Your Travel Planner at Africa Travels with Uganda Vision Resource Centre

OUR GUIDE TO WESTERN UGANDA’S NATURAL HERITAGE

Our adventure program is unique from other adventure programs in Uganda in a sense that it is the only tour program that will balance your exploration between wildlife and human life. Whereas other adventure tours in Uganda will only take you to nature destinations and keep you in hotels, ours will offer you some days in various nature destinations but also give you a chance to stay with local people in a host family, get into community tourism and even time to do voluntary work in the community.

Our guests have infinite opportunities for personal exploration and social work in Western Uganda. Uganda Vision Resource Centre makes sure its guests are taken to places where they can really make a difference in the lives of people, and still enjoy some of the Nature attractions.

Western Uganda is an exclusive safari destination from other African countries because of its large forested area with Afro-montane forest, Lowland rain forest and their openness gives you a stunning sight of the forest creatures like gorillas, chimpanzees, monkeys, butterflies and birds.

If you go through the region’s National parks and game reserves, you are likely to encounter safari favorites like Lions, Gorillas, leopard, buffalo, elephant, giraffe and other several varieties of animals not found anywhere in Africa.

Western Uganda is naturally gifted with water bodies like Lake Albert, Edward, George and several crater lakes. The existence of such water bodies facilitates a moderately wet climate, with the countryside greener and fertile compared to the semi-desert northern side of the country. Around these water bodies are diverse bird species not easily found anywhere in Africa especially the rare shoebill and the papyrus gonolek.

Follow your instinct: In all our adventure programs, you have the choice on what you want. The choice of accommodation (between a host family and a hotel) is yours. Also you have the choice to participate in community tourism or volunteer work or none. Tell us your need, we shall plan your adventure the best it can be.

To organise for your adventure safari Contact us by sending an email to volunteers@uvrcug.org. Visit our official website www.uvrcug.org

FOUR DAYS GORILLA TREKKING SAFARI

This 3 Days Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda gives you an opportunity of tracking Gorillas in Uganda Africa-a short time.

Having 326 Gorillas, gorilla searching trips form the major tourist activity/attraction in Bwindi. On a daily basis more than 10 guerilla groups are usually available for tourists to trek. The Mubare group comprising of 16 gorillas with1 Silver back, this group was officially opened for tourism in 1993.The other group being the Habinyanja group which comprises of 23 gorillas with 2 silver backs and was readily opened in July 1998. The last and third group of gorillas -Rushegura comprising of 17 gorillas with 2 silver back all in the Buhoma sector;

Note that;

• All gorilla tracking safari permits are sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) at the Headquarters in Kampala with only 8 gorilla permits per day being sold for each of the 2 Gorilla groups. Advance booking- at least 3 months in advance is recommended to prevent missing out.

·         The Uganda Gorilla tracking activity starts at 8:30 am local time and lasts the whole day.

·         After the search for Gorillas, you are supposed to watch them for only an hour once they have been tracked.

·         The Gorilla Tracking trek in Bwindi is tedious in this regard tourists are therefore urged to be physically fit and carry jungle boots and rain jackets along with them because the forest is always wet

Tour Itinerary

Day 1:  Kampala to Bwindi Gorilla Forest

Have breakfast from your Kampala hotel, embark on your Uganda gorilla safari, and traverse to Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Forest Park / Mgahinga national park depending on which gorilla group you are tracking. You will make a stopover at the Equator where you will have photo shoots and marvelous experiments plus a visit to the many craft centers.

Spend your night in a host family where you can learn some African culture and experience into the life of Ugandan people.

Day 2: Trek Gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park

After your breakfast, a game ranger will brief you at 8:00 am then lead you, through the gorilla paths in the thick Bwindi Impenetrable rain forests searching for the giant mountain Gorillas.  Once tracked, you shall be given an hour to View and interact with these beautiful primates plus taking photographs. Get back to your host family or lodge for a late lunch but later take a community walk to visit the native Batwa community and have a cultural entertainment. You will have your second night with a host family.

