A 14 day private safari
which starts and finishes in Kampala.
The combination of savannah, rainforest and semi-desert
in Uganda produces a remarkable diversity of birds
among its eleven hundred species. Volcanoes'
special itinerary, accompanied by one of our experienced guides, is centred
on Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Mgahinga
and aims to let birders see over 400 species as well as other wildlife.
(Gorilla tracking is possible at Bwindi and Mgahinga but requires a supplement
to be paid at the time of booking.) Murchison Falls has over 450 species
which include the shoebill stalk, bat hawk, red-necked falcon, Denham’s
bustard and Senegal thick-knee. Kibale Forest has 320 species including
the yellow-spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinkerbird, little greenbul,
green breasted pitta, the African pitta, the crowned eagle as well as
wetland species. Queen Elizabeth National Park has over 500 specie, including
the shoebill, martial eagle, black bee-eater, white-tailed lark and papyrus
gonolek. Bwindi has 300 species including red-throated alethe, Archer’s
robin-chat, Kivu ground thrush and montane masked apalis. Mgahinga has
over 180 species, including the Rwenzori touraco and the handsome francolin.
On safari clients stay 3 nights at Nile Camp/Paraa,
1 night at Ndali and 3 nights at Mweya/Jacana Lodge.
They also stay 1 night at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, 2
nights in a mobile camp at Ruhija, 2 nights at Volcanoes
Mount Gahinga Lodge and 1 night at Mantana Mburo.
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Day 1
Start for Masindi, birding on the way. Lunch and continue to Murchison
Falls. Visit the top of the Falls. Explore the Falls, some bird watching
while there and leave for your lodge. Make brief game viewing stops en
route before retiring for the night. O/N: Nile Camp/Paraa (FB).
Day 2
Early start, carrying a packed lunch. Bird north of the Nile. Later take
a launch trip from Paraa to the bottom of the mighty frothy Falls where
you have the opportunity of seeing a variety of birds including – Goliath
heron, African fish eagle, malachite kingfishers, rock pratincole, yellow
backed weaver, red throated bee-eaters, and the shoebill. O/N: Nile Camp/Paraa
(FB).
Day 3
Today you visit the savannah plains, north of the river that make up
the delta circuit, formed by the Victoria Nile as it flows into Lake
Albert. It is one of the principal areas for aquatic birdwatching, with
sightings of herons, egrets, and marsh harriers. O/N: Nile Camp/Paraa
(FB).
Day 4
Early start for Fort Portal, driving through Hoima. Lunch and continue
to Kibale Forest. Bird the lakes near your lodge. This forest includes
a number of water and grassland species and four species not recorded
elsewhere - Nahan’s francolin, Cassin’s spinetail, blue-headed
bee-eater, and masked apalis. O/N: Ndali/Mantana Kibale (FB).
Day 5
Bird Kibale forest and Magombe/Bigodi swamps. The tourism and conservation
activities in Bigodi wetland have helped build a number of community
projects including a local library and a new secondary school. Lunch
and continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park. O/N: Mweya/Jacana Lodge
(FB).
Days 6/7
Early start. Bird Lake Kikorongo, Kasenyi Track, and Maramagambo Forest.
This forest harbours some unusual species - red-tailed and L’Hoest’s
Monkey, potto, giant forest hog, pygmy antelope, and giant elephant shrew.
You can also visit the bat caves and the blue lake. In the afternoon
a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which is especially rewarding for
viewing a variety of game, especially hippo, buffalo, elephant and a
vast array of birds. O/N: Mweya /Jacana (FB)
Day 8
Leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you stay for three nights.
Bird the waterfalls, the main track and the area around the Lodge. O/N:
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (FB).
Days 9/10
Start for Ruhija (in Bwindi). Bird the Mubwindi swamps and Ruhija area
for two days. This afro-montane forest is home to all four crimson wings
recorded in Uganda. Other species that you may see include: a variety
of apalis, Lagden’s bushshrike, and the handsome francolin. O/N:
Mobile Camp/Local hostel (FB).
Day 11
In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park bird the forest on the slopes of the
Virungas. Mount Gahinga Lodge at 2300m nestles in the shadow of the dramatic
Virunga volcanoes. Although the smallest park in the Virunga Mountains,
Mgahinga is often thought to be the prettiest. O/N: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga
Lodge (FB).
Day 12
Either visit Lake Mutanda, where you can take a gentle stroll on the
lakeshores whilst watching local life, or weather permitting, take a
canoe to Toyo Island. Or go birding in the forest of Mgahinga Gorilla
National Park on the slopes of the Virungas, or climb the Muhavura or
Gahinga volcano, or go for a nature walk. O/N: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga
Lodge (FB).
Day 13
Visit Lake Bunyonyi, "the lake of small birds". Continue to Lake Mburo
National Park. Boat trip in the afternoon. O/N: Mantana Mburo (FB).
Day 14
Time permitting, early morning game drive. Return to Kampala via Masaka. Lunch
enroute, arriving late afternoon (HB). |
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