BIRDING & WILDLIFE SAFARI - Safari Tours Namibia
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BIRDING & WILDLIFE SAFARI
19TH JUNE – 3RD JULY 2019
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Wednesday 19th June ARRIVAL. ENTEBBE
2019 Accommodation: Lake Victoria Serena
Thursday 20th ENTEBBE – MABAMBA SWAMP – ENTEBBE (BY BOAT & ROAD)
Accommodation: Lake Victoria Serena
Friday 21st ENTEBBE – MURCHINSON FALLS (BY ROAD)
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge.
Saturday 22nd MURCHINSON FALLS
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge.
Sunday 23rd MURCHINSON FALLS – BUDONGO - HOIMA (BY ROAD)
Accommodation: Hoima Cultural Cottages.
Monday 24th MURCHINSON FALLS – KIBALE (BY ROAD)
Accommodation: Crater Safari Lodge.
Tuesday 25th KIBALE
Accommodation: Crater Safari Lodge.
Wednesday 26th KIBALE – QUEEN ELIZABETH (BY ROAD)
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
Thursday 27th QUEEN ELIZABETH
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Friday 28th QUEEN ELIZABETH – BWINDI SOUTH (BY ROAD)
Accommodation: Mahogany Springs
Saturday 29th BWINDI SOUTH
Accommodation: Mahogany Springs
Sunday 30th BWINDI SOUTH
Accommodation: Mahogany Springs
Monday 1st June BWINDO – LAKE MBURO (BY ROAD)
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock
Tuesday 2nd LAKE MBURO
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock
Wednesday 3rd LAKE MBURO – ENTEBBE – DEPARTURE.
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES Uganda lies between the two arms of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa and It is crossed by the Equator. It is roughly the same size as Great Britain having an area of 241,139 sq. km. Of this 17% sq km is made up of swamps and open fresh water bodies and 12% made up of forest reserves and game parks. It is bordered by Kenya to the East, Sudan to the North, DRC to the West and Tanzania and Rwanda to the south. The country has an average elevation of 1200m above sea level. The two Mountains in the country have elevations of 5000M (Mount Rwenzori) with permanent snow cover and Mount Elgon with an elevation of 4300m. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and second largest in the world. The only major outlet for this Lake is at Jinja where the River Nile starts it's 6,700km journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Lakes Edward and Albert lie to the west of the country. The landscape and vegetation have exceptional diversity. Uganda lies at the overlap between tropical East African savannah and the West African rainforest zones. The south of the country is mostly covered by forest and sub-tropical cultivation (plantains, coffee and tea). The north is drier than the rest of the country. It is covered in semi-desert and dry acacia woodland, which lacks the heavy intertwining canopy found in tropical forests. NATIONAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE Most of Uganda’s wildlife is concentrated in its protected areas, of which there are three main categories: National Parks, Wildlife Reserves, and Forest Reserves. Uganda is a country of exceptional diversity. It lies at the overlap between tropical East African savannah and the West African rainforest zones. Seven of Africa’s 18 plant kingdoms are represented in Uganda, which is more than any other country on the continent. The birding opportunities in Uganda are impressive. With over 1,000 recorded already, Uganda has almost half the species known on the African continent and over 10% of those on record throughout the entire world. Uganda’s equatorial location, combined with the altitude and great variety of terrain types provide an overwhelming array of opportunities for keen birders. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS Uganda has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 21-25°C (70- 77°F), apart from in the mountainous areas, which are much cooler. The hottest months are December to February. Evenings can feel chilly after the heat of the day with temperatures around 12- 16ºC. Most regions of Uganda, apart from the dry area in the north, have an annual rainfall of between 1,000mm and 2,000mm. There is heavy rain between March and May and between October and November, when road travel can become difficult in parts of the country. The best time for trekking is during the dry seasons, between January and February and June to September. Wildlife viewing is best at the end of the dry seasons, when game is more concentrated around water sources. CULTURE Belonging to many ethnic groups, Ugandans speak over 30 different African languages. English and Swahili are the country’s official languages. Swahili is a useful communication link with the country’s Eastern neighbors of Kenya and Tanzania, where it's also spoken. The largest group in Uganda (around a fifth of the population) are the Baganda, who live in the Kampala region and speak Luganda. Other Bantu-speaking groups include the Ankole, Toro, Banyoro and Basoga. To the east and north are groups of Nilotic/Cushitic origin, including the Teso, Karimojong, Acholi and Lango. Ugandan society is still predominantly rural with 80% of the population living in rural areas. Religion plays an important part of daily life in Uganda. Over four-fifths of Ugandans are Christian, either Protestant or Catholic. Around 10% are Muslims, a legacy of the Arab traders who came here in the 19th century.