Day 3: Spend the day in Community Tourism or volunteer on a community Project: You may take on community tourism and explore into the native Bakiga and Batwa cultural lives, or offer to volunteer at a health unit, school, church, children’s project, media centre or an environmental conservation project. You will have your third night at a host family.

Day 4: Leave Bwindi National Park for Kampala: Have breakfast early morning, after get briefed by your guide before driving back to Kampala. You will have lunch en route at Igongo Cultural Center in Mbarara plus a visit to a cultural museum. You may stop at Mpabire and have a talk with the local drum makers who will demonstrate how these drums are crafted but also have a drumming session using the very drums.

Arrive in Kampala late evening which marks the end of this Uganda gorilla safari trip. Your overnight shall be at the Lodge-Lweza for your quick and jam free air port transfer at your chosen time. Or you may personally choose your accommodation if you desire.

FOUR DAY QUEEN ELIZABETH WILDLIFE SAFARI

This is a 3 Days tour. This tour will offer you the opportunity to see the rare mountain gorillas which can only be seen in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as at least three of the big five that can easily be seen in each of Uganda’s national parks. This 3 day wildlife safari is one of our tours that we arrange for all guests who visit us.

Detailed Queen Elizabeth Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park: After an early morning breakfast, your tour guide will pick you from the hotel or point of meeting if you are in Kampala and drive to Queen Elizabeth National park, located in Western Uganda. Make a stopover at the Equator for a photo shoot and experiments and even check out the craft centers. Proceed to Queen Elizabeth and on arrival you will do an afternoon game drive before retiring to the host family in Kasese or lodge for dinner and overnight. Dinner & Overnight at host family or hotel;

Day 2: launch cruise and game drive: You will go for an early morning game drive, return to the lodge for late breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon you will go for a launch cruise where you will spot various water animals such as Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants, Buffalos, Monitor Lizards and so many birds. Return to the host family or lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Spend the day in Community Tourism or volunteer on a community Project: You may take on community tourism and explore into the native Bakonjo cultural lives, or offer to volunteer at a health unit, school, church, children’s project, media centre or an environmental conservation project.

Day 4: Kampala: An early breakfast before driving back to Kampala. You will have lunch en route at Igogo Cultural Center and have a chance to have some cultural entertainment as well as see the cultural museum. You will make your last stop over at Mpambire royal drum makers for a demonstration of how these drums are made but also have a mini entertainment using the very drums. Dinner and overnight at your preferred hotel or lodge in Kampala;

FOUR DAYS CHIMPANZEE TRACKING TOUR KIBALE NATIONAL PARK

Detailed safari itinerary

Day 1: Depart for Kibale National Park: Take breakfast early in the morning start your Uganda chimpanzee trekking drive to Kibale National park. You will make a stopover at the Equator for Experiments, photo shoots and a visit to the craft centers. Proceed with your drive to Kibale and on arrival you may visit the Crater Lakes Region. Dinner and overnight at hotel or get to a host family where you will learn more about people and culture;

Day 2: chimp trekking Tour:

After breakfast you will go for the famous Uganda`s chimp trekking, during the trekking you will spot other primates like the white colobus monkeys, animals like the forest Elephants just to mention but a few. Return to the lodge for lunch, in the afternoon you will visit Bigodi wetland which is well known for various bird species. Return to the host family or lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Spend the day in Community Tourism or volunteer on a community Project: You may take on community tourism and explore into the native Batooro, Bakiga and Banyankole mixed cultural lives, or offer to volunteer at a health unit, school, church, children’s project, media centre, refugee settlement, prison or an environmental conservation project.

Day 4: Back to Kampala: You will have an early breakfast before driving back to Kampala but will make a stopover at Igogo Cultural Center for cultural performances and a visit to the cultural museum. Proceed to Kampala but make your last stopover at Mpambire Royal Drum makers for a demonstration of how the drums are made and climax with a mini musical performance to show you how the drums are played.

You will have lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at your preferred hotel / Lodge and that makes the end of this Uganda safari.

