20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

20 Days of Gorilla safari in Uganda Overview

20 Days of Gorilla safari in Uganda – The country is the home to over half of the total bird species in Africa and 11% of those on the globe. Most of the birds that exist in Uganda are endemic. Because of the great number of birds that exist in a small country, it’s easy for birders to move to various destinations to view a lot of bird species within the country. The state is a home to more than half of the only 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining in the world. 

This number, with a few staying in Rwanda and DR Congo, no doubt makes Uganda the top destination for Mountain gorillas. This travel planshows you the best places to visit in Uganda – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

We like to unwind and reston the first day of arrival. On arrival in Entebbe, our guide will meet you and take you over towhere you will be staying. Accommodations: we have selected places to stay thatare very bird-watcher friendly. We like calm places friendly to birds, too – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda The hotel has a beautiful garden that is taken care of. 

The garden contains plants of this area that attract birds found only in this region like the shiny Red-chested, Scarlet-chested and Olive-bellied Sunbirds – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Day 2: Shoebil and Entebbe Botanical Gardens – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

This morning we went to the famous Mabamba wetlands to find Africa’s most wanted bird, the Shoebill. We have to be in the right swamps where the lungfish can easily find its favorite food. We might not spend much time viewing birds on the way as we need to save time. 

However, we could have a quick look at those bird species which we may not find the opportunity to see again during our trip. Some of these birds include the Ovambo Sparrow-hawk and the active-during-dusk/dawn Bat-hawk. 

We will take a two-hour boat ride in Mabamba in search of the Shoebill, which is rather elusive and uncommon, as well as other African waterbird species, among them the Yellow-billed Duck and African Jacana. 

Hereafter, we shall drive back to Entebbe to rest briefly and later visit the Botanical Entebbe to see more birds in the afternoon – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda The Botanical Gardens in Entebbe ishome to a few plant and animal species that are endemic to Africa. 

Some of the fantastic bird species, always a treat to our groups, are the Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, and the EasternPlantain Eater. We usually also see some of the amazing Weaver birds – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Day 3: Entebbe to Masindi – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

En route, we shall avoid getting stuck in the heavy traffic normally past Kampala. We shall then proceed to the lively town of Masindi in northern Uganda. The bird seeking is done slowly with keen eyes on some places near the road, looking out for birds like White-crested Turaco, White-headed Barbet, Yellow-billed Shrike, and Yellow-bellied Hyliota, to mention a few – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda 

The gardens at Masindi Hotel are always good for evening walks to look at birds. Afterward, we can enjoy the friendly service and comforts at Uganda’s oldest hotel, Masindi Hotel – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Day 4: Birding The Royal Mile – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

We will design a plan to avoid the jam of numerous cars while driving through Kampala. We shall visit Masindi, which is a well-known town in northern Uganda. We will proceed slowly, especially by the roadside, looking keenly for birds like White Crested Turaco, White-headed Barbet, Yellow-billed Shrike, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, among other birds – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda 

The gardens at Masindi Hotel are a great place to go for an evening walk and to view some birds. We will later have a good time at Uganda’s oldest hotel, Masindi hotel where kind service and comfortable surroundings will await us – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Day 5: Birding in Murchison Falls – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

This morning we proceed to Murchison Falls National Park, stopping at KaniyoPabidi for birding. This is the only location in all of East Africa where the Puvel’sIlladopsis can be found. We shall look for it, and other birds we have missed yesterday on our list. The forest in this area extends to the Royal Mile. 

We search for Yellow and Grey Long-bills, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, and White Spotted Flufftail – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda There is quite a big population of healthy Common Chimpanzees, Mantled Guerezas, Blue Monkeys, and Red-tailed Monkeys. 

They can mostly not be missed when walking and watching birds – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda After we eat, we shall go further into the park by going up to the highest point of Murchison Falls. They are the strongest and most exciting things in the world. While driving to our place to stay, we shall search for birds like Green-backed Eremomela, Grey-headed Bush-shrike, White-fronted Black-chat, and the Rock Pratincole – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda 

 Day 6: Bottom of The Falls Boat Ride – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

We’ll visit Murchison Falls National Park, which has lovely open landscapes that will offer great photo opportunities and allow us to view key animal species in their natural habitats. We shall search for northern DR Congo and South Sudan animals in Uganda since this park hosts the greatest number from these countries. We should be on the lookout for the Zitting, Foxy, Rattling, Back-backed, Siffling, Red-faced, and Croaking Cisticolas. This is a perfect site for birds from Central Africa. 

