Uganda Birding and Wildlife tour trip report

Summary

During the tour the temperature ranged from 09ºC to 33ºC. We recorded 41 mammal species, over 450 species of birds and 9 species of reptiles. The species mentioned in the daily summaries are only some of those seen.

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe.

Our Uganda Birding and Primate Safari got off to a fantastic start, with everyone arriving safely and meeting at our hotel in Entebbe. After a brief tour introduction and orientation, we settled in and enjoyed some relaxing time around the pool, unwinding and getting to know one another. It was great to have guests on the tour that I know from trips in Namibia and South Africa.

In the afternoon, we enjoyed our first birding excursion in the beautiful Entebbe Botanical Gardens. We recorded an excellent selection of Ugandan bird species, with highlights including Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Red-headed Lovebird, Double-toothed Barbet, Grey Parrot, White-throated Bee-eater, Great Blue Turaco, Palm-nut Vulture, Orange Weaver and Black-headed Gonolek. The gardens also provided an excellent introduction to Uganda’s primates, and we were fortunate to see all three of the species we were hoping for: Guereza (Black-and-white Colobus), Vervet Monkey and Red-tailed Monkey.

It was a wonderful way to begin the safari, giving everyone the opportunity to settle in, get to know each other and become familiar with some of Uganda’s incredible bird and primate diversity.

We ended the day with a delicious dinner overlooking Lake Victoria, while discussing the exciting itinerary ahead for the next 14 days of birding, primate encounters and mammal viewing. With the group having a keen interest in both primates and birdlife, Uganda is the perfect destination, and we were all looking forward to what lay ahead.

Day 2: Mabamba Swamp – Masindi Town.

After a good night’s rest, we enjoyed an early breakfast before meeting our fantastic and experienced local guide and driver, Brian, and setting off on our Uganda Birding and Primate Safari. Our first stop was the famous Mabamba Swamp, where our main target was the world-famous Shoebill. This iconic bird is high on the list of any birder, and no visit to the “Pearl of Africa” would be complete without the opportunity to see this charismatic species.

We climbed aboard our small canoe and set off into the swamp in search of this very special bird. After around half an hour of searching, the words we had all been waiting to hear finally came from Marc: “Shoebill!” We were treated to an incredibly special sighting of an adult Shoebill with a chick — something that is far from common. The adult was only around five metres from us, allowing us to watch it preen before subsequently feeding the chick. It was an unforgettable experience and one that will remain in the memories of the entire group for years to come. It was also a huge highlight for Hilton. The photographic opportunities were simply out of this world! This almost prehistoric-looking bird is one that many birders dream of seeing and ranks among the most sought-after birds in Africa. Having our first major target of the trip safely “in the bag” so early on was fantastic, and this incredible Shoebill encounter really set the tone for the rest of the tour.

Other highlights at Mabamba Swamp included Swamp Flycatcher, Lesser Jacana, Blue-headed Coucal, Malachite Kingfisher, Winding Cisticola, African Marsh Harrier, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, African Pygmy Kingfisher and Marsh Tchagra.

After an exciting morning of birding, we enjoyed lunch overlooking the swamp, with further excellent sightings of Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Sooty Chat, African Pied Hornbill, Olive Bee-eater, Splendid Starling and Long-crested Eagle.

We continued our journey towards Masindi, doing some birding along the way and around the Kafu River. Highlights from the afternoon included White-winged Black Tit, Marsh Widowbird, Grey-capped Warbler, Cardinal Woodpecker, African Openbill, Pink-backed Pelican, White-headed Barbet, Grey-backed Fiscal and Moustached Grass Warbler.

It had been a fantastic day of birding, and we celebrated our success back at the lodge over a delicious dinner and a well-deserved cold beer. Another memorable day in the Pearl of Africa, with the spectacular Shoebill sighting providing the perfect start to what promised to be an incredible safari.

Day 3: Royal Mile (Budongo Forest)  –  Murchison Falls.