ENTEBBE CITY
ENTEBBE CITY
Entebbe", in the local Luganda language, means
a "seat" and was probably named that because
19th – 21st June 2019
it was the place where a Baganda chief sat to
adjudicate legal cases in the early 1900s when
the country was a British protectorate, and is
now the location of the official office and
residence of the President of Uganda. Entebbe
sits on the northern shores of Lake Victoria,
Africa's largest lake. The town is situated in
Wakiso District, approximately 37 kilometers
southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and
largest city. The city experiences tropical
rainforest climate as the city has no real dry
season throughout the year. The driest season is
January with precipitation total 65 millimeters,
while the wettest season is April with
precipitation total 256 millimeters). The
temperature is moderated by the altitude. The
hottest month is February while the coolest
month is July. The municipality is located on a
peninsula into Lake Victoria, covering a total
area of 56.2 square kilometers, out of which 20
km2 is water. It first became a British colonial
administrative and commercial center in 1893
when Sir Gerald Portal, a colonial
Commissioner, used it as a base. Port Bell went
on to become Kampala's harbor. Although no
ships dock there now, there is still a jetty, which
was used by Lake Victoria ferries. Entebbe is
perhaps best known to Europeans as the home
of Entebbe International Airport, the main
international airport of Uganda, which was first
opened in 1929. Entebbe airport was the scene
of a hostage situation and a rescue operation in
4 July 1976, when soldiers from an elite unit of
the Israeli army freed over 100 hostages
following a hijacking by a group of Palestinian
and German militia. Entebbe is also home to the
historical site in Kigungu where the first
catholic missionaries Brother Amans and Father
Mon Maple Lourdel landed to establish the
catholic faith in Uganda.
LAKE VICTORIA SERENA RESORT
GROUND DETAILS
o International arrival
o Meet and greet assistance at Entebbe
International airport.
o Transfer to Entebbe. Drive time : 1hour
19th – 21st June 2019
o Accommodation : Lake Victoria Serena
Resort and Spa
o Meal Plan : No meals on arrival day | Full
board on 20th June
o Half day visit to Mabamba Swamp by Boat
|Return by road with en-route lunch meal in
Entebbe prior to returning to Hotel.
LAKE SERENA RESORT.
Lake Victoria Serena Resort & Spa stand amid
the sunflowers of the Tuscan Hills, as on the
shores of Africa's largest lake. The resort offers
114 standard rooms, 8 executive suites and 2
presidential suites. Each standard room features
queen-sized or 2 twin beds, a dressing table, and
work station, seating area, balcony and lavish
marble bathroom with walk-in shower. The
executive suites have a spacious living area with
flat-screen TV, office space and second balcony.
The 2 presidential suites feature a luxury ensuite
bedroom with king-sized bed, a reception room,
dining room, furnished terrace and staff
accommodation. The Presidential floor also
features its own private event or conference
space. The hotel’s Citadel all-day brasserie offers
extensive buffet breakfast and lunch choices
while the a la carte evening menu features both
an international selection and Mediterranean
cuisine. A wide selection of snacks can be
enjoyed, either on the extensive Lake view pool
terrace, in the courtyard lounge or on the Piano
Bar Terrace. This unique resort also offers a
world-class event and conference centre,
business centre, Maisha Spa and Health Club.
MBAMBA SWAMP
The Mabamba Swamps west of Entebbe is one of
the best and most convenient places to see the
elusive Shoebill. After a few minutes in a motor
boat the papyrus reeds opens up into a flat
grassy wetlands where a number of Shoebill can
regularly be seen. The bird is easiest seen in the
20th June 2019
morning when they stalk their main prey, the
mudfish or frogs, but may be spotted all day.
