known on the African continent and is the most accessible place to see the legendary Shoebill; one of the worlds most bizarre birds. Furthermore Uganda has over 10% of the birds recorded throughout the entire world. It attracts migrants from the North and South. Key to Uganda's diversity is its variety of habitats; rich savannahs, arid-sem deserts, snow capped mountains, volcanoes, and an afro-alpine zone. The country spans an altitude from 650-5000meters above sea level. One particular region is the Albertine Rift Endemic area (ARE), which has 38 species of birds confined to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Congo. Of these ARE's Uganda has 25, mostly confined to the forests of Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks in the southwest. On this safari, we shall focus on the top birding and primate region targeting the richest and most unique area and do it thoroughly. Areas to be visited include; Mabamba swamp, Mabira forest, Budongo forest, Murchison Falls, Kibale forest, Bwindi Impenetrable forest National park, Echuya Bamboo forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Lake Mburo.
Special birds include the Shoebill, Nahans Francolin, Purvels illadopsis, Green breasted Pitta, Grauers rush warbler African Green Broadbill, Papyrus Gonolek, African Fin-foot and a host of Albertine endemics. You will also have an opportunity of viewing wildlife, primates and a chance to see mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and Golden Monkeys in their natural habitat.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: ARRIVAL ENTEBBE

On arrival you will be met by a representative of Advantage Safaris and transferred to your hotel for a welcome drink and safari briefing.
Depending on the time of arrival, early arrivals may head to the nearby botanical gardens on the shores of Lake Victoria for bird watching.
Overnight: Lake Victoria Hotel Entebbe.

Day 2: MABAMBA SWAMP-MABIRA FOREST

After breakfast we travel to Mabamba swamp a wetland area famous for wetland birds and has become arguably the best place to see the legendary Shoebill in its natural habitat. Birding is by conoes,passing through shallow waters and the chances of finding the shoe bill are high.
Other special birds in this area include Lesser Jacana,Black-shouldered Nightjar, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler.
Later we continue to Mabira forest 65km east of Kampala where we shall spend the rest of the day birding.
Specialities here include ; Toro Olive Greenbul, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Fire-crested Alethe, Forest Robin, Nahan's Francolin, Superb Sunbird, Green Crombec.
Overnight: Nile Porch.

DAY 3.BIRDING MABIRA FOREST-TRAVEL TO BUDONGO FOREST

Overnight:BUDONGO ECO-LODGE.

Day 4: BIRDWATCHING KANIYO PABIDI- TRAVEL TO MURCHISON FALLS

After an early breakfast we travel to Kniyo Pabidi: part of Budongo forest an area which has increasingly become very important for most sought after birds but our target this morning will be the near mythical Purvell's illadopsis. This species is very common in this area and we have a big chance of seeing it. This area also hosts some habituated groups of chimpanzees. Later we continue to Murchison Falls National Park Uganda's largest faunal reserve which protects a chunk of untamed African savannah that is bisected by the mighty River Nile. It is named for the dramatic Murchison Falls, where the world's longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. In terms of ranking, this park is the best for wildlife tours of Uganda and number 9 of Africa's Birding Hot spots. The Nile itself hosts one of Africa's densest hippo and crocodile populations, and a dazzling variety of water birds including the world's most accessible wild population of the rare Shoebill.
Overnight: Paara lodge.

Day 5: BIRDWATCHING-LAUNCH TRIP ON VICTORIA NILE, GAME DRIVES

This whole day will be spent in this vast savannah park looking for birds and animals. We shall also enjoy a launch trip on the Victoria Nile.
Birds the park include Shoebill, Secretary Bird, Abyssinian Roller and Ground Hornbill, Little Bittern, Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Buff-bellied Warbler, Red-throated Bee-eater, Silverbird, Black-headed Gonolek, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Golden-backed Weaver and White-rumped Seedeater, Rock Prantincoles.
Besides birding, the area is also wonderful for wildlife safaris. Mammals here include large concentrations of Elephants, Buffalos, Rothschild's Giraffes, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Lions, Leopards and the ever alert Oribis and Kobs.
Overnight: Paraa Lodge

