7 Days Uganda Birding Safari

Day one: Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the Botanical Gardens for an afternoon bird watching along the shores of Lake Victoria, hoping to see the resident Black and White Casd Horn Bills, African skimmers and a variety of gulls and terns. Overnight at the Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel on a bed and Breakfast basis.

Day Two: Morning pick up from Entebbe Windsor Hotel. Start 5 hour drive to Murchison falls National Park. You will unpack your Lunches at Pabidi Forest, after Lunch you will then be picked by your local forest Guide to begin a Bird walk in Pabidi Forest, the Afep Pigeon, Emerald Cuckoo and Chimpanzee are the residents here. After the Forest walk you will then be driven to Sambiya River Lodge where local birding on the ground and guided walk along the Sambiya River is excellent. DB at Sambiya River Lodge.

Day Three: Transfer to the Magnificent Top of the Falls a spot for the Bat Hawks, Rock Pratincloe and lots more can be spotted here where you marvel at the Mighty Nile being forced into a seven Metre crevice to thunder45 metres below in a series of cascades. The Nile can be viewed at different points up to the Baker’s Summit. Drive across the River crossing the Ferry at Paraa, arriving for Lunch at the well erected Sarova Paraa Lodge on the Bank of the Nile river. The afternoon then sees off the magnificent Boat Launch trip sailing towards the North of the Falls viewing the water fall from the bottom and searching the banks for the gigantic Shoebill Stork. Over Night at Sarova Paraa Lodge.

Day Four: After an early morning breakfast, embark on a half day Bird watching tour on the northern bank of the river Nile. Escorted by Game ranger, you are likely to spot Secretary bird, Abyssinian ground Hornbill, West Nile Red Bishop, Long throated Long Claw, Secretary Bird, Red throated bee eater, Oxpeckers and the reticulated Giraffe etc. After lunch, you may take the option of Doing an afternoon Game Drive or a boat Launch trip south of the River towards the River Delta where the Victoria Nile joins the Albert Nile take a for bird watching along The banks of the Nile. This is a paradise of the water bird species including the Water Dikkop, Black Crane, White Faced whistling duck, African Skimmer, Goliath Heron, African Darter, Shoebilled Stork. Hippos and Nile Crocodiles are also Inhabitants here. Dinner and Overnight at Inns of Uganda Luxury Tented Lodge.

Day Five: Breakfast early, then transfer to Budongo Forest watch out in the morning for the pennant winged night jar along the road forest for a Forest walk spotting Brown Twin spot, Black and White Cassocked Hornbills, Marsh Chagra, Nahan’s Francolin and many more species that you might have missed out in Pabidi Forest. On the walk, you may see encounter white colobus monkey, Red tailed monkey, Baboon, Grey cheeked Mangabeys or the chimpanzee. After the Morning walk,you will then drive to Masindi Town arriving for Lunch at the Masindi Hotel. After Lunch you then transfer to the edge of the Kibale Forest for overnight at the Ndali Lodge.

Day Six: Full day in Kibale forest searching out the Endemic Kibale Thrush and many Kibale forest specialities and do the rest of the day walking the Bigodi swamp which will probably yield spotting of Abyssinian ground Thrush, Papyrus Gonolek, Snowy Robinchat, Grey – capped Robin chat, White spotted Flufftail..Meals and Overnight Ndali Lodge.

Day seven: Depart for Lake Mburo National Park where bird walks are Allowed in the park. Birding walks can also be done along the Lake shore with escorted game Ranger where again many Ugandan dry country species and water birds will be spotted, Broad billed roller, Black bellied bustards, Blue napped mousebird, Temminck’s courser, Greater Blue eared starling, Yellow throated long claw, spur Winged plover……..Meals and overnight at Mantana Mburo Luxury Tented Camp. Day Eight :Dawn game drive in the park and transfer to Kampala crossing the equator and the traditional royal drum makers to Kampala/Entebbe airport for departure.
( Night not included as will depend on Flight plans )

END OF SERVICES

Mount RWENZORI CLIMB: ’’Mountains of the Moon“

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kasese the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.We will stop at the equator crossing enroute for a photograph one feet in the South and one feet in Northern Hemisphere.We will then head to Mbarara for Lunc an the Lake View Hotel before finally driving to the foothills of the mountains of the Moon. We will Check in at the Margarita Hotel for dinner and overnight.The rest of the day shall be spent acclimatising to the climate.

Day 2: Morning, transfer to Nyakalengija on to Ibanda and start your
5-6 hour Climb into the Mountains. You will climb through the thick vegetation arriving at the Nyabitaba Hut(2650metres) in the late evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Breakfast Early, then start a morning hike through the Kurt
Sharfer Bridge to marvel at the Mobuku River Confluence. A Climb through the Open Patches and Lobelia and the Heath Moss Forest before proceeding up to the John Matte Hut for overnight.

Day 4: Depart early through the Giant Lobelias and the Heath trees.
You ascend to the Bigo Bog and Scenic Landscape of Lobelias, Giant
Groundsels. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku Hut (3977) Hut.

Day 5: Leave the Valley in the Beautiful Vegetation consisting of
Giant Groundsels and Lobelia and head on an ascent to Mount Victoria
Emanue l(Mount Speke 4890)

Day 6: Depart through the lovely views of the Savoia and Elena
Glaciers. Scale further to through the Scott Elliot Pass(4372m) and proceed through the Snow to the Elena Hut for Overnight.

Day 7: Final Ascent to the Alps of Africa. Early morning ascend to
through the Snowy Alexander Peak (5092m) and the Highest Peak (5109m).

BRAVO!

Thereafter, descend to the beautiful Lake Kitandara for overnight at the
Kitandara hut.(3900)

Day 8: Descend early after breakfast and picnic lunches proceeding
to Guy yeoman Hut for dinner and Overnight.

Day 9: Descend to Nyabitaba and proceed to Ibanda and check in at the
Margarita Hotel for Overnight.

Day 10: Break fast at leisure and transfer back to Kampala / Entebbe.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU FOR THE MOUNTAIN:

-Sleeping bag
-Pair of crampons
-Rope
-Ice axe
-Hiking/rubber boots
-Hand gloves
-Snow goggles
-Walking stick/rod
-Day pack warm gear including jackets, hat, thermal under wear, cotton stockings and any other from your hiking experience on snow.

ABOUT THE RWENZORI MOUNTAINS.