They may stand absolutely still for long periods
awaiting the movements of their prey and then
suddenly strike with a marvelous speed. It is an
amazing Wetlands Sanctuary to visit for the
Shoebill Storks, Sitatunga Antelopes and the
tropical vegetation that you see here. Carry
along a good pair of Binoculars, hat, sun
protection, insect repellent, light rain jacket, a
backpack and bottled water. Wearing a long
sleeved T-shirts and long trousers is preferable
for this tour. Mabamba Swamp is a large tract of
marshlands with various channels through it and
it provides the perfect habitat for countless of
water-birds besides the Shoebill Stork such as
Swamp Flycatcher, Winding Cisticola, Malachite
Kingfisher, Black-headed Weavers, Yellow-billed
Duck, Long-toed Lapwing, African Jacana and
Blue-headed Coucal, Banded Martin, Grey-
rumped and Angola Swallows, Intermediate
Egret, Swamp Flycatcher, African Purple Swamp-
hen, African Water Rail, Common Moorhen,
Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, African Pygmy
Goose, White-faced Whistling-duck, Squacco,
Rufous-bellied and Purple Heron, Blue-breasted
Bee-eater, Winding Cisticola, Goliath Heron,
Black Crake, African Marsh Harrier, Hamerkop,
Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, Common
Waxbill, Yellow-billed Duck, Blue-headed
Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Intermediate
Egret, Osprey, Long-toed Lapwing,
MURCHINSON FALLS
MURCHINSON FALLS NATIONAL PARK.
Murchison Falls National Park lies at the
northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, where
the sweeping Bunyoro escarpment tumbles into
vast, palm-dotted savanna. First gazetted as a
21st – 23rd June 2019
game reserve in 1926, it is Uganda's largest and
oldest conservation area. The park is bisected by
the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the
remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic
Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and
the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The
mighty cascade drains the last of the river's
energy, transforming it into a broad, placid
stream that flows quietly across the rift valley
floor into Lake Albert. Murchison Falls
Conservation Area is one of the oldest, and is the
largest, protected area in Uganda. It is comprised
of Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu
Wildlife Refuge, Karuma Wildlife Refuge and
Budongo Forest Reserve which makes a total of
5,663 sq.km of space that is under some level of
protection through controlled use. The park
houses a combination of grasslands, wooded
savannah, tropical forests, wetlands, and open
water covering approximately 39,000ha at an
altitude of more than 600m. The park houses 109
species of mammals, 145 tree species and over
476 bird species. These include : Saddle-billed
Stork, Sacred Ibis, Fulvous Whistling-Duck,
Senegal Thick-knee, Water Thick-knee, Black-
headed Lapwing, Long-toed Lapwing, Little
Bittern, Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Blue-
breasted Bee-eater, Vinaceous Dove and
Grosbeak Weaver. Other specialties include; Buff-
bellied Warbler, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Bar-
breasted Firefinch, Red-winged Grey Warbler,
Spotted Morning-Thrush, Marabou Stork, Red-
throated Bee-eater, Silver bird, Beautiful Sunbird,
Black-headed Gonolek, Speckle-fronted Weaver,
Golden-backed Weaver, White-rumped
Seedeater, Pels Fishing Owl, White Crested
Turaco, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Chestnutcrowned,
Sparrow Weaver, Carmine Bee-eater, Night
jars(Pennant-winged &Standard-winged), White-
rumped Canary
PARAA SAFARI LODGE
GROUND DETAILS
o Transfer to Murchison falls. Drive time : 7HRS
o En-route sit down lunch
o Accommodation : Paraa Safari Lodge on full
board (Standard rooms)
21st – 23rd June 2019
o Activities include : AM and PM birding and
game drives |1 Private Boat ride for birding
and visit to the bottom of the falls |Hike to the
top of the falls.
PARAA SAFARI LODGE
Established in 1954, Paraa Safari Lodge is in
Murchison Falls National Park. The lodge is
located in the north west of Uganda overlooking
one of nature's best kept secrets, the River Nile.