FIVE DAY UGANDA MOUNTAIN GORILLA TOUR:

This 4 day Gorilla trekking safari tour in Uganda  is one of the many Uganda Gorilla safari trips in Uganda organized by Uganda Vision Resource Centre to search for gorillas. It is one of the short gorilla tours in Uganda that takes you to the best place to see mountain gorillas in Africa in the shortest time possible. This short gorilla tours is arranged to offer you the opportunity to see the rare mountain gorillas only viewed in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo all on the African continent. You will not only trek gorillas in Uganda but also see her amazing wild game as well, for example three of the big five that can easily be seen in each of Uganda’s national parks.

This 4 days Uganda Gorilla trek will leave you wanting to see not only more of mountain gorillas in Uganda as well as wildlife but also her beautiful hospitable and loving people, so please book with us and get a life time Africa gorilla safari memory.

Detailed 4 days gorilla safari itinerary:

DAY 1: Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari. Your Uganda gorilla trek safari starts early in the morning after breakfast. Drive from Kampala towards the west and have a stop at the Equator for handicrafts and photos plus demonstrations. After this continue with your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park fronted by the magnificent Rwenzori Mountain range for much of your journey.

Once in Queen Elizabeth National Park a game drive in the park is highly rewarding for you will view a range of wild animals including Leopards, the gigantic Elephants, Hogs, Lions, Buffaloes, Duikers, Hyenas, and many antelope species. After lunch, you will have an evening 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga channel into Lake Edward. This cruise offers you an opportunity to see at close range the highest concentration of water submerged Hippos, surrounded by over 550 species of migrant and resident birds plus crocodiles drinking and resting at water edges. The cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing.

You will then Have dinner and spend your overnight at a host family or Mweya Safari Lodge / Budget Institute of ecology. (BLD) or any other lodge of your choice;

Day 2: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi.

The day start with having breakfast, then embark on an early morning game drive along Kasenyi track and Queen’s mile in the park. You will expect to see cape Buffaloes, Elephants, Topi, Kobs, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Hyena, Leopards, as well as the lions and lots of Birds. After the game drive, embark on the trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Maramagambo and Ishasha. Along the road via Ishasha you will have an opportunity to see the tree climbing lions, more antelopes, the waterbucks, Kobs, elephants, and buffaloes.

You will arrive and rest at a host family or the exquisite Gorilla forest Camp where you will dine and spend the overnight.

Day 3: Bwindi Gorilla safari.

After an early morning breakfast you will be briefed by your tour guide and after start your gorilla trekking journey in Uganda, you will enter into the amazing rainforest (gorilla sanctuary) as it offers an exciting, heavily forested and dense landscape interacted by plenty of animal trails that provide access for tourists tracking these resident animals.  Mammals here include majorly the endangered mountain gorillas, elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, the rare golden monkey, black-fronted Duikers, bushbucks, leopards to mention but a few.

The charming mountain gorillas form the highlight of the park, the time and terrain/track taken while looking for these beautiful primates varies according to their movements. Once tracked, observing, spending time with and photographing these gentle, peaceful and shy gorillas in Uganda is a unique, breathtaking, inspiring, and thrilling life time memorable adventure that leaves you desiring to have it again but takes one hour. As one client lamented, ‘‘I will forever want to track and keep with these lovely animals and if acceptable, I would stay with them every day!!”.

Your overnight shall be at a host family or Buhoma homestead/Buhoma community Camp unless you have a personal choice

Day 3: Spend the day in Community Tourism or volunteer on a community Project: You may take on community tourism and explore into the native Bakiga and Batwa cultural lives, or offer to volunteer at a health unit, school, church, children’s project, media centre or an environmental conservation project.

Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe. After your breakfast embark on the transfer to Kampala via Mbarara in Igongo Cultural Center for lunch (Traditional dishes) but also you will visit the cultural museum here and embark on your drive to Kampala. On arrival in Kampala by 5.00 pm local time you immediately embark on a mini famous Kampala tour which makes the end of your gorilla safari holiday in Uganda.

You will spend your overnight at The Lodge-Lweza for easy transfer to the Air Port.

SIX DAY MOUNTAIN GORILLA TRACKING TOUR

Gorillas in Uganda are found in Bwindi and Mgahinga parks, Bwindi having about 650 mountain gorillas out of the remaining 720 worldwide preserved gorillas. The Nshongi gorilla family the newest group is believed to be the largest and the most unique in Uganda, with 34 individuals led by three silverbacks.