The 120km Rwenzori chain is regarded to be the legendary snow-capped Mountains of the Moon, described by Ptolemy in AD150. Reaching an elevation of 5,109m, it is also Africa’s third mountain after Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya,this mountain range, exceeded in altitude only by the free-standing Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro.

The distinctive glacial peaks are visible for miles around, but the slopes above 1,600m are the preserve of hikers, who rate the Rwenzoris to be the most challenging of all African mountains.

A variety of large mammals inhabits the lower slopes, but the Rwenzoris are notable more for their majestic scenery and varied vegetation. The trails lead through rainforest rattling with monkeys and birds, then tall bamboo forest, before emerging on the high-altitude moorland zone, a landscape of bizarre giant lobelias, towered over by black rock and white snow, looking for all the world like the set of a science fiction film.

VEGETATION
The Rwenzori are well known for their unusual flora which includes many species endemic to the Albertine Rift in the higher altitude zones. Of the 278 woody plant taxa found in the afro-alpine zone, 81% are endemic to east Africa and 19% are found only in the afro-alpine belt (Herberg, 1961; Lush, 1993). Most stunning are the giant heathers, ground-sells, ericas and lobelias of the tree heath and alpine zones (Butynski, 1992). Vegetation depends largely on altitude, with five zones being distinguishable. Below 2,400m, the vegetation is broken montane forest consisting of species such as Symphonia globulifera, Prunus africana, Albizia spp. and Dombeya spp. Few large trees occur and the canopy is consequently broken except in valley-bottoms and ridge tops where the gradient is slight. The montane forest zone merges into a bamboo forest zone (Arundinaria alpina), which occurs in pure stands in many places up to an altitude of 3,000m. Up to 3,800m, the bamboo zone is replaced on poorer soils by a tree heath vegetation consisting of dense thickets of giant heathers, Philippia trimera and Protea kingaensis, frequently over 10m in height. On better soils the vegetation is characterised by a tangled undergrowth punctuated by a mixture of small trees including Rapanea rhododendroides, Hypericum lanceolatum, H. keniense and Hagenia abyssinica. Upwards to 4,400m, is a zone of Afro-alpine moorland (Howard, 1991). As a result of most botanical effort having been directed to the high altitude flora, only 75 tree species (18% of the country’s total) have so far been recorded in the montane fores
t zone; many more are expected from this zone. Two trees are found only in the Rwenzori (Hypericum bequaertii and Schefflera polysciadia), and seven others occur only here and in the other montane forest zones of south-west Uganda, namely Senecio erici-rosenii, S. adnivalis, Erica kingaensis, Philippia johnstonii, Vernonia adolfi-friderici, Ficalhoa laurifolia and the nationally threatened Ocetea usambarensis (V) (Howard, 1991).

FAUNA
Knowledge of the fauna is skewed in favour of the higher altitude species. Overall, the mountains contain at least 89 species of forest bird (27% of the country’s total), 4 species of diurnal primate, and 15 species of butterfly (22% of the country’s total) (Howard, 1991). Although none of these species are unique to the Rwenzori, many are endemic to the Albertine Rift region (for instance 19 of the birds are Albertine Rift endemics), and a high level of sub-specific endemism occurs, including the Rwenzori colobus monkey, hyrax and leopard. A recent study of invertebrate life forms listed 60 species in the alpine zone, 25 of which were new to science (Salt, 1987). This is indicative of a much more extensive fauna waiting to be discovered. Although in low numbers, the following globally threatened speciesare found in the park: elephant Loxodonta africana (V), chimpanzee Pan troglodytes (V), l’hoests monkey Cercopithecus l’hoesti.

BIRDS
Over 199 species have been recorded on Mt Rwenzori. The bamboo zone on the mountain may reward us with the Handsome Francolin, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler and Dusky Crimson-wing., Rwenzori Turaco and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, the rare Ruwenzori Nightjar and African Wood-Owl, Red-chested Owlet and Fraser’s Eagle-Owl are also possibilities. Others may include:localised Grauer’s Broadbill, the Great Blue and Black-billed turacos, the spectacular Yellow-billed Barbet, Black-tailed Oriole and mixed flocks of Slender-billed, Waller’s, Narrow-tailed and Stuhlmann’s starlings.,African Hill Babbler, Black-faced, Ruwenzori and Chestnut-throated apalises, Red-faced Woodland-Warbler and Cameroon Scrub-Warbler, White-tailed Blue-Flycatcher, Ruwenzori Batis, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Lagden’s and Doherty’s bushshrikes, Sharpe’s Starling, Strange Weaver and Oriole Finch. Flowering trees attract the incredible Purple-breasted Sunbird as well as Blue-headed and Regal sunbirds, Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Cassin’s Honeyguide, Green-backed and Elliot’s woodpeckers, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Toro Olive-Greenbul, White-chinned Prinia, Cassin’s and the enigmatic Chapin’s flycatchers, Mountain Wagtail…..

CONSERVATION VALUE
The Rwenzori mountains, which are known internationally as ‘The Mountains of the Moon’, are a site of world-renowned aesthetic and scientific value, the most permanent sources of the River Nile, and one of the country’s (and indeed region’s)most vital water catchments on which greater than 500,000 people directly depend. Due to their immense altitudinal range, the mountains support an outstanding range of species, many of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift region, especially in the higher altitude zones. Also present are at least three globally threatened mammals, plus a potentially large number of undocumented invertebrates and plants. Because the park constitutes a small but significant element of one of the most extensive conservation zones in Africa (the transnational system of protected areas in the Albertine Rift region) conservation of the Rwenzori offers a unique opportunity to maintain a sensitive and extensive natural habitat intact (Howard, 1991).

10 Days Birdwatching Tour Uganda

Day 1: Airport transfer to check in at the hotel. Afternoon birding in The botanical gardens and the Heritage Park trail. Expect to spot Great Black headed Gull, Little ringed Plover, European turtle dove, Crowned Hornbill,Slender billed Gulls, Angola Swallow, Rock pratincoles, Diederik Cuckoo And the like. Overnight Windsor Lake Victoria.

Day 2: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park with an afternoon en Route bird watching tour to the top of the falls. Birding through the Budongo Forest and along the Sambiya River forest Valley introduces you to Silverbird, Steel Blue Whydah, Viteline masked weaver, Rock pratincoles,Palmnut Vulture,Over Night Sambya River Lodge.