We shall view Heuglin’s Francolin, Denham’s and Black-bellied Bustards, Herlequin and Common Quails, Black-headed Gonolek, Spotted Morning Thrush, Northern Carmine, Swallow-tailed, and Red-throated Bee-eaters – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda 

This game park is famous for its big bodies, and the most stunning scenes are when Cape Buffaloes lounge around with Piapiacs and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers, as Red-necked Falcons patrol above them in consort – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda This will be followed by an afternoon boat ride against the current to the bottom of the waterfall.

Day 7: Birding for Delta and Game Drive – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

This morning we will have a launch boat trip going with the current. While going slowly through the forest by the river, it takes much longer to return than it does to travel to this spot. We search through the bushes and tall trees that bend over the river for hard-to-find birds such as the Pel’s Fishing Owl, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Silverbird, White-rumped seed eater, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Beautiful Sunbird, and Grey-capped Warbler, among other birds. 

The marshes at the Delta are famous for the Shoebill, and we finally have our second chance to view them, which we can believe and depend on. The afternoon gets a little cool, we drive back to the roads where we drive looking for some animals then head back to our accommodation.

Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Today, after your breakfast, you will be taken from Murchison to Kibale National Park. Along the way, packed lunch shall be provided for your consumption. We shall have stopovers where necessary, mainly at spots with bird sightings en route. Arrive at the Turaco Treetops in the afternoon. Go off, check in, and take your time off for the rest of the day. Stay overnight and have dinner at the lodge.

Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Start the day early in the famous bird watching place Kibale forest. Take a walk through the forest, watching numerous different kinds of birds that stay within Africa’s biggest hardwood forest. Keep a look out for birds such as Green-breasted Pitta, Masked and Black-capped Apalis, White-naped Pigeon, African Crowned Eagle, Scaly-breasted and Brown Illadopsis, Brown-chested, and Fire-crested Alethes. This park boasts of having a big chunk of variety of species and being the main habitat of Common Chimpanzees. 

Kibale has the biggest concentration of Common Chimpanzees of all the protected areas in the world. After we finish viewing the birds, we will look for chimpanzees. We might see the Red-tailed, Blue, and L’Honest’s Monkeys, Mantled Guereza, Uganda Red Colobus, and Uganda Mangabey. 

This afternoon, we shall go for a nature walk in Bigodi wetland to view various types of plants that are being called papyrus. Among the plants, we shall seek to find the Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus canary, White-spotted fluff tail, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, and the brown Illadopsis – Safaris in Uganda Africa

Day 10: Queen Elisabeth National Park – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

We’ll once again make an attempt on this shy, elusive Pitta bird at early dawn. If we ended up with certain birds yesterday, today we go back to the forest, or near the forest, by looking for other feathered friends that are possible only in that locality. We target many various birds among which will include: Sabine’s Spinetail, Cassin’s and Ayer’s Hawk-Eagles, White-tailed Anti-thrush, Red-chested owlet, Black-capped Apalis, Green-throated and Green-headed sunbirds, Black bee-eater, Scarce Swift, Cassin’s Flycatcher and Mountain wagtail, among others. In the afternoon, we will head to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 11: Queen Elisabeth NationalPark Birding – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

This is a joyful morning; it’s time to explore different paths as you go for your morning wildlife drive. This drive gives you lots of great views of many birds within the Savannah, and you might also see animals like lions, elephants, and other types of animals. Afternoon boat ride on Kazinga channel shall reward you with views of numerous water birds plus hippos and crocodiles as well. Return to your accommodation at the very comfortable Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 12: Birding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

In case you need to see most of the birds in Uganda, then you could head to Bwindi National Park right after breakfast in the morning. The road passes throughIshasha, the sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for tree-climbing lions. We shall, of course, be on the lookout for lionsandother tree-dwelling animals but keep an eye out for the birds, too. This open countryside is particularly suitable for some species of raptors that take their meals on the wing. We shall certainly see these soaring overhead. 

These include the Long-crested, Wahlberg’s, and Tawny Eagles, while the Banded, Brown, and Black-chested Snake-Eagles are also commonly flown in the skies over this region. Palm-nut, Hooded, White-backed, Ruppel’s Griffon, White-headed, and Lapped-faced Vultures are also often flown about in the skies here. The bushes here are very ideal for African Pygmy, Stripped and Woodland Kingfishers, Marsh, Black and Brown-crowned Tchagras, Moustached Grass Warbler, and many others.

Day 13: Gorilla Trekking-20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Wake up with the sunrise to find the forest, as seen from your stay, simply enchanting. Take your breakfast, take your walking stick, and then meet your ranger/guide allocated to you. Take the evolution trail in pursuing the Mountain Gorillas, relatives of mankind and highly sought after. 