The Nkuringo and Mubaare are among the 6 habituated gorilla families in Uganda.

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1; Kampala to Mgahinga Gorilla National Forest; After your brake fast at 6:00am the journey to Bwindi-south western Uganda starts, on Masaka Mbarara road via the fascinating Kigezi highlands and arrive in Kisoro late the evening. You will Dine and spend the night with a host family or at Travelers Rest Hotel in Kisoro, Buhoma lodge / Gorilla Resort camp / Lake Kitandara Camp/ Engagi Lodge/ Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 2; Track Mountain Gorilla in the Mgahinga National Forest Have breakfast then go to the park offices to get briefed and at 9:00 am embark on the Uganda gorilla trek along the tracks within the impenetrable forest in search for these great mountain gorillas .The gorilla trekking might take you 2-9 hrs to find the giant Gorillas depending on their movement. The trek/quest for these great apes is tiresome but very well rewarded by meeting, spending time with and photographing these great gorillas as you look straight into their inviting brown expressive eyes, this is a life time thrill of a wild life adventure only Africa can offer you.

You will Dine and spend your second night at another host family or at Travelers Rest Hotel – Kisoro, Buhoma lodge / Gorilla Resort camp / Lake Kitandara a Camp/ Engagi Lodge/ Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 3: Mgahinga – Lake Mburo National Park Early in the morning after breakfast transfer to Lake Mburo NP via Queen Elizabeth NP having your lunch en route in Mbarara town. Proceed to Lake Mburo national park for an evening boat cruise on arrival or a game drive if preferred. Whichever you choose, be assured of seeing a variety of game and birds the difference is that one is on water well as the other is on land. You will have your dinner and overnight at a host family or at Mantana Luxury tented Camp or Mihingo Lodge, Lake View Hotel, Basic Rwonyo bandas.

Day 4: Spend the day in Community Tourism or volunteer on a community Project: You may take on community tourism and explore into the native Bafumbira cultural lives, or offer to volunteer at a health unit, school, church, children’s project, media centre or an environmental conservation project.

Day 5: Lake Mburo national park – Kampala After your early morning breakfast, you will undertake a nature walk-the most interesting nature walks in the country that will expose you to various species of primates, birds, antelope, buffaloes and many wild plant species. After this, proceed to Kampala but stop-over in Lyantonde for your lunch or at the Equator where you can buy African crafts and take photographs. You will arrive late evening in Kampala, dine and spend your overnight at Speke Hotel, The Lodge or similar other hotels.

Day 6: Kampala tour: After breakfast at around 9.00 am, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you embark on the famous Kampala tour. You will penetrate the busy capital city and tour all the gothic era cathedrals, mosques, the Bahai temple, Namugongo shrine-where the famous Uganda Martyrs were murdered, visit the famous Owino market down town, Kabaka`s palace and lake, Kasubi tombs, Uganda parliament etc. Return to your hotel/Lodge or if you wish transfer to the airport for you flight back home.

SIX DAY AFRICA GORILLA TOUR

Our 5 day Africa Gorilla tracking tour in Uganda is done in Bwindi and Mgahinga parks where Mountain Gorillas are found in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla Park of Uganda has about 650 mountain gorillas out of the remaining 720 word wide preserved gorillas and is the main Uganda Mountain Gorillas safari destination but also in east and central Africa.

This 5 days Gorilla trekking tour safari in Uganda does not only front you to endangered Mountain gorillas Uganda has to offer but also  exposes you to Uganda best Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth, one of Uganda`s  best national park that forms a Uganda safari highlights.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1; Kampala to Bwindi Gorilla National Forest: After your brake fast at 6:00am the journey to Bwindi-south western Uganda starts, on Masaka Mbarara road via the fascinating Kigezi highlands and arrive in Kisoro late the evening. You will Dine and spend the night in a host family or at Travelers Rest Hotel in Kisoro, Buhoma lodge, Gorilla Resort camp, Lake Kitandara  Camp, Engagi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 2; Track Mountain Gorilla in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest Have breakfast then go to the park offices to get briefed and at 9:00 am embark on the Uganda gorilla trek along the tracks within the impenetrable forest in search for these great mountain gorillas .The gorilla trekking might take you 2-9 hrs to find the giant Gorillas depending on their movement. The trek/quest for these great apes is tiresome but very well rewarded by meeting, spending time with and photographing these great gorillas as you look straight into their inviting brown expressive eyes, this is a life time thrill of a wild life adventure only Africa can offer you.