Day 3: Morning launch cruise aboard the “Shoebill boat” to the delta Area for a half day bird watching cruise in the swamps. Bird species here Include the rare Shoebill stork, saddle Bille & Abdim’s Stork . Also look out for Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, nesting Red Throated bee eaters and the African skimmer. Return for lunch then take an evening drive though the park to arrive late evening for Dinner and overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge.

Day 4: Morning transfer to Pabidi Forest. Birds here include the Black collared Lovebird, Brown Illadopsis, Jameson’s Wattle eye, Brown Twin spot and others. Later after lunch, take another boat cruise to the Delta. Water birds residing in the rich swamps here include Grey Headed Kingfisher, Great white egret, African Darter, Spoon bills, Black crane, and the Lilly trotter. Drive to the Inns of Uganda/Nile Safari Camp for Overnight.

Day 5: Depart for a forest walk in Budongo forest,Picnic Lunch after the forest walk and drive to Kibale arriving late afternoon for an evening Bird walk highlighting the Scaly Francolin, Black bellied seed cracker, Marsh Tchagra, Narina Trogons and many more along the edges of the Kibale Forest National Park. Meals and overnight at Ndali Lodge.

Day 6: Full day in Kibale and Bigodi swamp which will probably yield spotting of Abyssinian ground Thrush, Papyrus Gonolek, Snowy Robin chat,the Endemic Kabale Thrush Grey – capped Robin chat, White spotted Flufftail… Meals and overnight Ndali Lodge.

Day 7: Depart for Queen Elizabeth arriving for afternoon Kazinga Channel Launch cruise. You will most likely spot, African Skimmer, White Pelican,White faced whistling duck, African Fish Eagle, Cormorants and many more Fresh water Birds. Birding the Mweya Lodge Grounds is as well rewarding, Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge.

Day 8: Birding en route to Bwindi along the Maramagambo Forest Margins, where again many forest species can be spotted together with arrange of Western Uganda raptors before arriving Bwindi Impenetrable Park for an evening bird walk along the Munyaga River. This walk is recommended for the spotting of Blue fly catcher, Ludher’s bush shrike, Long crested eagle, Black roughwing swallow,Great blue turaco and many other species. Meals and overnight at Bwindi Tented Camp.

Day 9/10: Bird watching in the forest including the visits to the Ruhija Sector of Bwindi and the swamps allows spotting of Shelley’s Crimson wing,Green tinker bird, Mountain Illadopsis, Handsome Francolin, yellow billed barbet, carruther’s Cisticola Dusky crimsonwing…. Meals and overnight at Bwindi Camp.

GORILLA TREKKING OPTION SUPPLEMENT OF $300PP – current Price for Mountain Gorilla Permits Booked with Uganda Wild Life Authority.

Option Drive for half day trip to the source of River Nile in Jinja for final birding or Rafting on the river or Airport transfer to outbound flight.

END OF SERVICES

29 Days Birding, Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife Uganda

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE TOUR

WELCOME TO OUR GOLDEN CIRCLE TOUR.THIS TOUR IS FULL OF GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES, AMONG WHICH YOU WILL CIRCLE AROUND SITES FAMOUS FOR THE RARE AND ENDANGERED AFRICAN WILDLIFE TO INCLUDE : AFRICAN WILD DOGS,SHOEBILL STORK,BLACK RHINO, CHEETAH AND MOUNTAIN GORILLAS.THIS IS OUR GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCOVERING OUR OWN NEW ” big five”

African wilddog, Cheetah, BlackRhino, Shoebillstork and the Mountain Gorillas

Day 1: Arrive Dar es Salaam Air port, meet and Transfer to New Africa Hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Early departure with packed lunches for Ruaha National Park. Afternoon birding and Game viewing in the Park. We expect to look out for the rare Blue wax bill, Crested Barbet and many other southern dry Country species. Mammal list will include Sable and Roan Antelopes restricted to the South. Dinner and overnight at Mwagusi Safari camp / Ruaha wild life Lodge.

Day 3: Morning game drive and Birding in the Park, return to the Camp for lunch and Drive to Udzungwa . Accommodation in the Udzungwa Mountains is basic . Overnight at Udzungwa Mountain View lodge.

Day 4: The Morning is Spent in the forest where we search for the southern Banded Snake Eagle, Crested Guinea fowl, Red capped Robin chat…. Return to the lodge for lunch. PM drive to Kilombero flood plains looking out for the Endemic Kilombero Weaver, Kilombero Cisticola and the un named Melodious Cisticola, other specialities here include the Coppery tailed Coucal and Black egret may also be spotted. Return to Udzungwa Mountain view lodge for dinner and over night.

Day 5: Morning Drive to Mikumi National Park , doing the park the rest of the day, overnight will be in a basic Lodge at Genesis Lodge Mikumi.

Day 6: Early morning doing the Kilosa woods for the Miombo wood lands species to include Red necked Wryneck, Kurichane Thrush, and a variety of many other Miombo woodland specialities. Return to Mikumi for an early lunch and drive to Morogoro town for over night at Kulo Hills Hotel at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains.

Day 7: Drive Morogoro to Mkomazi Game reserve stopping at various breaks en route sampling Bushes for birds and late evening settle at Mkomazi Tented Camp.

Day 8: Full day Mkomazi game Reserve birding and Viewing the endangered African Wild dog, over night.

Day 9: Drive Mkomazi Game Reserve to Tarangire National Park over night Sopa Tarangire Lodge.

Day 10: Full day Birding and Wildlife Photography in Tarangire National Park, over night Sopa Lodge.

Day 11: Drive Tarangire to Ngorongoro Crater passing through the Scenic Lake Manyara Rift Valley escarpment and Picturesque Villages of Karatu into the Ngorongoro Highlands.Bird the Crater rim for the Schallow`s Turaco, Broad bill and Negro finch. Rest of the day on the Crater Tour expecting to view Tanzania’s only Black Rhinos,Cheetahs,Lions and may be Leopards may be spotted Over night Ngorongoro Sopa lodge.

Day 12: After Breakfast drive to the Serengeti plains via the historic site of Olduvai Gorge visiting the pre- historic Museaum where the famous archaeologist Dr. Leaky discovered the first remains of Man. Continue to the Serengeti following the Wildebeest Migration Routes towards your Lodge, overnight Serena Lodge.