An early breakfast was on the cards today as we made our way to Budongo Forest, the largest natural forest area in East Africa. The forest is home to the famous “Royal Mile”, a superb forest birding road that winds its way beneath the lush Budongo canopy. We enjoyed an incredible morning of birding in the forest, with some of the top sightings including White-thighed Hornbill, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Western Oriole, Blue-breasted and Chocalate-backed Kingfisher, Fraser’s Rufous Thrush, Little Grey Greenbul, Buff-throated Apalis, Purple-headed Starling, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Narina Trogon, Yellow-billed Barbet, White-chinned Prinia, Grey Parrot, Grey-headed and White-breasted Nigrita, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Crowned Eagle and Yellow-spotted Barbet. The highlight was having a flock of four Nahan’s Partridge cross the path Infront of us- an incredible sighting and brilliant bird for the country. As we prepared to leave the forest, we were treated to a wonderful flyover of the resident Crowned Eagle – a fantastic way to finish our morning’s birding. A few of us also had a quick sighting on a pair of Red-headed Bluebill- what a stunning bird.

The primate highlights were equally impressive, with sightings of Blue Monkey, Guereza (Black-and-white) Colobus and Red-tailed Monkey. We also enjoyed sightings of both Boehm’s Bush Squirrel and Red-legged Sun Squirrel.

After a relaxing lunch in the forest, we continued our journey towards Murchison Falls and our accommodation for the night, beautifully situated overlooking the Nile River. The birding continued along the way, with highlights including Black-winged Red Bishop, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Baglafecht Weaver, Northern Red Bishop, Scarce Swift, Short-winged Cisticola and Black-bellied Firefinch. Our mammal tally continued to grow with sightings of Warthog and Chacma Baboon, as well as a lovely sighting of a breeding herd of Ugandan Kob, which the whole group thoroughly enjoyed.

We settled into our accommodation, where we took a refreshing swim and enjoyed a spectacular sunset over the Nile River. This was followed by a lovely dinner, where we chatted about the fantastic day of birding and the many highlights we had enjoyed. The group was still buzzing after our time in the forest and particularly appreciated the tranquillity and incredible atmosphere that Budongo has to offer. Our primate sightings had also been excellent, and we were even treated to the distant calls of Chimpanzees, which certainly got Di and Matt’s hearts racing!

After another busy and rewarding day in the field, we all slept well, looking forward to the adventures that awaited us the following day.

Guereza (Black-and-white) Colobus 

Day 4: Delta- Victoria Nile, Murchison Falls. Masindi Town via Kaniyo Pabidi Forest.

We enjoyed a slightly later start this morning, taking time to soak in the beautiful views over the Victoria Nile while savouring a hearty breakfast before setting off for another exciting day. Our adventure began with a boat cruise into the Nile Delta, where the birdlife was nothing short of spectacular. Highlights of the cruise included Gull-billed Tern, Black-headed Gonolek, Osprey, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Blue-naped Mousebird, Grey Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon, Little Weaver, Senegal Coucal, Long-toed Lapwing, Saddle-billed Stork, Red-throated Bee-eater, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Goliath Heron, African Darter and Wire-tailed Swallow. One of the morning’s standout moments was watching a large flock of Uganda’s national bird, the Grey Crowned Crane, feeding gracefully along the riverbanks. We also spent time enjoying the entertaining antics of the resident hippos before reaching the confluence of the Victoria and Albert Niles. Here, the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert, while the great Nile continues its remarkable journey north through South Sudan and eventually to Egypt. A herd of elephants drinking, bathing and swimming along the river provided the perfect finale to a memorable morning on the water.

The afternoon was spent exploring the savannah of Murchison Falls National Park, where both birding and game viewing were exceptional. Birding highlights included Speckled-fronted Weaver, Spotted Palm Thrush, Silverbird, Denham’s Bustard, Black-rumped Waxbill, Northern Crombec, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Black-headed Lapwing, Senegal Thick-knee, Rüppell’s Vulture, Nubian Woodpecker, African Grey Woodpecker and Black-billed Barbet. Mammal sightings were equally rewarding, with Ugandan Kob, Defassa Waterbuck, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Oribi, Rothschild’s Giraffe, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Olive Baboon and Patas Monkey all making impressive appearances.

After lunch on the banks of the Victoria Nile, we visited the top of the iconic Murchison Falls. Here, the mighty Nile is forced through a narrow 7-metre cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment, erupting into a thunderous cascade of white water. Standing above the falls and feeling the power of the river was an unforgettable experience and a true bucket-list moment for many. We were also rewarded with excellent views of the resident Rock Pratincoles perched on the rocks above the falls.

In the late afternoon, we continued to Masindi, our destination for the night. A delicious dinner and plenty of lively conversation rounded off an outstanding day filled with remarkable birds, mammals and unforgettable scenery.