You will Dine and spend your second night in a host family or at Travelers Rest Hotel – Kisoro, Buhoma lodge, Gorilla Resort camp, Lake Kitandara Camp,Engagi Lodge or Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 3; Queen Elizabeth NP Tour & the Kazinga Channel Biodiversity You will have breakfast after which you shall embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP. You will access this park via the Ishasha sector and will enjoy a game drive en route on which you see the famous Uganda Kobs, tree climbing Lions plus monkeys among others. Drive to Mweya Safari Lodge / Hill Camp in the evening, to dine and spend the overnight.

Day 4; Prime Wildlife tour-Queen Elizabeth National Park Early morning you will be pleased by a wide game drive, through the most prime wildlife full tracks that include the Kasenyi Track, as you return to your lodge for breakfast. After break you shall precede to Kyambura Gorge for tracking chimpanzees, go for lunch after which you will have a launch cruise along Kazinga Channel to fascinate your evening given her biodiversity that makes it the highlight for any Uganda safari visitor to Queen Elizabeth National Park since time memorial. Travel to Fort Portal and have your overnight with a host family of Batooro people.

Day 5: Spend the day in Community Tourism or volunteer on a community Project: You may take on community tourism and explore into the native Batooro cultural lives, or offer to volunteer at a health centre, school, church, children’s project, media centre or an environmental conservation project.

Day 6; Drive back to Kampala and have your overnight at The Lodge-Lweza or any other lorge of your choice

SEVEN DAY UGANDA GORILLA SAFARI, GORILLA TREKKING TOUR UGANDA,

Our 6 Days Uganda Gorilla safari takes you to Uganda`s population of mountain gorillas in Bwindi but also exposes you to Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda. It has been confirmed that Mountain gorillas in Uganda have increased to a minimum of 400 in Bwindi according to results from the mountain gorilla census that was carried out by Uganda Wildlife Authority together with the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP), Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) in DRC and RDB from Rwanda.

Scientifically referred to as Gorilla beringei, Uganda`s mountain gorillas live in families headed by a Silverback as the dominant male. However, mountain gorilla families sometimes split up to form new groups especially when there is more than one silverback in a family.

Currently there are 36 gorilla families in Bwindi and 16 solitary males of which 10 are habituated for tourism and research.

Following the two censuses carried out in the Virunga Massif and in Bwindi in 2011, it has been confirmed that the world’s population of mountain gorillas now stands at a total of 880 after census results showed in 2010 that there were 480 mountain gorillas in the Virunga massif which comprises Rwanda`s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda`s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park , and DRC`s Virunga National Park ,plus the 400 that has been confirmed present  in Uganda`s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

This means that Uganda is host to more than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas trekking safari or tour destination.

Major highlights:

• Gorilla Trekking
• Game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park
•  Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest national park
• Community Tourism or Volunteer work

Day 1: Entebbe – Kampala: As you arrive at Entebbe International Airport you meet our tour agent who will take you to your Hotel but depending on your time of arrival you may have the famous Kampala tour. On the check list are: Buganda Kingdom palace, the Bahai temple, Namugongo Uganda matrs shrine, Kasubi tombs and Uganda museum. Overnight at the Lweza Lodge or any Kampala hotel of your choice

Day 2:  Transfer to Bwindi National Park:  After your early morning breakfast, start your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha arriving in the evening at Buhoma. You will Dine and have the night in a host family or at Buhoma community Rest Camp/ Gorilla Forest Camp /Buhoma Lodge.

