Despite its small size (91,136 sq. mi) the equatorial African nation of boasts a staggering biodiversity. 20 species of primates are recorded within Uganda, among which are the closest living human relative; the Chimpanzee, as well as over half of the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas. 1070 Mountain Gorilla species occur in Uganda (more than half of all African species), and many of the most sought after African can be seen here.

Africa’s Uganda: 9 Uganda is home to 60 protected areas, including ten national parks. These Days of Birding, reserves are composed of diverse habitats that include the scenic shores Wildlife, Gorillas and of Lake Victoria, lush rain forests, Albertine Rift montane forests, semi-arid plains, dry savanna, and various Chimpanzees swamps and rivers including the majestic Nile River.

We invite you to join us on this 9 day 8 Nights/9 Days exploration of Uganda’s biodiversity, beginning with Shoebills, Maribou Storks, and a plethora of avian species, while traversing several of Uganda’s most spectacular reserves for chances at African Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Lions, Hyenas, Leopards, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and so much more!

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Tour Overview Day 1: Arrive Entebbe (EBB) Day 2: Mabamba Wetlands to Lake Mburo Day 3: Lake Mburo National Park Day 4: Birding and travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Day 5: Gorilla Tracking Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park Day 7: Queen Elizabeth and Kibale National Parks Day 8: Chimpanzee tracking Kibale National Park Day 9: Departure from Entebbe (EBB)

Sudan Oribi 8 Night/9 Day Itinerary: paddling through the channels by Sunbird, Papyrus Gonolek, Slender- boat. There will of course be a billed, Northern Brown-throated, Day 1, Arrive in Uganda (EBB). good selection of classic East and Golden-backed Weavers, and Transfer to Hotel Boma for the night. African water birds, including Long- Papyrus Canary. tailed Cormorant, Goliath Heron, Meals: Dinner African Open-billed, Saddle-billed, In the afternoon we’ll travel to our and Marabou Storks, Hammerkop, first of many national parks, Lake White-faced Whistling-Duck, Mburo. This park has varied Day 2, Birding safari through Yellow-billed Duck, African Fish- habitats from open Acacia Mabamba Wetlands then travel to Eagle, African woodlands, to a number of Lake Mburo: Marsh-Harrier, African Water Rail, papyrus-lined lakes and swamps. Early breakfast, then out to nearby Purple Swamphen, Allen's Gallinule, We’ll have the afternoon and the Mabamba Wetlands on the shores African Jacana, Long-toed and following day to cover several of Lake Victoria. This is one of the Spur-winged Plovers. Apart from different habitats. Some of the few remaining swamps in the the numerous water birds, we are many species we’ll search for en country protected by the local likely to see a nice variety of open route to the park, around the communities – an extensive country and water edge species, woodland in the immediate vicinity papyrus swamp with its labyrinth perhaps including Speckled Pigeon, of Rwonyo (at lake Mburo) and of channels and lagoons, classified African Green Pigeon, Eastern within the park include Black as an Important Bird Area, and Plantain-eater, Malachite, Giant, headed, Squacco, and Rufous- home to several pairs of Shoebills, and Pied Kingfishers, Blue-headed bellied Herons, Hadada Ibis, Uganda’s most famous avian Coucal, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Yellow-billed (Black) Kite, Spur- resident. This charismatic Crowned Hornbill, and winged Goose, Comb Duck, Black- monotypic species is certainly Rufous-chested Swallows, Winding chested Snake-Eagle, Lizard amongst the most sought-after Cisticola, Greater and Lesser Buzzard, Palm-nut and White- birds in Africa, and we’ll make Swamp-Warblers, Swamp backed Vultures, Wahlberg’s and special efforts today to find it by Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested Verreaux’s Eagles, Crested

