This is probably one the best beautiful safari one can do that brings you up close the beauty and rich biodiversity all in one region. Birders will love this safari, it’s relaxed, and special to the Northern part of Uganda. It is not only about birds but rather a mixture of just about everything. From the Shoebill tour at Mabamba, sights and sounds of Jinja, sipi falls to unique and rare animal and bird species of Pian Upe, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and we crown it with Rhino tracking.
DAY 1: Entebbe
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda and after finalizing the formalities, meet up with our local guide and drive to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: Entebbe
After a rather early breakfast we go to Mabamba by boat/road for birding specifically tracking the elusive and shy Shoebill stork. There several other water birds like African Water rail, Allen’s and Purple Gallinule, Squacco, Goliath, Purple, Grey Herons, variety of Egrets and ducks. Birding Mabamba swamp is quite rewarding. On a lucky day we will record over 30bird species within the channel alone. Afternoon birding Botanical gardens or Entebbe and the Environs. Dinner and overnight
DAY 3 : transfer from entebbe to jinja
Breakfast and transfer to Jinja. Birding enroute at Mabira forest reserve. There several forest birds here. Afternoon tour Jinja sights and sounds. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: transfer from Jinja to sipi Falls
After breakfast you depart for Kapchorwa town and the Sipi Falls area, found at the base of Mount Elgon. Mount Elgon is particularly famous for Bugisu Arabica Coffee produced and grown by the local farmers. Bugisu Arabica only grows at an altitude of between 1,600 and 1,900 meters; it is the main cash crop in the area and genuinely one of the finest coffees in the world. Dinner and overnight
DAY 5: sipi falls
After a breakfast, go for a nature walk to the Sipi falls. These are a series of three waterfalls. A walk to the falls that are located at the base of Mt Elgon is quite rewarding. It is punctuated by several bird, butterflies and plant species. Mount Elgon itself is a 4,321m high extinct volcano, which in prehistoric times stood taller than Kilimanjaro. In the afternoon we will go for a coffee tour. . Dinner and overnight
DAY 6: Sipi falls – Pian -upe
After breakfast drive to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve which is one of unique and amazing wildlife reserves in Uganda. It is the only place in Uganda where you can see roan antelopes and spot rare animal species like Cheetahs and ostriches. Pian Upe is the second widest protected area in Uganda after Murchison falls National Park. It is also a habitat for the rock pythons and Savannah monitors lizards which are said to be the largest. Possible game drive. . Dinner and overnight
DAY 7: Pian upe to transfer to bukora
Morning game drive and whole day birding the park and the Environs. Other than the mighty ostriches, Pian Upe has got a rich history of birds including Karamoja apalis, Secretary bird, weavers, Abyssinian ground hornbills, egrets, cranes, herons, Cormorants and many more. When it comes to birds Pian Upe comes second after Queen Elizabeth National Park. Dinner and overnight
DAY 8: Pian upe – Moroto
After breakfast enroute birding to Moroto town and environs. Dinner and overnight
DAY 9 : moroto
Whole day bird watching mount moroto and environs. Common sightings here include white- crested turacos, shinning sunbirds, grey wren- wablers honey guides to mention but a few. Afternoon visit Karamajong homesteads for an exciting cultural experience. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 10: Moroto-Kidepo valley national park
Breakfast and transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. The Park lies in the rugged, semi-arid valleys between Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya, some 700km from Kampala. Gazetted as a national park in 1962, it has a profusion of big game and hosts over 77 mammal and over 475 bird species. Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated national park, but the few who make the long journey to the north agree that it is also the most magnificent and ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses. Dinner and overnight
DAY 11: Kidepo valley national park
After an early morning breakfast, you will go for a cultural tour to yet another Karamajong community. Here you will spend a wonderful time with Karamajong people and have an insight of their way of life and beliefs. At the end of the tour you will be able to understand why their pride makes them slow to adapt to globalization. Possible late afternoon drive. This will also enable you to be in full sight of varieties of birds as well. Dinner and overnight
DAY 12: Kidepo valley national park
After your breakfast, start your drive through the Narus Valley where you will have a nature walk in the park. Afternoon enjoy another game drive. Kidepo National Park is a savannah landscape that extends in all directions, It is home to elephants, zebras, giraffes, huge herds of buffalos, warthogs, duikers, Jackson’s Hartebeests, lions, leopards, cheetahs and hundreds of bird species. Other animals that may be seen roaming around include Jackals Roan Antelopes, waterbucks, Elands, Oribis and Klipspringer. The park boosts of being the highest concentration of birds endemic to Uganda like: Ostrich, Kori bustard, vultures, hornbills, eagles etc. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 13: Kidepo – Gulu
After breakfast, birding enroute to Gulu. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 14: Gulu- murchison falls
After breakfast, proceed to Murchison Falls National Park. Stop over at Aruu falls enroute. Murchison covers 3,840-sq km and has recorded 76 mammal species and over 450 bird species. It lies 619m at the delta and 1,292 at Rabongo Hill.
DAY 15: Murchison falls national park
After an early breakfast you will have a boat ride to the Nile delta, keep a look out for a variety of bird species especially the Shoebill. In the afternoon, go for a game drive. Drive in the open African savanna in search for Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Buffalos, Elephants, Jackson Hartebeests, Oribis, Waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, and enjoy spotting various Bird species such as the Secretary Bird, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagles Carmine and Swallow Tailed Bee-Eaters Dinner and overnight
DAY 16: Murchison falls national park
After a rather early breakfast, morning game drive. Afternoon, boat cruise to the bottom of the Falls. The Falls are rare and magnificent, they are one of Africa’s wonders and a must see for everyone. We off course cannot fail to mention that it’s from these falls that Murchison derives its name. Catch up with pods of Hippos, crocodiles and a vast number of water birds. There are high chances of seeing the Shoebill stock from which our company derives its name. Enjoy these spectacular falls where the Nile squeezes through a 7-meter gap and at the bottom bask Huge Nile Crocodiles. Dinner and overnight
DAY 17: Murchison falls national park
Whole day birding and exploring the park. Dinner and overnight
DAY 18: Murchison falls-Masindi
After breakfast transfer to Masindi birding the royal Mile. Key bird species here include, blue-breasted kingfisher, Nahan’s flancolin, black- capped apalis, dwarf kingfisher, blue -throated roller among others. Check in your hotel in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight
DAY 19: Masindi
Morning bird watching to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, afternoon Rhino tracking at the sanctuary. Dinner and overnight
DAY 20: Hoima
After breakfast we transfer to Hoima for more forest birds. Dinner and overnight at Hoima Cultural Lodge. This is rather a relaxed day of birding. Dinner and overnight
DAY 21: Hoima- entebbe
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe. We will have several birding stopovers along the route. Dinner and overnight
DAY 22: Flight back home
Free day with possibilities of birding Entebbe and the environs. Evening flight back home