Day 5: Kibale National Park.   Sebitoli area.

Our day began with an early start as we had a long journey ahead from Masindi to Kibale National Park. After enjoying breakfast, we set off towards Fort Portal, travelling via Hoima and arriving in time for lunch. The drive itself produced some excellent birding, with highlights including Long-crested Eagle, Village Indigobird, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, Great Blue Turaco, Black-crowned Waxbill, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Shikra, Eastern Plantain-eater, Black Sparrowhawk, Black Bishop, Brown Babbler, African Blue Flycatcher, and the stunning Ross’s Turaco. We also recorded an impressive variety of sunbirds, including Northern Double-collared, Superb, Copper, Purple-banded, Collared, Olive-bellied, Little Green, and Marico Sunbird.

Lunch was enjoyed in the beautiful gardens of Fort Portal, where everyone appreciated the opportunity to browse a delightful curio shop nearby and pick up a few souvenirs. A quick stop near the wetlands rewarded us with Northern Masked Weaver-a rare bird for Uganda.

In the afternoon, we continued to the Sebitoli sector of Kibale National Park for a rewarding forest birding session. Highlights included White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Olive-bellied Sunbird, Bocage’s Bushshrike, Honeyguide Greenbul, Brown-breasted Barbet, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Blue Malkoha, Ross’s Turaco, African Dusky Flycatcher, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Red-capped Robin-Chat, and Lühder’s Bushshrike.

It was a fantastic afternoon in one of Uganda’s finest forests, made even more memorable by excellent sightings of the Uganda Red Colobus, much to the delight of the primate enthusiasts in the group. The photographers were equally pleased, capturing some wonderful images throughout the afternoon.

We rounded off the day with a delicious dinner and a relaxing glass of wine at the lodge before turning in early, ready for the next morning’s exciting search for the Green-breasted Pitta and a memorable chimpanzee trekking experience. The resident African Wood Owl gave us great views on the way to our rooms.

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Day 6: Kibale National Park. Chimpanzee trekking.

Our day began a little earlier than the previous days as we headed into Kibale National Park in search of one of the forest’s most sought-after and charismatic bird species, the Green-breasted Pitta.

We spent about an hour trying to locate this elusive species, initially managing only a brief glimpse. However, as we began our Chimpanzee trek, our luck changed dramatically. After some climbing through the forest and getting down low, we were rewarded with amazing views of this beautiful avian gem feeding on the forest floor right in front of us, before it moved onto a nearby tree branch. The group was absolutely blown away by the sighting. It was a truly magical moment: watching the Pitta while hearing Chimpanzees calling in the background, only to turn around and find Chimpanzees moving through the forest behind us. It was one of those unforgettable wildlife moments that makes a safari so special. Other birding highlights included Black Bee-eater, Grey Parrot, Blue Malkoha, Red-chested Owlet, Red-chested Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Grey-headed Nigrita, Western Nicator, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, White-breasted Nigrita and Great Blue Turaco.

After catching our breath, we continued deeper into the forest to locate and spend some time with the Chimpanzees. Our guide knew that a group was nearby, and it was not long before we had an incredible sighting of around 20 Chimpanzees. They spent well over an hour in the trees around us, feeding, playing, mating and displaying. We particularly enjoyed watching the antics of the youngsters, while the Alpha male put on an impressive display for us. It was a spectacular encounter and, for many in the group, a true dream come true. It was an emotional experience that even brought tears to our eyes.

Being able to observe these Endangered Chimpanzees in their natural environment is a real privilege and something none of us will forget. The Chimpanzees found in Uganda are known as Eastern Chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, and occur across Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After an incredibly exciting morning, we enjoyed lunch before making our way to our hotel just outside Fort Portal. We checked in, freshened up and enjoyed some well-earned downtime before heading back into Kibale National Park for an afternoon of birding around Sebitoli.

The afternoon produced some excellent sightings, with highlights including Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Green Hylia, White-spotted Flufftail, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Brown-capped Weaver, Sooty Flycatcher, Purple-headed Starling, Chubb’s Cisticola, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul and Scarce Swift.

We returned to the hotel for a lovely dinner, and, after such an action-packed day of birding and wildlife encounters, everyone slept very well. It had been another unforgettable day on safari in Uganda, highlighted by an exceptional, Green-breasted Pitta sighting and a truly memorable encounter with a large group of Chimpanzees.