Listen and do according to the briefing from the guide, who will then take you on the path to the sanctuary of gorillas. When you finally get where the gorillas are resting, maintain your cool and observe them playing, eating, and moving from one branch of a tree to another. 

The ranger will then take you back to the starting point. When you come back, you will get a certificate that tells you the location of your package. After receiving your certificate and probably purchasing a souvenir, drive back to where you’re staying, relishing the great memories you made with the great apes – Safaris in Uganda Africa.

Day 14: Birding in Buhoma – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

This area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is special in that it attracts various species of birds. This could be due to the fact that it is right in the heart of the forest and considered as a station where various species of birds meet. This happens to be where the lowland and mountain forest birds converge. Spend the day in the forest and make good use of your time. 

Have a good time in a forest that is not very humid and search for some of the most famous animals that hide in the dense plants on the ground. Search for Kivu Ground thrush, Neumann’s Warbler, Red-faced woodland warbler and Willard’s Sooty Boubou.

Day 15 Birding in Ruhija – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Enjoy the clean and fresh environment of Buhoma as you move to the Ruhija region of Bwindi National Park. Before we reach the mountains, we make a stop at a place called the “neck.” This is the place where most birds prefer to stay at medium height. The streams have cool birds like Mountain Wagtail, African Black Duck, Cassin’s Flycatcher. 

However, we will also seek in the thick low vegetation and topmost layer of trees for Chapin’s Flycatcher, Manycoloured-bush shrike, Luhder’s Bush-Shrike, and Pettit’s Cuckoo-shrike among other birds. Afternoon will come, and after we have checked in to our place to stay, we shall visit a community trail for a walk. During the walk, we shall see some of the rare and special bird species that live in this altitude. Return and make yourself comfortable at the lodge.

Day 16: Birding in Ruhija Trails – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

The higher parts of Ruhija, in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, are nice and cooler for bird-watching. We will spend an entire day in these forests, starting early in the morning. This is the place where many of the animals and plants found only in the Albertine Rift occur; we hope to see as many of them as possible. It is here that a lot of the Grauer’s Broadbill and Grauer’s Rush Warbler can be found—these are very popular birds. 

However, as we move toward this wetland area, we shall go slowly and check in the thick areas of this part of the park. We search for such birds as Regal, Grauer’s Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Stripe-breasted Tit, Black-faced Apalis, Blue-headed and Purple-breasted Sunbirds, Strange Weaver, Red-throated Alethe, RwenzoriBatis, and RwenzoriApalis, in addition to many more Albertine Rift endemics. The list of rare species that you might get to see is long and remarkable. You will maybe view Bar-tailed Trogon, Mountain and Augur Buzzard, African Hill Babbler.

Day 17: Birding to Lake Mburo – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

This morning, you will have a beautiful drive from Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park. We shall make stops along the way to watch some birds, which will make the journey more pleasurable. In the evening, you can watch different kinds of birds in Mburo with a peaceful boat ride on the waters of L. Some of the bird species that you may encounter at this area include; African finfoot, Green Backed Heron, Roufus Bellied Heron, Black Crowned Night Heron, Giant Kingfisher and Africa Fish Eagle.

Day 18: Birding in Lake Mburo – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Early morning walk to view CoquiFrancolin and Temminck’s Courser. After some brief information by your guide, embark on the hike while searching for a number of bird species such as Red-face Barbet, Long-tailed Cisticola, Lilac-breasted Roller, Emerald-spotted Wood-dove, Green Wood-hoopoe, Spotflanked Barbet, Chin-spot Batis – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda In the afternoon after lunch, one can take a boat drive in search of the African Finfoot, generally known as the most famous bird of the park. 

One can also encounter the Giant Kingfisher, Papyrus Gonolek, and White-winged Warbler – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda Before the end of the day, we shall have spotted wonderful mammals as we do the bird watching trips. Among the big animals that have recently been brought in are Giraffes, Zebras, Elands, Topis, Impalas among others – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Day 19: Lake Mburo to Igongo Cultural Centre – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

We shall walk in the park and then find different birds: Collared, Red-faced, Crested Barbets, Violet-backed Starling, Common Scimitterbill, Green Wood-hoopoe, among others – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda En-route, after lunch, we shall proceed to Kampala or Entebbe, whichever Mortel client prefers, to connect the following day for their journey back home – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda 

Day 20: Departure at Entebbe Airport – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda

Get up this morning and have a relaxed, lovely breakfast. Have some fun in your hotel’s gardens trying to get somealaria birds before rapping up the bags to depart. We shall drop you at the airport in time for your outbound flight. Gratefulness: thanks for coming home to the Pearl of Africa. Meet you again very soon – 20 Days Gorilla Safari in Uganda