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Francolin, Crowned Crane, African Red-chested Sunbirds, Pied Crow, Zebra Track, is worth exploring for Finfoot, Black-bellied Bustard, Greater Blue-eared, Splendid, species such as Coqui Francolin, Temminck’s and Bronze-winged Rüppell’s Long-tailed Starlings, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black bellied Coursers, , Crowned, Black-headed, Northern Brown- Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, and Wattled, and Brown-chested throated, Village, Vieillot’s Black, African Wattled Lapwing, and it is Lapwings, Emerald Spotted and and Slender-billed Weavers, here where small numbers of the Blue-spotted Wood Doves, Brown Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, migratory Brown-chested Lapwing Parrot, Red-eyed Dove, Bare-faced Bronze Mannikin, and Yellow- can be regularly observed. After Go-away Bird, White-browed fronted Canary. If we are lucky, we dusk, we’ll have the opportunity to Coucal, Speckled and Blue-naped will even see the nomadic Weyn’s do some spot lighting along the Mousebirds, Little, White-rumped Weaver. We also have good entrance road, which may produce and African Palm Swifts, Woodland chances this afternoon/evening for some interesting nocturnal Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Lilac- Zebra, Impala and Water Buck. species, such as the African Scops breasted and Broad-billed Rollers, Owl, Verreux’s Eagle-Owl, and Green Wood-Hoopoe, Common Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Black-shouldered, Fiery-necked, Scimitarbill, African Grey, Spot- Lodging at Rwakobo Rock Lodge and Pennant-winged Nightjars. If it flanked Barbet, Nubian can be arranged, a night game Woodpecker, Angola Swallow, drive may be possible. Day 3, Lake Mburo National Park: African Pied Wagtail, African andLong-billed Pipits, Red- Lake Mburo National Park contains Some additional species that we’ll shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Dark- multiple habitats, and our time will search for not mentioned above capped Bulbul, African , be divided (driving and walking) include, African Darter, Striated Trilling Cisticola, Yellow-breasted between birding an extensive area Heron, Spur-winged Goose, African , Tawny-flanked Prinia, Grey- of wetland, some forested areas, Marsh Harrier, African Hawk-Eagle, backed Camaroptera, Grey-capped and open country with numerous Common Quails, Water Thick-knee, Warbler, Red-faced Crombec, mammals. No fewer than 300 Red Faced Barbet, Rufous–naped White-winged Black Tit, Chinspot different bird species have been and Flappet Larks, Rufous– Batis, Mariqua, Olive-bellied, and recorded in the park, an indication chested Swallow, Yellow–throated of the high diversity present here. Long Claw, Black Cuckoo-Shrike, The more open grassland north of Singing, Long-tailed (or Tabora) the camp, particularly along the and Siffling Cisticolas, White- Lelwel Hartebeest winged Warblers, Lead-colored Flycatcher, African Penduline-Tit, Black-headed Oriole, Tropical Boubou, Southern Red Bishop, Brubru, and Red-headed, Little and Holub’s Golden-Weavers. We’ll check the swamps in the park for secretive papyrus specialties, such as the Papyrus Gonolek.

Mammals will be a large part of our visit to this park, and the many species we might see include the Buffalo, Eland, Hyena, Hippo, Klipspringer, Giraffe, Warthog, Porcupine, Dwarf Mongoose, Oribi,

Page 3 • Africa’s Uganda: 9 Days of Birding, Wildlife, Gorillas and Chimpanzees the shy Bushbuck, graceful Once part of a much larger forest grooming and resting as the Impalas, and Zebras, all found out that included the Virunga youngsters frolic and swing from in the open, park-like woodland. At Volcanoes in neighboring , vines in a delightfully playful night if weather permits, we’ll again Bwindi Impenetrable National Park display. We will also look for other look for African Scops-Owls, Black- is now an ecological island within a primates like the L’ Hoest Monkey, shouldered Nightjar, and Leopards. sea of human cultivation and Guerezza Colobus; Red tailed, and therefore of big conservation Blue monkeys. Mammals include Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner importance. the Rwenzori Duiker, Yellow back Lodging at Rwakobo Rock Lodge duiker, Caruther’s, Bohm’s and We will arrive late in the afternoon Alexander Squirrels, and many in time for refreshing ourselves and other species. Day 4, Birding our way to Bwindi: dinner. The road out of Lake Mburo Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner National Park is fantastic for Lodging at Gorilla Mist Camp Lodging at Gorilla Mist Camp birding. Our mission today will be getting to Bwindi to relax before Day 5, Gorilla Tracking: Day 6, Travel to Queen Elizabeth tomorrow’s big day, but along the National Park: way we will have chances of On this day we set off early, with picking up a few new species. packed lunch, to the park This drive may take about 6 to 7 African Cuckoo-hawk, Conqui headquarters for a briefing prior to hours depending on the number of Francolin, Scaly Francolin, Lilac Gorilla Tracking. This is the most stops that are made during the tour Breasted Roller, are likely to be exciting lifetime experience of all on this day. spotted along the road. time. The gorillas are gentle and it is an unforgettable Today we shall start early and Bwindi National Park is a UNESCO experience to photograph them as transfer to Queen Elizabeth World Heritage Site and is home to they interact. It is a wonderful National park through the Ishasha approximately half of the world experience to stare in to the eyes sector of queen Elizabeth National endangered population of of these gentle giants; watch them Park (popularly known for its tree Mountain Gorillas. This vast in awe as they play and go about climbing lions) while birding on the reserve offers arguably the most their daily activities. It is indeed a way. Birding on the way may productive montane forest birding “once in a lifetime” experience that produce species such as Grey in Africa and supports 23 of you must never miss. Each capped Warbler, African Long Uganda's 24 Albertine Rift endemic encounter is different and has its Crested Eagle, Augur Buzzard, bird species. own rewards; you are likely to enjoy Mackinnon's Fiscal, Black headed the close view of adults feeding, waxbill, Black and white Manikin, Senegal Coucal, Red Chested Elephants, Queen Elizabeth National Park Cuckoo, and others.