Day 7: Semliki National Park – Fort Portal.

We began the day with an early breakfast before departing for Semliki National Park, one of Uganda’s most remarkable rainforest ecosystems. Semliki is an extension of the vast Guinea–Congo Forest, which stretches from Equatorial Guinea through the Congo Basin, creating a unique habitat for many West African forest species that occur nowhere else in East Africa.

The drive to the park produced some excellent sightings, including Greyish Eagle-Owl, Grey Kestrel hunting beside the road, Blue-naped Mousebird, Black Kite, African Firefinch, Piping Hornbill, and African Harrier-Hawk.

Semliki itself rewarded us with an outstanding array of forest birds. Highlights included Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Jameson’s Wattle-eye, Yellow-throated Nicator, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Grant’s Bluebill, Green Hylia, Orange-cheeked Waxbill (a remarkable sighting, as most field guides do not list it for Uganda), Western Nicator, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Black-necked Weaver, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Willcocks’s Honeyguide, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Eastern Long-tailed Hornbill, Congo Pied Hornbill, Blue-throated Roller, Eastern Yellow-billed Barbet, Xavier’s Greenbul, Grey-headed Sunbird, Red-tailed Ant Thrush, and Western Bronze-naped Pigeon.

As if the day had not already delivered enough excitement, our final surprise came on the drive out of the forest—a stunning Yellow-throated Cuckoo perched in the open, giving everyone prolonged and unforgettable views. It was a truly exceptional day filled with some of Africa’s finest rainforest birds. Primate highlights included Guereza (Black-and-white Colobus), Ugandan Grey-cheeked Mangabey, De Brazza’s Monkey, and Red-tailed Monkey. On our return journey, we paused to admire the spectacular scenery overlooking the Albertine Rift Valley.

Back at the hotel, we had time to freshen up and relax after a rewarding day exploring Semliki’s primary and secondary forests. The evening was rounded off with a delicious dinner and a glass of wine as we updated our ever-growing bird list and shared stories from another memorable day in Uganda.. 

                                                                           

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Boat trip along Kazinga channel.

After several early starts, this morning offered a welcome lie-in. We enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the hotel before departing for Queen Elizabeth National Park, with excellent birding along the way. Route highlights included Little Sparrowhawk, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, Bronze Sunbird, African Golden Weaver, and Black-headed Weaver.

We arrived at Queen Elizabeth National Park, a destination everyone had been eagerly anticipating, and checked into our lodge before enjoying lunch overlooking the beautiful Kazinga Channel. Even from the dining area, birding was rewarding, with sightings of Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Black-headed Gonolek, Swamp Flycatcher, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, and Green-winged Pytilia. In the afternoon, we headed into the park for a game drive before boarding our boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Birding highlights included Western Banded Snake Eagle, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Double-toothed Barbet, White-headed Saw-wing, Brimstone Canary, Senegal Lapwing, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Rufous-naped Lark, Stout Cisticola, Kittlitz’s Plover, White-throated Bee-eater, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Black-lored Babbler, Common Buttonquail, Buff-bellied Warbler, and White-tailed Lark. Mammal highlights included Ugandan Kob, Defassa Waterbuck, Bushbuck, African Buffalo, and African Elephant.

Our boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George, was truly magical. The late afternoon light brought large herds of buffalo and elephants to the water’s edge, while antelope gathered to drink and one elephant delighted everyone by swimming across the channel. The birding was exceptional, adding around 40 species to our trip list. Standout sightings included African Skimmer, Wire-tailed Swallow, Grey-headed Gull, Goliath Heron, Red-throated Bee-eater, Black Heron performing its remarkable umbrella fishing behaviour, Bateleur, Broad-billed Roller, Yellow-billed Stork, Hamerkop, Pink-backed Pelican, Great White Pelican, Bronzy Sunbird, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Greenshank, African Sacred Ibis, and Wood, Marsh, and Common Sandpipers.

On the drive back to the lodge, we rounded off the day with excellent views of Hooded Vulture, Palm-nut Vulture, and African Fish Eagle. A sighting of Giant Forest Hog was a welcome mammal for the trip along with Spotted Hyena just before our lodge within the park. It was a memorable day for the entire group, who had long dreamed of visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the park certainly exceeded expectations.