Every Connor of the lodge boasts a sweeping
view of the River Nile. The lodge offers a unique
blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure. Each
of the rooms is a haven of style and serenity,
complete with balcony and private bathroom.
The choice of accommodation at the lodge varies
– a cottage, suites, double, twin and single. The
Captain's Table restaurant is located on the
upper floor .This restaurant serves local and
international specialties. Guest at Paraa can
choose to eat inside or outside on the balcony
.Special barbecues and traditional dancers make
a Saturday evening at Paraa Safari Lodge an
occasion to remember. The lodge’s bar is located
on the upper floor of the lodge, next to the
restaurant, and have inviting sofa's, cool. Other
facilities include the swimming pool, business
centre, conference facilities and gift shop.
BUDONGO FOREST | ROYAL MILE
BUDONGO FOREST
It is the biggest Mahogany forest found in the
whole of East Africa as well as habitat to the
largest number of chimpanzees throughout
Uganda. The 115 kilometer expanse is a remote
chunck of the Budongo forest. Its isolation once
in a while offers a safe haven for the Lions,
Leopards as well as Buffaloes. Early in the
morning is the ideal time to set out touring
23rd June 2019
because then you will have an opportunity to
find a number of the forest inhabitants licking
salt by the forest glades. River Waiga offers
refreshment to the various wildlife species
within this forest. Birds in the forest include : the
Crested Guineafowl sporting their punk
“hairdos”, White Crested Turaco, Rufous-
crowned Eremomela, Yellow and Grey Longbills,
Olive-bellied Crombec, Yellowbrowed
Camaroptera, Little Green Sunbird, and Red-
headed Blue Bill among others. There are also
many other special birds with a West African
origin: Whitethighed Hornbill, Green-breasted
Pitta, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Blue-breasted,
Dwarf & Chocolate-backed Kingfishers, Yellow-
crested & Brown-eared Woodpeckers.
ROYAL MILE.
The Royal Mile is found in the 793 km2 Budongo
Forest Reserve that lies at the edge of the
Albertine Rift and is attached to Murchison Falls
National Park in the south. Named for its
popularity as a traditional leisure stop-over for
Uganda's royalty, the Royal Mile is a superb
birding spot with many west and central African
species, as well as a variety of sought-after key
species. The Royal Mile is regarded by many to
offer the best birdwatching in the whole country,
both because there are some rare species but
mostly because sightings are so easy. The bird list
exceeds 350 species as these include : White-
thighed and Black-and-white-Casqued Hornbills,
Yellow-spotted and Yellow billed Barbets,
Western Black-headed Oriole, along with Red-
tailed and Blue Monkeys. Overhead, Sabine’s and
sometimes Cassin’s Spinetails soar over the
clearings. Greenbuls are always a challenge and
include; Cameroon Sombre, Slender-billed,
Honey guide and Spotted GreenbulsHOIMA CULTURAL COTTAGES
GROUND DETAILS
o Transfer to Hoima via Budongo and Royal
Mile. Drive time : 4HRS.
o En-route lunch in Masindi.
23rd – 24th June 2019
o Accommodation :Hoima Cultural Cottages
on full board (Late evening check in)
o Activities include : Birding at Budongo
Forest and Royal Mile.
HOIMA CULTURAL COTTAGES
Surrounded by beautiful spacious gardens and
tranquil environment, The Hoima Cultural
Lodge is a newly opened lodge situated in
Hoima district, the northern part of Western
Uganda opposite the Bunyoro Palace. Hoima
Cultural Lodge is a perfect break from road trip
between the Murchison falls and Kibale The
lodge offers spacious en-suite grass thatched
cottages brightly colored and furnished with
African Art pieces. Eight en-suite cottages are
available with an open balcony overlooking the
lounge, fireplace and gardens. Meals are served
within the cozy ambience of the lodge and
include both African delicacies and a choice of
continental dishes.KIBALE | BIGODI SWAMP
KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
Kibale National Park contains one of the loveliest
and most varied tracts of tropical forest in
Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with patches
of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern
and central parts of the park on an elevated
24th – 26th June 2019
plateau. The park is home to a total of 70
mammal species, most famously 13 species of
primate including the chimpanzee, 250 tree
species and over 375 species of birds and over.
