28/11/2021
Uganda will host the 2021 Africa Birding Expo 10-12th December, the main event will be hosted Entebbe Botanical Gardens just 10 minutes from Entebbe Ugandas International Airport.
Uganda is a birder's paradise. Over half of all bird species in Africa can be found in Uganda making it the richest African birding destination. Even within the surroundings of the capital city Kampala, you can record nearly 300 species in a day, and all this is thanks to the richly diverse of habitats from the scenic shores of Lake Victoria to the lush forests of the Albertine Rift and the banks of the mighty Nile River. There are about 1060 bird species found in Uganda, which is an impressive number to any birder. More than half the species in Africa can be found in the pearl of Africa, and about also about 10% of the global species. There is enough variety to excite and keep birders engaged an interested in the destination once they discover it.
These are Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Nightjar, Dawrf Honeyguide, African Green Broadbill, Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, Strip-breasted Tit, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, and Shelley’s Crimsonwing.
Uganda is a birder’s paradise. The record for the number of species recorded in a three-week period is 665! Don’t miss the rare, prehistoric–looking Shoebill. Uganda also offers the friendliness of the Ugandan people, incredible safaris, mountain gorillas and cultural tourism attractions found nowhere else in Africa!
Birding in Bwindi:
The varied habitats of Uganda’s oldest forest mean it is the ideal habitat for a variety of birds, with 350 species recorded, including 23 endemics (90% of all Albertine Rift endemics) such as the Short-tailed Warbler and Blue-headed Sunbird as well as seven IUCN red data listed species.
Birding in Kibale:
Bird watching tours start at 7am at Kanyanchu. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, located just outside the park, is home to 138 bird species which may be seen during guided walks along the boardwalk trail and viewing platforms.
Birding in Kidepo Valley:
Apoka Rest Camp is a great spot to begin your Kidepo birding experience. Birding can also be done on the fringes of the Narus and Namamukweny Valleys.
Birding in Lake Mburo National Park:
Lake Mburo's key birding spots include swampy valleys and viewing platforms near the salt licks and in the forest. Species found at these locations include the Rufous-bellied Heron, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Grey Crowned Crane, Black-bellied Bustard and Brown-chested Lapwing.
Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla:
The best birding in Mgahinga also takes in some of its most beautiful scenery - in the gorge between Mts Gahinga and Sabinyo, through the bamboo forest, and in the montane forest, where the beautiful Rwenzori Turaco may be observed.
Birding in Mt. Elgon:
Excellent birding opportunities exist around Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre, in particular in the secondary forest and thick shrub along the loop trail to Cheptui Falls. It supports the African Goshawk; Chubb’s Cisticola, White-chinned Prinia and African Blue Flycatcher among others.
Birding in Murchison Falls:
Both the game drives and the launch trips offer an opportunity for one to come across distinct birdlife, including savannah forest birds, water birds and Albertine Rift endemics. The park’s main birding attraction is the Shoebill, best sighted in the dry season from January-March.
Birding in Queen Elizabeth:
Classified as an Important Birding Area (IBA) by Birding International, Queen’s great variety of habitats mean it is home to over 600 species. This is the greatest of any East African national park, and a phenomenal number for such a small area. The park’s confluence of savanna and forest, linking to the expansive forests of the DR Congo allow visitors to spot East as well as Central African species.
Birding in Rwenzori Mountains:
Birding opportunities are greatest in the montane forest. Bee-eaters, robins, sunbirds and barbets are some of the 217 species found in Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
14 DAYS UGANDA BIRDING EXPERIENCE:
Day 1 Arrival
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you shall meet our company representative who will warmly welcome and transfer you to your Hotel. But depending on your time of arrival you may go birding in either the botanical gardens or the Uganda Wildlife Education center. Any of these places is a good representative of Uganda`s bird species hence they can inaugurate one to the different bird species in the country. Overnight at Sheraton Hotel/ Hotel Africana/ Imperial Botanical Beach/any other hotel you may desire.
Day 2 Transfer to Semuliki National Park
After an early breakfast embark on your transfer to Semuliki National park taking the road through fort portal Bundibugyo to reach the park. This route has beautiful mountains of the moon scenaries plus plantations. After arrival but with enough rest you shall go for a late afternoon birding at the entrance of the park. That passes through beautiful Borassus savannah and extensive grass lands that harbor bird species such as the African grey horn bill, common scimitar bill, helmeted guinea fowl, Crested francolin etc. Overnight at Semuliki Safari Lodge
Day 3 Whole day birding- Semuliki National Park
After an early morning breakfast, but with packed lunch embark on a full day birding on the Kirumira trail or forest. This early morning birding offers you species like Night jars, African scops Owl, and Pearl spotted Owlet just to mention but a few. Being a home to some of the Congo bird species, this birding safari will also reward you with birds like, red breasted sparrow hawk, African piculet, African pied horn bills, Zenkel, Red billed, piping, dwarf and Pygmy kingfishers, Nkurengu rail, honey guide red rumped tinkerbird, Rufous sided broad bill, Black chested cuckoo, Green tailed bristle bill, White bellied, white thighed, black and white casqued, forest scrub robin, fire crested alethe, red bellied and blue billed malimbe, black wattled, swamp palm bulbul, black bill and white crested horn bill, Leaf love etc. You will dine and have your overnight at Semuliki safari lodge.