 Day 3: Tracking the Gorillas: After a heavy breakfast and carry packed lunch have a briefing at the headquarter after which embark on tracking gorillas in the forest at 8:00 am. The time you spend in the forest tracking is unpredictable but ranges between 2 – 9 hours depending on the movement of these mountain gorillas. Your Dinner and overnight shall be in a host family or at Gorilla Forest Camp / Buhoma Lodge / Buhoma community bandas

Day 4: Spend the day in Community Tourism or volunteer on a community Project around Kitagata Hot Springs in Bushenyi: You may take on community tourism and explore into the native Banyankole cultural lives, or offer to volunteer at a health unit, school, church, children’s project, media centre or an environmental conservation project. Spend your night at a host family or lodge in Kitagata.

Day 5:  Queen Elizabeth national park safari Just after your breakfast transfer to Ishasha Game Reserve to view tree-climbing lions after which you go to Queen Elizabeth national park for your lunch at the lodge as you prepare for Kazinga Channel for the afternoon game drive. Your dinner and overnight in a host family or at Mweya Safari Lodge / Hippo Hill Camp

Day 6: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park At 6.00am have breakfast and right after enjoy a game drive to the northern sector of the park through the Kasenyi track in search for buffaloes, lions, Uganda cobs plus many bird species. After proceed to Fort Portal for a night in a host family or at Mountains of the Moon Hotel as you prepare for a chimp trek in Kibale Forest national park the following morning.

DAY 7: Chimpanzee trekking: Early in the morning go to Kibale forest headquarters for the 4 hours chimp trek starting at 8.00 am.  After this trek, have lunch then transfer to Kampala where you will arrive in the evening.

TEN DAYS RWENZORI MOUNTAIN CLIMBING TRIP, RWENZORI MOUNTAIN HIKING SAFARI

The 10 Days Rwenzori Mountain Climbing Trip in Uganda is a full package mountaineering adventure tour, hiking to all the thrilling peaks of the Rwenzoris.

The Rwenzori Mountains, previously called the Rwenzori Range and sometimes the Mountains of the Moon, is a mountain range of central Africa, often referred to as Mt. Rwenzori, located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with heights of up to 5,109m (16,761 ft) at 0°23′09″N 29°52′18″E Coordinates: 0°23′09″N 29°52′18″E. The highest Rwenzori are permanently snow-capped, and they, along with Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya are the only such in Equatorial Africa.

The tour will take you to explore the Rwenzori Mountains and it will take 9 days to hike up to the top of the mountains.

Day 1: Depart from Kampala to Kasese: After breakfast Transfer from Kampala to Kasese Town. All the food needed shall be bought up in the mountainous but you will have to register with RMS offices on arrival. You will dine and have your overnight at Hotel Magherita or Rwenzori Base Mountain Camp (BB)

Day 2: Hike from Nyakengija (5400ft /1646 m) to Nyabitaba Hut (8700ft /2652m) After an early morning breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters in Ibanda,  and the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) at Nyakalengija to get the necessary equipment for hiking with guides and porters. Right after, the 5-7 hours hiking starts from this point up to Nyabitaba Hut for an overnight.

Day 3: Nyabitaba- John Matte hut (11200ft/3414 m) This day’s hiking may take 7 hours, you will take on the trail from Nyabitaba hut to Kurt Shaffer Bridge through Bujuku and Mubuku rivers a steep and slippery point, Continue up to John Matte hut where you will spend your overnight. Slow hikers may consider going back from this point.

Day 4: John Matte- Bujuku Hut (13000 ft 3962 m) This hike may take 3-5 hours, From John Matte cross River Bujuku then enter the Bigo bog, cross the drier ground up to Lake Bujuku overlooking Mt. Baker and Speke heading north. Follow the trail until you reach Bujuku Hut.

Day 5: Bujuku Hut – Elena Hut (14,700 ft /4430 m) From Bujuku Hut, hike to Scott Elliot up to Elena Hut-the last point for the central circuit yet the starting point to climb Margherita Peak (16763 ft /5109m) or Mt Stanley.  Follow the central circuit through the alpine zone of sparse low vegetation to crater lakes and descend to Lake Kitandara hut where you will have your overnight. Please note that you need 2 extra days to climb to the peaks  

Descend from Lake Kitandara hut leaving Megharita peak northwards overlooking Democrat Republic of Congo westwards as you enjoy beautiful/scenic views of Congo and her famous tropical forests. Go down up to Guy Yeoman Hut (10700ft/3261 m).

