UGANDA GORILLA SAFARI.

Safari highlight:
- 24 days Gorilla safari to Uganda.
- Bwindi Impenetratable forest National Park.
- English speaking naturalist guide.
- Luxury safari vehicles.
- Unlimited game drives.
- No kids under 15 years.
- Strenuous hiking.
- Lush Bamboo Forest
 

Days:
Day 1:
Day 2:
Days 3 - 5:
Days 6 & 7:
Days 8 & 9:
Days 10 & 11:
Days 12 & 13:
Days 14 - 16:
Days 17 - 19:
Days 20 & 21:
Days 22 & 23:
Day 24:
 

Location:
Entebbe International Airport / Entebbe.
Masindi.
Murchison’s Falls National Park.
Budongo.
Kibale Forest.
Semliki.
Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Bwindi Impenetratable forest National Park.
Mubwindi.
Kisoro.
Lake Mburo.
Entebbe International Airport
 

Focus:
Gorilla’s, Birds and Natural history.

Introduction.
This is a lodge and luxury tented camps based safari, covering all aspects of nature including watching both mammals and birds but with more emphasis on the bird life.

Itinerary.

DAY 1: Entebbe.
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our tour leader and then transfer to your Hotel. Depending on arrival time, we will bird around Entebbe in the Botanical gardens.

Overnight at Hotel Africa - Entebbe.

DAY 2: Mpigi Swamp.
Drive to Mabamba wetland in Mpigi swamp. We look for the rare Shoebill, and other species like, Swamp Flycatcher, Slender-billed Weaver, Lesser Jacana, Blue Swallow, Black-Shouldered Nightjar, Afep Pigeon, Blue Breasted Bee-Eater, Papyrus Gonolek, and White Winged Warbler.  Afternoon drive to Masindi while birding enroute.

Overnight Masindi Hotel.

DAY 3: Murchison Falls National Park.
Very early in the morning transfer to Murchison falls National Park via Kaniyo Pabidi which is the only known locality for the Puvell’s Illadopsis, we will also be on the lookout for a variety of forest birds. Check in at your hotel for lunch then drive to the top of the falls for the Bat Hawk, Pel’s fishing owl, Rock Prantincoles and a variety of Night Jars.

Overnight Nile Safari camp.

DAY 4: Murchison Falls National Park.
This morning cross with a ferry for a boat ride to the delta.  Here we have chances of seeing the Shoebill Stork again and other water birds including, Long toed, Black-headed, Wattled Lapwings, Denham’s Bustard, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-billed Barbet and Teminck’s Courser.

Overnight Nile safari camp.

DAY 5: Murchison Falls National Park.
Morning game drives on the northern bank, afternoon bird around the Nile safari camp.

Overnight Nile safari camp.

DAY 6: Budongo.
Early morning drive to Budongo and along the way we will have stopovers to search for the

Grasshopper and Red-necked Buzzards, Foxy Cisticola, Cliff Chats and Western Violet-backed Sunbird.

Overnight at Masindi hotel.

DAY 7: Budongo – Royal mile.
Bird the royal mile for Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Nahan’s Francolin, Chocolate-backed and Dwarf Kingfishers, Brown-backed Scrub Robin. In the afternoon bird the pond area for the Shining Blue Kingfisher and a variety of other birds.

Overnight at Masindi Hotel.

DAY 8: Kibale Forest.
After breakfast drive to Kibale Forest birding enroute. Overnight Ndali lodge.

DAY 9: Kibale Forest.
Kibale is perhaps most famous for its primates, not least Chimpanzees, which we stand a very good chance of seeing. We will spend at least half a day birding along the main forest road, which allows clear views of the forest canopy.

Overnight Ndali lodge.

DAY 10: Semliki National Park.
This morning more birding in Kibale in search for what we may have missed the previous day.  Lunch at the hotel before driving to Semliki National Park birding enroute for a variety of Congo basin species.

Overnight Semliki Safari lodge.

DAY 11: Semliki National Park.
Morning birding Semliki NP for Long-tailed Hawk, Black-casqued, Wattled, White-crested Red-billed and Black Dwarf Hornbills, Hartlaub’s Duck, Spot- breasted Ibis, Nkulengu Rail, Congo Serpent Eagle, Black Collared Lovebird, Lyre-tailed Honey and many others.

Overnight Semliki Safari lodge.

DAY 12: Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Morning birding in Semliki for what we may have missed the previous day after which we shall transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP. Lunch in Fort portal and birding enroute.

Overnight Mweya Safari lodge.