Day 4 Whole day birding Semuliki National Park
Just after breakfast again with packed lunch to embark on another birding trip on either the main road Sempaya trail or the Kirumira trail, depending on the previous’ day`s results. The choice remains in interest of the group.
Day 5 Birding -Sebitoli
After taking a cup of tea early in the morning transfer to Kibale National park- Sebitoli birding site, recommended as the best birding site in Uganda. As you reach in the afternoon have lunch and embark on your birding fascination. Look out for specials species like, Toro olive and Cameroon sombre green buls, African black duck, Joyful, cabanis, Brown-capped Weaver, Brown and scaly breasted illadopsis, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Pink-footed Puff Back, Bocage’s Bush-shrike, Green-throated Sunbird, Green-breasted Pita, African pita, -headed Sunbird just to mention but a few. You dinner and overnight shall be at Ndali Lodge/ Kanyanchu tourist center.
Day 6 Whole day Whole day birding in Kibale
Early in the morning after breakfast go for a guided birding trip in the Kanyanchu area where you will watch out for birds like; grey parrots, the African go-shwak, masked apalis, the majestic crowned eagle etc. You will have picnic lunch in the forest and the afternoon then head to the Bigodi wetland sanctuary through the Magombe swamp to see birds such as papyrus canary, papyrus Gonolek, brown headed Tchagra and mosque swallow. Your dinner and overnight shall be at Ndali lodge / Chimp Nest Lodge
Day7 Birding-Bwindi
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park but watch out for birds and game en route to reach in the afternoon. Have your birding trip in Buhoma area in the afternoon. Your dinner and overnight shall be at Gorilla forest camp/ Buhoma community Rest Camp
Day8 Whole day birding -Bwindi
Very early in the morning after breakfast, move into the forest on the water fall trail for birding. Look out for birds such as Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Kivu ground thrush, Mountain Buzzard, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Sooty Boubou, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Hill-Babbler, Ayre’s Hawk-eagle, Black-and-white Shriker-flycatche white bellied Robin-chat and slender billed starling Dusky Tit, Ashy Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Rwenzori Batis, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Doherty’s Bush-shrike. Bird along the main track- in the afternoon as you descend to the camp, then move along the long trail to Bwindi for more birding adventures. Your dinner and overnight shall be at Gorilla forest Camp/ Buhoma community Rest Camp
Day 9: Whole day Gorilla Tracking Bwindi – Buhoma
Early in the morning after breakfast go for birding on the long trail to Mubwindi as well as the short trail in the afternoon. Watch out for bir Oriole, Dwarf Honey guide, Oriole Finch and Bar tailed trogon, Carruthers’ Cisticola Red chested Fluff tail, Waller’s starling, Blacke –billed turacos, the Montanebarbets, and the Cabanis’s Green bull. As you do your bird search you an opportunity to search for gorillas too. You will have dinner and overnight at Gorilla forest Camp/ Buhoma community Rest Camp
Day 10 Birding on the Neck continuing to Ruhiija.
Early morning after breakfast go birding in the ruhiija area and look out for birds like the Grey-throated Barbet, Red-tailed and Shelley’s Greenbul, Common Buzzard, Red-throated Alethe, African Shrike-flycatcher Ayres’s Hawk-eagle, Black Bee-eater and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater to mention but a few. Your dinner and overnight shall be at Gorilla forest Camp/ Buhoma community Rest Camp
Day 11 Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park
After your early morning breakfast, drive towards Lake Mburo National Park along the road towards Kabale. You will bird along the entrance road to Rwonyo in the late afternoon to watch out for acacia associated bird species like Rupell’s long-tailed starling, mosque swallow and black bellied bustard. You will spend the night and dine at Mantana Tented camp
Day 12 Lake Mburo to Kampala
Transfer back to Kampala drive along the lake side track and Kigambira loop, Watch out for birds like Batelour, Green-capped Eremomela, Austral migrant, black cuckoo-shrike Tawny, African Hawk, and so many other species en route. You will arrive in the evening to spend the night dine at Hotel Africana / Sheraton Hotel The Lodge-Lweza.
Day 14: End Of the birding safari
One of our staff will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your flight.
For Early booking: Drop us an email at [email protected] Uganda can't Wait to Treat you to a life time fun filled experience, Book a dream holiday to the Pearl of Africa Now