Day 7: Nyabitaba Hut- Nyakalengija Descend to Nyabitaba Hut accros the deep mud and the crossing river. This hike usually takes 5 hours but may take you another 2-3 hours should you decide to descend up to Nyakalengija. Please note that this journey is long and may be difficult therefore you have to be healthy and physically fit.

Day 8: Descend to Kasese Town:  Descend from Nyabitaba Hut to Nyakalengija (the park headquarters) and you transfer back to Kasese town for relaxation at Margherita Hotel where you shall dine and have your overnight.

Day 9: Spend the day in Community Tourism or volunteer on a community Project: You may take on community tourism and explore into the native Bakonjo cultural lives, or offer to volunteer at a health unit, school, church, children’s project, media centre or an environmental conservation project.

Day 10: Drive back to Kampala:  After an early morning breakfast drive to Kampala (The lodge-Lweza) or Entebbe air port depending on your flight details.

THIRTEEN DAYS UGANDA BIRDING SAFARI, BIRDING TOURS IN UGANDA

With our guests from abroad, we emphasize quality bird watching safaris/trips in Uganda. Uganda Vision Resource Centre is an indigenous Ugandan nonprofit making company and so, our birding safaris and tours project is dedicated to offering our esteemed customers the ultimate birding experience ever.

Detailed birding safari itinerary:

Day 1 Arrival: On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you shall meet our company representative who will warmly welcome and transfer you to your Hotel. But depending on your time of arrival you may go birding in either the botanical gardens or the Uganda Wildlife Education center. Any of these places is a good representative of Uganda`s bird species hence they can inaugurate one to the different bird species in the country. Overnight at Sheraton Hotel/ Hotel Africana/ Imperial Botanical Beach/any other hotel you may desire.

Day 2 Transfer to Semuriki National Park: After an early breakfast embark on your transfer to Semuliki National park taking the road through fort portal Bundibugyo to reach the park. This route has beautiful mountains of the moon sceneries plus plantations. After arrival but with enough rest you shall go for a late afternoon birding at the entrance of the park. That passes through beautiful Borassus savannah and extensive grass lands that harbor bird species such as the African grey horn bill, common scimitar bill, helmeted guinea fowl, crested francolin etc. Overnight at Semuliki Safari Lodge

Day 3 Whole day birding- Semuliki National Park: After an early morning breakfast, but with packed lunch embark on a full day birding on the Kirumira trail or forest. This early morning birding offers you species like Night jars, African scopes Owl, and Pearl spotted Owlet just to mention but a few.

Being a home to some of the Congo bird species, this birding safari will also reward you with birds like, red breasted sparrow hawk, African piculet, African pied horn bills, Zenkel, Red billed, piping, dwarf and Pygmy kingfishers, Nkurengu rail, honey guide red rumped tinkerbird, Rufous sided broad bill, Black chested cuckoo, Green tailed bristle bill, White bellied, white thighed, black and white casqued, forest scrub robin, fire crested alethe, red bellied and blue billed malimbe, black wattled, swamp palm bulbul, black bill and white crested horn bill, Leaf love etc. You will dine and have your overnight in a host family or at Semuliki safari lodge.

Day 4 Whole day birding Semuliki National Park: Just after breakfast again with packed lunch to embark on another birding trip on either the main road Sempaya trail or the Kirumira trail, depending on the previous’ day`s  results. The choice remains in interest of the group.

Day 5 Birding –Sebitoli: After taking a cup of tea early in the morning transfer to Kibale National park- Sebitoli birding site, recommended as the best birding site in Uganda. As you reach in the afternoon have lunch and embark on your birding fascination. Look out for special species like, Toro olive and Cameroon sombre green buls, African black duck, Joyful, cabanis, Brown-capped Weaver, Brown and scaly breasted illadopsis, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Pink-footed Puff Back,  Bocage’s Bush-shrike, Green-throated Sunbird, Green-breasted Pita, African pita, -headed Sunbird just to mention but a few. Your dinner and overnight shall be in a host family or at Ndali Lodge/ Kanyanchu tourist center.

