Main Info
The incredible Shoebill is among Uganda’s most iconic bird species and this eight day adventure offers many sighting experiences of this weird and wonderful bird. Of course we will find many other species around the wetland and river Nile habitat of the shoebill and we will also encounter many forest species in one the world’s leading forest birding destinations in Budongo Forest. You’ll also get the chance of spotting the “Big 5” safari game animals. An essential trip for birders of all levels.
Itinerary
You will be met at the airport by your guide and transferred to your guesthouse for the night. Depending on your flight arrival time you will have your first birding opportunity right here at Via Via as its gardens and neighbouring wetlands are home to over 100 species of birds.
Main Destination: Entebbe
Accommodation: Via via Guesthouse Entebbe
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Entebbe
Meals & Drinks:
- Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast overlooking the wetland we will head north through the farmlands and swamps of central Uganda, arriving at your lodge set in acacia woodland in time for lunch. You'll have a few hours to explore around the lodge or relax in its pool. In the late afternoon, as the heat of the day begins to dissipate, you will go for your rhino trek. You’ll spend around 2 hours walking to and watching the rhinos. Although guarded 24/7, the rhinos live as wild and this is a unique opportunity to spend some time with these giants while supporting their reintroduction to the wild in Uganda. After your rhino trek you will go on a dusk birding walk. With over 300 species of woodland, savannah and wetland species on the sanctuary you are sure to be satisfied. Dinner will be served in the peaceful environs of the lodge.
- Main Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Accommodation: Amuka Lodge
- Mid-range cottage located in or near Entebbe
- Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
A very early start to the day as we head out into the sanctuary's wetlands on foot and by boat in search of the shoebill. The chances of sightings here are very good and we hope to be able to spend some quality time watching these incredible birds. After time to rest up and freshen up you will be guided again around the sanctuary's varied habitat in search of birds. Late in the afternoon you will transfer to Masindi and your hotel for the night.
Main Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Accommodation: New Court View Hotel
- Budget rondavel located in or near Entebbe
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Off early through the sugarcane fields to the famous "Royal Mile"where our expert guides will help you search out hornbills, kingfishers, rollers, woodpeckers, barbets, spinetails, sunbirds and much much more. We'll then continue along the scenic route close to Lake Albert to your lodge in time for lunch. You will have the option of a guided birding walk around the lodges grounds and/or a short evening birding/game drive in the park. On the banks of the Nile, situated in woodland but adjacent to farmland, your lodge is home to a great many bird species including flycatchers, weavers, sunbirds, kingfishers, kestrels, owls, hornbills and more.
Main Destination: Budongo Forest
Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge
- Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Your scheduled boat will collect you from the front of the lodge shortly after dawn and you will head downstream to the "delta" of the river in search of shoebill. Although harder to find here given the wide expanse they have, there is still a good chance of seeing them and of course a great deal more along the way. You will return to your lodge for lunch and have the afternoon to explore the area or again, go on a short evening game drive.
Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge
- Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
An early wake up and full breakfast before heading to Paraa to cross the Nile for our morning game drive in search of lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hyena, hartebeest and more. We will spend around 4 hours driving around the rolling savannah, riverine forest and marshland of the northern section of Murchison Falls NP before returning to Paraa. After lunch back at your lodge we’ll take the scheduled cruise to Murchison Falls with abundant waterbirds on view and then walk to the top of the falls where your driver will be waiting for you to take you on to your lodge for dinner.
Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Budongo Eco Lodge
- Budget lodge located in or near Budongo
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
At dawn you'll head out on a three hour guided walking birding safari with your two guides. Again you will have the chance to see various forest species as well as various primate species and possibly even chimpanzees, although this is not the intention. This is also a great site to find the endemic Puvell's Iladopsis. After lunch we will head back south to Entebbe.
Main Destination: Kaniyo Pabidi Forest (Budongo)
Accommodation: Via via Guesthouse Entebbe
- Mid-range guest house located in or near Entebbe
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
One final foray into the wetlands in search of Shoebill. Mbamba Swamp is one of the very best sites for Shoebills so if you've had no luck so far on the trip this is a fabulous opportunity. After lunch back at your guesthouse we will transfer you to Entebbe airport for any afternoon or evening departure.
Main Destination: Mabamba Swamp
Accommodation: n/a (End of tour)Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
