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14 day Rwanda Uganda Birds, Big 5 game and Monkeys tour

  • OVERVIEW | SUMMARY
  • TOUR DETAILS
  • COSTS & INCLUSIONS
  • BOOK THIS SAFARI
OVERVIEW | SUMMARY

Overview

An ideal safari for those looking for variety in terms of big animals, Birds, Primates (Chimpanzee, Gorillas and other Monkeys). This tour explores mostly Savanna habitats for the big game / ‘Big Five’ and a few forested areas for the primates. The trip considers more leisurely birding while enjoying other animals.

Summary

  • Day 1: Arrivals at Entebbe International Airport
  • Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
  • Day 3: Explore Murchison Falls National Park
  • Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park
  • Day 5: Morning Birding in the Forest and Optional Chimp trekking
  • Day 6: Game drive and birding along Kasenyi
  • Day 7: Transfer to Ishasha
  • Day 8: Game drive and birding in Ishasha
  • Day 9: Optional Gorilla tracking in Bwindi
  • Day 10: Transfer to Rwanda
  • Day 11: Bird Nyungwe Forest
  • Day 12: Transfer to Akagera National Park
  • Day 13: Whole day game drive and birding in Akagera
  • Day 14: Transfer to Kigali for your flight back home


TOUR DETAILS

Day 1: Arrivals at Entebbe International Airport

Arrivals at Entebbe Airport and transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Early arrivals will give a chance to bird Entebbe botanical gardens. We shall have a chance for a leisurely birding walk at the archetypal tropical rainforest of National Botanical Gardens of Uganda along Victoria shores in Entebbe as we get over jetlag. Likely encounters: Bat-hawk, Southern White-faced Scops-Owl, African Cuckoo-hawk, Orange Weaver, Golden-backed Weaver, Black & White Casqued Hornbill, African Pied and Crowned Hornbills.

Overnight: Papyrus Guest House Entebbe B&B

Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Stopover at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary for tracking Rhinos, Search for shoebill and other birds.

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national conservation area, and it is famous for its big game, spectacular scenery and the falls for which the park was named.

Overnight:Bamboo Village Safari Lodge FB

Day 3: Explore Murchison Falls National Park

Visit the northern sector of the park in the morning for birding and big game. Afternoon boat cruise along the river Nile up to the bottom of the falls where the Nile narrows, squeezes and plunges spectacularly over the escarpment with unfathomable might!

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park

This is a long trip to western Uganda. Lunch break will be in Fort Portal Town and we spend the rest of the afternoon on a walk along the famous Bigodi community wetland

Kibale is an extensive National Park, protecting a large block of rainforest that is most celebrated for its greatest variety and concentration of primates than any other reserve in East Africa; the most prominent being the Chimpanzee. The forest protects a remarkable 13 primate species, including the very localized Red Colobus and L’Hoest’s Monkey, Galagos, Blue monkey, Black and White Colobus, Red-tailed and Vervet Monkey

Overnight: Chimpanzee Guesthouse

Day 5: Morning Birding in the Forest and Optional Chimp trekking

Start very early for the special bird of this forest – the green-breasted Pitta, plus several other encounters with occasional chimpanzees. Look out for Red-chested Owlet, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Hairy-breasted Barbet, White-throated Greenbul, Red-tailed Bristle bill etc. Afternoon transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park direct to our Lodge.

Overnight: Bush Lodge Banda, FB

Day 6: Game drive and birding along Kasenyi

The boat trip is the most popular activity at Mweya. Kazinga Channel is a natural narrow neck of water body connecting lakes Edward and George; measuring up to 40km long, and is the most luxurious in the region. Along the Kazinga Channel, there are chances of Giant Nile crocodiles basking in the sun, elephants, hippos, and giant forest hog are rarely missed.

Lodging: Bush Lodge FB

Day 7: Transfer to Ishasha

Start early and transfer to Ishasha (Queen Elizabeth National Park – Southern distant segment of the park)

On our way, we shall pay a short visit to one of the fishing villages along the Kazinga channel. Spend the rest of the day in Ishasha on a game drive. Birds here include Stout Cisticola, Red-collared Widowbird, Black Cuckoo, Red-throated Wryneck, black coucal, Diederick cuckoo etc.