Day 6: MURCHISON FALLS-BUDONGO FOREST

Today we start early, birding to Budongo forest through the escarpment. This stretch is one of the best of Uganda Birding spots. Recorded birds here include Fox's Cisticola, White-headed Barbet, Northern Crombec, Singing Cisticola, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Black-billed Barbet, Grey-headed Olive back, Black-bellied Firefinch, Madagascar Heron, Lesser-masked Weaver, Painted Snipe, and Woolly-necked Stock.
Afternoon Birding at Budongo maybe very productive. This forest is one of the largest and most beautiful forests in Uganda. It is home to the most sought after birds of Uganda. These include: African Dwarf Kingfisher, African Crowned Eagle, Nahans Francolin, Black-shouldered Nightjar.
In addition to birding, this forest is home to Chimpanzees and Uganda's most beautiful butterflies.
Overnight: Court View Hotel.

Day 7: BIRDING IN THE ROYAL MILE

Today will be dedicated to birding in the "Royal Mile" sector of Budongo forest. Many ornithologists agree that it is the best ornithological site in Uganda. Key species include: Chestnut-crowned Eremomera, White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow and Grey Longbills, Olive-bellied Crombec, Cabanis Bunting, Brown-backed Scrub-Robin, Narina Trogon, Golden-crowned Woodpecker, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, Little Green Sunbird, African Emerald Cuckoo, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Forest Robin, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Plain Greenbul, Spotted and Toro Olive Greenbul.
Overnight: Court View Hotel.

Day 8: BUDONGO-KIBALE FOREST

You start early for Kibale Forest National Park. This park is one of the most accessible of Uganda's major rainforests. Kibale ranks the best in primates of Uganda with a remarkable 13 primate species, including the very localised Red Colobus and L'Hoest's Monkey, Galagos, Blue monkey, Red-tailed and Vervet Monkey.
Kibale's major attraction, however, is the opportunity to track habituated Chimpanzees. These delightful apes are more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, and they are tremendously entertaining to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees.
Birders are in for a treat with over 335 species recorded. Kibale Forest has the highest number of records of the Green-breasted Pitta, which is another sought after bird of Uganda. Other birds include: African Pitta, Grey-winged Robin, Red-winged Francolin, Joyful Greenbul, White-napped Pigeon, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Leaf-love.
Kibale Forest is also home to Elephants, Buffalo, Giant Forest Hog and antelope species.
Overnight: Chimps Nest.

Day 9: CHIMPANZEE TRACKING

You assemble for briefing as you prepare for chimp tracking. The movement of the chimps depends upon the availability of food and hopefully they won't be too far away! If our morning is successful in locating these entertaining primates, then we'll spend the afternoon birding along the Kamwengye to Fort Portal Road. Birds recorded here include: White-tailed Ant-Thrushes, Purple-headed Glossy-Starling, Brown Illadopsis, Green-breasted Pitta, Masked Apalis, Toro Olive-Greenbul, Black-billed Turaco.
Overnight: Chimps Nest.

Day 10: BIRDING IN KIBALE FOREST AND BIGODI WETLAND

The morning will be spent birding in the Kibale Forest. Key species include Green-breasted Pitta, Cabanis Greenbul, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, White-naped Pigeon, Yellow-spotted Barbet.
After lunch we'll head to the Bigodi Wetland, a papyrus and swamp forest. We hope to find such papyrus endemics as White-winged Warbler, White-collared Oliveback and Papyrus Gonolek. Amongst other species we may encounter along the 4 km trail are African Marsh Harrier, African Harrier-Hawk, Grey Parrot, Black-billed Turaco, Yellow-billed Barbet, White-breasted Negrofinch.
Overnight: Chimps Nest.

Day 11: BIRDWATCH AT SEBITOLE TRAVEL TO QUEEN ELIZABETH N.PARK.