Day 14: Full day on the Serengeti plains searching for the endemic Grey breasted spurfowl and the Fischer’s love bird. Your Mammal list should be growing as you add up a wide range of carnivores and Grazers on the Serengeti plains. Over night Serena Lodge.

Day 15: Drive to Mwanza, arriving at Tilapia Hotel for lunch. After lunch, we will bird around the lake Victoria shores were we expect to spot fresh water birds including the African skimmers and pink backed Pelicans .Overnight at Tilapia Hotel.

Day 16: Optional Ferry crossing in the morning from Mwanza to Bukoba or an alternative to take a scheduled flight from Mwanza to Bukoba. Depending on the crossing mode chosen, we will meet up our Ugandan counterpart at the and transfer to Bukoba Guest house, relaxing the rest of the afternoon in anticipation for the next day’s drive into Uganda.

Day 17: After Our early Breakfast, our Ugandan Driver picks us up from the Guest house and straight drive to the Tanzania / Uganda Border. Clear Border formalities and straight drive to Lake Mburo National Park, arriving for late lunch. Rest of the after noon Game driving and Birding around Lake Mburo. Overnight Montana Tented camp.

Day 18: Dawn game drive in Lake Mburo National Park,return for Breakfast and checkout. Drive to Bwindi Forest, lunch at White Horse inn Kabale ( depending on time,we may have chance to visit the neighbouring lake Bunyonyi – a little crater lake locally named the “lake of little birds” . Continue with your Drive to Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla forest. Afternoon Birding the area around Munyaga River. Overnight Buhoma Tented Camp.

Day 19: This day marks one of out highlights on the trip,Gorilla Tracking , return to camp, rest and evening bird around the waterfalls area in the Forest. Bird life may include western Honey Buzzard, Cassin’s hawk, Blue Quail, Scarce swift, Broad billed Roller, Black wood hoopoe, Green backed wood pecker, White winged warbler, Yellow browed camaroptera and the African sooty flycatcher and many western Forest species. Over night at your Camp.

Day 20: Depart Bwindi Gorilla forest to Mweya in Queen Elizabeth National Park . Lunch at Mweya safari lodge. PM, Boat Cruise on Kazinga channel expecting to spot a variety of Birds along the river and the Swamp Beds. Dinner and overnight Mweya safari lodge.

Day 21: Morning optional birding around the Mweya Lodge grounds. Breakfast and depart for Kibale forest: The afternoon will be spend exploring Bigodi Swamp expecting to spot the Western Black headed Oriole, Greensun bird, Rusty faced Warbler, Whistling Cisticola… Overnight at Ndali lodge.

Day 22: The day will be spent birding in Kibale forest National, Where we expect our list to grow as we find more bird species with our Kibale resident Forest local guide.birds here will include the Viellots black weaver and the Afep Pigeon. The endemic Kibale Thrush will be a highlight here too. Over night Ndali lodge.

Day 23: Depart Kibale forest through the Tea plantations, past the scenic town of Fort Portal, heading for the Murchisons falls. The afternoon will be spent birding the top of the mighty Murchison falls where a number of Rock Pranticoles, Banded snake eagles and a variety of other Raptors, Transfer to Para Sarova lodge on the northern Bank of River Nile for Dinner and overnight.

Day 24: Morning boat cruise expecting to spot the gigantic Shoe bill stork- another trip highlight, the Red throated Bee eater,compact weaver and PiacPiac will be a common sight. Return to the lodge for lunch and Drive in the Afternoon to Kampala . Overnight at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

Day 25: Today’s excitement begins with a drive to Mabamba swamp a very productive swamp in bird life, we expect views of the Shoe bill stork – if missed earlier – Mabamba Swamp is a new site less than an hours drive from Kampala city where the shoe bill stork has been recorded in very recent months we then divert back to our main itinerary, driving East words to words Jinja town – the source of River Nile. Dinner and overnight at Jinja Nile Resort.

Day 26: This morning before we finally leave the area, we will try out our luck on the endemic Fox weaver, then Drive through to the East of the Country bordering western Kenya, We will drive skirting through swamps, meandering Rivers, Forest patches and Rocky out crops which all indicate super Country habitat for birding. Our destination will be Mount Elgon, where we expect to arrive in the evening with some time birding the forested slopes. Dinner and overnight at Sipi falls camp.

Day 27: The day begins with an early breakfast so as to catch up with the forest birds. We should expect a Majority of Western Kenyan specialities as we quietly bird the slopes as Mount Elgon. After the morning exploration of the area, we will return to our camp for an early lunch and depart for Kampala, our final destination will be Entebbe, over night Entebbe Windsor lake Victoria Hotel.

Day 28: The day will be spent birding the Entebbe area searching for endangered Entebbe weaver and Brown Parrots etc. this will include the exploration of Entebbe Botanical gardens, Lake Victoria shores at the Entebbe pier, Entebbe wildlife Education Centre, Entebbe sewerage pond and later sum up the day with a visit to Bugungu fish Landing site. Dinner and Overnight at Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel.

Day 29: Depending on flight timings, you may choose to sleep at your Hotel or do a day Kampala city Tour and transfer in time for your outbound flight.

End of Service

15 Days, Uganda Birding Trip

UGANDA BIRDING AND WILDLIFE TOUR IN 15 DAYS

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and after clearing immigration formalities you will be welcomed by Swift Freight Tours & Travel representative and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe. Overnight L.Victoria (BB).

Day 2: After breakfast take water safari on Lake Victoria. This trip takes to Ngamba Island were you will get chance to view Chimps on this small Isolated Island. Later return to Entebbe and visit Botanical Gardens if wished Lunch will be at the hotel and later road to Kampala for dinner and overnight.

Overnight Speke Resort Hotel (BB).

Day 3: Breakfast will be taken at the hotel and you will be transferred by road to Lake Mburo National Park for game drives. Lunch will be taken in the park, after lunch take a guided bush walk and game drives. Lake Mburo is a beautifully tranquil park offering a gentle introduction to the flora and fauna of Uganda. Among animal you may see includes zebras, Impalas, oribi, dik dik, klipspringer, bush buck, buffalo and abundant and diverse birdlife.Overnight Lake View Hotel (BLD).

Day 4: Continue by road to Kabale for lunch at White Horse Inn, this is a mountainous area in Uganda referred to as little Switzerland of Uganda. Later proceed to Bwindi Forest for overnight.Overnight African pearl Lodge (BLD).

