Wildlife Tours to Uganda UGANDA
Photo: Silverback Mountain Gorilla (Roger Mitchell)
*Single room supplement.
(Costs are per person, full board, based on sharing twin-bedded rooms).
(Cost excludes gorilla permits which are currently US $500)
Tour Destinations :
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Kibale Forest National Park
- Lake Victoria
Tour Summary
Uganda
Whilst Uganda does not boast the teeming herds of animals to be found in Kenya and Tanzania, it has much to offer which is not available in those two countries.
Uganda is a highland equatorial country with a high rainfall in many areas. These areas support the best remaining examples of rain-forest which can be easily accessed and provide probably the best opportunity available in the world to see Mountain Gorilla (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest), Chimpanzee (Kibale Forest) and several other primate species, not to mention a dazzling wealth of birds and butterflies.
At the smaller Lake Mburo National Park there are extensive areas of acacia bush and savannah supporting good populations of birds and mammals, whilst the lake itself is a good birdwatching venue. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers further attractions including the lekking grounds of the Uganda Kob and the boat trip on the Kazinga Channel which connects Lakes Edward and George. Here, birds and mammals are drawn to the shallow waters of the Channel in good numbers.
Uganda is a beautiful country, the people are very friendly and the Government has expressed a determination to ensure the protection of the country’s wildlife and the management of tourism on a modest scale. There has been ample evidence, from our previous tours, of these statements being put into practice.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Overnight flight London to Entebbe
Day 2 : Entebbe
Following our morning arrival from London, there will be an opportunity to visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens in the afternoon which will provide a good introduction to some of the birds and butterflies of Uganda.
Days 3, 4 and 5: Kibale Forest
We will depart after breakfast on Day 3, via Lake Albert and Fort Portal, for a full day drive to the Kibale Forest National Park. After leaving the Rift Valley we will pass through beautiful agricultural countryside. Upon reaching Kyanjojo, in the lower foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, we drive through tea plantations and into the Kibale tropical rainforest.
Kibale is the most extensive and accessible large forest in Uganda and boasts 13 primate species amongst its mammals, including Chimpanzee, which we can expect to see, along with half a dozen other primates. The dominant vegetation type is rainforest interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp.
During our stay here, we will take guided walks in the forest and around the Magombe swamp using local guides. We will also spend some time along the main forest road. All of these locations provide more open views than simply entering the dense forest, resulting in much better viewing opportunities. With the help of guides, we should see a good number of ‘swamp specials’ at Magombe Swamp and, in the forest, West African species at the eastern limit of their range. Bird species likely to be seen may include Grey-throated, Yellow-billed, Yellow-spotted and Double-toothed Barbet, Blue-throated Roller, Swamp Flycatcher, Grey Parrot, Tambourine Dove, Black-and-white casqued Hornbill and a wide variety of weavers, woodpeckers, bee-eaters, coucals and turacos.
Days 6, 7 and 8 Queen Elizabeth National Park
On Day 6 we will travel to the Queen Elizabeth National Park which is located on the boundary of Uganda and the Congo. Our drive passes through Fort Portal and then south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, with the hope of seeing the glacial peaks. We then descend into the Rift Valley and enter the Park which embraces large areas of grassland, acacia savannah and euphorbia bush country supporting a large population of mammals, particularly Uganda Kob, and good numbers of Elephant. All the large predators, except Cheetah, are also present.
The bird life is prolific and many interesting species occur. These include three species of vulture, Martial Eagle, Northern Black Flycatcher, three species of nightjar, Flappet Lark, and White-throated and Little Bee-eater, Blue-spotted Wood Dove and Copper and Red-chested Sunbirds.
On Day 7 a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel provides an opportunity to see huge numbers of migrant and resident birds along the shoreline together with good numbers of mammals. Huge numbers of swifts, hirundines, terns, gulls, pelicans and cormorants gather here together with many less common species such as African Skimmer. Your three nights in this Park will provide an opportunity to explore some of its great diversity.
Days 9 and 10 : Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
On Day 9 we will make an early start on the journey to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The journey through the southern part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park will be a game run in itself. We should arrive at Bwindi in time to enjoy an evening walk.
The forest varies in altitude between 1,750m and 2,600m (5,750–8,530 ft) and is home to more than half (320) of the Mountain Gorillas in the world, and three groups of gorillas have been habituated. Our activities on Day 10 will be divided between gorilla tracking and birdwatching/butterfly walks in the Forest and along the nature walk which is provided along the forest edge. As well as being home to many primate species, the forest has a huge bird list. Birdwatching in the forest is not easy but, by carefully choosing vantage points, we will undoubtedly ‘get among’ some of the most interesting species such as Slender-billed Starling, Emerald and Klaas’s Cuckoo, Bar-tailed Trogan, African Broadbill, Ludher’s Bush-shrike and Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, several greenbuls, flycatchers and woodpeckers, and Black Bee-eater.
By contrast, butterflies are easily seen and congregate, sometimes in large numbers, on parts of the main forest tracks. Whether you have knowledge of butterflies or not, we will not fail to be impressed by the spectacular display they present in the forest.
Days 11 and 12 : Lake Mburo National Park
We will leave Buhoma in the morning for a full day’s drive to Mbarara, birdwatching on the way, arriving in the late afternoon for a two nights stay.
On Day 12 we will take a packed lunch and spend a full day in Lake Mburo. The 260 km2 (100 sq. miles) Park is dominated by acacia savannah, the remaining 20% of the area being made up of wetlands. It is notable for supporting a good variety of antelope including Impala, Eland, Topi, Bushbuck, Common Duiker, Sitatunga, Klipspringer, Oribi, and Defassa and Bohor Reedbuck.
Lake Mburo is also a good place to see savannah associated birds such as Black-bellied Bustard, Bare-faced Go-away-bird and Ground Hornbill, whilst the wetlands hold highly localised species such as the Papyrus Gonolek. This is an excellent location to end a tour since its large population of birds and considerable stock of mammals set in a most attractive landscape, ensure a rewarding day in the field.
Day 13 : Lake Mburo to Entebbe
There will be time for some birdwatching en route before arriving at Entebbe, where we have day rooms for your use prior to dinner and your evening departure for London.
Day 14 : Return flight from Entebbe to London
Your overnight flight will arrive in London early in the morning.