They include; the Black-capped
Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Collared Apalis,
Dusky Crimsonwing, Purple-breasted Sunbird
and Red-faced Woodland Warbler. If you are
lucky you may also see the; African Pitta, Green-
breasted Pitta, Black Bee-eater, Yellow-spotted
Nicator, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Little
Greenbul, Black eared Ground-Thrush,
Brownchested Alethe, Blue breasted kingfisher,
Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, and the Crowned
Eagle. Kibale adjoins Queen Elizabeth National
Park to the south to create a 180km-long corridor
for wildlife between Ishasha, the remote southern
sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and
Sebitoli in the north of Kibale National Park. The
park's population of elephants travels between
the park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
BIGODI WETLAND SANCTUARY
The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a fascinating
area, located in Magombe swamp. This area is
recognized for extensive array of biodiversity
among which are several primates species like the
red colobus monkey, baboon, black & white
colobus monkey, blue monkey grey cheeked,
mangabey, vervet monkey, red tailed monkey and
the L’Hoest monkey. The Bigodi is a paradise for
bird watchers. Today, 138 species of bird have
been recognized within the Bigodi Wetland
Sanctuary.. Among the species seen within this
swamp are: the Black-crowned Waxbill, White-
spotted Flufftail, White-breasted Negrofinch,
Yellow-spotted Barbet, Black Bishop, Hairy-
breasted Barbet, Bocage’s Bush-shrike, Yellow-
billed Barbet, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Black &
white Shrike-flycatcher, Western Nicator, Superb
Sunbird, Grey-winged Robin-chat, Brown-
throated Wattle-eye, White-tailed Ant-thrush plus
the Brown-backed Scrub-robin, in addition to
many other species.CRATER SAFARI LODGE
GROUND DETAILS
o Transfer to Kibale. Drive time : 6.5HRS
o En-route sit down lunch.
o Accommodation : Crater Safari Lodge on full
24th – 26th June 2019
board.
o Activities include : AM chimp trekking and
PM visit to Bigodi Swmp.
CRATER SAFARI LODGE
Just a few minutes away from the lush green
tropical rainforest of Kibale Forest National Park,
Crater Safari Lodge offers incomparable luxury,
breath-taking scenery and outstanding
opportunities to observe the unique wildlife. On
the banks of the Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake,
Crater Safari Lodge blends perfectly with its
surrounding landscape. Crater Safari Lodge is an
Award winning lodge-Best Eco Lodge/Resort
and featured in many international news as one
of Uganda’s Luxury and Beautiful lodge. The
lodge comprises of seven ultra-luxurious
double/twin cottages and two larger cottages
each with two rooms to sleep up to four. These
family cottages are ideal for larger groups or
families. All the cottages have en-suite
bathrooms with hot and cold running water as
well as solar lighting, internet access,
individually designed furniture and stunning
scenery around Lake Nyinabulitwa. Amenities at
the lodge include a restaurant, bar, lounge, crafts
shop, mobile spa facility, swimming pool and
campfire area overlooking the Crater Lake.QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
26th – 28th June 2019
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most
popular game reserve and certainly one most
scenic. Located in western Uganda, shared by
districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Bushenyi,
The Park is 1978km2 in size. It includes parts of
Lakes Edward and George which are linked by
Kazinga channel and other attractions. Accessing
the park from Kampala is either on tarmac
through Mbarara (420 kms) or Fort Portal via
Kasese (410kms) and the Park can also be
reached via Ishasha sector, which is south of
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Park
stretches from the crater-dotted foothills of the
Rwenzori range in the north, along the shores of
Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the
south, incorporating a wide variety of habitats
that range from savanna and wetlands to gallery
and lowland forest. The park has a variety of
Flora and Fauna and it’s acknowledged to be a
habitat for over 95 mammal species with about
612 species of birds. These include : Harlequin
Quail, Blue Quail, Small (Common) Buttonquail,
African Crake, White winged Warbler, Martial
Eagle, African Skimmer, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl,
Papyrus Gonolek, Amur Falcon, Ovampo
Sparrowhawk,
Lowland Akalat, Greater and Lesser Flamingo,
Shoebill, Black Bee-eater, Caruthers’s Cisticola,
Terek Sandpiper, Secretary Bird, and Temminck’s
Courser. The grasslands of the park settles
wildlife such as Cape buffalo, Uganda kob,
waterbuck, warthlog, lion, leopard, hyena, giant
forest hog as well as elephants. Topis can only be
discovered in Ishasha and forest primate found
in Kyambura gorge in addition to Maramagambo
forest.MWEYA SAFARI LODGE
GROUND DETAILS
o Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Drive time : 4HRS
o Accommodation : Mweya Safari lodge on full
board (Superior rooms)
26th – 28th June 2019
o Activities include : AM and PM birding and
game drives |1 Private Boat ride for birding.
