8 DAYS OF BIRDING IN THE TROPICS

Uganda has over 1050 bird species, making it a popular African birding destination. The species account for 10% of all bird species on the planet. So get ready to explore the Pearl of Africa - the birders' paradise!

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Itinerary Highlights 

Day 1: Arrival

Day 2: Kampala – Semuliki

Day 3  Semuliki Birding Experience

Day 4: Kibale - Bigodi

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth – Kyambura Gorge

Day 6: Kyambura – Bwindi

Day 7: Bwindi – Bunyonyi -Kampala

Day 8: Departure

 

Day 1: ARRIVAL and AIRPORT PICKUP (47km)

 

TTST Guides will meet you at the airport and drive you to your prebooked hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Depending on your arrival time, you might spend the afternoon at UWEC, which is home to over 170 bird species, including 7 weaver species, including the uncommon Northern Masked Weaver and Orange Weaver.

Dinner and a night's stay at the Blue Monkey Guesthouse in Entebbe, or any other mid-range hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.

 

DAY 2: KAMPALA- SEMULIKI NATIONAL PARK (372km)

 

Following an early morning meal, we will embark on a 4-5 hour drive through a gorgeous tropical rainforest, a stunning panorama of rolling hillsides with tea plantations, and the Rwenzori Mountain ranges in the distance before arriving in the town of Fort Portal.

After lunch in Fort Portal, we'll cross the Rift Valley's eastern wall to Karagutu Settlement, where you'll pull off to the Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve, one of Uganda's top birding places (with over 350 species). By mid-afternoon, we'll arrive at the Semliki Safari Lodge. You are welcome to join a night game drive with a spotlight (in a shared open-sided lodge vehicle) in search of nocturnal animals and bird species such as standard-winged and pennant-winged nightjars on your first evening. Spend the night at Semliki Safari Lodge, which includes all meals and drinks.

 

Day 3: SEMULIKI BIRDING EXPERIENCE (30km)

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We'll drive 1.5 to two hours to the Semliki National Park with a packed lunch after an early breakfast. The park is the eastern extension of the huge Ituri Forest in the Congo Basin in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has over 430 bird species (DRC). White-crested hornbill, red-billed dwarf hornbill, piping hornbill, Congo serpent eagle, yellow-throated nicator, red-rumped tinker bird, black-winged oriole, black collared lovebird, Zenker's honey-guide, big blue and Ross's turacos can all be seen on woodland hikes in the Semliki National Park.

The Sempaya Hot Springs, which erupts with bubbling water and steam up to two meters high, will be visited in the afternoon. Before returning to the Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve, you'll go down the Sempaya-Ntandi Road, a six-kilometre stretch of public road that passes through one of Uganda's most beautiful stretches of forest and offers views of birds and monkeys high in the canopy. Meals and soft drinks are included in your stay at Semliki Safari Lodge.

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Day 4: KIBALE – BIGODI Experience (100km)

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We will depart very early in the morning for Uganda's leading primates sanctuary, the number one destination for chimpanzee tracking, with a special emphasis on the nature walk through the Bigodi Swamp, where the 4.5 km quality walk allows us to see over 40 species of birds in just three hours of trekking. Kibale is home to a variety of forest and papyrus birds, but you'll have to rely on cries and the occasional sight through the forest canopy to see them. The papyrus gonolek, white-winged warbler, white-collared olive back, papyrus canary, white-spotted flufftail, yellow-spotted barbet, hairy-breasted barbet, yellow-billed barbet, western nicator, and white-spotted flufftail are all rare species. Brown-backed scrub-robin, white-tailed ant-thrush, grey-winged Robin-chat Brown-throated wattle-eye, outstanding sunbird, black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher Brown-crowned tchagra, Bocage's Bush-shrike, black bishop, white-breasted negrofinch, and black-crowned waxbill are some of the birds that may be found in the area. Overnight stay at Kibale Primate Lodge or another authorized lodge, including all meals.

  

Day 5: QUEEN ELIZABETH – KYAMBURA GORGE (140km)

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The day begins early with a game drive to the park's northern regions. This is not only a great place to see wildlife, but it also has a lot to offer birders. During the migratory season, we pass across vast grassy plains that are home to large flocks of White and Abdims storks, as well as the beautiful Saddle Billed Stork. Brown Snake Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle, Bateleur, African Harrier-hawk, Marsha Eagle, and Grey Kestrel are among the raptors shown.

While visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park, a boat tour over the 32-kilometer Kazinga waterway, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward, is a must-do experience. The waterway draws a wide variety of animals and birds year-round, and it is home to one of the world's greatest concentrations of hippos. Skimmers, striated herons, African spoonbills, African crakes, three-banded plovers, marsh sandpipers, green sandpipers, wood sandpipers, grey-headed gulls, lesser swamp-warblers, and other birds may be seen during the cruise. Overnight stay in a mid-range lodge near Kyambura Gorge, with meals and drinks.

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Day 6: QUEEN ELIZABETH – BWINDI (288km)

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We depart from Queen Elizabeth and travel to Bwindi, a birdwatcher's paradise with 350 species of birds and 90 percent of the Albertine rift endemics. In a single day, an experienced bird watcher can identify up to 100 species. In Ruhija, birding is done along the Buhoma Waterfall Trail, the bamboo zone, and the Mubwindi Swamp Trail. Overnight at Mucha Hotel, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, or Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge Camp, with meals and drinks.

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Day 7: BWINDI – BUNYONYI -KAMPALA (551km)

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We return to the capital city after breakfast, with a two-hour stopover at Lake Bunyonyi, dubbed "Uganda's Switzerland," and lunch along the way. The journey takes roughly 8 hours and passes through some stunning scenery. Arrive late in the afternoon in Kampala. 

 

Day 8: DEPARTURE (47km)

Enriched with an experience of a lifetime and unforgettable memories you will say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa. Depending on the time of departure you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. We are looking forward to seeing you again!