The Park which is named after the Queen of England who visited it in 1954 is the second largest national park in Uganda. In terms of diversity this park ranks among the best birding destinations in Uganda with over 610 species recorded, and a one-day record of 296 species. Hard-core birders will be

Page 4 • Africa’s Uganda: 9 Days of Birding, Wildlife, Gorillas and Chimpanzees treated to special birds of this park that 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, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Shoebill, Black Bee-eater, Caruthers's Cisticola, Terek Sandpiper, Secretary Bird, and Temminck's Courser. Mammals include African Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Ugandan Kobs, Side-striped Jackal, Shoebill Baboons, Chimpanzees, Bush and Warthog, Bush Buck, Deffassa endangered primate. The park also Water Bucks, Warthogs, and Giant Waterbuck, Spotted Hyena, contains one of the loveliest and Forest Hogs to mention but a few. Leopard and many others. most varied tracts of all tropical

forests in Uganda. Kibale forest is Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Late-morning we’ll take a boat tour the primary forest cover in the Lodging at Mweya Safari Lodge of the Kazinga Channel which is a northern and central parts of the

natural magnet for herds of park. Kibale is highest at the park’s Day 7, Birding to Kibale National Park: Elephant, Giant Forest Hog, Buffalo, northern tip which stands at Monitor Lizards, Crocodiles and the 1590m above sea level. The park This morning, we’ll check out of our abundant Hippopotamus. Birding also boasts 325 bird species, hotel, and then embark on a game here is excellent with great including 6 that are endemic to the drive of Queen Elizabeth National photographic opportunities. We Albertine rift region. If we are lucky Park, followed by a boating tour of might be blessed with we may also see the African pitta, the Kazinga Channel. congregations of African Green breasted Pitta, Black Bee Skimmers, Great-white and Pink- eater, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, The game drive takes us through a backed Pelicans, Great and Long- Little Greenbul, Black eared productive area of grassy plains, tailed Cormorants, Open-billed Ground-thrush, Brown chested which support large flocks of a Stork, African Skimmer, White- Alethe, Blue breasted Kingfisher, variety of stork species including faced Whistling Duck, Marsh, Wood Abyssinian Ground Thrush, and the the Spectacular Saddle-billed and and Common Sandpipers, Crowned Eagle. Woolly-necked Storks. Other Malachite Kingfisher, African species include the Bateleur, Grey Jacana, African Wattled Plover, etc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Kestrel, Lappet-faced, Ruppell’s Lodging at Chimpanzee Guest Griffon, White-backed and Palm- Late in the afternoon we will drive House nut Vultures, African Crake, Black to Kibale Forest National Park, Coucal, Common Button, Harlequin which is the best safari destination and Black-rumped Quails, Red- for Chimpanzee tracking in East necked Francolin, Rufous-naped Africa. At least 1450 chimpanzees and Flappet Larks. Mammals we’ll live here and these represent look for include Uganda Kob, Lion, Uganda’s largest population of this

Page 5 • Africa’s Uganda: 9 Days of Birding, Wildlife, Gorillas and Chimpanzees

Included in this itinerary: In-country accommodations, ground transportation, tours, boat tours, chimpanzee permit, gorilla permit, meals, guide and entrance fees are included.

Not Included: Personal items such as alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, gift shop, laundry, etc. are not included.

Travel insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. In the event that you need to cancel your trip due to Zebra medical or other reasons, this Day 8, Chimpanzee Tracking in the Depending on the weather insurance will protect you. forest: conditions, birding Bigodi wetland

is also productive with many After an early breakfast we drive to riverine forest birds. Kibale Kibale National Park visitor center National Park is a good site for a for briefing and chimp tracking. In number of birds that are hard to addition to Chimpanzees, Kibale is find elsewhere including Speckle- home to 12 other primates such as breasted Woodpecker, Cabanis's the rare L’hoest’s monkey and East Greenbul and Joyful Greenbul as Africa’s largest population of the well as White-spotted Fluff tail, threatened Red Colobus Monkey. Dusky and Olive Long Other primates that you may see include the Guerezza Colobus, Blue tailed Cuckoo, Lesser Honey guide, monkey, Grey cheeked Mangabey, Blue-shouldered Robin Chat, White- Red tailed monkey, Olive Baboon, chinned Prinia, Grey Apalis, Olive- Bushbabies and Pottos. The green Camaroptera and White- activity may last for up to several collared Olive back. hours. In addition to our experience with the Chimpanzees, birding the Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner main road in the afternoon may Lodging at Chimpanzee Guest also be productive. House

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Day 9, Drive to Entebbe for evening departure out of EBB: 109 Eaglewood Way, Athens, Georgia 30606 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch [email protected]

www.naturalselectionstours.com

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