Day 6 Whole day birding in Kibale: Early in the morning after breakfast go for a guided birding trip in the Kanyanchu area where you will watch out for birds like; grey parrots, the African go-shwak, masked apalis, the majestic crowned eagle etc. You will have picnic lunch in the forest and the afternoon then head to the Bigodi wetland sanctuary through the Magombe swamp to see birds such as papyrus canary, papyrus Gonolek, brown headed Tchagra and mosque swallow. Your dinner and overnight shall be in a host family or at Ndali lodge / Chimp Nest Lodge

Day 7 Birding-Bwindi: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park but watch out for birds and game en route to reach in the afternoon. Have your birding trip in Buhoma area in the afternoon. Your dinner and overnight shall be in a host family or at Gorilla forest camp/ Buhoma community Rest Camp

Day 8: Whole day birding –Bwindi: Very early in the morning after breakfast, move into the forest on the water fall trail for birding. Look out for birds such as Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater,  Kivu ground thrush, Mountain Buzzard, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Sooty Boubou, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Hill-Babbler, Ayre’s Hawk-eagle, Black-and-white Shriker-flycatche white bellied Robin-chat and slender billed starling Dusky Tit, Ashy Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Rwenzori Batis,  Dusky-blue Flycatcher,  Doherty’s Bush-shrike. Bird along the main track- in the afternoon as you descend to the camp, then move along the long trail to Bwindi for more birding adventures. Your dinner and overnight shall be in a host family or at Gorilla forest Camp/ Buhoma community Rest Camp

Day 9: Whole day Gorilla Tracking Bwindi – Buhoma: Early in the morning after breakfast go for birding on the long trail to Mubwindi as well as the short trail in the afternoon. Watch out for bir Oriole, Dwarf Honey guide, Oriole Finch and Bar tailed trogon, Carruthers’ Cisticola Red chested Fluff tail, Waller’s starling, Blacke –billed turacos, the Montanebarbets, and the Cabanis’s Green bull. As you do your bird search you an opportunity to search for gorillas too. You will have dinner and overnight in a host family or at Gorilla forest Camp/ Buhoma community Rest Camp

Day 10: Birding on the Neck continuing to Ruhiija. Early morning after breakfast go birding in the ruhiija area and look out for birds like the Grey-throated Barbet, Red-tailed and Shelley’s Greenbul, Common Buzzard, Red-throated Alethe, African Shrike-flycatcher Ayres’s Hawk-eagle,  Black Bee-eater and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater to mention but a few. Your dinner and overnight shall be in a host family or at Gorilla forest Camp/ Buhoma community Rest Camp

Day 11 Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park: After your early morning breakfast, drive towards Lake Mburo National Park along the road towards Kabale. You will bird along the entrance road to Rwonyo in the late afternoon to watch out for acacia associated bird species like Rupell’s long-tailed starling, mosque swallow and black bellied bustard. You will spend the night and dine in a host family or at Mantana Tented camp

Day 3: Spend the day in Community Tourism or volunteer on a community Project in Mbarara around Lake Mburo: You may take on community tourism and explore into the native Long honed Ankole cattle keepers cultural lives, or offer to volunteer at a health unit, school, church, children’s project, media centre or an environmental conservation project.

Day 13 Lake Mburo to Kampala: Transfer back to Kampala drive along the lake side track and Kigambira loop, Watch out for birds like Batelour, Green-capped Eremomela, Austral migrant, black cuckoo-shrike Tawny, African Hawk, and so many other species en route. You will arrive in the evening to spend the night dine at Hotel Africana / Sheraton Hotel, The Lodge-Lweza.

To organise for your adventure safari Contact us by sending an email to volunteers@uvrcug.org. Visit our official website www.uvrcug.org

Travel Abroad, Travel Africa, Travel Uganda, Volunteer Abroad, Volunteer in Africa, Volunteer in Uganda with Uganda Vision Resource Centre