You start early morning after breakfast. Drive to Sebitole section of the Kibale National Park. The habitat here consists of a swamp surrounded by low, scrubby secondary forest and cultivation. The list includes Green-backed Twinspot, Scaly Illadopsis, Olive Camaroptera and others.
In the afternoon travel to Queen Elizabeth National park with a stopover at the equator for memorable photo opportunities. This park is the second largest national park in Uganda. It is named after the Queen of England who visited it in 1954. In terms of bird diversity, this park ranks the best in Uganda, with over 600 species recorded, and a one day record of 296 species. Special birds include Harlequin Quail, Blue Quail, Small (Common) Buttonquail, African Crake,, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Shoebil, Secretary Bird.
Mammals include African Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Ugandan Kobs, Side-striped Jackal, Baboons, Chimpanzees, Bush Bucks, Water Bucks, Warthogs, Giant Forest Hog to mention but a few.
Overnight: Mweya Safari lodge/Bush Lodge.

Day 12: GAME DRIVE AND BOAT TRIP ON KAZINGA CHANNEL.

We start early for a game drive and birding the vast grassland area the whole morning. Later in the afternoon we have an exciting boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This is a narrow neck of water that connects Lakes George and Edward, with excellent photographic opportunities for waterside birds and abundant Hippopotamus.
Amongst the birds you are likely to encounter include African Skimmer, African Spoonbill, Water Thick-knee, Three-banded Plover, Marsh, Green, Wood and Common Sandpiper, Gray-headed Gull, Plain Martin.
Overnight: Mweya Safari lodge/Bush lodge.

Day 13: BIRDWATCHING IN MARAMAGAMBO FOREST

After breakfast and check out, go for a morning birding in the Imaramagambo Forest. Specialties here include: Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, Jameson's Wattle-eye, Black Bee-eater, White-tailed Ant-Thrush.
The trail through the forest leads past a bat cave, which is rather impressive, and if we are lucky we may come across a Python that lives in the cave and feasts on the bats. Later we shall travel to Kabale with several stop overs for birding.
Overnight: Bird Nest Resort Bunyonyi.

Day 14: BIRD ECHUYA SWAMP KISORO MGAHINGA.

This morning we travel to Kisoro through a scenic countryside. We shall stop at Echuya forest and birdwatch in Muchuya swamp a high altitude swamp and rich in albertine endemic species and is the best place to see the Grauers rush warbler.
Overnight: Travelers Rest Hotel.

Day 15: BIRDWATCHING MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast we shall bird watch in this scenic park looking for regional specialities and albertine endemic species: Ruwenzori Turaco, Kivu Ground Thrush, Montane Night Jar, Alpine Chat, Handsome Francoline, Mountain Yellow Warbler, White Naped Raven, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird among others.
Overnight: Travelers Rest Hotel.

Day 16: TRAVEL TO BWINDI RUHIJA AREA

After breakfast we travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, birding along the way. Birding around the forest margins is productive. Bwindi is generally at a higher altitude and therefore is cooler. Temperatures range between 10 and 18 degrees centigrade.
Forest birding at Bwindi ranks the best in Uganda. It is home to over 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics. Special birds include Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Grauer's Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Red-throated Alethe, Rwenzori Batis, Mountain Illadopsis, Montane Oriole, African Green Broadbill, Rwenzori Nightjar, Scarce Swift, Black Bee-eater, African Broadbill, Olive Thrush, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Grauer's Rush-warbler.
In addition to this excellent birding spot in Africa, Bwindi is home to the most sought-after cousins of human beings, the Mountain Gorillas. Other mammals include Rwenzori Duiker, Yellow-backed Duiker and L'Hoest Monkey.
Overnight:RUHIJA GORILLA SAFARI LODGE.

Day 17: BIRDING MUBWINDI SWAMP

After breakfast we head for a whole day birding uganda to the Mubwindi Swamp. The 4km trail to Mubwindi Swamp drops from 2350m to 2050m and is the best place for some of the most difficult to find of all rift endemics including Grauer's (African Green) Broadbill, the beautiful Regal Sunbird, and Archer's Robin Chat.
Mubwindi Swamp is home to DwarfHoneyguide, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Apalis and African Hill Babbler (sometimes treated as a separate species), Rwenzori Hill Babbler, the rare and localized Grauer's Scrub-warbler and Carruthers' Cisticola, very difficult to see species include Fraser's Eagle-Owl, African Green Broadbill, Grauer's Rush Warbler, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Grauer's Broadbill, and Montane Nightjar.
OVERNIGHT:RUHIJA GORILLA SAFARI LODGE.

