5-Day Birding Mabamba and Lake Mburo Safari

This 5-Day Birding Mabamba and Lake Mburo safari takes you through Entebbe environs, Mabamba Wetlands and Lake Mburo National Park. The tour starts with birding in Entebbe’s Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), the Botanical Gardens and along the Lake Victoria Shores. These areas offer unique and exceptional birding experiences with unique birding species such as the elusive Shoebill Stork, Papyrus Gonolek, Malachite Kingfisher, Great Blue Turaco, Weavers, Herons and kingfishers.

You will visit Mabamba Wetlands, Uganda’s leading birdwatching site for Shoebill tracking. Apart from the threatened Shoebill Stork, this Important Bird Area has a good population of other birds such as the Papyrus Gonolek, African Jacana, Pallid Harrier, Yellow-backed Weaver White-winged Warbler, among others. After, it will take you to the Uganda’s nearest national park, Lake Mburo National Park, home to 313 bird species.  You will look out for various bird species through savannah grasslands, wetlands, lakes, rolling hills, acacia related trees.

Day 1: Birding Entebbe Environs- Botanical Gardens, Lake Victoria Shores and Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC)

After your breakfast on your 5-day Birding Mabamba and Lake Mburo Safari with a visit to Uganda Wildlife Education center (UWEC) formerly known as the Zoo. It has drawn more than 170 wild bird species. Among the 10 species of weavers are the endangered Northern Masked Weaver, Golden Backed, Baglafect Northern Brown Throated, Grosbeak, Black Necked, and numerous others. There are different kinds of flycatchers, including the red-bellied, lead-colored, swamp, and Crested shrike flycatchers, among many others. Meet raptors, including captive animals, such as the African Goshawk, African Fish Eagle, Shikra, and little Banded snake eagle. Continue to the botanical gardens for further birdwatching opportunities. After lunch, unwind before heading to the sewage lagoons to spend your evening. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Birding in Mabamba Wetland Bay

Rise up for breakfast then proceed to Namugabo near Mabamba swamps with the biggest population of shoebills recorded on a single day. Most of the birding is done canoeing. Other species to be seen may include Long Toed Plover, African Jacana, Goliath, Purple, Herons, Grey and Black Headed Heron, Pygmy Goose, Yellow Crowned Bishop, Yellow Billed Duck, Allen’s Gallinule, White Faced Whistling Duck, Moorhen, Squacco, African water Rail, Black Crake, among others. Sitatunga Antelope (swamp Antelope) and many more. En route to Kampala stop by another swamp this may reveal Papyrus Gonolek, White winged Warbler, Weyns Weaver, and many more have a packed lunch and go-ahead birding as you take an evening in Dinner and conclude your day 2 of  5-Day Birding Mabamba and Lake Mburo Safari

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Your day 3 of 5-Day Birding Mabamba and Lake Mburo Safari will begin with early  breakfast, then transfer to Lake Mburo National Park which is situated in western Uganda. Make a stop at the equator, proceed to Lake Mburo, start birding from the entrance of Nshara gate. Bird species to see include Greater Blue Eared Starling, Common Scimitarbill, Emerald Spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Trilling Cisticola, Bare faced Go-Away Bird, Lilac breasted Roller, Crested Francolin, Green Wood Hoopoe, Spot-Flanked Barbet Northern Black Tit, Common Scimitarbill, African Grey Hornbill, may be seen. Have lunch and after lunch, embark on late afternoon game drive along the Zebra Track which may expose you to species like Temmricks Courser Coqui Francolin, Black Bellied Bustard, African Wattled Plover, Rufous napped Rufous, Chested Swallow and Flappet Lark, etc. Look out also for evasive Leopard and other nocturnal species. Return for Dinner and Overnight stay.

Day 4: Birding in Lake Mburo National Park

After an early breakfast, go on a nature walk where you will see a variety of savanna and wetland birds, including impalas. After lunch, head back to the Kigambira loop for an evening game drive. The indigenous Red-Faced Barbet, Black Collared Barbet, Red-Headed Lovebird, Green-capped Eremomela, and Lead-colored Flycatcher are among the species to anticipate. returning for dinner and spending the night.

Day 5: Return to Kampala/ Entebbe International Airport

After breakfast, continue on to the Lakeside Track for an early morning wildlife drive. Approaching the aquatic areas surrounding Lake Mburo is part of this. The Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, White Winged Warbler, Lesser and Greater Swamp Warbler, the secretive Shoebill, and the Blue-headed Coucal are some of the species that can be expected. As we continue towards the lakeside campground, we’ll be on the lookout for numerous species, including the Spur-winged Plover, African Fin Foot, African Water Rail, and African Darter. After breakfast in the middle of the morning, head out on a launch-cruise to look for any papyrus species that may have been overlooked. Crocodiles and hippos are anticipated additions. Before continuing on your 5-Day Birding Mabamba and Lake Mburo Safari, stop for lunch in Masaka town before continuing on to Kampala.

End of the tour

Inclusions

• All Airport transfers (pick ups and drop offs)
• English speaking guide
• All ground transport in a 4X4 safari vehicle
• Park entrance fees
• All accommodation and meal plans
• Drinking water throughout the safari
• All activities mentioned in the itinerary

Exclusions

• Travel ticket
• Travel Visa
• Insurance
• Extra activities and accommodation
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Personal items such as laundry, phone charges, souvenirs, gifts
• Tips etc…