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Uganda's birding paradise

  • 1
  • 15 Days
PRICE

Tony, CEO

Mamaland Safaris

With local knowledge and experience we offer safaris fitted to your wishes, budget and time-frame.

  • Local time:15:18

Uganda's birding paradise

Uganda's birding paradise

During this safari we cover most of Uganda's different birding habitats as well as have time for classic safari and optional gorilla trekking. Go with our specialized birding guide to discover the amazing birds Uganda has to offer. Uganda is a prime destination for anyone with an interest in birding; it is truly a birders paradise. Due to our varied landscape with swamps, forests, lakes, mountains and savannas 1025-1065 bird species find their home in Uganda. This safari can get you to grip on to the pre-historical Shoebill stork, Great blue turaco, African green broadbill, the Nkulengu rail in Semuliki national park with forest and savannah birds that will fascinate and intrigue beginners to hardcore bird-watchers. Enter Uganda's birding paradise now!

Arrival to Entebbe, Uganda

Arrival at Entebbe Airport we meet our tour guide and transfer to our Hotel for an overnight/ If it’s a day flight we could go birding in Entebbe botanical garden for the Orange weaver, golden backed weaver and other master builders of the Ploceidae family, superb sunbird, green hylia, bat hawk. And several garden birds exploiting this transitional habitat. Read more

Mamaland Guesthome 1 night

Great shoebill stork & boat

We have an early transfer between 7am – 8:30 am, after breakfast transfer by ferry to the IBA wetland swamp of Mabamba eroute to Lake Mburo, the ‘Zebra magnet’. The highlight at Mabamba Swamp is a search for the prehistoric looking Great shoebill stork. Here we also find some aquatic birds and marsh Harriers, if time allow search for the beautiful painted Pygmy goose. We then stop over and take photo poses at the equator. Continuing on we reach Lake Mburo and drive out to the vast savannah dotted with acacia and shrubs, as we game drive in for view of Zebras, Topis, Warthogs, cape buffaloes and impalas. In the afternoon it is time for a boat-cruise on the lake where the must see is the African finfoot. As well as this we see native birds along the banks, Crocodiles, Hippos yawning and more birds during this 2 hours cruise. Read more

By Lake Mburo BP, 1 night
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Morning birding Lake Mburo

Option- Early morning walk/ game safari, get up early focusing on the Rwizi track it’s a dense population of some rare birds here, Tabora cisticola, Crested barbet, Red headed weavers, cuckoo shrikes etc chance to see Leopards, zebras, waterbucks, birds, buffaloes in there day break jungle life! Transfer out game viewing to Mbarara for breakfast or brunch - target destination the Switzerland of Africa and then climb to a lake at 1800meters above sea level; Lake Bunyonyi. It has an area with superb rich views with small resident and exotic bird species singing in this coolest area in Uganda below 10C some nights! It’s also a rare Bilharzias free lake (You can swim). Read more

Lake Bunyonyi, 2 nights

Free day by Lake Bunyonyi

Relaxation day with a shortlist of activities, such as canoeing and visiting village islands. Option- hiking on Bushara trail along . for close up with the resident birds that give the still lake its name, Tropical boubou, the loud calling Chubbs cisticola, and a visit to Nyombe swamp for the swamp hens, papyrus yellow warbler, Resident and exotic bird species singing. Read more

Lake Bunyonyi, 2 nights

Birding in Bwindi mountains

Early breakfast, which gets you descends and ascends you through the magical cultivated hills it’s a beautiful drive through the neck of the impenetrable forest, it gets you to a point of over 2650 meters above sea level with the Mist where the Gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. As we check out some soaring buzzards, flocks of stuhlmanns starlings with there arial displays. We could assemble to head for the Mubwindi swamp for the highest concentration of the Albertin endemics aiming to grip on the African green broadbill, Frasers eagle owl, black billed turaco and Rwenzori batis In the evening we could track the calls of the Rwenzori night jar. This Impenetrable Forest is full of birds, butterfly and plant species plus forest hog; forest Elephants, Statungas and Dikers. Read more

By Bwindi NP, 2 night

Gorilla trekking

Early breakfast, which gets you ready for the exciting day. Arrive at the gorilla trekking starting point and set off for your big adventure to see the great giants of the misty mountains. You trek in a group with a specialized guide and get to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas. Besides the mountain gorillas this Impenetrable Forest is full of birds, butterfly and plant species plus forest hog; forest Elephants, Statungas and Duikers. Then spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the area around the lodge for birds. Read more

