25 Days
Daily Tour
6 people
English
Hardcore Bird Across Uganda – This comprehensive birding expedition through Uganda spans 25 days and covers diverse ecosystems, from swamps and savannahs to dense forests and national parks. The itinerary includes notable birding destinations such as Mabamba Swamp, Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Semuliki National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest, and Kidepo Valley National Park. The tour concludes with visits to Lake Bisina and Mabira Forest before returning to Entebbe for drop-off.
Upon your airport arrival, our company representatives will take you to accomadations in Entebbe. Depending on your arrival time, a bird walk at Entebbe Botanical Gardens or Lutembe Bay may be arranged.
Early breakfast in Entebbe precedes a drive to Mabamba Swamp on Lake Victoria's fringes. This area, with a checklist of 260 birds, is renowned for the highly sought-after shoebill, rare Weyn's weaver, and birds restricted to the Lake Victoria basin biome. After birding, we proceed to Lake Mburo National Park for a late game drive.
Explore Lake Mburo National Park, characterized by a mix of dense savannah, swamps, dry hills, and rocky outcrops, boasting over 320 recorded bird species. Key birding areas include Warukiri and Rwongo swamp, offering rewarding sightings of various bird species.
Immerse yourself in the biodiversity of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, renowned as the heart of Ugandan birding. With a variety of species, including Albertine endemics and rare birds, explore the Ruhiija, Mubwindi, and Buhoma areas, spending two days in each section and staying at different camps/lodges.
Departing from Bwindi, journey towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, birding along the way. This diverse park, with over 600 recorded bird species, features habitats ranging from savannah and dense forest to lakes and swamps. Explore the Isasha and Mweya Peninsula for a variety of bird species and witness large herds of big game, including tree-climbing lions.
Departing from Bwindi, journey towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, birding along the way. This diverse park, with over 600 recorded bird species, features habitats ranging from savannah and dense forest to lakes and swamps. Explore the Isasha and Mweya Peninsula for a variety of bird species and witness large herds of big game, including tree-climbing lions.
Head to Kibale National Park, a top bird haven with 375 recorded species, including six Albertine endemics. The park's diverse habitats yield opportunities to spot sought-after species, such as the green-breasted pitta and various greenbuls, rollers, and barbets.
Explore Semuliki National Park, the westernmost park in the Albertine Rift, hosting over 440 bird species. Bird along the Kirumia Trail, discovering unique species like the black-faced rufous warbler, Nkulengu rail, and Maxwell's black weavers
Transition to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's oldest national park, with 450 recorded bird species. Choose from boat rides, walks, or game drives to observe diverse avian life, including the white-crested turaco, shoebill, and various raptors.
Birding in Budongo Forest explores areas like Royale miles, Kaniyo Pabidi, and Busigiro, offering sightings of Nahan's francolin and Xavier's greenbul.
Kidepo Valley National Park showcases unique species, including the black-breasted barbet and Karamoja apalis. The diverse habitat ranges from dry mountain terrains to grassy plains. A visit to Lake Bisina targets the Uganda true endemic, Fox's weaver, and other wetland birds.
Kidepo Valley National Park showcases unique species, including the black-breasted barbet and Karamoja apalis. The diverse habitat ranges from dry mountain terrains to grassy plains. A visit to Lake Bisina targets the Uganda true endemic, Fox's weaver, and other wetland birds.
Mabira Forest, home to 315 bird species, features birds like Cassin's hawk eagle, dusky longtailed cuckoo, and red-tailed bristle bill.
Concluding the birding expedition, Mabira Forest is explored until midday, followed by a drive to Entebbe for drop-off.
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all!
On our birding and wildlife safari, 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. The pace will be relaxed and most of the birding will be from the vehicle. On some days, we may rest for a mid-day ‘siesta’. 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 a few optional nocturnal outings, to search for owls and nightjars.
Most of the day will be spent in the vehicle viewing wildlife and birds. The vehicles are modified Toyota Land Cruiser, specifically designed for safaris, in which the roof pops up, allowing you to stand up fully and take unobstructed photos or view the wildlife. We will make frequent stops to clean toilet facilities throughout the day. Some days will include longer drives to get to the next destination. The roads can be bumpy and dusty.
East Africa is a diverse region, and we visit montane forests, huge grasslands, arid plains, coastal beaches and expansive wetlands. Short heavy rainfalls can happen at any time, and occasionally humidity can be an inconvenience.
Please note that the detailed itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a guide and may be changed due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors.
We stay in mostly good quality accommodations, often in excellent birding localities. Some accommodations may be ‘tented camps’, which are very comfortable walled tents with proper beds and indoor plumbing.
Village Weaver Birding Tours comprises a team of expert bird guides specializing in personalized birding experiences across East Africa. With an in-depth knowledge of the region's birdlife, they design intimate small-group safaris and family adventures.
Member Since 2024
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