Great Birding and Wildlife Safari in Uganda
On this birding and wildlife safari you will search for the iconic Shoe Bill bird at Mabamba, later travel to Lake Mburo home to the Elands and African Finfoot, track the endangered Gorillas and also enjoy the rare sightings of the elusive Tree Climbing lions plus making your own honey candles.
Day 1. Arrive in Uganda at Entebbe
Meet and greet our representative. Check in at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.
Day 2. Mabamba – Lake Mburo National Park
Today after breakfast, you will visit Mabamba birding site to search for the shoebill bird. It is an important birding Area for this Prehistoric bird. Other birds that can be sighted include the African Open billed, Saddle billed stork, Long tailed Cormorant. Later on transfer to Lake Mburo National park via the Equator.
Overnight: Mihingo Lodge
Day 3. Lake Mburo
After breakfast go for a game drive and may see the zebras, graceful impalas, Oribi, Elands or even a Leopard. Nature walks and birding are optional activities available.
Afternoon boat ride should not be missed. Hippos and crocodiles are common wildlife residents of the Lake and its shores.
Return to the hotel for relaxation. Evening game drive is another optional activity available.
Overnight: Mihingo Lodge or equivalent
Day 4. Lake Mburo NP – Bwindi
After breakfast leave drive to Bwindi National Park home to 50% of the world’s gorillas. Do another game drive as you leave Lake Mburo National Park. Arrive at Bwindi, check in at the lodge.
Overnight: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Day 5-6. Gorilla tracking Bwindi, Batwa Community visit –Bwindi
Today is gorilla tracking day. Ranger guide will brief you on the day’s activities in the forest. When you come face to face with these giant primates, it is a once in a lifetime experience. Tracking them in the forest hideouts takes a while about 4 to 7 hours depending on their movement in the forest. It is a worthwhile search for them. When you finally find them, you have only one hour viewing them. In the afternoon, visit the Batwa village for a community walk and learn more about their history as former residents of Bwindi forest.
Overnight: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or equivalent
Day 7-8. Climbing tree lions – Queen Elizabeth
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park through rural Uganda. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Rwenzoris. It is a habitat of several mammals. At Ishasha you may see the tree climbing lions. Later on Continue further to Queen Elizabeth Heartland to enjoy other game drives and boat ride.
Early Game drive in search of the nocturnal animals like the lions. Return for lunch and go for A boat ride on Kazinga channel an exciting ride that brings you closer to the hippos, crocodiles and birds like the African skimmer. Return to lodge. Night game drive is an optional activity available.
Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness lodge or equivalent
Day 9. Community Bee honey – Kampala
Today after breakfast you travel back to Kampala via Fort Portal. On your way, you will visit Bunyagabu co-operative group whose main business activity is honey and crafts making. Here will have a chance to visit the source of the honey and also make candles from bee wax. Lunch in Fort Portal and travel back to Kampala.
Overnight: Lake Heights or equivalent.
Day 10. End of your Birding and Wildlife Safari
If your flight is in the evening you will have a chance of visiting some of Kampala’s religious and heritage sites that include Gaddhafi mosque, Kabaka’s palace(King of Buganda), Museum, Namugongo Martyrs Sanctuary, Namirembe Cathedral(Anglican),Rubaga Cathedral (Catholic).
Optional extension at Day 9 .Kibale Forest National Park (Chimpanzee capital),Murchison Falls National Park National Park (Birding and Wildlife) & Kidepo National Valley National Park ( Wildlife and Karamojong tribe visits) for extra 9 0r 10 days