By Bwindi NP, 2 nights

Birding in Ishasha sector

Target through Ishasha for the savannah birds, the top vulture of the region Lappet faced vulture, Africa`s most spirited eagle the Marshal eagle, larks, a try to check on the rare Dusky blue flycatcher on River ishasha and bonus to get the Lions high in the Fig tree branches. Evening search for the resident Greyish eagle owl and Verreaux eagle owls. Game viewing rush out to the northern sector of the park to the lodge. Read more

Queen Elizabeth NP, 3 nights
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Birding game-drive & boat

Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park in the cool morning with keen birding and game viewing. We do an early game drive that exposes us to diverse animals, Big 5 members Elephants, Buffalos, big cats- Lions, Leopards more times in the evening, warthogs, Hunchback carnivals like Hyenas and many more species that are residents to this park are spotted along the Circuits as we drive along. There is a rich bird life especially our version of storks in the wetland spots as we reach the Flamingoes in the salt lakes. At 3 pm and get ready for the Classic highlights on the 2hrs Boat cruise on the famous Kazinga channel, 36kms linking Lake George - lake Edward. Here you see land and water Adapted Hippopotamuses Yawning and some slashing canines to each other and the National Geographical society Killing machine the Nile Crocodile gaping along the Banks! Savannah version of Pigs the Warthog- Pumba of the award winning Lion King are a hallmark sign in this Animal home! Of Mamaland Uganda. With your Binoculars along the peninsula you have a magnificent view of Birds, animals like the ever playing African Elephants in Waters as we sigh and reset Fatigue and stress, to point zero (it’s a must on this day’s game view). Read more

Queen Elizabeth NP, 3 nights

Game-drive with birding

Queen Elizabeth National a park with over 606 bird species offer us great birding opportunities. We can take to the villages and explore the birds of the savannah along the rift valley in this area (Garden birds and species that like the cultivated area), plus the fishing villages for water birds after yesterday in the park. At kazinga channel, a day to try and find the Papayrus Gonolek. Option walk or bat caves walk with Pythons. Which is 15 dollars each and that can also get us to the forest block for some species. Read more

Queen Elizabeth NP, 3 nights

To Semulik NP

Transfer out to Semuliki national park via local markets and drive further north-west wards with the Rwenzori ranges (Longest in Africa) in view. Transfer through fort portal and arrive to the open area scanning for the Fiery breasted bush shrike and western banded snake eagles, as we sleep in the forest area of bumaga camp. Colored aviation creatures-butterflies various Bird species like the native Nkulengu rail, Yellow throated & western nicator at the camp showering us with the liquidating super call can be ticked off before going to bed, all in the environs of the forest can be viewed on a lucky day a lot of birds here too. Read more

Semulik NP, 1 night

Birding Semuliki NP

Enyoj a full day of birding in Semuliki, with Kirumya trail, Semuliki ox-bow lakes, it’s a full day experience starting early for the region endemic as possibly Ugandas` number 1 spot an IBA with most congo-forest species stretching to this furthest eastern end! The newly spotted resident on Uganda`s list Akun eagles owl, Blue billed malimbe, western bronze napped pigeon, Maxwell`s black weaver, Congo serpent eagle, red-billed dwarf hornbill, African Dwarf kingfisher, the rare Capuchin babbler, red -thighed and long-tailed hawk are some mega ticks we are hoping to grip to with the smallest relative of the woodpeckers the African piculet a great attraction for our stay. Depending on our day and we could camp at the river or return as possible always for a nigth in Fort Portal. Read more

Fort Portal, 1 night

Transfer to Hoima

Today we have a long drive, 4, ½ hours, to cut off the distance tomorrow. Enjoy a couple of fruits during the drive and the pressure and fatigue is lessened with punctuation of stopovers at sceneries like tea plantations along the drive ways - typical African village setup in the far countryside offer us chances of stretching along the Forest reserves for Cuckoos, bee eaters and garden birds to boost our big list as we check in late afternoon. Read more

Hoima, 1 night

To Murchison Falls NP, boat

After breakfast relaxation in the gardens, transfer to the escarpment and lunch at Red chili. Escarpment drive is for sure a place to stop! Afternoon-2-5pm a 3hours Boat ride to the base of Falls where you get to see the Hippos (You have never seen more hippos yawning, Grooming in there Pods anywhere else than here- Believe me you)! Nile Crocodiles, Elephants and a variety of beautiful bird species along the banks. Top birds here is the Red throated bee eater with its beautiful displays on the river bank high cliffs, the Rock pranticole on the rocky tops after the crocodile bar, black headed batis, black headed gonolek, spotted morning thrush, beautiful sunbird among the active birds around before dark and the just before dinner we could try to check out for the Spotted eagle owl cliffs. Read more