MWEYA SAFARI LODGE
The Lodge is located on a peninsula within the
heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park and
surrounded by the magical Rwenzori Mountains
- the ‘Mountains of the Moon’. Accommodation
is configured into 32 standard rooms, 12 deluxe
rooms with air-conditioning and 2 suites with
Fold- up sofa bed, mini-bar. Each room has a
breathtaking view of the Kazinga channel and
features electronic Safes, telephone, balcony, fans
and en-suite bathroom. Guests may choose to
dine indoors in the lodge’s elegant, formal dining
room, or outside on the veranda, where the
setting is enhanced by spectacular panoramic
views across the Kazinga Channel. The lodge
serves local and international specialties
produced by its experienced chefs. Enjoy the
shimmering sunset over the Lake Edward, whilst
drinking a wonderful sundowner at Tembo bar.
The lodge also has a Swimming pool, business
centre, conference facilities health club and spa.BWINDI IMPRENETRABLE
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the
derived from a local kikyiga word “Omubwindi
and as the world suggests, the forest is almost
impassable and is regarded as one of the oldest
and unspoilt tropical forest dating back as 25,000
years. According to the latest mountain gorilla
census, it was established that half of the World’s
28th June – 1st July 2019
endangered mountain gorillas live in Bwindi.
The number of mountain gorillas has been
estimated to be 820 individuals and out of this,
400 hundred are in Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park and it remains the only one in the
whole World where mountain gorillas co-exist
with wild chimpanzees although there is no
trekking chimps since no community has been
habituated. The park has several habituated
gorilla families located in different sections of the
Park. Three gorilla families are in Buhoma which
are Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura. Ruhija
side has Oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguriro.
Nkuringo side located in the southern part has
one gorilla family Nkuringo while Rushaga in
the south as well has Mishaya, Nshongi,
Busingye, Bweza and Kahungye making it 11
habituated gorilla families in Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park. Over 350 bird
species have been recorded here and about 25 of
them are Albertine endemics. Black-faced Rufous
Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Banded Prinia, Black-
faced Apalis, Black-throated Apalis, Mountain
Masked Apalis, Redthroated Alethe, Yellow-eyed
Black-flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, Dusky-blue
Flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis,
Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, Black-
and-white Shrike-flycatcher, White-bellied
Crested-flycatcher, Pale-breasted Illadopsis,
Mountain Illadopsis, African Hill-Babbler, Dusky
Tit, Bluethroated Brown Sunbird, Blue-headed
Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird,
Grey-headed Sunbird, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Sooty
Boubou, Pink-footed Puffback,Doherty’s Bush-
shrike, White-naped Raven, Montane Oriole,
African Golden Oriole, Stuhlmann’s Starling,
Narrow-tailed Starling, Waller’s Starling, Strange
Weaver. Bwindi is cold in the mornings and in
the nights with moderate temperatures between
7⁰C and 20⁰C with coldest time being June to July,
while the wet seasons starts in March to May and
September to November with a total annual
rainfall of 2390mm.MAHOGANY SPRINGS LODGE
GROUND DETAILS
o Transfer Bwindi. Drive time : 6HRS
o En-route sit down lunch.