Day 5: Breakfast will be taken early and then transfer to park gate where you will meet your guides and porters before you start your long day of tracking. The rugged terrain makes hiking in search of gorilla mountains exciting and adventurous. Bwindi has other diurnal mammals making one of the richest ecosystems in Africa. Other primates include Chimpanzee, L’hoests monkey, black and white colobus monkey and baboons. The length of time spent tracking will depend on the location of the gorillas, a picnic lunch will be taken and you will only be allowed one hour to stay with gorillas. After viewing gorillas return back to the camp.

Overnight African Pearl Lodge (BLD)

Day 6: Another chance to track gorillas this time it will be a different group, return to the lodge for dinner .Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge (BLD).

Day 7: after breakfast at the lodge, we commence with packed Picnic lunch and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha, if there are no excessive rain. In such a rainy day, you will be travelling via Rukungiri. Ishasha is the Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and it is well known for its tree-climbing Lions. If you are lucky you may see them lazing on fig tree branches on a hot sunny day. A picnic lunch will be taken in these scenic surroundings. You then arrive at Mweya Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight. One has an option to enjoy evening drinks relaxing on the verandahs at Camp fire.Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge (BLD)

Day 8: Breakfast will be taken at the lodge followed by game drives in the crater area. Animals that may be seen include buffalo, elephant, lion, hippo, leopard, hyena and a variety of antelope species. Return to the lodge for Lunch to be taken at lodge and after lunch travel a short distance to the foot of the lodge and board a launch for magnificent water safari on Kazinga Channel. Along this channel many bird species are seen as they keep near fresh water. Return to the lodge for dinner.Overnight Mweya Safari Lodge (BLD).

Day 9: After breakfast at the lodge transfer by road to Kibale Forest National Park. A picnic lunch will be taken en route as view birds. Continue your drive with excellent scenic views especially as you approach Fort Portal, where you will pass through forests surrounded by tea plantations. Overnight Rwenzori Guest House (BLD).

Day 10: Today start early after breakfast and travel to the park headquarters where you will meet your guides before you enter real African jungle. The forest is a host of mainly Chimpanzees and ten other resident primate species. These include I’hoester, red colobus monkey, red tail and grey cheeked mangabey. Picnic lunch will be taken while in the forest. If time allows you may visit Lake Nkruba.

Overnight Ndali Lodge (BLD).

Day 11: Breakfast at the hotel transfer by road to Murchison Falls National Park. A picnic lunch will be taken en route. Continue you drive stopping at the Top of the falls for spectacular views. At this point the mighty Nile is forced through a seven-meter gap before plunging the 40 meters depth below. Continue your drive to the Southern bank of river Nile.Overnight Paraa Safari Lodge (BLD)

Day 12: After breakfast at the lodge take game drives to the delta and lunch at the Paraa Lodge. Afternoon board a launch for one of Africa’s most spectacular water safari up the Nile to the base of the falls themselves. As you travel up the Nile enormous Nile crocodile may be seen basking on sandbanks or silently gliding through the water. Other animals that may be seen include elephant, lion, giraffe, buffalo, and variety of antelope species. Murchison falls is a home of many birds and chances are high of seeing the rare shoebill stork. The return journey as the sun is setting is one of the beautiful African experiences.Overnight Paraa Sarova lodge (BLD).

Day 13: After breakfast transfer at your hotel transfer to Kampala via Lwero Triangle. Lunch will be taken en route. You will go through excellent scenic landscape as go through Lwero plains, continue to Jinja town stopping en route at Owen Falls Dam-Uganda’s biggest hydro
power station. The scenic views are excellent as you drive through gentle slopping hills with both tea and sugar cane estates on either side.Overnight Nile Resort Hotel (BL).

Day 14: After breakfast at the hotel drive for a short distance and visit the source of River Nile. This is a point where the great Nile starts its long journey up to Mediterranean Sea. Continue for some three more kilometers and visit Bujagali Falls. After lunch transfer back to Kampala (BL).

Overnight Sheraton Hotel (BB).

Day 15: After breakfast transfer to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight, depending on Flight details(BB).

End of Service

28 Days Uganda Birding & Wildlife Tour

THE GRAND TOUR

WELCOME TO THE GRAND TOUR. THIS TOUR TAKES US TO EXPLORE THE SOUTHERN TANZANIA SITES OF RARITIES AND ENDEMICS AND PASSES THROUGH THE USAMBARA MOUNTAINS FOR THE USAMBARA MOUNTAIN FOREST SPECIALITIES AS WELL AS ENDEMIC SITES,THEN CIRCLES TANZANIA’S FAMOUS NORTHERN WILDLIFE DESTINATIONS AND FINISHING WITH THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS AND THE SHOE BILL STORK SITES IN UGANDA.

Day 1: Fly in Dar-es Salaam Airport, meet and Transfer to Peacock Hotel for Dinner and over night.

Day 2: Drive Dar es Salaam to Kilombero flood plains for the Endemic Kilombero weaver and the un named Cisticola. Overnight Udzugwa Mountain View Lodge.

Day 3: Morning Forest birding around Udzungwa Mountain Forest ,Drive on to Mikumi,Arrive at Genesis Mikumi Lodge for lunch .Rest of the afternoon in Mikumi National Park. overnight Genesis Mikumi Lodge.

Day 4: Early Morning drive to Kilosa area doing to Miombo woodland specialities. Return to Genesis Lodge for lunch. After lunch drive to Morogoro Town for dinner and overnight at Kolu Hill Hotel at the foot of the Uluguru ranges.

Day 5: Drive Morogoro to East Usambara Mountain arriving in the afternoon and birding the lower Mountain forest and the tea plantations for the Usambara Endemics and specialities at Amani Information Centre Rest House.

Day 6: Full day Birding East Usambaras Mountain forest.Over Night at Amani information Centre Rest House.

Day 7: After breakfast we transfer to the West Usambara Mountain forests afternoon birding in the area. overnight at Muller’s Mountain Lodge.

Day 8: Full day Birding the West Usambara Mountain Forest for the more Usambara endemics and specialities. Overnight at Muller’s Mountain Lodge.

Day 9: Drive out of the Usambaras to Arusha stopping at the site for the Taveta Golden Weaver, skirting the slopes of Mountain Kilimanjaro into Arusha and Continue to Tarangire National Park.Arriving at Tarangire Safari Lodge for Dinner and Overnight.

