22 Days Rwanda & Uganda Classic Bird watching Tour

Early breakfast at your lodge, then set out to Uwinka for the Albertine Rift Endemic Birds’ search. Among the many to look out for include Mountaim Masked Apalis, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, Red-throated Aleth, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Kivu Ground Thrush, Rockefeller’s’ Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Ousky Crimson wing etc. Spend the day birdwatching in Nyungwe Forest. The Forest is situated in South Western Rwanda, and a common border is shared with Burundi and also between Congo and Rwanda in lake Kivu. A total of 275 species of birds have been recorded in Nyungwe reflecting the wide habitat diversity altitudinal range. These include all the 25 species of the Albertine Rift Mountainous Endemic Birds Area that occur in Rwanda, Rockefellers’ Sunbird and the Red-Collared Mountain Babblers (that are both globally threatened, restricted-range and biome-restricted) Also all the 23 species of Guinea-Congo Forest Biome and 71 of the 74 species of this biome of Afrotropical highlands that occur in Rwanda have been recorded.

After breakfast, head out to look for birds species probably missed the previous day. There are more birds’ species including Blue-headed Sunbird, Doherty’s Bush Shrike, Neuman’s Warbler, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Robin-chat, Kungwe Apalis, Yellow-eyed Flycatcher, Barred long-tailed Cuckoo and many more.

Then depart from Nyungwe Forest and drive along the Congo-Nile Trail with spectacular views of Lake Kivu along the wetlands. Proceed with a stop for lunch enroute to Volcanoes. There will be various bird-spotting spots along the route. Overnight at your Lodge in the sidelines of Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park is home to the endangered mountain Gorillas and the most popular in Rwanda. . mountain Gorillas are the largest living primates and the world’s most endangered apes with an estimated population of less than 1000 left in the wild. Of the whole world population none in zoos (Gorilla Beringei).

In the early morning, an optional Gorilla Trekking/Golden Monkey trekking adventure. After the trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch. Then set out for birding around the magnificent twin lakes. A boat trip comes in handy for the perfect bird-watching cruise into the lakes. There are many birds’ species including mustering of Storks, Spur-winged Geese, Red-billed Teals, White-backed duck, Red-knobbed Coot and many others. Overnight at your lodge.

Later afternoon, continue with a leisurely bird watching tour in Buhanga Eco-park located about 8kms from Musanze. This small forest is widely know for the many species of birds recorded including Blue-shouldered Robin Chat, olive Thrush, Yellow-throated Green Bul and the Africak Pitta, which is an Intra-African migrant. Overnight at your Lodge

Early breakfast at the lodge. Then drive towards the Rwanda Uganda Border, heading to Lke bunyonyi. There will be a stop at Echuya Forest, in search for the Black-faces Apalises, Albertine Boubou, Banded Prinia, Northern Puffback, Mountain Illadopsis, red-throated Alethe, Lagden’s Bush shrikes, Mountain Yello Warbler and many more. In the late afternoon, enjoy a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi. The name ‘Bunyonyi’ in the local language loosely translates to ‘Many birds’ – this is because of the many birds found in the lake. Overnight at your lodge.

After breakfast, drive to Ruhija region of Uganda, which is popularly known as East Africa’s number one birding spot. The most sought-after here is the rare Green-broadbill endemic to montane forest along the Albertine Rift. Overnight at your Lodge

Combining Gorilla trekking with birding is highly recommended here. This is because when done together, there are greater chances to go out for more restricted range and the Albertine Rift Endemic. In this case we do a leisurely walk to the community with chances of spotting Gray Cuckoo Shrike, Luders Bush Shrike, Cravers Warbler, Pink-footed puffback, Olive Lok=ng-tailed Cuckoo etc while they move through the vines. Overnight at your Lodge

Today, after days of Montane birding, you will head to North of Queen Elizabeth National Park located in the Great East African Rift Valley. You shall bird-watch through Ishasha, the Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. There are possible views of different raptors most of which we might have seen earlier including the Banded-snake Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, Rufous-breasted Sparrow hawk, Black-chested snake Eagle and others, impressive views of Broad-tailed Whydah, Moustached Grass-warbler. Overnight at your Lodge.

In the afternoon enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The channel is approx. 40 km long and natural connecting two major lakes in the park; Lake George and Lake Edward. Due to the significant wildlife activities at the banks of the channel, we are able to only cover 4.5Kms and this takes us to Lake Edward as a turning point. The boat cruise typically will target congregations of birds and big mammals as they come to water in the lake to quench thirst and cool off during the heat of the day. During the boat cruise, watch out for Fishing African Spoonbill, African Fish Eagle, Gull-billed Tern, African Skimmer, Shower Birds (depending on the season), Ruff, Marsh Sandpiper. Other birds include Red-throated Bee eaters, Great and Long-tailed commorants and many more. Later in the evening enjoy a drive in the park with great chances of spotting Pennant-winged Night jar, square tailed night jars and black shouldered night jar. Overnight at your Lodge

After breakfast, exit Queen Elizabeth National Park with a game viewing drive enroute to Kibale Forest National Park. Keep an eye on the bushes for White-browed Scrub Robin and Black Crowned Ishagra as you enjoy your picturesque along the Rwenzori Mountains. Overnight at your Lodge.