Murchison Falls NP, 2 nights

Game-drive birding Murchison

Start early to game drive on the broad savannah for the most likelihood Big cats hunting, Elephants, Giraffes, Buffalos, plus more as the checklist of mammals reaches 76. We continue browsing the drive circuits to the delta point for a cocktail of birds and mammals. In the afternoon we could take hike along the top of the falls for Pels fishing owl chance, the bat hawk, as we buy time to se if we can see the long tailed night jars, standard winged night jars and African scops owl which are active after dark. The falls is a magnificent classic highlight on our 2nd day in this Great Animal home! as an explosive dash of water at close range gushes through a narrow crevice. Read more

Murchison Falls NP, 2 nights
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Forest Birding Budongo

Breakfast in the kanio pabidi forest (Budongo forest) and a forest walk focusing on some forest woodpeckers like the yellow crested woodpecker, blue throated roller, sabines spine tail, yellow billed barbet, puvels illadopsis, forest flycatcher, honey guides, afep pigions, rufous-sided broadbill etc and transfer to Entebbe. Plan for a late evening flight or add an extra night to fly the next day as we have finished our safari of Uganda's birding paradise. Read more

ACCOMMODATIONS

Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Kampala
Day 2
Location Bordering Lake Mburo National Park
Hotel Rwakobo Rock
Day 3
Location Lake Bunyonyi
Day 5
Location By Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Day 7
Location Bordering Queen Elizabeth NP
Day 10
Location Semuliki NP
Hotel Bumaga Camp Bandas
Day 11
Location Fort Portal
Day 12
Location Hoima
Day 13
Location By Murchison Falls NP
Day 14
Location In Murchisons Falls NP

TRIP PACKAGE

Package includes

  • Transfer from/to the airport
  • Transport during the tour
  • Accommodation
  • Local birding guides
  • Information services
  • Entrance fee
  • All meals starting from dinner on arrival day to lunch on departure day
  • Gorilla Permit

Package excludes

  • Airfare
  • Personal expenses
  • Visa, consular fees or any other formalities.
  • Tips
  • Beverages
  • Additional journeys and transfers

More information

  • This is a private safari where you go with a guide in a 4x4 vehicle with pop-up roof. Our guides are English speaking and knowledgeable about the area, nature and culture. For this birding safari you have a specialized biding guide along for all the safari as well as are guided by site birding guides in some locations.
  • Lodges in general have full board meal plans meaning that there is a set menu served. Please inform us if you have any special diets or food allergies so that it can be taken into account.

REVIEWS

4 Reviews

Mikael Ringi, Sweden

We have been back in Sweden and Falun, enjoying the winter of course. But every day, in our minds, we travel back to East Africa and Uganda and relive an unforgettable safari. The savanna with giraffes, elephants and all the antelopes. The rainforest and the gorillas in the mist. The Nile with hippos and crocodiles. The Ngorongoro and Serengeti with the lions and other big cats and the awesome number of animals in the big migration. But we also remember curious kids, always smiling and ready for a football game during a short lunch stop. Awesome journeys on red and bad roads in the enriching company of Michael who became a lot more than just a guide and driver. He became a friend. So from the whole Ringi family, we would like to say thank you very much for your contribution to our unforgetable time in the Pearl of Africa. Read more

Markus & Stefanie, Germany

We just arrived after a 3 days Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi NP and squeezed in a Game Drive in QENP incl. the tree climbing lions in Ishasha! Godwin was a perfect driver and tour guide! We took Mamaland because Tony offered us a safari according to our request for an affordable price - also the accommodations where we stayed have been perfect - considering the price we paid! Further, Godwin offered us a ride to the airport - thx for that!! that are things which make it different to other operators!! can recommend it to everybody Read more

Brian, United Kingdom

Now that we are back in the UK, I wanted to write to thank you for a very ​ successful safari, which exceeded our expectations in so many ways. I ​ specifically wanted to pass on our thanks to Paul, who went out of his way ​ to make sure we had the best experience. We appreciated his knowledge and ​ expertise at all times. Read more

MORE REVIEWS

Experienced, friendly and flexible. Here for you!

Mamaland Safaris
4 Reviews
CONTACT THE SUPPLIER

THE TEAM

Patrick Kikulwe

Patrick

Tony Byarugaba

Tony CEO

With local knowledge and experience we offer safaris fitted to your wishes, budget and time-frame.

If you have any questions or you want to customize your trip we are here for you at any time.

  • Languages:English
  • Local time:15:18

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