Day 1, Wednesday, January 15, 2025: Kiligolf to Entebbe
I had chosen Uganda airlines and to my surprise the flight left halfa an hour ahead of schedule. From the airport I took the shuttle to the hotel located on the beach of Lake Victoria. While I waited for my Belgian friends to arrive, I walked down to the beach. Here are some of the birds I saw: Pied Kingfisher, Western Cattle Egret, Hadada Ibis, Grey Heron, African Pied Wagtail, Little Egret, Hamerkop, Western Yellow Wagtail, Black-winged Stilt and Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill. My friends arrived and we had a nice dinner and retired early to bed.
One Picture from day 1:
Little Egret, Egretta garzetta
Day 2, Thursday, January 16, 2025: Entebbe Botanical Gardens
We were still waiting for my friend Paul to fly in from UK, so we decided on a trip to Entebbe Botanical Garden that morning. The park did not disappoint and we got amongst other the following birds: Egyptian Goose, African Grey Woodpecker, Grey Parrot (Picture Lifer), African Thrush, Woodland Kingfisher, Pied Crow, White-throated Bee-eater, Northern Black Flycatcher, Bat Hawk, Great Blue Turaco, Vieillot´s Black Weaver, Yellow-billed Kite, Swamp Flycatcher, African Openbill, Marabou Stork, Western Yellow Wagtail, Black-headed Weaver, Red-chested Sunbird, Little (Striated) Heron, African Jacana, Lizard Buzzard, Double-toothed Barbet, Klass´s Cuckoo, Diederik Cuckoo, Broad-billed Roller, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Splendid Starling, Eastern Plantain-eater, Slender-billed Weaver, Crowned Hornbill, Reed Cormorant, Orange Weaver, Village Weaver, African Fish Eagle and Black-headed Heron. We went back to the hotel for lunch and in the afternoon tried to find some other forest patches close to Entebbe without much success, we added Angola Swallow and Winding Cisticola. We returned to the hotel. Had dinner and i waited for my friend Paul to arrive with a late plane. I met Paul and we made plans for the next day.
Some Pictures from Day 2:
Bat Hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
Woodland Kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
Northern Black Flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
Grey Parrot, Psittacus erithacus, Photo Lifer
Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumenifer
Swamp Flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
Little (Striated ) Heron, Butorides atricapilla
Yellow-billed Kite, Milvus aegyptius
Black-headed Weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
Orange Weaver, Ploceus aurantius
Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Male Juvenile, Chalcomitra senegalensis
African Openbill, Anastomus lamelligerus
White-throated Bee-eater, Merops albicollis
Western Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava
Day 3, Friday January 17, 2025: Entebbe Botanical Garden to Mabira Forest.
Our trip were originally planned to start on this day, but due to no flights for me on January 16, I had a couple of days birding before. Now the team were gathered and we started off in Entebbe Botanical Gardens. We saw many of the birds we saw the day before, but in addition, we added African Palm Swift, Olive-bellied Sunbird, White-browed Robin-Chat, Eurasian Hobby, African Harrier-Hawk, Olive Sunbird, Olive Bee-eater, Winding Cisticola and White-browed Coucal. We left for Mabira Forest and encountered some terrible traffic out of Kampala, but arrived at our camp around 15:00. We had lunch and had an afternoon walk after lunch. Here are some of the birds we observed: Green White-eye, White-headed Saw-wing, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Little Greenbul, Speckled Tinkerbird, Olive Sunbird, Bar-throated Apalis, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Orange-breasted Forest Robin, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Eastern Yellow-billed Barbet, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Brown-chested Alethe, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, White-breasted Nigrita, Black-and-white Mannikin, Black-necked Weaver, Village Weaver, Vieillot´s Black Weaver, Red-billed Firefinch and African Wood Owl. We had dinner and retired early to bed.
Some pictures from Day 3:
African Thrush, Turdus pelios
Bat Hawk, Juvenile, Macheiramphus alcinus
Eurasian Hobby, Falco subbuteo
Olive Bee-eater, Merops supercilliosus
Eastern Plantain-eater, Crinifer zonorus
Broad-billed Roller, Eurystomus glaucurus
Orange Weaver, Ploceus aurantius
White-browed Robin-Chat, Cossypha heuglini
Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumenifer
Speckled Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus dcolopaceus
Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
Day 4, Saturday, January 18, 2025: Mabira Forest
We tried another part of the forest that morning and picked up a Blue-headed Coucal on the way. Once in the forest, we started adding birds: Fraser´s Rufous Thrush, African Pied Hornbill, Grey-throated Barbet, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Grey-headed Nigrita, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Yellow-lored Bristlebill, Browne-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Barbet, Red-chested Cuckoo, Forest Wood Hoopoe, Olive Green Camaroptera, White-throated Greenbul, Green Hylia, Green-throated Sunbird, African Blue Flycatcher, Green White-eye, African Dusky Flycatcher, Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher, African Thrush, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul. Western Crested Guineafowl, Tambourine Dove and Little Green Sunbird. We left the forest and went to camp for lunch. After lunch we wondered into the forest near camp again. Here are some of the birds we registered: Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Black Cuckoo, Grey Longbill, Green-throated Sunbird and Little Green Sunbird. We had dinner and retired early to bed.