Accommodation : Mahogany Springs on full
28th June – 1st July 2019
o
board.
o Activities : Gorilla Trekking on 29th June |
Birding into Bwindi on 30th June.
MAHOGANY SPRINGS
Mahogany springs is set back on the pristine
waters of the Munyanga River and facing the
Impenetrable forest. All the 8 rooms at
Mahogany Springs are suites. The Superior
Suites can be twin, double or triple. These suites
are spacious with large double doors and
beautiful windows. Each Suite has its own
private exquisitely designed terrace with
panoramic views of the surrounding area. There
are power points in the rooms as well as a
dressing table/desk. All suites have large en-suite
bathrooms with a gorgeously designed open
terracotta shower. For added comfort and peace
of mind all the suites have an advanced
mosquito net system that wraps around the
entire area of the beds. The main building has a
marvel interior design work throughout
intertwined with spaciousness and very high
levels of comfort. The lodge’s restaurant serves
food with combine flavors from all over the
world, Asian, African, Middle Eastern and
European. The bar at Mahogany Springs is
elegantly designed well stocked.LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Lake Mburo National Park is a compact gem,
1st – 3rd July 2019
located conveniently in Kiruhura District in
Western Uganda. The park is situated about 30
kilometres by road east of Mbarara, the largest
city in the sub-region and approximately 240
kilometres west of Kampala, Uganda's capital
and largest city. It is the smallest of Uganda’s
savannah national parks and underlain by
ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which
date back more than 500 million years. It is a
home to over 350 bird species which includes the
Harrier Hawk, Green Pigeon, Narina Trogon,
Grey-backed Cameroptera and Double-toothed
Barbet and a variety of animals such as zebras,
hippopotami, impala, warthogs, elands,
buffaloes, jackals, leopards. Together with 13
other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of
a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp.
Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders.
Once covered by open savanna, Lake Mburo
National Park now contains much woodland as
there are no elephants to tame the vegetation. In
the western part of the park, the savanna is
interspersed with rocky ridges and forested
gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and
narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line
many lakes. Birds here include : the Great White
Egret, Pied Kingfisher, and brilliantly colored
Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Yellow Warblers,
African Finfoot, African Fish Eagle, the Night
Heron and many more.RWAKOBO ROCK
GROUND DETAILS
o Transfer to Lake Mburo. Drive time : 5HRS
o Accommodation : Rwakobo Rock on full
board.
o Meal plan: Full board.
1st – 3rd July 2019
o Activities include : AM and PM birding and
game drives |1 Private Boat ride for birding
RWAKOBO ROCK
Set on a massive granite outcrop, just beside
Lake Mburo National Park, Rwakobo offers
private thatched cottages, with solar lighting,
flush toilets and solar heated showers, which
blend into the natural landscape. The cottages
are dotted around the hill taking advantage of
rocky ledges and secluded corners. The cottages
celebrate the natural lines of the surrounding
wilderness. They also provide guests with real
comfort and luxury that doesn’t cost the earth.
The 8 comfortable and spacious cottages are
dotted around the hill, all very private and
offering great sunset views. The main dining
area overlooks an expanse of rock that adjoins
the park. This idyllic spot is situated just over
1Km from the Nshara Gate of Lake Mburo
National Park. Every night (weather permitting)
the friendly Rwakobo staff stoke up a camp fire
so you can watch the sunset explode into a
brilliant starlit sky.LAKE MBURO – ENTEBBE – DEPARTURE.
GROUND DETAILS
o Transfer to Entebbe. Drive time : 5HRS
o Late lunch en-route OR in Kampala (Direct
arrangement)
o Transfer to Entebbe International airport.
o International reporting time : 2.5HRS prior to
3rd July 2019
departure.
QUOTED PRICE:
MINIMUM 5 PAX REQUIRED
USD7900 PER PERSON SHARING
USD1100 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
INCLUSIONS:
1. All transfers on arrival, while on safari and
on departure.
2. Transport in 4WD safari land cruisers with
professional bird guides.
3. Accommodation in single | double rooms
with meal plans as indicated in the above
itinerary.