Overnight: ishasha Pride Lodge/ Topi Lodge

Day 8: Game drive and birding in Ishasha

You will explore Ishasha, considered by some experts as one of the most alluring game viewing area of East Africa, famous for the largest concentration of hippos along the Ishasha River, large herds of Elephant…

We return to the lodge for a lunch break, and short siesta, and later drive to Bwindi.

Lodging: Bakiga Lodge for 1night

Day 9: Optional Gorilla tracking in Bwindi

Bwindi has a unique rich and varied ecosystem and has lowland rainforest and afromontane forest. It’s considered as one of the most unique and important forests of Africa. UNESCO declared it as a Natural World Heritage Site for Humanity for his many values and because it is vital to the survival of many endangered species. Gorillas are a hot cake here!

After here, drive to Kisoro

Overnight: Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro

Day 10: Transfer to Rwanda

Today we start off and cross to the Land of a thousand hills through the Cyanika Border in Kisoro. We drive through the tranquil southwestern part of the country via Ruhengyeri with a view of the Virungas up to the most protected forest in Africa, Nyungwe forest. The drive will take most of our day.

Overnight: EAR Ken Barham Guest House FB – Budget Guest house

Day 11: Bird Nyungwe Forest

We spend the whole day birding in the forest. Optional Canopy Walk. Nyungwe is the biggest mountain rain forest, and the most preserved forest on the African continent! It is by far the most important site for biodiversity in Rwanda inhabiting several species of fauna and flora. Nyungwe is also very well known for a good number of Albertine Rift Endemics. The Handsome Spurfowl, Blue-headed Sunbird, Grauer’s Warbler, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Rwenzori Turaco, Rockerfeller’s Sunbird, Lagden’s Bush Shrike etc are easy to see here.

Overnight: EAR Ken Barham Guest House FB – Budget Guest house

Day 12: Transfer to Akagera National Park

Today we start very early and transfer to Akagera National Park through the Most beautiful City in Africa; Kigali City. Akagera National Park is famous for its varied biomes protecting a multitude of habitats and associated species of flora fauna. These include swamps and Lakes that flow into river Akagera.

Overnight: Akagera transit Lodge FB – Midrange Lodge outside the park

Day 13: Whole day game drive and birding in Akagera

Besides being home to the Big Five; Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant. Akagera National Park in Rwanda is a fantastic destination for birdwatching! The park boasts a diverse range of habitats, from savannas to wetlands, which attract a variety of bird species including Papyrus Gonolek, Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle, Cabanis Bunting, Short-tailed Pipit, Brown-chested Lapwing etc.

Overnight: Akagera Transit Lodge FB

Day 14: Transfer to Kigali for your flight back home

Transfer to Kigali for your flight while birding on the way. There are several swamps along the way where we can stop to look at birds. While in Kigali city, we shall visit the botanical gardens as we wait for our flight time

COSTS & INCLUSIONS

Inluded

Car (4×4 Land cruiser), fuel, professional birding guide charge, local guide fees, boat fees, meals and accommodations, bottled drinking water, rhino tracking, entry to national parks plus all activities stipulated in the Itinerary

Excluded

Excluded are flights, visas, laundry, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks like sodas, tips, any activities not mentioned in the Itinerary or regarded as optional; plus any items of personal nature.

BOOK THIS SAFARI

Scheduled birding group departures

Uganda Fixed Date Birding group Departure

No. of days: 16

No. of Participants: 2 - 6

Departure Dates: 2nd Jul 2026, 6th Jan 2027

Prices: from USD2877 per person

Explore Uganda's top national parks on a wildlife and birdwatching tour from Entebbe, featuring gorilla trekking in Bwindi and visits to Kibale, Semuliki, and Lake Mburo National Park

REVIEWS

Birding Trip to Uganda - 2nd July to 16th July 2015

Rating

From July 2 to 16, 2015, I joined a birding tour in Uganda led by Muhumuza Deogratius (Deo), an excellent birder and personable guide, alongside Luke, a knowledgeable co-leader and driver.

