18 DAYS: UGANDA’S BIG 5 WILDLIFE AND BIRDING EXPEDITION SAFARI
18 DAYS: UGANDA’S BIG 5 WILDLIFE AND BIRDING EXPEDITION SAFARI
Price
Duration
Max People
Min Age
Reviews
No reviews yetOverview
An 18-day wildlife and birding expedition adventure safari in Uganda focusing on the “Big 5” animals and birdwatching would be an incredible adventure. Uganda is a biodiverse country with a wide variety of wildlife and bird species to offer. During these 18 Days of exploring bird species in Uganda and viewing wildlife, you will visit Mabamba swamp, Murchison Falls National Park, Sipi Falls, Mabira Forest, Semuliki national park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Other activities to engage in include game drives, cultural adventures, birding, nature walks, and boat cruises among others. This trip will start and end at the place of your choice.Â
This itinerary covers Uganda’s “Big 5,” which includes the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Additionally, it provides ample opportunities for birdwatching, as Uganda is home to over 1,000 bird species. Please note that this is a suggested itinerary, and you can customize it based on your interests, budget, and time constraints. Also, we ensure you to have the necessary permits for gorilla trekking and other activities in advance, as they may have limited availability. Lastly, always follow ethical wildlife and birdwatching guidelines to ensure minimal disturbance to the animals and their natural habitats.
Please note that this is a general itinerary, and the actual duration, activities, and accommodations may vary depending on your preferences, available time, and the specific arrangements made with you. It is advisable to consult with us to customise your itinerary and make any necessary adjustments.
Included/Excluded
- Accommodation
- Local english speaking Guide/driver
- All parks entry and adventure activity fees
- All local taxes
- Full Board Meals Plan
- Boat Cruise Executions
- 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel and Driver
- Wi-fi and Water on Board
- Entry Visa Fees
- All Air fares
- Meals where not provided
- Alcoholic drinks
- Porter fees while trekking or hiking
- Personal Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Items of personal nature
Day 1: Pick-Up Entebbe Airport And Head For Kampala City Tour
From where you are, our driver/guide will happily meet and welcome you, and shortly brief you about this safari adventure tour package. All your questions will be answered at the point, as you sip a glass of Juice or warm water, after which you will have a Kampala City Tour on a back of a Boda Boda-(Motorbike).
You will visit the Independence monuments to know more about the country the museum to uncover the country’s historical treasures, and the local markets and more historical sights that make Kampala the city of seven hills meanwhile your driver/guide will guide you to exchange the money for an easy transaction, as well as purchasing a few missing Items. Afterwards, you will return to the Hotel/lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Mabamba Swamp-Bird Watching Tour
After breakfast at the lodge, you will be transferred to Mabamba Swamp through a boat an experience that by itself leads to an everlasting memory. 1-7 hours of sailing on the world’s second-largest freshwater lake present you with a chance of spotting the sought-after shoebill stock, African jacana, the saddle bill stork, and several other swamp dwellers. You will enjoy a picnic lunch, and then at sunset, you will return to the Hotel/lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Morning Transfer To Jinja Via Mabira Forest
After you have an early morning breakfast and then head to Mabira Forest for a remarkable birding adventure. This forest is one of the oldest natural forest reserves in the country, hosting a good concentration of birds and unique tree species. The Great Blue Turaco, black-headed weaver, African grey parrot and tambourine dove among others reside here. You will have Lunch here before proceeding to Jinja for dinner and an overnight stay at a lodge.
Day 4: Source Of River Nile Boat Rides And Sipi Falls Tour
After enjoying a heavy breakfast with a cup of coffee, you will depart the lodge for a 1-4 hour source of the Nile boat ride, photography and so many optional activities. Thereafter, depart and embark on a 4-5 hours drive to Sipi Falls, located in the footsteps of Mount Elgon. Your lunch will be in Mbale city waiting for you, you will have a short city tour and the drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Full Day Exploring Sipi Falls
After breakfast early in the morning, you get prepared for a hiking tour to the powerful 3 falls of the magnificent city falls. Along the trail are several birds species to look out for in bamboo trees, scattered homesteads, plantations, and several other attractions. You will spend time taking photos, bathing if you don’t mind, and chilling, pending the arrival of your favourite bird species. You will return to the lodge late in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After you grab your breakfast, you will depart Sipi early in the morning for a drive to Murchison Fall’s National Park. You will embark on a scenic drive, with an en-route stopover at Nyero rock paintings to look at the ancient writings, and another stopover for a lunch break. You will transverse buzzing towns, lush vegetation, and breathtaking scenery to your lodge or the park. On arrival, you will check in for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Morning Game Drive And Afternoon Boat Cruise
Early in the morning, you will grab a delicious breakfast, followed by a 3-5 hours game drive in the northern sector of the park. Mammals such as lions, elephants, warthogs, zebras, and giraffes among others, birds such as the Egyptian geese, crested cranes, and many more offer the best sights of the day. Thereafter, you will return to the lodge for lunch, followed by an afternoon boat cruise, which offers an opportunity of encountering crocodiles, hippos and several bird species. After, you will return to the lodge again for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 8: Full Day Birding At Budongo Forest
After your breakfast at the lodge, your birding guide will take you for a full day’s birding experience at the lush Budongo forest, marked by the giant mahogany tree species. As you traverse the jungle, expect to learn about the different characteristics, shelter, and sounds of the different bird species. The notable residents here include the African crowned eagle, Dwarf kingfisher, woodpeckers, black-throated Apalis, Hugli’s francolin, and the barbets among others. At the end of the day tour experience, you will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Note that on this day tour you will have a picnic lunch.
