Overview of Luxury 10 day Uganda birding tour
This 10 DAY UGANDA BIRDING TOUR is a safari for the serious birders wanting to see exciting new bird species, as well as chimpanzees and mountain gorillas
This Luxury 10 DAY UGANDA BIRDING TOUR includes a thrilling visit with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, chimpanzee tracking in both Kibale National Park and Kyambura Gorge, multiple game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Uganda boasts some of the best bird watching in Africa, with over 1000 different species, including the rare shoebill and the remarkable grey crowned crane. Luxury accommodation, professional guides and custom-made safari vehicles – this 10 day uganda birding tour will be the trip of a lifetime.
10 day Uganda birding tour Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe for 10 DAY UGANDA BIRDING TOUR
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport for 10 day Uganda birding tour you will be met by our representative and transferred to your accommodation for your overnight stay. Overnight Best Western Garden Hotel
DAY 2: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This morning you will a scheduled flight to Kihihi airstrip a flight that takes just over an hour. You will then transfer by road through local villages and along mountain roads to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site (a drive of +- 90 mins). Considered the most diverse forest in Uganda, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa and home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees.
The park contains an estimated one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.
OVERNIGHT BUHOMA LODGE (FB)
DAY 3: GORILLA TRACKING – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Few words can describe the thrill of today’s lifetime experience! Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a rare wildlife encounter that is exhilarating, humbling and enthralling. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the steep mountain slopes. Please note that gorilla tracking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions.
The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is so worth the trek to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are over 95%.
OVERNIGHT BUHOMA LODGE (FB)
DAY 4: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
Those with additional pre-purchased permits will depart for a second gorilla tracking experience. Clients not tracking the gorillas have the day free to explore the Bwindi area – optional activities include forest walks, a visit to a local school/ orphanage/ hospital or Batwa pygmy village, and some local curio shopping.
OVERNIGHT BUHOMA LODGE (FB)
DAY 5: Southern Queen Elizabeth – ISHASHA AREA
Depart Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park this morning and travel to Ishasha in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (a 2-3 hour drive), with a brief stop en route at a community project near Ishasha Village. Located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopard, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds.
With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the southern Ishasha area includes the massive Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda, and is home to the tree climbing lions typically found in the area. Afternoon game drives will be enjoyed in the Ishasha area, looking for the huge herds of buffalo, elephant, Uganda kob and of course the famous tree-climbing lion typically found in the area.
OVERNIGHT Ishasha Wilderness Camp (Full board)
DAY 6: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Spend the 6th day of 10 day Uganda birding tour enjoying game drives in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, rounding things off with scenic bush sundowners including drinks and snacks. This is what memories are made of!
Overnight Katara Lodge (Full board)
DAY 7: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Today on day 7 of 10 day Uganda birding tour you will head north toward the ‘Mweya’ sector of the park which is rich with wildlife, visitors will find vast numbers of Uganda’s unique and strange Euphorbia or “candelabra” tree. The many nearby crater lakes and mountain ranges provide a beautiful backdrop for your journey.
In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometre long natural channel linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Kazinga’s shores are dotted with herds of lazy buffalo, pods of hippos wallowing without a care, and countless bird species. Drift past local fishing villages and soak up the peaceful tranquillity of this beautiful African day. (Cruise normally departs at 14h00, although this depends on availability when booking and is subject to change – no drinks/ snacks included on boat).
You may encounter herds of elephants, buffalos and antelopes, families of warthogs, large groups of hippos, and crocodiles basking on the shore. Kazinga’s shores are a haven for numerous birds, including many migratory species as they make their way south to warmer climates. The cruise also provides a spectacular view of the beautiful Mweya Peninsula and life in local fishing villages set along the banks.
Overnight Katara Lodge (Full board)
DAY 8: KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
We will have an early start this morning, with the highlight being your chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge. The forest is alive with noise! Chimpanzees can be quite active and may move quickly through the forest canopy or, if you are lucky, you may find them resting or eating near the forest floors. It’s an exhilarating walk, in the beautiful scenery. As with gorilla tracking, sightings cannot be guaranteed even though the chimps are habituated to humans.
After this activity, 3-4 hour drive takes you to Kibale Forest, comprising an interesting blend of lowland tropical rain forest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. In addition to forests, you will also notice areas of grassland and of the swamp. The forest is rich in wildlife and is most noted for its primate population. These include a red-tailed monkey, diademed monkey, olive baboon, chimpanzee, and black and white colobus. The birdlife is also abundant, with close to 300 species identified here. The forest is also home to 144 species of butterflies and a diverse population of moths and other insects
OVERNIGHT Ndali Lodge in Kibale (Fullboard)
DAY 9: Kibale Forest National Park
Your Kibale Forest chimpanzee trek will generally take place in the morning. The forest is alive with noise! Chimpanzees can be quite active and may move quickly through the forest canopy or, if you are lucky, you may find them resting or eating near the forest floors. It’s an exhilarating walk, in the beautiful scenery. As with gorilla tracking, sightings cannot be guaranteed even though the chimps are habituated to humans. Your guides will be able to show you different bird species and will give details of the plant species within the forest. The trek allows you to spend 1 hour observing the chimps once you have found them.
Rest of the day at leisure. Bigodi Swamp Walk (Optional extra)
Considered one of Uganda’s best bird watching locations on 10 day Uganda birding tour, Bigodi Swamp’s rich ecosystem makes it a spectacular venue for viewing numerous primate and bird species in their natural habitat. This two to three-hour walk can be tailored to individual schedules and interests.
Overnight Ndali lodge (Full board)
DAY 10: DEPARTURE
On the last day Luxury 10 Day Uganda Birding Tour depart after an early breakfast for the drive back to Entebbe, arriving late afternoon. (If you are departing Entebbe tonight please do not book a flight before 1900HRS)
End of Luxury 10 day Uganda birding tour.
PRICE PER PERSON SHARING IN USD (LUXURY ACCOMMODATION):
1 PERSON = 8625
2 PEOPLE = 6354
3 PEOPLE = 5849
4 PEOPLE = 5597
5 PEOPLE = 5445
Single room supplement = US$755 (Does not apply to one person price)
Included Activities:
- Gorilla Permit
- Scheduled flight to Kihihi near Bwindi
Kibale chimp permit
Forest Walk Bwindi with ample opportunities for bird watching
Bigoda Swamp, Kibale – one of Uganda’s best bird watching locations
Mabamba Swamp – a favorite habitat for 260 recorded bird species
