6 Days Murchison Falls Park / Kibale National Park
Tour Details
Uganda is arguably the most attractive country in Africa to bird watchers ( tour), not only because of the unusual number of species recorded within its borders but also because it offers easy access to several bird-rich habitats that are difficult to reach elsewhere. Uganda’s remarkable avian diversity-1,008 species recorded in an area similar to that of Great Britain can be attributed to its location at a transitional point between the East African savanna, the West African rainforest, and the semi-desert of the north.
The key to Uganda’s diversity is its variety of habitats: arid semi-dessert, rich savannahs, lowland and montane rainforests, vast wetlands, volcanoes, and an Afro-alpine zone. Uganda covers an altitude from 650 to 5000m.
Analytical of Uganda’s intermediary position is the fact that only one bird is endemic to the country, the rather ordinary Fox’s weaver. However, if you take only East Africa into consideration, then approximately 150 bird species (more than 10% of the regional checklists) are found only in Uganda. This list includes seven of the 20 horn-bill species recorded in the region, five out of 14 honeyguides, seven out of 20 hornbill species recorded in the region, five out of 20 bush families as well as 13 members of the thrush family, 11 warblers, ten flycatchers, eight sunbirds, eight weavers, eight finches, four tinker birds, four pigeons, 3 kingfishers, 3 sparrow hawks, 3 cuckoos and 3 nightjars.
Most of these Uganda’s special are West African and Congolese forest birds that should be very difficult to see elsewhere for the simple reason that the other countries in which they occur are poorly developed for Tourism. The rain forests of Western Uganda must be seen as the country’s most important bird habitat, and that is of the greatest interest to birdwatchers( bird watching), particularly if they are already familiar with typical East African birds. The most alluring forests in Uganda with localized species are Semliki, Budongo Forest, Kibale Forest, and Bwindi Forest. However, Kibale is Uganda’s spot for forest birds and the nearby Magombe swamp. Even the relatively tame botanical gardens in Entebbe will throw up several interesting species.
Therefore you want to see or watch a wide range of birds in Uganda for tour enthusiasts, try to visit Entebbe (water and forest birds), Lake Mburo (water and acacia-associated birds), Queen Elizabeth (Over 600 species are recorded), Murchison Falls (the best place in East Africa to see the Papyrus-associated shoe-bill) and Kidepo (over 50 raptors recorded ).
Trip Highlights
- Ostrich
- Pelicans
- African darter
- Hamerkop
- Goliath heron
- Saddle billed stork
- Marabou stork
- Shoebill
- Wild Expeditions Uganda
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
You will be welcomed by a representative of Wild Expeditions representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Depending on the time of arrival you might spend the afternoon at UWEC, home to captive animals and over 170 species of birds. This includes 7 species of weavers, such as the rare Northern Masked Weaver and Orange Weaver, etc. Overnight at Banda Inn.
Day 2: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we will depart for the most beautiful protected area in Uganda, boosting over 450 species of birds: Murchison Falls National Park. Enjoy a lunch stop in Masindi before we enter the park. We will visit the magnificent falls where you will enjoy and marvel at the mighty Nile. The famous waterfall is being forced into a seven-meter crevice to thunder 45 meters below in a series of cascades. This spectacular scenery can be viewed from different points up at the baler’s summit. Also, birds like the African Pied Wagtail, Rock Pranticoles, and a mixed flock of swifts can be viewed. Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp.
Day 3: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After an early morning breakfast, you will enjoy a half-day game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, escorted by a ranger. Not only you go in search of the wildlife, including the Rothschild Giraffe, elephant, Jackson’s Hartebeest, and waterbucks, but you will also encounter a rich variety of savannah woodland birds: the Grey Crowned Cranes, Saddle-billed Stork, Silver bird, Chestnut Capped Weaver, Spotted Morning Thrush, Common Drongo, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Black-billed Dove, and Namaqua Dove.
After lunch, we will enjoy a Nile cruise for game viewing at close quarters. Watch how hippos take a bath, crocodiles lie lazy at the shores, and many colorful Bee-eaters fly. Other species you may encounter are the Goliath, Purple, Grey, Green-backed Herons, Common Squacco Heron, Giant, Malachite, African Pygmy, and Pied Kingfishers. Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp.
Day 4: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK – FORT PORTAL
We depart from Murchison Falls and head toward Fort Portal. Watch out for birds like the White Browed and Senegal Coucals on your way. The drive is almost eight hours but will provide you with some stunning views as you pass small African villages and banana plantations. The lovely town of Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and is famous for its many tea plantations. From Fort Portal, we transfer to Kibale Forest National Park where you will have dinner and overnight at the cottages of Primate Lodge Kibale.
For an upgrade, you can stay at the deluxe safari tents of Primate Lodge Kibale.
Day 5: BIGODI SWAMP & CRATER LAKES
Early in the morning transfer to the small village of Bigodi for a beautiful nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and takes approximately two hours. The swamp is known for its rich diversity of birds and is often called “Home of the Great Blue Turaco”, a beautiful colored bird that you can’t miss. It is also an excellent place to see some of the special birds endemic to this habitat, like the Marsh Tchagra, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, and White Winged Warbler. After lunch, we will pass the region of the Crater Lakes for some more birding. Enjoy the beauty of hundreds of small lakes and some stunning views, while you pass little African villages. You may also spot the White Spotted Fluff-tail, Blue Headed Coucals spectacular Yellow Billed Barbet, and Scaly-throated Honey-guide. Dinner and overnight at the cottages of Primate Lodge Kibale.
Day 6: FORT PORTAL – KAMPALA
After breakfast transfer back to Kampala with lunch en route. Arrival in the capital city in the afternoon and drop off at your hotel to relax or maybe do some sightseeing. Overnight at Banda Inn.
Day 7: DEPARTURE
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!
Mugisha Henry
Hotel Information
- Murchison River lodge
- Nile Safari Lodge
- Sambiya Lodge
- Masindi Hotel
The price includes
- Accommodation as per itinerary
The price excludes
- Gorilla & chimp permits