After a wonderful dinner, we drifted off to sleep with the sounds of resident hippos, hyenas, Square-tailed Nightjars, and Black-shouldered Nightjars echoing across the Kazinga Channel in front of the lodge—a perfect end to another unforgettable day on safari in Africa.

                          

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

We enjoyed another early start this morning, with breakfast before setting off to allow plenty of time to bird the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ellen was particularly keen to photograph the beautiful Papyrus Gonolek, so we visited an area where the species is known to occur. Our efforts were rewarded with a fantastic sighting of a pair of these stunning birds.

As we made our way through the park, we enjoyed a wonderful selection of bird sightings, including Red-tailed Greenbul, Black-bellied Bustard, White-backed Vulture, Rüppell’s Vulture, White-throated Bee-eater, White-headed Barbet, African Grey Woodpecker, Grey-capped Warbler, Trilling Cisticola, Stout Cisticola, Red-faced Cisticola, Zitting Cisticola, Croaking Cisticola, Fan-tailed Grassbird, Mosque Swallow, Red-necked Spurfowl, Martial Eagle, Black Bee-eater, African Openbill, Compact Weaver, Slender-billed Weaver, Spectacled Weaver, Black-headed Weaver and Violet-backed Starling. Our mammal sightings included Buffalo, Elephant, Topi, Uganda Kob, Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey and Banded Mongoose.

We stopped for a picnic lunch at the park exit, enjoying our meal in the shade of a magnificent Sycamore Fig. The park had one final highlight in store for us. As we were leaving, we had an excellent sighting of the famous tree-climbing Lions, with several individuals peacefully sleeping high in the branches of one of the large fig trees. These lions are well known for this unusual behaviour and seeing them resting in the trees is always a real treat. One theory is that they climb into the trees to escape the heat and biting flies, while also enjoying the cooler breeze higher up. A Red-throated Wryneck as we exited the park was another welcome highlight and a lifer for some of the group.

We then continued our journey towards the famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the stronghold of the critically endangered Mountain Gorilla. After checking into our accommodation, we quickly took advantage of the good weather and headed out for some afternoon birding. The forest proved highly productive, and we enjoyed an excellent afternoon with highlights including Mackinnon’s Shrike, Streaky Seedeater, Grey-throated Barbet, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, Grey-winged Robin-Chat, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Green-throated Sunbird, Green Crombec, Red-tailed Greenbul, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Angola Swallow, Tullberg’s Woodpecker, Ansorge’s Greenbul and Elliot’s Woodpecker. We also enjoyed wonderful views of a troop of endangered L’Hoest’s Monkeys, which was a particularly enjoyable sighting for Mat and Hilton, who were delighted to spend more time watching these fascinating primates.

We arrived back at the lodge just in time to freshen up before enjoying a lovely dinner overlooking the magnificent Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It was a fantastic way to end another memorable day on our Uganda Birding and Primate Safari.

Day 10: Birding Buhoma Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After a delicious breakfast, we headed into the magnificent Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a morning of forest birding. This ancient rainforest is home to some of Africa’s most unique bird species, and it certainly lived up to its reputation. Recording over 90 bird species during our walk was a wonderful reminder of just how rich and diverse this incredible forest is.

We were also treated to an array of spectacular butterflies, adding even more colour to the trail. Birding highlights included Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Vieillot’s Weaver, the handsome Handsome Spurfowl (an Albertine Rift endemic), White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, African Broadbill, Green-throated Sunbird, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, Green-headed Sunbird, the stunning Blue-headed Sunbird (another Albertine Rift endemic), Pink-footed Puffback, Plain Greenbul, Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher, Red-headed Malimbe, and the breathtaking, Black-billed Turaco—a true forest jewel, Mountain Wagtail, Shelley’s Greenbul, Banded Prinia, Bar-tailed Trogon, Cassin’s Honeybird. The Albertine Rift endemics continued with Dwarf Honeyguide, Rwenzori Batis, Grauer’s Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Neumann’s Warbler, and wonderful open views of the elusive Red-throated Alethe. We also enjoyed excellent sightings of White-bellied Robin-Chat (Albertine race) and Abyssinian Ground Thrush (Kivu race), both considered strong candidates for future species splits therefore becoming Albertine rift endemics. As the morning unfolded, the birds simply kept coming. Additional highlights included Mountain Oriole, Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, Grey-chinned Sunbird, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Many-coloured, Bocage’s and Lühder’s Bushshrikes, Augur Buzzard, and Waller’s Starling. One of the standout moments of the day was an Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo sitting out in the open, providing prolonged views of a species that is notoriously difficult to see.