The trip featured diverse habitats, including Mabamba Bay, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kibale Forest.

Highlights included a Shoebill sighting, gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, and an impressive list of 350 bird species (274 lifers) and 27 mammal species (17 lifers).

Lodging was generally comfortable, and food ranged from acceptable to good. It generally, was a rewarding adventure in a fascinating region.

Dalcio Dacol, Tucano's

Brazil

Uganda 2 week Birding & Mammal Tour, Jan 2014

Rating

Peter Saunders and his group, including Lorraine Saunders, Jonny Price, and Will Price, had an unforgettable birding holiday in Uganda organized by Deo and Robert Nuwagaba.

Deo’s excellent communication and organization ensured a seamless trip, while both guides impressed with their deep knowledge of bird calls, habitats, and remarkable spotting skills.

Over two weeks, the group recorded 470 bird species and encountered extraordinary wildlife, including the Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta, Finfoot, chimpanzees, and gorillas. The accommodations, food, and stunning views added to the experience.

Peter highly recommends Deo’s services, praising both guides for their expertise, politeness, humor, and care, making this a truly memorable adventure.

PETER SOUNDERs

Great Britain

Rating

We had a most wonderful, individually and expertly guided nature tour in Uganda

A magnificent trip took us to Uganda July 15 to July 29, 2014, expertly guided by Muhumuza Deogratius; Deo for short. We had intended to book our trip through a local Ugandan travel agent and were lucky to find Deo recommended on the www.birdingpal.org website. Deo responded to our inquiries immediately and to our satisfaction. He booked our travel route according to our wishes and the accommodations selected by him were all very pleasant, clean and located in beautiful and safe environments.

Being interested in nature, birds and anything else that flies and walks, Deo was the perfect guide for us. He could spot and name any bird just from hearing its song. He also showed us many mammals in the various diverse national parks of Uganda. As we had requested, he took us to the mountainous forest vegetation and animals therein, and with great patience let us enjoy nature at a relaxed pace of driving with many stops and observations on foot.

It was a pleasure for us to realize that Deo was very open to our special interest in insects. He was fascinated and eager to be introduced by us into the world of little critters that he had never paid attention to or seen close-up through a magnifying lens.

We highly recommend Deo and wish that he will be able to guide many more nature-loving tourists through his beautiful homeland of Uganda, and thereby enhance the mutual understanding of the people in this world.

URSULA AND RUDOLF JANDER

USA

Fantastic trip for 3 weeks to see 526 species of birds

Rating

There were 5 trip members from UK which we organised with Deo through Birding Pal. Deo met us at Lake Victoria View guest house where we were familiarising ourselves with the Hotel garden Birds. A big smile from Deo soon got us on the right footing. From the outset and through the rest of the trip, communication, expert guiding and service lived up to the highest standard of hopeful expectation.

Deo was a true professional as well as being a great companion and friend during our three weeks in Uganda.

He did his utmost best to make sure we saw as many species as possible. I personally got on great with him because of my keen interest in photography and his similar passion in the same subject.

We all enjoyed his sense of humour.

Brian our driver and assistant guide got on so well with us all that we thanked our luck stars we had such a good friendly team.

I would not hesitate in recommending both for future trips in Uganda.

Here's to successful future trips

CHRIS. WARD

Great Britain

Great birding trip to Uganda July 2016

Rating


Deo drove us hundreds of miles and with his and Robert's expert bird finding skills we clocked around 480 species and saw all the main mammals as well - including the fantastic Biwindi gorillas. Communications, food and accommodation were all excellent and, overall, I was thoroughly impressed. Would strongly recommend this company.

JONATHAN PRICE

Great Britain

Kenya Birding trip

November, 2024

Rating

My husband and I completed a 15-day private birding tour in Kenya (Western Circuit) in August/September. We had the pleasure of being guided by 2 marvelous bird guides, Davis Kibuga and James Apolloh Omenya. We birded in 8 National Parks/Reserves throughout southwestern Kenya and logged almost 400 bird species in addition to many mammals and reptiles. Our guides not only knew the birds, they also knew the mammals and plants. Apolloh, in particular, not only knew every bird along our routes by name, he also knew all the bird calls and where to find them. Many times we would stop at specific locations, sometimes along a highway, to call for a specific species and the bird would

come. It was uncanny!

