This five-day Uganda Savannah Birding safari offers participants the opportunity to observe avian species across various key locations, including Entebbe, Mabamba Wetlands, and Lake Mburo National Park. The journey commences with birdwatching in Entebbe at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), the Botanical Gardens, and along the shores of Lake Victoria.On the following day, visitors will explore Mabamba Wetlands, renowned as the most reliable site for spotting the elusive Shoebill Stork in Uganda. In addition to the Shoebill Stork, this Important Bird Area supports a diverse array of avian species. The itinerary concludes with an extended three-day birding expedition within Lake Mburo National Park, a habitat home to approximately 313 bird species. The landscape varies from wetlands and lakes to savannah, rolling hills, and acacia woodlands, all providing optimal habitats for a broad spectrum of birdlife.
DAY 1: Birding at Uganda Wildlife Education Center
You will be picked up in the morning to start your 5 day Uganda Birding safari. You will visit the Uganda Wildlife Education center (UWEC) formerly known as the Zoo. This has attracted over 170 species of wild birds 10 species of Weavers such as the rare Northern Masked Weaver, Golden Backed, African paradise, Baglafect Northern Brown Throated, Grosbeak, Black Necked and many others. 5 species of flycatchers, Red bellied, Crested shrike flycatcher, Lead colored, Swamp flycatcher, and many others. Encounter Raptors such as the Gabar Goshawk, small banded snake Eagle, Shikra, African Goshawk, African Fish Eagle, African Hobby and many more species including captive animals. Proceed to Botanical gardens for another birding experience. Have lunch relax as you move forward to the evening visit to the sewage lagoons. Return for Dinner and Overnight.
Meals Plan: Full board
Accommodation:
Budget: Via via Guest house Entebe( Budget)
Midrange: Admas Hotel Entebbe
Luxury: Protea Marriot Entebbe/Hotel Number 5
DAY 2: Birding at Mabamba Wetland
After an early breakfast you will take a boat to Namugabo near Mabamba swamps with the biggest population of shoebills recorded on a single day. Most of the birding is done canoeing. Other species to be seen may include Squacco, African water Rail, long Toed Plover, Goliath, Purple, Herons, Pygmy Goose, Yellow Billed Duck, White Faced Whistling Duck, Grey and Black Headed Heron Moorhen, Allen’s Gallinule, Black Crake, African Jacana among others. Sitatunga Antelope (swamp Antelope) and many more. En route to Kampala stop by another swamp this may reveal Papyrus Gonolek, White winged Warbler, Yellow Crowned Bishop, Weyns Weaver, and many more have a packed lunch and go ahead birding as you take an evening in Dinner and Overnight in Entebbe
Meal Plan: Full board
Accommodation:
Budget: Via via Guest house Entebe
Midrange: Admas Hotel Entebbe
Luxury: Protea Marriot Entebbe/Hotel Number 5
DAY 3: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast you will transfer to Lake Mburo National park via the Equator for photography and have other stops to view birds on the way. The park is situated in western Uganda. Briefly stop at the equator, proceed to Lake Mburo, birding to the entrance of Nshara gate. Expect the following Common Scimitarbill, species; Emerald Spotted Wood Dove, Bare faced Go-Away Bird, Crested Francolin, Green Wood Hoopoe, Lilac breasted Roller, Spot-Flanked Barbet Northern Black Tit, Common Scimitarbill, Trilling Cisticola, Greater Blue Eared Starling, African Grey Hornbill, Brown Parrot may be seen. Take lunch at Rwonyo Restaurant. After lunch, embark on late afternoon game drive along the Zebra Track which may expose you to species like Coqui Francolin, Black Bellied Bustard, Temmricks Courser, African Wattled Plover, Rufous napped Rufous, Chested Swallow and Flappet Lark.
Meal Plan: Full board
Accommodation
Budget: Rwakobo Rock
Midrange: Kigarama Wilderness lodge
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge/Kigambira safari lodge
DAY 4: Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
After an early breakfast you will have a nature walk encountering several species of wetland and savanna species of birds, Impalas among others. Return for lunch head for evening game drive along the Kigambira loop. Species to expect are; localized Red Faced Barbet, Red Headed lovebird, Black Collared Barbet, Green capped Eremomela and Lead colored Flycatcher. You will later return to the lodge for Dinner and overnight
Meal Plan: Full board
Accommodation:
Budget: Rwakobo Rock
Midrange: Kigarama Wilderness lodge
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge/Kigambira safari lodge
DAY 5: Morning game drive and Return to Kampala/Entebbe to end the safari
You will do an early morning game drive along the Lakeside Track. This entails approach to Aquatic habitats around Lake Mburo. Species to expect may include, White Winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Lesser and Greater Swamp Warbler and also the elusive Shoebill, the Blue headed Coucal. Continue to the lakeside campground, as we look out for the African Darter, African Water Rail, African Fin foot, Spur winged plovers, and many others. Return midmorning for breakfast and proceed for a launch- cruise in search for papyrus species missed, Hippos, Crocodiles are the extras expected. You will drive back to Entebbe/Kampala and you will stop for Lunch before you proceed to Kampala.
Meal Plan: Half board
DAY 1: Birding at Uganda Wildlife Education Center
DAY 2: Birding at Mabamba Wetland
DAY 3: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
DAY 4: Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
DAY 5: Morning game drive and Return to Kampala/Entebbe to end the safari