Day 10: After an early break Embark on the Tarangire Tour Birding for the Tarangire Endemics and wildlifeviewing and photography. Rest of the day exploring Tarangire National Park. dinner and overnight at Tarangire Safari Tented Lodge.

Day 11: After a leisurely breakfast we will drive out of Tarangire Passing by the Manyara Ranch area birding and continue to Ngorongoro crater. The rest of the afternoon will be spent doing the Ngorongoro Crater Tour. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge.

Day 12: Early breakfast, descend the crater floor again for a couple of hours before departing for Serengeti National Park. Arrive at Seronera Wildlife Lodge.

Day 13: Full day on the Serengeti plains birding and Wildlife Photography. Overnight at Ikoma Bush Camp.

Day 14: Drive to Mwanza, arriving at Tilapia Hotel for lunch. After lunch, we will bird around the lake Victoria shores were we expect to spot fresh water birds including the African skimmers and pink backed Pelicans . Over night at Tilapia Hotel.

Day 15: Optional Ferry crossing in the morning from Mwanza to Bukoba or an alternative to take a scheduled flight from Mwanza to Bukoba. Depending on the crossing mode chosen, we will meet up our Ugandan counterpart at the and transfer to Bukoba Guest house, relaxing the rest of the afternoon in anticipation for the next day’s drive into Uganda.

Day 16: After Our early Breakfast,our Ugandan Driver picks us up from the Guest house and straight drive to the Tanzania / Uganda Border .Clear Border formalities and straight drive to Lake Mburo National Park, arriving for late lunch. Rest of the after noon Game driving and Birding around Lake Mburo. Overnight Montana Tented camp.

Day 17: Dawn game drive in Lake Mburo National Park, return for Breakfast and checkout.Drive to Bwindi Forest, lunch at White Horse inn Kabale ( depending on time, we may have chance to visit the neighbouring lake Bunyonyi – a little crater lake locally named the “lake of little birds” . Continue with your Drive to Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla forest. Afternoon Birding the area around Munyaga River. Overnight Buhoma Tented Camp.

Day 18: This day marks one of out highlights on the trip,Gorilla Tracking , return to camp, rest and evening bird around the waterfalls area in the Forest. . Bird life may include western Honey Buzzard, Cassin’s hawk , Blue Quail, Scarce swift, Broad billed Roller, Black wood hoopoe , Green backed wood pecker, White winged warbler, Yellow browed camaroptera and the African sooty flycatcher and many western Forest species.Over night at your Camp.

Day 19: Depart Bwindi Gorilla forest to Mweya in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lunch at Mweya safari lodge. PM Boat Cruise on Kazinga channel expecting to spot a variety of Birds along the river and the Swamp Beds. Dinner and overnight Mweya safari lodge.

Day 20: Morning optional birding around the Mweya Lodge grounds. Breakfast and depart for Kibale forest: The afternoon will be spend exploring Bigodi Swamp expecting to spot the Western Black headed Oriole, Greensun bird, Rusty faced Warbler, Whistling Cisticola… Over night at Ndali lodge.

Day 21: The day will be spent birding in Kibale forest National , Where we expect our list to grow as we find more bird species with our Kibale resident Forest local guide.birds here will include the Viellots black weaver and the Afep Pigeon. The endemic Kibale Thrush will be a highlight here too. Over night Ndali lodge.

Day 22: Depart Kibale forest through the Tea plantations, past the scenic town of Fort Portal, heading for the Murchisons falls . The afternoon will be spent birding the top of the mighty Murchison falls where a number of Rock Pranticoles, Banded snake eagles and a variety of other Raptors, Transfer to Para Sarova lodge on the northern Bank of River Nile for Dinner and overnight.

Day 23: Morning boat cruise expecting to spot the gigantic Shoe bill stork- another trip highlight , the Red throated Bee eater,compact weaver and PiacPiac will be a common sight. Return to the lodge for lunch and Drive in the Afternoon to Kampala . Overnight at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

Day 24: Today’s excitement begins with a drive to Mabamba swamp a very productive swamp in bird life, we expect views of the Shoe bill stork – if missed earlier –Mabamba Swamp is a new site less than an hours drive from Kampala city where the shoe bill stork has been recorded in very recent months we then divert back to our main itinerary, driving East words to words Jinja town – the source of River Nile . Dinner and over night at Jinja Nile Resort.

Day 25: This morning before we finally leave the area , we will try out our luck on the endemic Fox weaver, then Drive through to the East of the Country bordering western Kenya, We will drive skirting through swamps , meandering Rivers, Forest patches and Rocky out crops which all indicate super Country habitat for birding. Our destination will be Mount Elgon, where we expect to arrive in the evening with some time birding the forested slopes. Dinner and overnight at Sipi falls camp.

Day 26: The day begins with an early break fast so as to catch up with the forest birds. We should expect a Majority of Western Kenyan specialities as we quietly bird the slopes as Mount Elgon. After the morning exploration of the area, we will return to our camp for an early Lunch and depart for Kampala, our final destination will be Entebbe, over night Entebbe Windsor lake Victoria Hotel.

Day 27: The day will be spent birding the Entebbe area searching for endangered Entebbe weaver and Brown Parrots etc.this will include the exploration of Entebbe Botanical gardens, Lake Victoria shores at the Entebbe pier, Entebbe wildlife Education Centre, Entebbe sewerage pond and later sum up the day with a visit to Bugungu fish Landing site. Dinner and Over night at Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel.

Day 28: Depending on flight timings, you may choose to sleeping at your Hotel or do a day Kampala city Tour and transfer in time for your outbound flight.

End of Service.

15 Days Birding & Wildlife Safari Uganda

Day 1: Airport transfer to check in at the hotel. Afternoon birding in The botanical gardens and the Heritage Park trail. Expect to spot Great Black headed Gull, Little ringed Plover, European turtle dove, Crowned Hornbill,Slender billed Gulls, Angola Swallow, Rock pratincoles, Diederik Cuckoo And the like. Overnight Windsor Lake Victoria hotel.

Day 2: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park with an afternoon en Route bird watching tour to the top of the falls. Birding through the Budongo Forest and along the Sambiya Riverine forest Valley introduces you to Silverbird, Steel Blue Whydah, Viteline masked weaver, Rock pratincoles, Palmnut Vulture, Black Kite. Sambiya River Lodge.

