Birdwatching holidays - Birding Tours

Darkest Africa inspired epic sagas of discovery in the Victorian Age. Livingstone and Stanley’s quest for the Nile’s source filled newspapers. Reports of fearsome beasts meant that only the most intrepid explorers ventured into the bush.

Much has changed since those times. Uganda is now enjoying unprecedented economic growth. An excellent national park infrastructure gives economic benefits back to the local people. The country is now reaping great rewards as the true value of Churchill's ‘Pearl of Africa’ is recognised.

Few African countries can match Uganda's diversity of habitats, which are home to at least 23 Albertine Rift endemics among over one thousand bird species in an area of similar size to the UK! We have now run three wonderful tours, with over 450 bird species being the supporting cast to intimate sessions with Gorillas and big game. The awesome Shoebill Stork, our 2005 brochure cover bird and one of the continent's almost mythical species has played a starring role. We will visit the dancing grounds of Grey Crowned Cranes and see acrobatic Black Bee-eaters.

Despite Hollywood's attempt to portray the Great Apes as monsters, Dian Fossey’s work followed by Sir David Attenborough's TV encounter have shown a gentler side to the endangered Mountain Gorilla. To sit just feet from them and to see, hear and smell them is something that words cannot convey.

A perfect blend of game drives, boat rides and forest birding, crowned by a visit to Murchison Falls, make this one of our favourite tours.

ITINERARY

LAKE VICTORIA

On arriving in Entebbe we will freshen up at a hotel near the airport, then drive to Lake Victoria. A boat trip provides a relaxed way to look for African Pygmy Goose and Long-toed Lapwing while African Jacanas trot over lily pads. Malachite Kingfishers dart by and Carruthers’ Cisticola, the first of several papyrus endemics, sing from the tallest stems. The star, however, is the enormous Shoebill Stork. Later in the day we will drive to Lake Mburu for one night.

At Lake Mburu we should log Broad-billed Rollers, Marabou Storks and Hooded Vultures, while Pied Hornbill and Ross's Turaco are roadside birds. Wattled Plover and Red-chested Swallow feed among Defassa Waterbuck, Tsessebe and Burchell's Zebra. Bare-faced Go-away-birds, Nubian Woodpeckers and Black-headed Bush Shrikes are found in the giant euphorbia. Pedigree Ankole cattle belonging to the royal family are also found here.

The next day we will take an early morning boat ride in search of African Finfoot. This is possibly the most reliable site on the continent to find one. Hammerkop and Papyrus Gonolek are possible before we drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for a three night stay.

BWINDI

We will visit the higher elevation forest, one of the world's great natural treasures providing home to various endemic birds. Ten species of primate occur here including the beautiful L'Hoest's and Blue Monkeys and, of course, the magnificent Mountain Gorilla. With a world population of just 650, Bwindi is one of just two places where they still survive. Our success rate of finding them is one hundred percent! Tourist revenue is vital to the Gorillas’ survival. Our money provides education and medical facilities for the locals who are proud of the park and welcome tourists. Villagers are even giving farmland back to nature, to increase Gorilla and bird habitats. Uganda is one of those countries where you feel that conservation is working for both people and wildlife.

After a long hike we should, hopefully, find a party of Gorillas. They can often be watched from just a few feet away. In addition to tracking Gorillas, we will spend time searching for birds along the trails that lead to a waterfall. We hope to see Rwenzori Sunbird, Long-tailed Barred Cuckoo, White-starred Robin, African Blue Flycatcher, Lhuder's Bush Shrike, and Green and African Broadbills.

QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Leaving the forest on day six, we transfer to Mweya Lodge in Queen Elizabeth NP, for three nights. Overlooking the Kazinga Channel, we can watch Elephant, Buffalo and Hippo.

