, Stripe-breasted Tit, Ruwenzori Apalis.Stay at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Day 5. Gorilla Tracking
On this day, we set off early, with packed lunch, to the park headquarters for a briefing prior to Gorilla Tracking. This is the most exciting lifetime experience of all time. The gorillas are gentle animals and it is an unforgettable experience to photograph them as they interact. It is a wonderful experience to stare in to the eyes of these gentle giants; watch them in awe as they play and go about their daily activities. It is indeed a “once in a lifetime” experience that you must never miss.
Day 6-7. Tree Climbing Lions
Today, the Birding and Primates Safari starts early after breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our route to the park will be determined by road conditions, either passing through the Ishasha sector, well-known for its climbing lions, or alternatively drive through the beautiful sceneries of Rukungiri district. The park, which is named after Queen Elizabeth who visited it in 1954, is the second largest national park in Uganda, and ranks highest with respect to overall diversity, with over 600 bird species listed. Stay at Mazike Valley Lodge
Day 8. Birding to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, we will drive to Kibale forest arriving in Fort Portal in the late afternoon. Kibale forest national park is the best safari destination for chimpanzee tracking in East Africa. It con tains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of all tropical forests in Uganda. It hosts 13 species of primates including the chimpanzee. It has 1450 chimpanzees and these represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. It is also home to the rare L’hoest’s monkey and East Africa’s largest population of the threatened red colobus monkey. Other primates that you may see include the black and white colobus, blue monkey, grey cheeked Mangabey, red tailed monkey, olive baboon, bush baby and pottos. Stay at Chimpanzee Guest House or equivalent.
Day 9. Chimpanzee tracking in the forest
After an early breakfast, the Birding and Primates safari continues to Kibale National Park visitor center for briefing and chimp tracking. The activity may last from a few hours to several hours. Kibale forest is home to 13 primates of Uganda. Birding in the afternoon along the main road may be productive. Depending on the weather predictions, birding Bigodi wetland is also productive with riverine forest birds. Kibale National Park is a good site for a number of birds that are hard to find elsewhere including Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Cabanis’s Greenbul and Joyful Greenbul.Stay at Chimpanzee Guest House
Day 10-12. Kibale Forest National Park – Semuliki National Park
Today travel to Semliki National Park. Go for chimpanzee tracking in the Rainforest. This is done in the morning or in the evening due to the fact these playful primates disappear in the middle of the day. Semuliki is a habitat of over 250 bird species that are melodious in the forest. Later go for a game drive to view the parks’ game and birds. Stay at Semliki Safari Lodge
Day 13. Travel to Murchison Falls
Today depart early for Murchison Falls. Stop by Top the falls after park entry and watch the falls force its way through the narrow gorge to form a rainbow. Stay at Bakers’ Lodge
Day 14. Game drive and Boat ride
Enjoy a 3hour boat ride to the foot of Murchison Falls. Enjoy the sightings of Hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, Hartebeests. Notable birds seen along the Nile include; Love birds, African Fis h Eagles, Pied Kingfishers the elusive Shoebill. Continue later for another boat ride. It takes about four hours. It is also a rewarding trip with a variety of animals and birds to the Delta where Victoria Nile meets Lake Albert. Stay at Bakers’ Lodge or equivalent
Day 15. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Kampala
Travel to Kampala en-route the Rhino Sanctuary. Rhino tracking will be enjoyed in the afternoon. The resident rangers will guide you to the tracking activity. Get close to them, at a very safe distanc e. It is such a memorable experience to see them at close range. Tracking lasts between 1-2 hours. After tracking proceed to Kampala city. Stay at Emin Pasha hotel
Day 16. Kampala to Entebbe
End of Birding and Primates tour and enjoy you transfer to Entebbe international Airport. Depending on your flight time you can take a tour of Kampala attractions.