Day 3: Morning launch cruise aboard the “Shoebill boat”to the delta area for a half day bird watching cruise in the swamps. Bird species here include the rare Shoebilled, saddle Billed & Abdim’s Stork . Also look out for Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher and the African skimmer. Return for Lunch then take an evening drive though the park to arrive late evening for Dinner and overnight at Sarova Paraa Lodge.

Day 4: Morning transfer to Pabidi Forest. Birds here include the Black collared Lovebird, Brown Illadopsis, Jameson’s Wattle eye, Brown Twin spot and others. Later after lunch, take another boat cruise to the Delta. Water birds residing in the rich swamps here include Grey Headed Kingfisher,Great white egret, African Darter, Spoon bills, Black crane, and the Lilly trotter. Meals and overnight at Nile Safari Camp where you can bird along the river while at your Tent balcony over looking the Nile River.

Day 5: Depart Nile Camp driving to Kibale via the Rift Escarpment arriving late afternoon for an evening bird walk highlighting the Scaly Francolin, Black bellied seed cracker, Marsh Tchagra, Narina Trogons and many more along the edges of the Kibale Forest National Park. Meals and overnight at Ndali Lodge.

Day 6: Full day in Kibale and Bigodi swamp which will probably yield spotting of Abyssinian ground Thrush, Papyrus Gonolek, Snowy Robin chat,Grey – capped Robin chat, White spotted Flufftail..some times the Ruwenzori Apalis may be spotted, Black winged oriole, ground thrush, spot-breasted Ibis, White Throated Blue Swallow, Grant’s Blue Bill,Dwarf Kingfisher are some others that require luck.

Day 7: Depart for Queen Elizabeth arriving for afternoon Kazinga Channel Launch cruise. You will most likely spot, African Skimmer, White Pelican, White faced whistling duck, African Fish Eagle, Cormorants and other birds. On the second day, you will have a morning birding before returning to the bird hide where spotting of birds will be done in concealment. Meals and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge.

Day 8 & 9: Birding en route to Bwindi along the Maramagambo Forest Margins before arriving Bwindi Impenetrable Park for an evening bird walk along The Munyaga River. This walk is recommended for the spotting of Blue fly catcher, Ludher’s bush shrike, Long crested eagle, Black roughwing swallow,Great blue turaco and many other species. Meals and overnight at Bwindi Tented Camp.

Day 10: Bird watching in the forest including the visits to the Ruhija Sector of Bwindi and the swamps allows spotting of Shelley’s Crimson wing, Green tinker bird, Mountain Illadopsis, Handsome Francolin, yellow billed barbet, carruther’s Cisticola Dusky crimsonwing…. Meals and overnight at Bwindi and Ruhija Mobile Camp.

Day 11 & 12: Depart for Lake Mburo National Park where bird walks are Allowed in the park. Birding walks can also be done along the Lake shore to See Pelican, Marabou Stork, African Fish Eagle, barefaced go away birds, Broad billed roller, Black bellied bustards, Blue napped mousebird, Temminck’s courser, Greater Blue eared starling, Yellow throated long claw, spur Winged plover……..Meals and overnight at Mantana Mburo Tented Camp.

Day 13: Morning transfer to Kampala,afternoon Forest walk in Babira Forest towards Jinja,through the Tea and Sugar Plantation you will arrive in Jinja for Overnight at the Nile Resort Hotel.

Day 14: Full day around Jinja area,source of river Nile and Bujagali falls for Pranticoles.

Day 15: Drive to Kampala,Brief city Tour,transfer to airport for Flight home.

END OF SERVICES

19 Days Pearl Sampler Uganda Safari Tour

UGANDA THE PEARL SAMPLER:

SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAMMALS , BIRD WATCHING AND HIKING THE SLOPES OF Mt. RWENZORI.

Day 1: Pick up and drive to Entebbe Botanical garden, bird the area and the neighboring lake Victoria shores. Bird the rest of the day guided by your Bird Guide. Evening return. Meals and Accommodations on this day are not part of the package.

Day 2: Morning pick and start a spectacular drive to Murchison falls National Park arriving for Lunch After Lunch we will transfer to the
Magnificent Top of the falls where the Mighty Nile is forced into a seven Meter crevice to thunder 45 meters below in a series of cascades. The Nile can be viewed at different, we will bird the surrounding grasslands and woodlands, where we should encounter: Secretary-bird,
Black-chested Snake and Tawny Eagles, Red-throated Bee-eater, Sooty Chat, Northern and Southern Red Bishops and flocks of noisy Helmeted Guinea fowl. Overhead we have a chance of observing African White-backed Vulture Bateleur, Walberg’s Eagle and Black-shouldered Kite. A number of other garden birds should also come our way to include: Yellow-throated Greenbul, Red-winged Grey Warbler and
Purple-banded Sunbird…

Day 3 and 4: After an early morning breakfast, embark on a half day game drive on the northern bank of the river Nile. Escorted by game
ranger, you may opt for a game walk while trailing animals and studying animal spoors. Game in this area include Giraffe, Elephant, Harte best, Lion, Uganda Kob, Oribi and a variety of savannah and woodland birds. After lunch, take a Nile Cruise for game viewing at close quarters. This is a paradise of the Hippo and Crocodiles. Bird life should be rewarding where the Rocky outcrops should attract Rock Pratincole, African Pied Wagtail and mixed flocks of White-headed Sawing, Horus Swift and Rufous-breasted Swallows. A nearby outlook is reliable for Palm nut Vultures and African Harrier Hawks, when walking on a number of trails here, we should encounter lots of other species to include: African Pygmy Kingfisher, Heuglin’s Robin Chat and Yellow-throated Leaf love. During our stay we will also have an opportunity to visit the neighboring Pabidi Forest where upon forest hikes should reward us with a number of Primates,birds,butterflies and lots on unfamiliar plant species which our guide will explain. Primates resident in this forest include l’ hoestes, red colobus, blues, red tailed monkeys and gray cheeked mangabeys. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only about primates, but also on all the forest flora and fauna and will ensure that our walk is both informative and enjoyable.