Uganda Kob Antelope rut among scenic volcanic craters and in turn provide food for the famous tree-climbing Lions. Grey Crowned Cranes have a dancing ground here. Black-bellied Bustards rasp from termite mounds and Kurrichane Button Quail creep through the grass. The Maramagambo Forest holds Cameroon Greenbuls, African Emerald Cuckoo, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Blue-breasted Kingfisher and the striking white-morph African Paradise Flycatcher. We will stand at the entrance to a bat cave containing thousands of fruit bats.

A boat trip allows us to see waterbirds at close proximity that will delight photographers. African Skimmers flock here and waders along the shore can include Spur-winged and Wattled Plovers. Water Dikkops roost by tree roots and Pied Kingfishers perch on the backs of Hippos. Yellow-billed and Saddle-billed Storks are seen along the shore, while African Fish Eagles are abundant! In 2006, we discovered the first Collared Flycatchers for Uganda.

Transferring to Fort Portal for one night, we will visit Kibale Forest, an area rich in butterflies and primates. Chimpanzees are numerous here. Over 350 species of birds have been recorded, including Scaly-breasted Illadopses, Fire-crested Alethe, Yellow-browed Cameroptera, Ituri Batis and Black Sparrowhawk. The next day we will head to Murchison Falls National Park, for a stay of three nights.

MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

This beautiful area beside the River Nile has plenty of big game and is the best site to find the amazing Shoebill Stork. On Phil's first visit he became spellbound by this enormous grey bird with dark human-like eyes set in a massive head dominated by a boat shaped bill!

On our third boat ride of the tour, we will explore the upper reaches of the White Nile, below Murchison Falls. We should see Nile Crocodile, Rock Pratincole and African Wagtail. Chin-spot Batis, Black Crake, Carmine and Red-throated Bee-eaters feed by our lodge overlooking the river. Blue-headed Coucal, Buff-bellied Warbler, Giant Kingfisher, Grey-crowned Negrofinch and Beautiful Sunbird are also here. A Bat Hawk regularly hunts golden Egyptian Bats in the evening.

On day 13 we will drive back to Entebbe, where we will spend the last night before our return flight home.

VEHICLES, GUIDES AND PACE

Daytime temperatures can be high, so early morning excursions are made to maximise wildlife viewing opportunities. In parts of Queen Elizabeth NP viewing is only allowed from a vehicle, due to the presence of large mammals. Basic fitness is all that is required. Walking will be at a sensible pace with frequent stops to look at birds. There is some uphill walking in hot humid conditions in the forest and it may rain and be muddy.

Gorilla trekking involves a strenuous uphill walk in hot humid conditions, rewarded by about one hour with the Gorillas (not guaranteed). The length of the walk is dependent on where the animals are that day. There is the opportunity to change your mind before trekking begins and get part of your permit fee refunded. If you are unsure about trekking conditions, please discuss it with us.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

Full-board accommodation is provided with one night at Mantana Tented Camp, Lake Mburu, three nights at Gorilla Safari Camp, Bwindi, three nights at Mweya Lodge, Queen Elizabeth NP, one night at Primate Lodge, Fort Portal, three nights at Paraa Lodge, Murchison Falls and the last night at a hotel in Entebbe. Hotels and lodges are all very pleasant with comfortable rooms. At Lake Mburu, Primate Lodge and Bwindi accommodation is in comfortable permanent tented camps. All rooms and tents have en suite facilities. Lunch is usually packed.

All birdwatching excursions with expert leader and local guide, full-board accommodation (starting with lunch on 8^th, ending with dinner on 19^th), soft drinks at meal times, boat trips, transport, park entrance fees, international flights and airport taxes.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Our optional travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Visa (US$30 on arrival). Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips. The optional Gorilla permit (£260) should be requested at the time of booking.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

Return flights from London Heathrow to Entebbe, using the scheduled services of British Airways. Outbound flight departs mid-evening, return flight arrives back mid-afternoon. Shuttle flights are available on this tour for £70 return (due at time of booking), from Manchester and other regional airports.

Gorilla permits sell quickly so, to secure one, we strongly recommend you book as soon as possible.