Uganda Birds & Gorillas
Saturday 7th to Sunday 22nd February 2009
Saturday 18th July to Sunday 2nd August 2009
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Few UK tour companies have as much experience in Uganda as we have
gained since our first visit there in 1999. Situated on the Equator
between the East African savannah, the rainforests of West Africa and
the semi-desert of the north, Uganda has an amazingly rich birdlife of
over 1,000 species, and there is probably nowhere with a greater variety
of primates. Foremost amongst these are the Gorillas that are found in
the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and there will be a chance for us to
spend a day tracking these magnificent creatures through the dense
vegetation. It is often possible to approach to within only a few metres
of these essentially gentle and docile animals, an experience guaranteed
to leave a lasting impression. During our exploration of some of
Uganda’s beautiful lakes and forests more than 300 bird species are
possible, including some of the Albertine Rift Endemics and the bizarre
Shoebill.
Days 1 & 2: Scheduled flights to Entebbe. On Day 2 we visit the
nearby Botanical Gardens for a superb introduction to Ugandan birds on
the shores of Lake Victoria. We will hope to see Black-and-white-casqued
Hornbill, Great Blue Turaco, a variety of sunbirds and, at the water's
edge, Orange and Slender-billed Weavers, Abdim's and Open-billed Storks.
We also visit the nearby Wildlife Education Centre, which also has a
good selection of birds and, if time permits, Entebbe sewage pond.
Overnights - Entebbe
Day 3: Early morning start for visit to Mabamba swamp for our
first chance to see Shoebill. Amongst other wetland species in the area
should be African Jacana, Purple Swamp-hen, White-faced Whistling Duck,
African Pygmy Goose and a variety of herons and egrets.
Overnight – Kampala
Day 4: An early start for the long journey to Mbarara, birding on
the way at several sites, notably Lake Mburo National Park.
Overnight - Mbarara
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwest of
the country, birding on the way and on arrival. This is regarded as
probably the richest forest in East Africa in terms of its wildlife.
Overnight - Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp
Days 6 - 8: Three full days in the Bwindi Impenetrable National
Park. We will walk the Waterfall Trail along the Munyaga River and the
Muzabajiro Loop trail. There will also be the option to track Gorillas,
a unique experience which may involve a strenuous climb but which should
result in us seeing these very special animals at close range. The
birding here is superb and we will be looking in particular for some of
the Albertine Rift endemics such as Kivu Ground Thrush, African Green
Broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Red-faced
Woodland Warbler and Strange Weaver.
Overnights - Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp
Days 9 - 10: On Day 9 we drive via Inshasa to the Queen Elizabeth
National Park, where almost 600 bird species and 100 mammal species have
been recorded. We take an afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel,
where possible birds include the more familiar Greenshank and Wood
Sandpipers alongside Saddle-billed Stork, African Skimmers, Pink-backed
and Great White Pelicans, Goliath Heron, Grey-headed Kingfisher and a
host of others. We shall also explore the Kasenyi Track one of the best
game viewing areas in Uganda.
Overnights - Mweya Lodge
Day 11: Another day spent mainly in Queen Elizabeth NP where we
visit Maramagambo Forest and a roost site of many thousands of Egyptian
Fruit Bats.
Overnight – Nyinaburitwa Country Resort
Day 12: All day visit to Kibale National Park, home to many
rainforest birds and the greatest variety and concentration of primates
in East Africa, including Chimpanzees. A particular target will be the
elusive Green-breasted Pitta.
Overnight – Nyinaburitwa Country Resort
Days 13 & 14: We make the long journey to Murchison Falls NP.
There will be another good chance to see Shoebill as we take a boat trip
on the River Nile. As well as Crocodiles and Hippos, we can expect a
good variety of wetland species, possibly including African Skimmers,
Little Bittern, African Fish Eagle and Rock Pratincole. A game drive in
the park should produce Abyssinian Ground Hornbills as well as Giraffe,
Oribi, Kob, Elephant and Buffalo.
Day 15: Transfer to Entebbe for the evening flight home. We
arrive in London early on the morning of Day 16.