Day 18:TRAVEL TO THE NECK FOR BIRDS

Whole day birding on the road to Buhoma through the "Neck". Key species include: Mountain wagtail, Red-tailed and Shelley's Greenbul,Cassin's Flycatcher, Black Duck, Banded Prinia, Grey-throated Barbet, Tree Pipit, ee-eater and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Bush-shrike, Ayres's Hawk-eagle, Bronze-naped Pigeon, Narina Trogon, Honeyguide Greenbul, Red-throated Alethe; and in areas of dry fern vegetation, we expect to watch the Dusky Twinspot.
Overnight: Gorilla Resort/Community Banda's.

Day 19: GORILLA TRACKING

Today we have an exciting day as our group will be allowed to track mountain gorillas in their natural habitat with experienced guides some of who have been involved in the habituation process of these gentle giants we will set out on our gorilla trekking in Uganda. A great deal of the gorilla tour will depend upon where the Mountain Gorillas are, as to how far one has to trek, but one should expect to be in the forest most of the day. You will be allowed an hour with the gorillas, and it is sure to be a very rewarding experience.
Overnight: Gorilla Resort.

Day 20: FULL DAY BIRDING AROUND BUHOMA IN BWINDI FOREST

The whole day will be spent birding Buhoma (1550 m / 5085 ft).
Interesting species here include: Rufous-chested Flufftail, (Western) Bronze-naped Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Red-throated Alethe, Grauer's Warbler, Neumann's (Short-tailed) Warbler, Chapin's Flycatcher, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Mountain and Pale-breasted Illadopsis,, Rwenzori Batis, White-bellied Crested-flycatcher, Black-billed Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver, Thick-billed Seedeater, Grauer's Warbler, Neumann's Warbler, Black-tailed Oriole, Kivu ground thrush and African Broadbill.
Overnight: Gorilla Resort.

Day 21: TRAVEL TO LAKE MBURO

After breakfast travel to Lake Mburo birding along the way.
Birds in the park include: Red-faced Barbet, African Finfoot, Tabora Cisticola, Green-backed Woodpecker, Coqui Francolin. Papyrus Canary, Rufous-bellied Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Spur-winged Goose, Grey-crowned Crane and Papyrus Gonolek.
This is also home for the Impala, Zebras, Topi and Eland.
Overnight: Mihingo Lodge.

Day 22: NATURE WALKS WITH A RANGER GUIDE-TRAVEL TO KAMPALA.

Start early after breakfast and go for a nature walk with a ranger guide bird watching and watching game. Have lunch at the lodge. Later in the afternoon transfer to Kampala with a stop-over at the Equator for memorable photo opportunities.
Overnight: Cassia Lodge.

Day 23: Today you will be transferred to the airport for departure flight.

Quotation for above birding safari;

• - 2 clients per person sharing:U.S.D 5890
• - 4 clients per person sharing:U.S.D 5390
• - 6 Clients per person sharing:U.S.D 4390
• - Single room supplement:U.S.D 490

Accommodation:
Mainly luxury plus a few mid-range hotels and lodges.

Meal Plan:
Full board i.e Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner except lunch on last day of the safari.

Inclusions:

• All transport in a 4WD Vehicle with an open roof for excellent birding/game viewing.
• An English speaking drive guide.
• An English speaking birding specialist guide.
• One Gorilla tracking permit per person
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest.
• All meals except lunch on last day.
• Entrance fees to all national parks indicated on the itinerary.
• All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary.
• Boat trips on;Victoria Nile,Kazinga channel&lake Mburo.
• Birding in all places indicated with a specialist bird guide.
• Bottled water in the vehicle.

Exclusions:

• Entry visa to Uganda.
• Lunch on last day.
• International air fare.
• Personal medical/travel insurance.
• All items of a personal nature like drinks,laundry,tips etc