Spend 10 days of marvel in Rwanda and Uganda – two countries brimming with birdlife due to their unique climate and terrain. You’ll have the opportunity to visit Akagera National Park, with more than 500 bird species recorded, and then cross to Uganda, visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (the habitat of the rare Grauer’s Broadbill), Lake Mburo National Park and the Mabamba Swamp, home of the elusive Shoebill Stork.
Kigali International Airport (Google Map)
Entebbe International Airport (Google Map)
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by the representative and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at Kigali Haven Hotel (Standard) or Kigali Marriott Hotel (Comfort) or Serena Kigali (Premium).
Morning transfer to Akagera National Park, the only surviving refuge in Rwanda for savannah-adapted animals. Is also the only place in Rwanda and one of the very few in Africa where all the Big 5 can be spotted.
In the afternoon, you’ll go on a boat ride. This tour offers you an opportunity to get close to many water birds such as the marabou stork, the African fish eagle, the open billed stork, herons, cormorants, as well as the egrets.
Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge (S/C) or Ruzizi Tented Camp (P).
Full day game drive. With about 525 species recorded, Akagera National Park offers exceptional birding opportunities. Many of these birds, can’t be found in any other protected area in Rwanda.
There are plenty endemic species as well as rare gems such as the near-threatened papyrus Gonolex, that are restricted to the papyrus swamps. Other species you can spot are the black-headed ganolex, the lilac-breasted roller, the heuglin’s roin chat, the ross’s turaco, the created barbet, swamp flycatcher, as well as the red-faced barbet.
Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge (S/C) or Ruzizi Tented Camp (P).
Enjoy a full day of bird watching before returning to Kigali in the evening.
Overnight at Kigali Haven Hotel (S) or Kigali Marriott Hotel (C) or Serena Kigali (P).
After breakfast, you’ll leave Kigali and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. You’ll spend two days on this amazing forest, home to 350 bird species, including 23 endemics (90% of all Albertine Rift endemics) such as the Short-tailed Warbler and Blue-headed Sunbird as well as seven IUCN red data listed species. It is considered one of the best places in Africa for montane-forest bird watching.
Dinner and overnight at Bakiga Lodge (S/C/P).
After breakfast, enjoy your last morning of birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest before heading to Lake Mburo National Park.
Dinner and overnight at Mpogo Safari Lodge (S) or Rwakobo Rock (C) or Mihingo Lodge (P).
Early in the morning, you’ll go on a nature walk. Lake Mburo National Park is one of only two National Parks in Uganda where walking in the park is permitted, due to the lack of elephants. One of the highlights of this walk is the view you get once you reach the top of the hill. From here you have some of the best panoramic views, including a view of 9 of the region’s 14 lakes.
Dinner and overnight at Mpogo Safari Lodge (S) or Rwakobo Rock (C) or Mihingo Lodge (P).
Birding en-route to Mabamba, the natural habitat for the elusive Shoebill Storks. This wetland hosts over 300 bird species that include many globally threatened species, 7 of Uganda’s 12 Lake Victoria biome restricted species (notable is the Papyrus Gonolek) and plenty of wetland specialties.
Dinner and overnight at Nkima Forest Lodge (S/C/P).
Morning canoe excursion, where you will navigate waterways comprising lily pads and papyrus swamp, looking for the shoebill. You will then continue to Entebbe for your return flight.