Day 9: Transfer To Kibale Forest National Park
After a peaceful night, you will grab your breakfast and then you will depart your lodge for a 6-7 hours drive to Kibale Forest National Park. You will enjoy the captivating views of the landscape, vegetation, and scattered homesteads along the roadside. There will be an en-route stopover for a lunch break, and then late arrival at the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Chimpanzee Tracking And Afternoon Birding Experience
Very early in the morning after you have your breakfast, you will clad in your hiking attire and with packed lunch and head to the park headquarters for a pre-trekking briefing, followed by the thrilling search, which may last for approximately 1-5 hours, depending on one’s speed. There are over 13unique primate species in this place, though dominated by the chimpanzees.
As you search, birds, monkeys, and other forest residents will come your way. Reports suggest that Chimpanzees possess over 98% human DNA, and a very thought-provoking appearance. Upon locating the Apes, you will have one hour to watch, take photos, and as many questions about the chimps. after, you will have a lunch break, followed by a relaxed evening, dinner, and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 11: Icinga Cultural Experience and Depart to Semiliki National Park- Afternoon Game Drive
Just like all the days, this one as well will start with breakfast and a cup of grounded coffee, after which you will head for an exciting cultural encounter in the Isunga community. The natives will happily welcome you with exciting stories, dances, and simple village walks, for you to come into an understanding of rural life.
After, you will return to the lodge for a lunch break and then embark on a rewarding drive to the birders’ paradise Semuliki National Park. Upon arrival, you will check in to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 12: Full Day Dirding Safari Exporing Semuliki National Park
After a lip-smacking breakfast, you will depart the lodge with packed lunch for a full day of birding experience the forest, and the hot spring area. Over 60% of bird species, migrants, and domestics in Uganda have been recorded here. It is a centre for diversity, and this day will be just for adventures. Among the many birds to look out for including Red-thighed sparrow hawk, Sassi’s Olive greenbelt, Lyre-tailed honeyguide, the nine hornbill species, spot-breasted Ibis, and Black-collared Lovebirds. There will be a picnic lunch served, whereas the day comes to an end late in the evening, after understanding the unique characteristics, and colours of the birds. You shall return back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 13: Depart Semuliki and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park- Afternoon Birding
You will kick start this day with a heavy breakfast, then depart the lodge and head to a 3-4 hours early morning birding. From a birder’s paradise to the medley of wonder, the route is marked by lush vegetation, undulating hills, and the backdrop of giant rocks.
You will arrive at the park for lunch, and for the rest of the evening engage in sporting the different avian species as they return to their nests for rest. After, you will return back at the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 14: Morning Game Drive And Afternoon Boat Cruise
As usual, you will have your delicious breakfast, followed by a rewarding 3-4 hours game drive to the Kisenyi area, and other corners of the park, where you will encounter mammals of all species and sizes, birds, unique tree species, and the breathtaking landscape. Among the many creatures to look out for including lions, buffaloes, elephants, leopards and several antelope species, lovebirds, crested cranes, eagles, vultures and so much more in numbers. Along the way, you will have a lunch break, and an evening of a boat cruise at Kazinga channel, home to a school of hippos, crocodiles, and several bird species. at sunset, later along you will return back to the lodge for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.
Day 15: Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha Sector
You will start your day with breakfast, after which you will depart the lodge for a rewarding drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a prime safari adventure destination in the country. You will pass via the Ishasha sector to track the rare tree-climbing lions. There is no guarantee of finding them resting on the tree branches, and so Luck comes into play. Along the way, you will have a lunch break which will also be at the very Ishasha sector, before continuing with a rewarding drive, while encountering the rolling hills, birds, the natives, and green plantations. You will arrive at your lodge in the evening check in, and get some refreshments, dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 16: Full Day Of Birding Experience/Optional Gorilla Trekking
After a sumptuous breakfast, you will depart the lodge with packed Lunch to engage in birding for the entire day. From the start to the end, the melodies, captivating colours, and the lush Jungle will invite you to pay attention at every bend. Some of the notable residents here include; the flycatcher, red-throated alethechapins, green bulls, black bee-eater, and the Tinker birds among others.
Along the way, lunch comes at the break of the first hours of the day, whereas dinner and overnight stay.
Day 17: Transfer To Lake Bunyonyi For Exploration
This day will be all yours right from the start to the end. You will first have an early morning breakfast, followed by remarkable birding, canoeing, and many activities available on options. Lunch comes right at the break of the first activities, and then the rest of the evening hours is yours to explore, relax, and have fun. Later have dinner peaceful overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 18: Transfer Back to Entebbe International Airport Or Kampala City
After the remarkable 18 days of exploring the Uganda birding safari adventure tour package, you will depart Lake Bunyonyi after breakfast in the morning and then head to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your flight home or to the next destination. Additionally, there will be an en-route stopover for lunch break and photography at the equator point, one of the must-see attractions on this package. Or you will be dropped off at your hotel/lodge or at any place of your inconvenience