The late afternoon was spent relaxing at the lodge, while some of the group visited the inspiring Ride 4 Women project adjacent to our accommodation. This remarkable community NGO does outstanding work empowering local women while promoting environmental education, and it was a rewarding experience to learn more about their efforts.

We gathered for dinner overlooking the forests of Bwindi, sharing stories and reflecting on another memorable day in Uganda. It was especially enjoyable hearing about everyone’s travels and discussing the exciting birding destinations that remain on our collective wish lists. A special mention goes to Reiner, who has truly fallen in love with the forests of East Africa. He admitted that the birding has become wonderfully addictive, and it seems we’ve successfully welcomed another passionate birder into the fold! With iconic species such as Shoebill and Green-breasted Pitta already on his life list, he has a collection that would make many seasoned listers envious.

As we settled in for the night, the call of the resident Wood Owl echoed through the forest—an unforgettable soundtrack to another exceptional day.

Day 11: Birding Bhoma, the Neck and Ruhija Sector –   Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Our day started with a tasty breakfast before heading out for our final stint of birding around Bhoma. We spent most of the morning birding the forest before making our way towards Ruhija via the Neck.

It was another morning to remember, with some fantastic sightings. Highlights included Black Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Augur Buzzard, Speckled Tinkerbird, Grey-winged Robin-Chat, Grey Cuckooshrike, African Shrike-Flycatcher, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Mackinnon’s Shrike, White-chinned Prinia, Black-throated Apalis and, finally, excellent views of the shy and elusive Scaly-breasted Illadopsis.The birding around the Neck was equally rewarding, with sightings of Narrow-tailed Starling, a stunning Black Bee-eater that provided some amazing photographic opportunities, Banded Prinia, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Black-headed Waxbill, Crowned Eagle, Collared Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Apalis, Equatorial Akalat, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Western Tinkerbird, Mountain Greenbul, Mountain Sooty Boubou, African Citril and Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler. Being able to enjoy our picnic lunch in the peaceful setting of this special forest was the perfect way to round off a fantastic morning. Mammal and primate sightings included Black-fronted Duiker, Red-legged Sun Squirrel, Blue Monkey and L’Hoest’s Monkey.

We then checked into our stunning lodge overlooking the forest, where we enjoyed some downtime to catch our breath and put our feet up. A few members of the group used the opportunity to catch up on our ever-growing bird list, while I helped with the identification of some of the birds photographed during the trip.

Our birding along the famous School Trail was a little slower, but we still enjoyed good views of Western Citril, Kikuyu Mountain Greenbul, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Chestnut-throated Apalis, White-necked Raven, Green Tinkerbird and African Olive Pigeon. The Albertine Rift endemics continued to impress, with excellent views of Rwenzori Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Chubb’s Cisticola and Regal Sunbird. A particularly showy Dusky Crimsonwing provided a fantastic finale to the day.

It was great to reflect on how well we have done with our birding so far. All the hard work and effort has paid off, with the group having now seen 17 of the 25 Albertine Rift endemics we are targeting. Our photographers have also thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of capturing birds in the forest, where the birds rarely sit still for long and the lighting conditions can often be difficult. The photographs taken throughout the trip will undoubtedly serve as wonderful memories for everyone for years to come.

Dinner was enjoyed at the lodge around the fireplace, which was particularly welcome as the temperature was rather cool at our altitude of around 2,500 metres above sea level. We chatted about the fantastic trip we have been having so far and went through the plans for one of the most anticipated days of the trip- Gorilla trekking. After another busy and rewarding day, we turned in relatively early and everyone enjoyed a well-deserved night’s sleep.

Day 12: Gorillia Trekking –  Ruhija Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

One of the most exciting days of the trip had arrived, as today we set out in search of the critically endangered and impressive Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi. We arrived in Ruhija at 8:00 a.m. for our briefing before heading into the forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of the Mukiza Gorilla Group. We were extremely fortunate, and after just 45 minutes of trekking, we located a family group of 17 individuals. The group consisted of two six-month-old babies, several young individuals of around three years of age, adult females, four blackbacks, and two magnificent Silverbacks. It was a truly special privilege to see these endangered great apes in the wild, and an experience that will undoubtedly stay with us for the rest of our lives.

