6 Days Uganda Birding safari : This 6 Days Birding Uganda Safaris takes you to 3 of the best bird watching destinations in Uganda including; Mabamba swamp is one of the vast swamps found in Lake Victoria close to Entebbe town and Kampala city in a small village in Kasanje. It is one of the top tourist destinations in Entebbe renown for the amazing bird collection and most especially one of the one places in Uganda to find the most sought bird – the Shoebill stock. In 2006, the swamp was chosen as a Ramsar Site and wetland of international importance because of the rare and attractive bird species like the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Shoebill Stork (Balaeniceps rex), Blue Swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea) and Sitatunga (swamp antelope) among others. The Ramsar Convention on wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that champions the conservation, wise use and safeguarding of wetlands and their treasures. The Mabamba Swamp is now an Important Bird Area (IBA) attracting different bird species and is one of the best places for birdwatching in Uganda. Because of its location close to the Entebbe international airport, it is an ideal starting point for those interested in a long a Uganda safari tour. Kibale forest national park contains 375 bird species and these birds can be spotted in the park while on a chimpanzee trekking experience and in Bigodi swamp, this swamp is actually the best place to spot a variety of bird species and primates. Murchison falls National Park is the largest national park with a variety of wildlife life with the most powerful waterfall in Africa along the River Nile. Murchison falls national park are located in the Southern of Uganda and they offer the best experience of the big five game. Relax and explore Uganda’s rich wildlife adventure. Activities to be done include; Chimpanzee trekking, Game viewing, boat cruise and nature walks on the Kazinga channel, nature walks and birding.
Safari highlights
Day 1: Mabamba swamp and transfer to Masindi
Day 2: Royal Mile walk – transfer to the top of the Murchison falls
Day 3: Morning birding experience – afternoon boat cruise
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale forest national park (6-7 hours’ drive) – Bigodi swamp birding and primates walk experience
Day 5: Morning birdwatching and afternoon Chimpanzee trekking experience
Day 6: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe – Departure (6-7 hours’ drive)
Detailed safari itinerary
Day 1: Mabamba swamp and transfer to Masindi
On the 1st day of your 6 Days Uganda Birding safari, depending on your location in Entebbe, meet your safari guide very early and connect to the Mabamba swamp on Lake Victoria. Upon arrival in Mabamba Swamp, you get to the canoe and head to the swamp in the company of a local person worth expertise in paddling through the narrow water channels surrounded by dense swamp vegetation. Birding in Uganda`s Mabamba and Makanaga bay on Lake Victoria swamp features counts of birds including the rare and the Vulnerable Shoebill stork, the Allen’s and Purple Gallinule, Grey herons, Jacanas, Ruffaus Squacco, the globally threatened Pallid Harrier and Bellied Heron. Other species like blue swallow, ducks, and egrets among other birds can be explored. The swamp-dwelling Sitatunga antelope may be explored during the swamp tour.
Thereafter, connect for lunch then proceed to Masindi. It’s a 5-6 hours’ drive from Entebbe. Dinner and overnight stay at Kabalega Resort Hotel
Day 2: Royal Mile walk – transfer to the top of the Murchison falls
On the 2nd day of your 6 Days Uganda Birding safari, wake up very early for breakfast and connect to the Royal Mile walk in Budongo forest. While at the Royal Mile walk, expect to spot the forest kingfisher, blue-breasted kingfisher, chocolate dwarf kingfisher, African pygmy kingfisher just to mention a few along with other types of birds. Have en-route lunch then connect to visit the top of the Murchison falls while spotting some birds in the park. Enjoy the views of the Murchison falls while taking pictures for about an hour then proceed to your booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Paraa Safari Lodge for luxury/Pakuba Safari Lodge for mid-range/Red Chilly Rest Camp for budget
Day 3: Morning birding experience – afternoon boat cruise
Wake up early and connect for a birding experience in the park. Expect to see a variety of birds with a special interest in spotting the different available kingfisher birds. During your birding experience, you will also be able to see and take pictures of some of the animals in the park like the African elephants, giraffes depending to their availability. Return for lunch at the lodge.
Later afternoon, at 2 pm, connect for the bottom of the falls boat cruise to increase your chances of spotting the different water birds and animals that come to drink from the River and those that live in the River like the crocodiles, hippos, elephants and buffaloes. Some of the birds expected on the boat cruise include the Giant kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite kingfisher along with other bird species. Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale forest national park (6-7 hours’ drive) – Bigodi swamp birding and primates walk experience
On the 4th day of your 6 Days Uganda Birding safari, after breakfast, check-out of the lodge and embark on your journey to Kibale forest national park. It’s a 6-7 hours’ drive with en-route lunch. Upon arrival, connect to Bigodi swamp for a nature walk to spot some of the birds in the swamp. Some of the kingfisher birds to spot include the woodland kingfisher, Grey-headed kingfisher, striped kingfisher along with other birds such as the Papyrus Gonolek, Waxbills, Parrots, Cuckoos, Weavers, Hornbills and many others. Also spot some of the forest primates such as the black and white Colobus monkeys, Blue Grey Cheeked, Vervet monkeys, Red Colobus monkeys to mention a few.
Thereafter, drive to check-in at your booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Crater Safari lodge for luxury/Kibale Forest Camp for mid-range/Isunga Lodge for budget
Day 5: Morning birdwatching and afternoon Chimpanzee trekking experience
On the 5th day of your 6 Days Uganda Birding safari, wake you early, have breakfast and connect to the park for yet another birding experience in Kibale forest. The park boasts more than 375 species of birds. Kibale specials include the African Pitta, Green-breasted Pitta, Afep Pigeon, White-naped Pigeon, Crowned Eagle, Red-chested Owlet, Black Bee-eater, Western Nicator, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Little Greenbul, Brown-chested Alethe, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, African Grey Parrot, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis ,Brown Illadopsis, Black-capped Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow Spotted Nicator, Little Green Bul, Black-eared Ground Thrush and the Abyssinian Ground-thrush.
Return to the lodge for lunch as you prepare to connect for your afternoon chimpanzee trekking experience. Connect to the park headquarters with your trekking gears and water. Meet with other trekkers and gather for a briefing from the park officials where you will be guided on the expectations of Chimpanzee trekking. Thereafter, in only a group of 12 people and ranger guides/researchers, set off for Chimpanzee trekking. The search may take 2-5 hours depending on their location. The chimpanzees in Kibale are quite easier to find and you will be allowed to spend 1 hour with them on finding them. Return to the lodge for relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 6: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe – Departure (6-7 hours’ drive)
After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and embark on your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe depending on your flight schedule. You will have en-route lunch and upon arrival arrival, you will either be dropped off at a location you advise or at the Entebbe airport for your onward flight back home. End of the trip