4. Park fees and sanctuary fees.
5. All activities mentioned in the above
itinerary
6. AMREF flying doctors cover for rescue and
evacuation.
EXCLUSIONS:
1. International flights.
2. Visas
3. All drinks
4. Tips
5. Optional activities
6. Travel insurance.
7. Any other items not mentioned above.VISA AND ENTRY. HAND LUGGAGE : Pack essential items for a day or two in your
hand luggage, in case your bags go astray and take a few days to
Effective July 1, 2016, visas and residency permits will no longer be catch up with you, especially if you have any tight connecting
available at Entebbe Airport upon arrival. All visa and work flights.
permit (E-Visa and E-permits) applications must be completed via
the Government of Uganda’s website. Under the new application BAGGAGE : If you are flying on a light aircraft, your luggage
process, you must apply online for all immigration services such must be packed in soft sports bags, usually restricted to 15 kg.
as visas, permits, and passes at least two weeks prior to travel. The Rigid suitcases will not fit into the luggage pods.
Ugandan Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement on 22 July
2016, announcing that the cost of a standard, single-entry visit visa DOCUMENTS: Take a copy of your travel insurance policy with
had been reduced to $50. You’ll need to bring this amount with you, and leave a copy of your passport with a reliable contact at
you in cash (US dollars only) on arrival. Check the Ugandan home, in case the originals are lost or stolen.
Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control website for the
latest information on visa fees. https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ If MOBILE PHONES: .Make sure they are set up for international
successful, you’ll receive an authorization document by email, calls and turn off data roaming to avoid nasty bills. Be aware that
which you should print out and give to immigration officials on some rural regions may not have cell phone coverage. Many hotels
arrival in Uganda (or at the Ugandan High Commission or other offer free Wi-Fi .
Ugandan diplomatic mission overseas if you wish to apply for a
visa to be issued in their passport in advance of travel). Your CLOTHING
passport should be valid for not less than six months and should Lightweight clothes with a warm cover-up for the evenings are
have at least 3 blank pages advised. Take a pair of good walking shoes or boots for forest
trekking, and long-sleeved tops to protect against mosquitoes. If
GENERAL INFORMATION you’re planning to go to mountainous areas, be sure to take warm
GMT: +3 clothing, as temperatures drop substantially. White clothes won’t
stay white for long with Uganda’s red dust roads, so go for darker
INTERNATIONAL DIALING CODE: +256 colors. On safari wear light fabrics in neutral colors – khaki, green
& brown are best. Avoid white, blue & bright colors, as these
ELECTRICTY: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. British-style plugs with three increase your visibility to the animals, and black which can get
square pins are used. very hot.. Take a generous supply of insect repellent to spray on
your neck, wrists and ankles .For gorilla tracking in the rainforest,
LOCAL CURRENCY: Uganda Shilling (UGX). Notes are in proper walking shoes with a good tread are essential as well as
denominations of UGX50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and decent rain gear, including both a rain jacket and lightweight
1,000. Coins are in denominations of UGX500, 200, 100, 50, 10, 5, 2 waterproof trousers. Pack long socks (so you can tuck in your
and 1. The US dollar, euro and pound sterling are all recognized trouser legs and keep the insects out) and light gardening gloves,
currencies in Uganda, and both euros and dollars are now widely to protect your hands as you scramble through the rainforest.
accepted for cash payments.
TRAVEL INSURANCE AND HEALTH
BANKING HOURS: (Mon-Fri 0830-1400 | Sat 0900-1200).Forex All clients must be covered by comprehensive travel insurance
bureaus are open until 1700.ATMs are available in the larger cities which should cover cancellation, loss or damage to luggage and
personal items and international medical evacuation. Visit your
CREDIT CARDS: American Express, Diners, MasterCard and health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to check
Visa are accepted but not widely used. Some large hotels, whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures.
restaurants, travel agencies and shops in urban areas accept credit Malaria tablets are recommended and Yellow fever inoculation is
cards. Remember to inform your bank when travelling abroad. mandatory. You must show a valid yellow fever vaccination
Always ensure you have cash when travelling in the countryside certificate to immigration officials on arrival in Uganda.
as some places may not accept themYou can also read
