10 Days Uganda Avian Adventure

Meet the bird guide in Entebbe and travel toward Ziwa, stopping to watch birds along the road. At the sanctuary, explore savanna and wetland habitat alongside the rhino-tracking activity. Pied Kingfisher, Blue-headed Coucal and Grey Crowned Crane are among the birds sought. Stay at Masindi Kolping Hotel for two nights; meals are included, while drinks are extra.

A local guide joins the full-day exploration of Budongo’s Royal Mile. Work through the forest for Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, African Dwarf Kingfisher, White-thighed Hornbill and Nahan’s Partridge. The day concentrates on forest specialists, with time to look through different vegetation levels rather than moving between distant sites.

Use the morning for another Budongo session, searching for birds missed on the previous day. Ituri Batis, Yellow-crested Woodpecker and Red-tailed Ant-Thrush are among the possibilities. After lunch, continue to Murchison Falls with birding stops on the way. Red Chilli is the base for the next three nights, with an en-suite room and meals; drinks are excluded.

Begin with a game drive north of the Nile, looking for savanna birds such as Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Denham’s Bustard and Northern Carmine Bee-eater. In the afternoon, change to a boat for the approach to the falls, watching the river margins for Goliath Heron, Rock Pratincole and other waterbirds. The program also visits the top of the falls.

Spend a further full day in the park, allowing attention to different areas and birds still to be found. The route may use the delta track or woodland habitat. Search for Grey Kestrel, Martial Eagle, Pygmy Sunbird and Black-billed Barbet while continuing to watch for mammals.

Travel to the Kibale forest area and join a local guide for an evening walk at Bigodi. This wetland and forest-edge visit offers a change from the preceding savanna days, with Great Blue Turaco, Yellow-billed Barbet and White-collared Oliveback among the possibilities. Primates are also part of the experience. Overnight at Little Monkey Camp.

Search Kibale Forest in the morning for the elusive Green-breasted Pitta. Continue afterward to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an afternoon cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Look for African Fish Eagle, Pink-backed Pelican, Yellow-billed Stork and African Spoonbill, with further birding during the drive to Bush Lodge. Stay in a safari tent; meals are included and drinks are extra.

Bird through Ishasha before climbing toward Ruhija. Watch the open country for vultures and eagles, with a chance of encountering the area’s tree-climbing lions. In the evening, explore around camp or along the school trail for an introduction to the montane forest. Accommodation is at Broadbill Forest Camp or Ruhija Community Rest Camp, with meals included and drinks extra.

Concentrate on Ruhija’s montane birds, choosing the Mubwindi Swamp trail or roadside birding according to fitness and conditions. African Green Broadbill, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis and Stripe-breasted Tit are among the targets. Later, travel to Lake Mburo. Overnight in a safari tent at Leopard Rest Camp or Eagles Nest; meals are included, while drinks are not.

Spend the morning in Lake Mburo’s acacia savanna, searching for Red-faced Barbet, Coqui Francolin and Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove among the plains game. Leave the park afterward for the transfer to Entebbe and the outbound flight.