Day 5: Breakfast early enough, then transfer to Kibale Forest. Kibale is one of Uganda’s famous Ornithological paradise, we should be able to locate Papyrus Gonolek, Yellow-billed Barbet, Grey-capped and White-winged Warblers, Great Blue Turaco, Blue-headed Coucal and Papyrus Canary. In the afternoon we will have another opportunity of birding and tracking Chimpanzees and a number of other primates in the
forest itself, our bird list should tick off Birds the Narina Trogon,
White-headed Wood hoopoe, Yellow-spotted Barbet and Black-capped Apalis. By sheer lunch we may see the rare Grey Parrots and other very secretive species that require degree of luck to find such as the Dusky and Olive Long-tailed Cuckoos, Grey-throated Flycatcher, Thick-billed and Cassin’s Honey guides, Nathan’s Francolin, Green-breasted and African Pittas. Dinner and over night at Ndali Lodge.

Day 6: After breakfast, we will checkout of our lodge with an intention o having a further opportunity to visit Kibale forest for a half day Primate
walk in search of chimpanzees and some what other dodgy birds and primates we might have missed the previous evening. On the walk, we may see the Black and white colobus monkey, Red tailed monkey, Baboon, Grey cheeked mangabeys and chimpanzee. Return to our lodge for a relaxed afternoon in preparation for the next day’s long drive to the Mountain Gorilla home.

Day 7: Drive to Bwindi through the western Corridor of Ishasha, Lunch Enroute. we will drive through Africa’s most spectacular scenery that should only be second to Switzerland. The Late afternoon should see us in Bwindi. Bwindi Forest offers some of the best forest birding in Africa. The campgrounds before the main track attract Black Sawing, Pettit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Black and White and African Blue Flycatchers, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Luhder’s Bush-shrike, Mountain Greenbul, Black-billed Weaver, Variable Sunbird and Grey-crowned Negrofinch. We will spend the rest of the evening at leisure in anticipation for the following day which of course should make up our Safari highlight as we track the Mountain Gorillas. Dinner and over night at the Bwindi Tented Camp.

Day 8 and 9: After breakfast and briefing by park ranger guides.
with our picnic lunches, we will start a 30 minutes – to 8 hours trek to find the Mountain gorillas with opportunities of birding on the way. The tracking starts at the area where the gorillas were the previous day. After a full hour with the gorillas, we will return to our Camp.

The next day should be spent with optional forest walks with birding and primate viewing.

If we choose to take the many tracks in the forest, we should end up at a waterfall, this trail is a reliable site for Red-throated Alethe, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher and Kivu Ground Thrushes. Other species recorded the main track on recent visits include Crested Guinea fowl,
Black and Cinnamon-breasted Bee-eaters, Bronze-napped Pigeon, Gabon and Elliot’s Woodpeckers… Dinner and Overnight.

Day 10: After breakfast, transfer to Mbarara arriving in time for
lunch at the Lakeview Hotel . Later head for Lake Mburo National Park. We enter the park through the Nshara gate, we will then enjoy n afternoon game drive along the Lakeshore track. This park, with its own eco system of game trails and cleared walkways is so rewarding in both Big game viewing, dry country birding and a taste of shore birds. The “Kigambara Loop” offers interesting guided lakeside walks where herds of zebra, Cape buffalo and eland, Oribi and Topi are easily approached. Along with a game drive, many visitors enjoy a boat trip on Lake Mburo. Self-guided nature trails are also available. Birdwatchers, will enjoy the more than 250 species of birds found in Lake Mburo including Papyrus Gonolek, Brown faced Lapwing. Carruther’s Cisticola, the extraordinary White winged Warbler and Bare-Faced-Go-Away bird. Return to Lake Mburo Tented Camp for candlelit dinners and first class service, all under canvas in the heart of the African Bush. In addition to un exhaustive array of Mammals, the bird will also include: Dwarf Bittern, Yellow-billed Duck, Nubian Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Spot-flanked and Black-collared Barbets, yet the seasonal marshland in the park will offer African Open bill, Sacred Ibis, Wattles Lapwing, and sometimes the African Water Rail, Greater Painted-snipe, Three-banded Plover and the
Malachite Kingfisher may also be encountered.

Day 11: We will have the entire day exploring the park. Dinner and over night at our Camp.

Day 12: We will drive out Lake Mburo Park driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the early afternoon we will enjoy an enroute game viewing towards our Lodge. This afternoon game drive may reward us with views of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena and a variety of antelope species. Queen Elizabeth National Park ‘s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzoris Mountains in its backdrop provides excellent opportunities to view a variety of African Big Game. After the afternoon excitement of Big game viewing we will check in at the Mweya Safari Lodge for Dinner and over night.

Day 13: During our stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park, we will Enjoy the unique boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos on the African continent and many animals may be seen drinking at the water’s edge. After the Boat cruise, we will embark on a drive on the northerly parts of the park along the Kasenyi track. This track should reward us with: African Moustache Warblers, Trilling and Croaking Cisticolas, Marsh Tchagra, Fawn-breasted and Crimson-rumped Waxbills. We will again have another opportunity to join in on an afternoon Boat cruise. This lunch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. All meals and over night at the Mweya Safari Lodge.

Day 14: We will check out our lodge, game viewing enroute to the foothills of the mountains of the Moon. We will Check in at the Margarita Hotel for Lunch and overnight. The rest of the day shall be spent acclimatizing to the climate.

Day 15: Morning, transfer to Nyakalengija on to Ibanda and start your
5-6 hour Climb into the Mountains. You will climb through the thick vegetation arriving at the Nyabitaba Hut(2650metres) in the late evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 16: Breakfast Early, then start a morning hike through the Kurt
Sharfer Bridge to marvel at the Mobuku River Confluence. A Climb through the Open Patches and Lobelia and the Heath Moss Forest before proceeding up to the John Matte Hut for overnight.

Day 17: Descend John Matte to Margheritta Hotel. Rest of the day at the Margheritta hotel.

Day 19: You will meet up with your driver and transfer to Kampala or Entebbe. Depending on the time available, we may visit the Mabamba swamp enroute to Kampala. The swamp is particularly important as a new site where the Gigantic Shoe Bill has been recorded recently. In addition we should see our last special birds that should include: The African Marsh Harrier, African Pygmy Goose, Black Crake, Purple Swamp hen, Allen’s Gallinule, African and more rarely Lesser Jacanas, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Winding and Carruther’s Cisticolas…We will then continue to Kampala or Entebbe. Accommodation and Dinner not part of the package

END