11-Day Birding Safari
Mabamba, Mpanga, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi and Mgahinga
Day 1: Meet and greet at hotel, then set off for Mabamba wetland for the days birding. Species here include papyrus endemics such as white winged warbler, Caruthers’ Cisticola and papyrus gonolek.Among other birds we watch out for saddle-billed stork, African pygmy goose and lesser jacana and the magnificent shoebill can be sighted in this area.
Dinner and overnight at accommodation of your choice.
Day 2: We depart for Mpanga forest after an early breakfast. This forest is a good introduction to forest birding in Uganda. Birds in this forest include Blue-breasted kingfishers, Weyn’s weaver, white-spotted flufftail, red-capped, Blue-shouldered and snowy headed Robin-chats, African pied hornbill, grey parrot, Uganda woodland warbler (a scarce bird here), the list is endless. Red tailed monkeys are common.
Dinner and overnight at accommodation of your choice.
Day 3: After an early breakfast depart for Lake Mburo perhaps the best place in Uganda to find African fin foot and most of the papyrus endemics. Common birds in this habitat which is dominated by tall grass savannah dotted with Acacia and Euphorbia trees, dense thorn thickets along water courses are crested francolin, emerald –spotted wood dove, brown parrot, bare-faced go-away –bird, blue-naped mouse bird, lilac-breasted roller, green wood hoopoe among others which can be encountered whilst driving towards rwonyo camp, the park headquaters. We bird as we drive in and enjoy game viewing as well. Birding along the Zebra tracks will enable us see species such as Coqui Francolin, Red- naked spirfowl, black bellied bustard, African wattled Plover and so many others. About 315 species have been recorded here. We bird whole day and then retire for the night.
Dinner and overnight at accommodation of your choice.
Day 4: After breakfast we explore the scenic lakeside track, which allows us explore the aquatic habitat. We shall look out for papyrus specials and also take a boat to enable us observe inaccessible species.
Dinner and overnight at accommodation of your choice.
Day 5: After break fast we depart for Kabale onto Lake Bunyonyi, which translates as “place of little birds”. Once in Ruhinda a motorboat takes us Bushara Island.Bushara Island alone has about 100 species of birds recorded which can be seen via self guided walks-which activity may be done in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at accommodation of your choice.
Day 6: We visit Muko and Nyombe swamps for swamp endemics. Time allowing local village and birding trips will be arranged for as well.
Dinner and overnight at accommodation of your choice.
Day 7:Early breakfast then we depart for Kisoro and particularly look forward to visiting Mgahinga, Ugandas smallest and yet scenic national park which lies in the extreme southwestern corner of the country. We bird en-route at Echuya forest reserve especially scanning the small roadside ponds close to kisoro for Dab chick, Yellow-billed stork, sacred Ibis, African spoonbill and yellow –billed duck.
Day 8: An early breakfast, and we go for the gorge trail, which loops half way up Mt.Sabinyo, tranvesring a variety of montane habitats. It takes 3-4 hours to complete. Species to look out for are Dusky Turtle dove, cape robin-chat, brown-crowned tchgra, bronze sunbird, black-headed waxbill, and streaky seedeater. The bamboo belt offers us a chance to see handsome Francolin, kivu ground thrush and cinnamon bracken warbler, Rwenzori Turaco, malachite sunbird, scarlet tufted malachite sunbird and montane double-collared sunbird. Golden monkeys will be an addition to our adventure on this mountain.
Dinner and overnight at accommodation of your choice
Day 9: We depart for Ruhija after breakfast and bird the short trail to Mubwindi swamp and around Ruhija.At the bottom of the valley we scan for the rare and localized African Green Broad bill. Birding here offers an excellent opportunity in very spectacular surroundings.
Dinner and overnight at Ruhija
Day 10: We walk the long trail to Mubwindi swamp. This trail is 10km and drops steeply into a valley, crosses a stream and passes through a forest before crossing a second stream, climbing a ridge and finally descending to the Mubwindi Swamp. This brings you close to nature than you would ever imagine.
Dinner and overnight at Ruhija
Day 11:Depart early birding the “neck”enroute and along the road towards Kabale as we go back to Kampala.
End of Safari
notes for birders
NB. Gorilla viewing could be done by adjusting the itinerary to include one day extra for this activity.
Price includes transport to and from Kampala, Park entrance fees, game drive fees, boat ride on the Nile, Kazinga Channel and L.Mburo, accommodation on full board and an English speaking driver (guide), lunch to and from, Chimp tracking fees, nature walking fees. It however excludes beverages, souvenirs, tips and all expenditures of a personal nature.
Notes for Birders
- Please respect habitats, laws and the rights of local people
- Bring along with you all the film you might need with you
- The savannah areas have lots of light where as the forests have very little
- Come along with enough lens cleaning equipment
- Include a small medical kit, sun protection gear(hat, sunglasses and sunscreen)rain gear, a warm jersey for the high land areas,mosquitoe net and repellant,water purification tablets(Mineral water is available though),a torch or portable spotlight
- In the forests, gum boot are recommended or alternatively come along with fast-drying sturdy boots
- To scan the forest canopy, you may need a telescope.
- All required immunisations must be taken prior to visiting here.
- Light clothing for the Savannas but long pants in forests areas and “jackets”.
