7 Days Birding safaris

On Day 2 of 7 days Birding safari tour, Mabira Forest Reserve contains almost 300 bird species. The forest boasts many species of the Guinea-Congo Forests biome which are not well-represented in other protected areas in Uganda, for example Nathan’s Francolin, Black-shouldered Nightjar, Capuchin Babbler, Grey Longbill and Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher.

Other specialties here include Nathan’s Francolin, Cassin’s Hawk, White Spotted Fluff tail, Afep Pigeon, Gray Parrot, Dusky Long Tailed Cuckoo, Sabine’s and Cassin’s Spine Tails, Blue-throated Roller, African Dwarf and White-bellied Kingfishers, Forest Wood-hoopoe.

Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Speckled and Yellow-throated Tinkerbirds, Yellow-spotted, Hairy-breasted and Yellow-billed Barbet, Cassin’s Honey guide, Buff-spotted, Brown-eared and Golden-crowned Woodpeckers, Green-breasted Pitta, Blue-headed Crested, Black-headed Paradise, Dusky-crested and African Shrike Flycatchers.

Chestnut and Jameson’s Wattle-eyes, Gray-green Bush-shrike, Papyrus Gonolek, Sooty Boubou, Western Black-headed Oriole, Dusky Tit, Buff-throated Apalis, Yellow-browed and Olive-green Camaroptera, Gray, Plain, Honeyguide, Toro Olive, and White-throated Greenbul, Leaf Love, Common Bristlebill and Red-tailed Bulbul.

Overnight stay at Mabira Rain Forest Lodge (High end facility) Meal plan F/B.

After taking tea we visit Mabamba Village. The swamp is about 52km from Kampala. The road to Mabamba winds its way through areas of secondary forest and agricultural land attracting Red-headed Lovebird, African Crowned Hornbills, and a range of Sunbirds including the Green-headed, Green, Marico and Scarlet chested. We shall stop over at Mpigi Swamp to look out for the Papyrus Gonolek and the White-winged Warbler.

The road ultimately ends at a papyrus reed bed adjoining Lake Victoria. In the hand paddled canoes, we explore a maze of channels and mudflats searching for the majestic Shoe bill, African Pygmy Goose, the rare Lesser Jacana, and Carruthers’ Cisticola. After lunch, transfer to Mpanga Forest, a scientific research site.

The reserve protects an extensive patch of medium-altitude rain forest, characteristic of the vegetation that once extended over much of the northern Lake Victoria Hinterland. You will experience the silence of a noisy forest, witness floating paths of butterflies and enjoy the peace of solitude of a beautiful forest setting. Stay overnight and dine in Lake Victoria Windsor Hotel (High end facility) Meal plan F/B.

Entebbe Botanical Gardens has a collection of flora and birds plus fauna. look out for Orange, Vieillot’s Black, Slender-billed, Golden-backed, Holub’s Golden and Yellow-backed Weavers, Superb Sunbird, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Ross’s and Great blue Turaco, Splendid Glossy Starling, Yellow-fronted Tinker bird, Yellow, Creamy White-eyes, Scarlet-chested, Double-toothed, Barbet, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Blue-spotted Wood Dove.

Grey-headed Sparrow, Grey Woodpecker, Eastern Grey Plantain Eater, Alpine, Palm, White-rumped Swifts, Palm-nut Vulture, African Green Pigeon, Hamerkop, Egyptian Goose, Marabou Stork, Yellow-billed Duck, Pink-backed Pelican, White-chinned Prinia, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Snow-headed Robin-chat, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher. The most common primates here are Black and White Colobus Monkey, Vervet Monkey, and many butterflies. Also there are Cattle Egret, Red-faced Cisticola and Giant kingfisher. After lunch visit Lutembe Bay.

The bay is less than 8 sq km but boasts over 200 species including over 100 water birds. Two Red Data species have been recorded: occasional Shoebill and a Madagascar Squacco Heron. Regular waterfowl counts since 1993 show a total of 108 water bird species at the site, of which 26 are Palaearctic migrants.

The bay regularly supports 20,000 – 50,000 roosting water birds, and sometimes many more between October and February when there are particulate migrants making it a reserve for migrant birds. Stay overnight and dine in Lake Victoria Windsor Hotel (High end facility) Meal plan F/B.

Wake up early in the morning and head for Zika Forest. At Zika Forest you will spot Red-tailed and Grivet Monkeys alongside butterflies and birds. In the afternoon, explore the bird watching at Nsuki Forest; a privately managed natural forest on the shores of Lake Victoria just opposite Lutembe beach and is a good site for Blue-eared Starling, Purple Starling, Black-and-white Casqued, African Pied, and Crowned Hornbills, Little Greenbul and Green Crombec. Stay overnight and dine in Lake Victoria Windsor Hotel(High end facility) Meal plan F/B.

Ngamba Island is an island on Lake Victoria, a chimp sanctuary to 42 orphaned Chimpanzees. It allows you to learn more about chimpanzees’ behavior. You will experience pre-arranged feeding times – 11:00am and 3:00pm each day. You will be transferred on a speed boat to Ngamba Island, 23km offshore from Entebbe just 45 ride afterwards, we go bird watching to the Uganda Wildlife Education Center where White Rhinos, Lions, several antelopes, snakes, primates, and birds can be found.

The walk through is filled with vegetation and trees native to Uganda. The tops of the trees resonate with sounds of hundreds of birds. Stay overnight and dine in Lake Victoria Windsor Hotel (High end facility) Meal plan F/B.

Today is dedicated for airport transfer at your convenience depending on your flight time.