10 DAYS BIRD WATCHING SAFARI : IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS IN UGANDA

Uganda is one of the best Birding destinations in Africa, with about 1000 bird species. The 10 Days birding Safari takes you to Uganda's Important Bird Areas, to start with Murchison Falls with over 450 bird species seen along the game drive, launch cruise to the bottom of the falls and nature walk in Budongo Forest, connect to Kibale Forest with 350 bird species and 13 primates species, Bigodi Swamps has 200 species, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National park and Kyambura Gorge with 611 species. Expect to see rare and endangered species like the shoebill among others.

ITINERARY
Day 1: Kampala – Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast at the Hotel, your driver/Guide will pick you and transfer to Murchison Falls Park. After lunch in Masindi town, proceed to the top of the falls where the Nile perfects its beauty. Here you will see the calm Nile forcing its self through a narrow gorge of 7mtrs wide to fall a distance of about 150 ft down producing a thunderous roar of white water- incredible scenery!  Transfer to Para safari lodge or Sambiya River Lodge in sunset for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise along the Mighty Nile
Early in the morning go for a game drive in the northern circuit of the park. This drive will reward you with game like, leopards, hyenas, lions, elephants, jackals, buffaloes, Uganda Kob and many bird species among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and proceed for afternoon launch cruise to the bottom of the falls (Birders’ Paradise). It provides an opportunity to view some of the water animals like the crocodiles, buffaloes, hippos and 450 bird species. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 4: Bird watching in Budongo or Kaniyo Pabidi Forest Reserve 
In the morning you will transfer to Kaniyo Pabidi area for a forest walk. The walk will reward you with a wide variety of bird species and primates like Chimpanzee, the Black and white monkeys and others. Return to the lodge for late lunch. After lunch you may go for nature walk or rest. Dinner and overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge / Sambiya River Lodge/ Red Chillie Camp.

Day 5: Murchison Falls -  Kibale Forest National park
Early in the morning have breakfast and then transfer to Kibale forest National Park, lunch in Fort portal town that lies amidst the great Rwenzori “Mountains of the moon”. Relax in the evening as we wait for dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge or Primates Lodge.

Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking /Nature walk (Bigodi Swamp)
In the morning have breakfast and then go search for chimpanzee in the forest. The park is know to harbour the largest number of primates in the country that include the grey cheeked Mangabeys, black and white colobus monkeys,  baboons and over 350 bird species including the rare shoebill. After lunch at  the lodge, gather your strength for a nature walk in the Bigodi swamps; a habitat for 200 bird species, olive baboons, chimps, vervets, Colobus monkeys and Mangabey. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 7: Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park – Boat trip
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth after breakfast with lots of game viewing enroute and enjoy the clear view of Rwenzori Mountains of the moon. Relax and wait for lunch at Mweya Safari Lodge. After lunch, gather your strength for launch cruise on the Kazinga channel, famous for the highest concentration of Hippos in Africa, 611 birds species such as the African horn bill saddle billed stork, hadada ibis, shoebill, and sacred ibis among others. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge or Hippo Hill.

Day 8: Kyambura Gorge Primates Tracking – Afternoon Game Drive
Drive to Chambura gorge after breakfast for primates tracking and bird watching. Return to the lodge for lunch and embark on afternoon game drive for more bird watching, return to the lodge in sunset for dinner and overnight.  

Day 9: Maramagambo Forest walk – Departure
Morning breakfast and set off to maramagambo forest for bird watching and caves exploration, return to the lodge for lunch and take another boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 10: Departure
Have breakfast depart for Kampala with lots of game viewing and bird watching enroute, lunch in Mbarara, stop at the equator for photographs, arrive in Kampala by late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at you’re the Lodge, Kampala Forest Cottages.

End of the safari