8-Day Uganda Birding and Gorilla Adventure
Included
Gorilla trekking permit.
Chimpanzee trekking permit.
Park and Concession fees.
Boat safari.
All activities (Unless labeled as optional).
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade).
A professional driver/guide.
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional).
Specialized safari car for the tour.
All Locals taxes/VAT applicable to tour.
Roundtrip airport transfer.
Meals (As specified in itinerary).
Bottled water in the safari car.
With over 1,070 bird species (over 50% of Africa's species), Uganda is a birding hotspot. On this birding safari, you will look out for the prehistoric-looking shoebill to the tiny colorful kingfishers. Your safari will take you to wetlands, tropical forests, wide expanses of savannah, and the impenetrable forest in Bwindi. This all-inclusive private safari gives you a gorilla permit ($800) and chimpanzee trekking ($250) permit per person, and a private guide for the whole trip.
Excluded
Entry Visa.
Personal Travel Insurance.
Domestic flights unless listed in final itinerary.
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (unless listed in itinerary).
Tips and Gratuities.
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.).
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees.
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day itinerary).
Laundry.
FROM US $3894
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Uganda!
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and be warmly received by your guide. Transfer to a comfortable hotel near Entebbe for relaxation. Depending on your arrival time, embark on an optional birding adventure at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a haven for over 250 bird species.
Day 2: Birding Paradise - Mabamba Swamp
In the early morning, we leave for the Mabamba Wetland along your transfer route. The majority of the birding in the swamp is done in a canoe by our local site guides. Keep an eye out for the rare shoebills in the marsh and in the sky. Lookout for papyrus specials such as the Papyrus Gynolek, White winged warbler. There are also chances of encountering the elusive sitatungas antelope adapted to swampy habitats. Transfer to your accommodation near the Kibale National Park. Depending on the time of arrival, you have the option to go out birding and exploring in the neighborhood or simply stay and prepare for the next day's activities.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking and Birding
After an early breakfast, we go to the visitor centre of Kibale National Park for a briefing before the chimp trekking. The duration of the activity varies depending on the location of the chimpanzees, however, once encountered you will be with the chimps for 1 hour. In the afternoon go birding in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This is an excellent birding destination with riverine forest birds, depending on the weather.
Day 4: Transfer Bwindi, afternoon Birding
After breakfast, you start your journey to Bwindi. You will travel via the Ishasha region, where, if you’re fortunate, you could be able to see lions that climb trees, and then we’ll proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. About half of the mountain gorillas in the world’s endangered population live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This large reserve is home to 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift endemic bird species and provides possibly the most fruitful montane forest birding in all of Africa. Bwindi is ranked as Uganda’s greatest place for forest birdwatching. At least 23 species found nowhere else on Earth are found in the Albertine Rift.
Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking, transfer to Ruhija
Today is one of the special moments in this birding tour. You will get to track the endangered mountain gorillas. We will meet at the Park Offices after breakfast for the briefing before this momentous occasion. It may take one to eight hours to go for the ultimate Uganda gorilla trekking experience, which entails wandering through the bush in pursuit of these gentle giants. You should never miss this “once in a lifetime” gorilla trekking. Although every gorilla experience is unique and has its own benefits, you are sure to love the up-close view of adults eating, grooming, and relaxing as the young playfully romp and swing from vines. After tracking transfer to Ruhija.
Day 6: Birding in Mubwindi Wetland
We bird-watch in the Mubwindi Swamp region all day long. The best area to discover some of the most elusive rift endemics is along the 4-kilometer route to Mubwindi Swamp. This contains many bird species including the stunning Regal Sunbird, the Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill, and the Archer’s Robin-Chat. Dwarf Honeyguides, Stripe-breasted Tits, and Ruwenzori Apalis.
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Even though the park is just 260 square kilometres in size, the different landscapes are alive with intrigue and colour on even a short trip. As you look for the diverse array of animals that these habitats sustain, you will travel through gallery forests, open savannah, acacia woodland, rocky kopjes, seasonal and permanent wetlands, and open water.
Day 8: Birding / Safari Walk, Transfer to Entebbe
Early breakfast, then go for a walking safari as you bird. Lake Mburo National Park has got a mosaic habitat of rock outcrops, dry hillside, open and wooded savanna, forests, and swamps allowing it to have the avifauna diversity. At least 313 bird species have been recorded in the park. Some include the Red faced barbet, Long tailed Cisticola (Tabora), Papyrus yellow warbler, African finfoot, Northern Brubru, Rofous bellied and white backed night heron, Black collared barbet, Brown chested plover, White winged tit, Northern brown throated weaver, White winged warbler.
Depart Lake Mburo National Park and transfer back to Entebbe International Airport. You will make a stopover at the Equator Line as you travel to Entebbe. Take home unforgettable memories of your Ugandan adventure!
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