7-Day Uganda Bird Safari with Mabamba and Lake Bunyonyi

• You will be welcomed by a tour representative, who will transfer you to your hotel in Kampala. Depending on your arrival time, you might spend the afternoon at Mabamba, an extensive marsh stretching through a long, narrow bay fringed with papyrus towards the main western body of Lake Victoria in Entebbe. Mabamba Bay has grown into one of Uganda's most exciting and spectacular sites for birding and is one of the wetlands of International Importance. Here, you will spot the Shoebill, Pallid Harrier, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, and Blue Swallow.

• From Kampala, we will depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. On our way, we will pass the Ugandan equator, where you can take pictures and shop for a souvenir. After lunch in Mbarara, we continue to the southwest and head for the Western Rift Valley. Upon arrival in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will enjoy an evening game drive before checking in at your accommodation in the park.
• Some of the available safari lodges are:
  High-end/luxury facilities: Mweya Safari, Katara Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Elephant Plains
  Mid-range/moderate facilities: Enganzi Safari Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge
  Budget/low facilities: Wild Track Safari Lodge, Bush Lodge, Simba Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drinks: Bottled Water

• The day starts early when we make a game drive to the northern parts of the park. This is an area for excellent game viewing and offers much to birders. We move through open grassy plains supporting large White and Abdims Stork flocks and the spectacular Saddle-billed Stork during the migratory season. Raptors, including the Brown Snake Eagle, Whalbergs Eagle, Bateleur, African harrier-hawk, Marsha Eagle, and Grey Kestrel, are well represented.
• We return for lunch and then take a boat launch. Watch hundreds of hippos, elephants, and many migratory bird species, such as the Grey-headed Gulls, White-winged Black Terns, African skimmers, Mourning Doves, Water Dikkops, Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans, etc.
• Some of the available safari lodges are:
• High-end/luxury facilities: Mweya Safari, Katara Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Elephant Plains
  Mid-range/moderate facilities: Enganzi Safari Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge
  Budget/low facilities: Wild Track Safari Lodge, Bush Lodge, Simba Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drinks: Bottled Water

• We depart from Queen Elizabeth with some game and bird viewing on our way out and proceed to the "Little Switzerland of Uganda" area. Here you will find Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest lake in Uganda and close to the borders. On a bright day, you might even see the beautifully shaped volcano Mount Muhavura. Upon arrival at the "Lake of the small birds," a motor boat awaits you for transport to Bushara Island.
• High-end/luxury facilities: Arcadia Lodges, Heritage Safari Lodge, Bunyonyi Bird Nest
• Mid-range/moderate facilities: Bunyonyi Safari Resort, Bunyonyi Overland Camp
  Budget/low facilities: Crater Bay Cottages Bunyonyi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drinks: Bottled Water

• After breakfast, you can hire a canoe and explore the surroundings from the water's surface. Drift quietly to the several small islands and enjoy the rich birdlife. Return for lunch and then take on a bird walk in Mukoni Village. Pass small farms and enjoy the spectacular view as you look out for many birds. Generally, 40 to 50 species may be seen on this walk, including the African Hobby, Black Kite, Swamp Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested, Bronze and Red-chested Sunbirds, White-headed Saw-wing, etc. Dinner and overnight.
• High-end/luxury facilities: Arcadia Lodges, Heritage Safari Lodge, Bunyonyi Bird Nest
• Mid-range/moderate facilities: Bunyonyi Safari Resort, Bunyonyi Overland Camp
  Budget/low facilities: Crater Bay Cottages Bunyonyi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drinks: Bottled Water

• After breakfast, we return towards the capital city, with lunch en route. The drive takes about 7 hours but runs through the beautiful countryside.
• Arrive in Kampala late in the afternoon.
• Accommodation: Cassia Lodge, Forest Cottages

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drinks: Bottled Water

• Enriched with an experience of a lifetime and unforgettable memories, you will say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa. Depending on your departure time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. We are looking forward to seeing you again!