Kibale Forest National Park is well popular for primates and often referred to as the Primate Capital of the World. Hosting 13 species of primates, it has the highest concentration of primates and Uganda’s largest population of chimpanzees. During the trek looking out for the chimpanzees, also look out for the Green-breatsed Pitta. It is one of Africa’s most difficult bird to find. Also watch out for the White-throated Green bull, Western Nicator, Thick-billed Honeyguide, Crested Guinea Fowls, Crowned Eagle, Lesser Honey Guide, Red-chested Owlet and Brown-chested and Fire-crested Alethe.

After breakfast, drive on to Semliki area of Uganda. Semliki Forest marks the easter extension of the west African forest. This makes it one of the best birding areas in East Africa. As we encounter some of the Guinea-Congo Biome Endemics not easily seen in other East African destinations. These species include Congo Serpent Eagle, African Piculet, Blue Billed Malimbe, Rufous-sided Broad Bill, Capuchin bubbler, Western bronze-napped Pigeon, Nkulengo Rail, White-bellied King Fisher, White-throated blue Swallow, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Black dwarf, Piping, Red-billed Dwarf among many others. Overnight at your Lodge

After early breakfast, depart northwards to Budongo Forest; driving along the Albertine Rift Escarpment and country side. It is approx. 8-birding drive hours from Kibale Forest National Park. There will be a stop for lunch and few others to spot the very likely birds such as Yello-shouldered and Red-collared Widowbird, Brown Twinspot, Red-backed and Brown-backed Scrub Robin. Overnight at your lodge

Early breakfast at your lodge. Depart for more birding in Budongo Forest which is one of Uganda’s most valued forest for birds. The Royal Mile is named in memory of Omukama (King) Kabalega who ruled the Bunyoro Kingdom between 1870 – 1899. There is a good system of trails in the forest. Today expect to see skulking birds like the Nahan’s Francolin, Blue-throated Roller, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Tittylia, Hairy-breasted and Yellow-spotted barbet, Great Blue and Black Billed Turaco among many others. Overnight at your Lodge

After breakfast, your birding tour will continue to Kamiyo Pabidi area of Budongo Forest with chances of sighting Puvels Iladopsis in the forest. Later in the afternoon, depart to Murchison Falls National Park in the northern banks of the River Nile. Overnight at your Lodge

After breakfast, set out for a scenic boat ride to the bottom of the falls which is undoubtedly the highlight of the trip. The cruise takes us to the delta area.  There are many birds to watch during the boat ride including the Red-throated and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, Saddle Billed, African Open Billed and Yello Billed storks,Giant, Woodland, Grey Headed, Stripped and Malchite Kingfishers. We also will lok out for Heuglins, Francolins, Black Billed Barbet, and the Giant Abyssinian Rollers. Overnight at your Lodge

After breakfast, enjoy another boatride to the delta area. The sail is downstream on Victoria Nile into Lake Albert. Here you get to lock eyes with the Giant Nile Crocodiles and schools of Hippopotamuses. The bank’s riverine forests and thickets are good for spotting Giant Kingfishers and various storks. After lunch, head out for a late afternoon wildlife drive. Murchisson Falls National Park has extensive savannah grasslands that gives fantastic photography opportunities during the sunset. Overnight at your Lodge

After breakfast, commence your journey to Kampala via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. During the drive, there is huge potential to add different species of birds to our list including Abdim’s stock, Short-toed and Brown Snake Eagles, Singing Cisticola, Red-winged and Orange winged Pytilias, White Helmeted Shrike, Brown-backed Woodpecker among others. Overnight at your Hotel

After breakfast, you will transfer to Mabamba Swamp approx. 50Kms West of Kampala. Look out for many different species on your way to the swamp such as the Western Banded Snake Eagle, White Winged Warbler and Weyns Weaver. The swamp is one of the best places to spot the exceptional Shoe Bill Stork. Other species too such as the Goliath Heron, Purple Gallinvle, Allens and Squaco Heron are likely to be spotted here. Return to your lodge for overnight.

Depending on your departure flight time, birdwatch enroute to Entebbe International Airport via Entebbe Botanical Gardens that has got about three habitats. i.e. Forest, Water and Grassland. Here we shall look out for birds like Broad Billed Roller, African Gray Parrots, Great Blue and Ross’s Turaco, Copper Sunbird and Grey Woodpecker to mention but a few. Drop off at the airport