The Mountain Gorilla, Gorilla beringei beringei, is restricted to parts of the Virunga Mountains, which straddle the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. This race is marginally larger than the three lowland forms, with a noticeably longer coat. We spent more than an hour watching the Gorillas as they fed, played and interacted with one another before eventually moving off and allowing them to continue feeding their way down the mountainside. We then made our way out of the forest, where we received our graduation certificates commemorating our Gorilla trekking experience, before returning to the lodge. What an incredible privilege it was to spend time in the presence of these magnificent, great apes of Bwindi!

After enjoying lunch and taking some time to relax following the trek, we headed out for an afternoon of birding in this wonderful part of Africa. The birding was nothing short of spectacular, with some fantastic sightings including Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Mountain Illadopsis, Thick-billed Seedeater, Black-billed Turaco, Ruwenzori Apalis, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Strange Weaver, Little Sparrowhawk, Afep Pigeon, Western Tinkerbird, Rwenzori Batis, White-browed Crombec, Grey Apalis, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, a rarity in the form of an early-arriving Eurasian Blackcap, Tiny Sunbird and Black-billed Weaver.

After an incredibly exciting and productive day, we all enjoyed a lovely dinner at the lodge, celebrating our magical Gorilla experience over a glass of wine. The group simply could not stop talking about the Gorillas and the incredible experience we had shared. A few commented that coming face-to-face with a Silverback at around five metres was an experience that words could hardly describe, and that they had never expected to see these magnificent animals at such close range.

We spent some time chatting around the fire, reflecting on an unforgettable day, before retiring to bed for a well-earned and restful night’s sleep.                                                                                 

Day 13: Lake Maburo National Park – Birding Lake Maburo and Savanna areas.

A slightly earlier start was on the cards for us this morning as we headed off to Lake Maburo, our destination on our amazing birding and primate Safari in Uganda. On route we enjoyed sightings of: Long-crested Eagle, Augur Buzzard, African Stonechat, Handsome Francolin, Grey-throated Barbet, Augur Buzzard, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Long-tailed Cisticola.

We enjoyed our lunch overlooking Lake Maburo from our accommodation and headed off into the park for an afternoon of bird and game viewing. We had a spectacular afternoon in this gorgeous park and enjoyed many good sightings including Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Grey-crowned Crane, Striped Kingfisher, Senegal Lapwing, Rufous-bellied Heron, Lilac-breasted Roller, Nubian Woodpecker, Meyer’s Parrot, Brubru, Grey-backed Fiscal, Whiyte-winged Black Tit, Woodland Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Crested Barbet, Red-necked Spurfowl, Bateleur, Green Wood Hoopoe, Tawny Eagle, Tropical Boubou, Meyer’s Parrot, Spot-flanked Barbet and Trilling Cisticola.

Mammal sightings were also good, and we had good views of: Plains Zebra, Cape Buffalo, Topi, Defassa Waterbuck, Impala, Warthog, Bushbuck and Vervet Monkey.

We enjoyed a glorious sunset in the park and returned to our lovely lodge for a wonderful meal together, chatting, laughing and thinking back on the amazing trip we have had in Uganda, the pearl of Africa.

Day 14: Departure – Private Birding Boat Trip on Lake Mburo

An early start was on the cards this morning so we could get onto our private boat trip on Lake Mburo and enjoy the birdlife along the Lake before heading for the airport close to Entebbe. Highlights of the boat trip included: Squacco Heron, Papyrus Gonolek, Gabar Goshawk, African Fish Eagle, White-backed Night Heron, Water Thick-knee, the most amazing sighting of African Finfoot with a chick, Ross’s Turaco, Pied Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher and loads of Hippos going about there antics early in the morning.

We left Lake Mburo to head for Entebbe and the airport and had a smooth uneventful drive to the airport. A fantastic 14 days of birding and Primate viewing cane to an end. We all had a blast, having an amazing time in Uganda and left with a tear in the eye after a lovely trip. I would like to thank Brain our driver /guide for all his knowledge, help in making the tour run so smoothly and driving us safely. Thanks to the Nature Travel Birding office for all the behind the scenes work that went on to ensure the tour was a success. To the participants thank you for being so wonderful, understanding, great guests and for the great time we had together. I feel you are all leave as friends.  We all shared a good couple of laughs. I look forward to our next Uganda trip in 2027