Our trip was well organized from beginning to end. Though the travel times between the National Parks/Reserves were long and the roads at times bumpy, we were not bored as we stopped along the way to log more species. At some birding sites, we were joined by a local birding guide who showed us the specialties at that site. We felt extra special as there were 3 guides for the two of us.

We felt very safe in the care of these wonderful young men with such big hearts, courage, and quick thinking. In addition to the birds of Kenya, we have learned a great deal from our guides about the culture and life in East Africa. Thank you, Davis and Apolloh, for a well-planned and rewarding trip. We look forward to returning one day to bird in Uganda and Eastern Kenya with you again.

Vickie kwong

USA

Beautiful Birds of Zanzibar with expert

Oct 2024

Rating

What a fantastic experience seeing beautiful

and some rare birds in Zanzibar! Andrew’s knowledge and skills made it an

amazing experience, he knows where to go and it was a joy to see swamp

kingfishers, rare coucals, and 50 others. We even saw a large snake in the

forest! Thank you Andrew. Would definitely spend more time with him if we are lucky enough to come again

andrew c

Austria

Birding Trip to Uganda 23rd Jan to 7th Feb 2015

Rating

No sound or movement escapes him. If there is a bird somewhere Robert will find it. Both Deo and Robert made sure that we saw as many birds as possible and that we all saw them. We were a group of 6 and came from 3 different continents.

Deo is not only a good organizer but has a wonderfully friendly and cheerful personality. We truly enjoyed chatting with him.

He is a very good listener and always made sure that everyone was comfortable and spared no effort to keep us all happy. We all enjoyed spending time with him.

I wish him great success in his business , he certainly deserves it . He possesses all the qualities and skills required to deal with many diverse personalities and situations.

I want to add that I found the Ugandans welcoming, friendly and so very kind.

MONIQUE FISCHER

Toronto

33 days Uganda - Rwanda Birding Safari

Rating

After thorough research and consulting 13 companies, the author selected Uganda Eco Tours for a customized birdwatching and wildlife experience, citing their professionalism, in-depth birding knowledge, and prompt communication.

Over 30 days, the journey spanned iconic Ugandan locations such as Mabamba Wetland, Mabira Forest, Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, and Kibale Forest, among others, in addition to Rwanda, yielding over 600 bird species, diverse wildlife, and unforgettable encounters with gorillas and chimpanzees. Highlights included Shoebill sightings, a leopard with prey, scenic canoe rides, and immersive forest treks.

The tour was a rich blend of birding, wildlife, and cultural experiences, meticulously guided by Deo Muhumuza and his team.

WILLIAM ROWE

England

Uganda group departure birding trip

Rating

This particular trip could be regarded as a once in a lifetime experience!

The communications with regard to the trip were excellent and the service was also of a very high standard and lived up to all expectations. The level of accommodation was also as expected but the food could be improved upon. The actual tour itself was absolutely fantastic with regard to the itinerary, diverse habitats and the time spent looking for birds. The bird knowledge of the two guides was outstanding

IAN MAC EACHERAN

Great Britian

24 January to 7 February 2014 with Deo and Robert

Rating

The Birdingpal fixed-date tour from January 24 to February 7, 2014, was an unforgettable experience led by the exceptional guides Deo and Robert. Deo, the trip's mastermind, ensured everyone felt at home and catered to the group's diverse interests with good humor and grace, while Robert's unparalleled bird-spotting skills made the tour extraordinary.

The itinerary covered a variety of habitats, from savannas and forests to wetlands, offering sightings of stunning birds like Jameson's Wattle-eye and African Green Broadbill, alongside iconic African wildlife, with optional gorilla and chimpanzee tracking being highlights.

Accommodation was clean and comfortable, and the logistics, including minibus travel on rough roads, were well managed. Uganda Eco Tours delivered a high-quality, budget-friendly trip, leaving participants eager to explore more of the country in the future.

JONO & Karo

United States of America

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