DAY 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Morning game drives enjoying the Elephants, Lions, Hyenas, Leopards, and the handsome Uganda Kob. We shall also see a variety of savanna birds like the Grey Crowned Crane, Martial Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Rupell’s Griffon Vulture, Sooty Chat, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Marsh Tchagra Broad-tailed Warbler, Grey-capped Warbler, Black-headed Gonolek, and Black-lored babbler.

Overnight Mweya Safari lodge.

DAY 14: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha sector of the park for a game drive in search for tree climbing Lions and birding for a variety of raptors.

Overnight Buhoma homestead.

DAY 15: Buhoma.  
Today we have a full day to explore the forests around Buhoma. A wide track gives exceptional visibility into the forest, although many species will still escape without being seen. Highlights may include several Albetine Rift endemics, such as Short-tailed Warbler, Chapin's Flycatcher, Red-throated Alethe, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher and Blue-headed Sunbird.

Overnight Buhoma homestead.

DAY 16: Bwindi  Impenetrable National Park.
An early morning trek into Bwindi forest with packed lunch led by experienced trackers will lead us to a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare believed to be only 690 remaining, you will be within some meters of the family and be privileged spend some time amongst them.

Overnight Buhoma Homestead.

DAY 17: Ruhinzha.
Transfer to Ruhizha. Bird the “Neck” for Black bee-eaters, Bronze Naped Pigeon, Many-colored Bush-Shrike, Regal Sunbird, Chubbs Cisiticola, Brown-backed Scrub Robin, Scarce Swift and Dusky Twinspot among others.

Overnight at the Institute Guest House.

DAY 18: Mubwindi Swamp.
The legendary Mubwindi Swamp is the focus of this day. We'll take it easy as we descend the long, winding trail to the lake's edge. Perhaps the most famous bird here is the legendary African Green Broadbill, which we will need considerable luck to find.

Overnight Institute Guest House. (Buhoma).

DAY 19:  Mubwindi Swamp.
Second day birding Mubwindi swamp in case we missed the broadbill the previous day for those who can manage it for the second day while others bird the Bamboo zone for a variety of albertine rift endemics.

Overnight Institute Guest House.

DAY 20: Kisoro.
Morning drive to Kisoro birding the bamboo zone for Handsome Francolin White-starred Robin, Red-throated Alethe, Grauer’s Warbler, Dusky Crimson wing, afternoon stop at one crater Lakes near Kisoro for the Southern Porchard, Red Knobbed Coot, Lesser Jacana, Common Moorhen and the Dark-capped Yellow Warbler.

Overnight Traveler’s Rest.

DAY 21: Mt. Sabinyo.
Bird Gorge trail and bamboo Zone on Mt. Sabinyo for Rwenzori Turaco, Shelly’s Crimson wing and Kivu Ground Thrush and a variety of albertine rift endemics.

Overnight Traveler’s Rest.

DAY 22: Lake Mburo National Park.
Drive to Lake Mburo National Park birding Ecuya forest for Jackson’s Pipit enroute arriving for an evening game drive.

Overnight at Mantana Tented Camp.

DAY 23: Lake Mburo National Park.
Morning birding and mammal watching, bird the grassland for the Brown-chested Plover (this is there between June and December), Red-faced Barbet here we shall have the chance to see the Zebra, Eland, Topis, Impalas and some other game, afternoon go for a boat ride in search for the African Finfoot.

Overnight Mantana Tented camp.

DAY 24: Kampala.
Drive to Kampala birding enroute e.g. at Kaaku swamp for the Rufous-bellied Heron, Lesser Jacana, Lesser Moorhen and a variety of water birds then drive to Entebbe for your flight.

Grading.  
This tour is a lodge and tented camps based Uganda safari. Please remember that, in the game reserves and parks of East Africa, it is generally not permitted for visitors to leave the safety of their vehicles, apart from in our lodge grounds.  

Weather.
During our tour we can expect most days to be dry and fairly sunny, temperatures ranging from 20- 30oC, depending on altitude. Overcast weather, particularly in the afternoons, may not be infrequent, but rain is unlikely except on high ground such as Bwindi Impenetratable forest National Park and Kibale forest, where afternoon precipitation is a possibility. Here the weather can be chilly between sunset and sunrise.

Food & accommodation included in the price.
All meals and accommodation are included throughout this holiday, with the exception of dinner on the first day and lunch on the last day.

Entry requirements.
Most of Europe nationalities passport holders and most other nationalities require a visa for Uganda which is obtained in advance from the nearest embassy. You will also need to have various vaccinations and take malaria prophylactic. Please consult the nearest embassy about your requirements as soon as possible before traveling.

How to book your place.
In order to book a place on this holiday, please call us now on: 00 - 254 - 20 601 454. Alternatively, you may email us: safaris@mbangosafaris.com  giving us your contacts – telephone number, fax number and we will get back to you to reserve the safari for you.