Some pictures from Day 4:
Eastern Yellow-billed Barbet, Trachylaemus purpuratus
Forest Wood Hoopoe, Phoeniculus castaneiceps
Green Hylia, Hylia prasina
Black-and-white Shrike Flycatcher, Female, Bias musicus
Vieillot´s Black Weaver, Ploceus nigerrimus
Little Green Sunbird, Anthreptes seimundi
Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Bycanistes subcylindricus
Orange-breasted Forest Robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
Green-throated Sunbird, Female, Chalcomitra rubescens
Green-throated Sunbird, Chalcomitra rubescens
Black-and-white Mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
Day 5, Sunday, January 19, 2025: Mabira Forest to Masindi
We birded a little around camp this morning and added Lesser striped Swallow, Buff-throated Apalis, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird and Blue-throated Brown Sunbird to our Mabira list. We had breakfast packed our car and were soon on the way to Masindi. Before we hit the main road, we added Whinchat and Long-crested Eagle. The drive to Masindi were long and uneventful. We arrived in the afternoon and went birding to a spot I have discovered close to the town. I knew it was a good spot for Grey-headed Oliveback and other good birds. Here are some of the birds we added including the Oliveback: Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Black Bishop, Whistling Cisticola, Brown Twinspot, Levaillant´s Cuckoo, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, African Green Pigeon, Striped Kingfisher, Bare-breasted Firefinch (Lifer), Yellow-fronted Canary and Cuckoo Finch. Near the hotel, Paul found some Meyer´s Parrots. We returned to the hotel, had dinner and retired early to bed.
Some pictures from Day 5
Black Cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus
Lesser Striped Swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus subsulphureus
Grey-headed Oliveback, Delacourella capistrata
Bar-breasted Firefinch, Lagonosticta rufopicta – LIFER
Cuckoo-Finch, Juvenile, Anamalospiza imberbis
Whistling Cisticola, Cisticola lateralis
Day 6, Monday, January 20, 2025: Masindi to Murchison Falls
We had an early start and reached the gate at opening time. After checking in we started to tick birds along the road: White-thighed Hornbill, Violet-backed Starling, African Grey Hornbill, White-shouldered Black Tit, Slender-billed Greenbul, Cabanis´s Bunting, European Bee-eater, Dark Chanting Goshawk, African Hobby, Grasshopper Buzzard, Bedouin´s Snake Eagle (Lifer), Red-throated Bee-eater and Black-headed Oriole. We had now reached Red Chilli Camp and relaxed for lunch and birded the garden around camp. Here are some of the birds we picked up around the garden: Rüppel´s Starling, Red-headed Weaver, Black-headed Gonolek and Yellow-breasted Apalis. After lunch, we did a safari inside of the park: Some of the species observed included: Piapiac, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Whinchat, Wahlberg´s Eagle, White-backed Vulture, Croaking Cisticola, Shelley´s Sparrow, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Grey-backed Fiscal, Red-backed Shrike, Western Citril, Zitting Cisticola, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Squacco Heron, Spur-winged Lapwing, Striped Kingfisher, Pied Wheatear, Jacobin Cuckoo, Silverbird, Green Wood Hoopoe, African Wattled Lapwing, Namaqua Dove, Rüppel´s Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Palm-nut Vulture, Pallid Harrier, Helmeted Guineafowl, Yellow-billed Stork, Spotted Palm Thrush and Northern Brown-throated Weaver. We drove back to camp, freshened up, had a nice dinner and retired early to bed.
Some pictures from Day 6:
Violet-backed Starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Violet-backed Starling, Juvenile, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Slender-billed Greenbul, Stelgidillas gracilirostris
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus subsulphureus
Grasshopper Buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
Dark Chanting Goshawk, Melierax metabates
Beadouin´s Snake Eagle, Circaetus beaudouni – Lifer
Red-throated Bee-eater, Merops bulocki
Black-headed Gonolek, Laniarius erythrogaster
Laughing Dove, Spilopelia senegalensis
Zitting Cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Croaking Cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
Speckle-fronted Weaver, Sporopipes frontalis
Wahlberg´s Eagle, Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Grey-backed Fiscal, Lanius excurbitoroides
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus
Grey-crowned Crane, Balearica regulorum
Leopard, Panthera pardus
Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer
Rüppel´s Vulture, Gyps rueppelli
Day 7, Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Murchison Falls National Park
We decided to bird around camp that morning and we did exceptionally well. Here are some of the birds we got: Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Spectackled Weaver, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Spot-flanked Barbet, Western Black-headed Batis, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Lesser Honeyguide, Blue Malkoha, Diederik Cuckoo and Ashy Flycatcher. We left for the park and added quite a few birds: Abyssinian Roller (Lifer), Osprey, Martial Eagle, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Brown Snake Eagle, Palm-nut Vulture, Little Bee-eater, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Senegal Thick-knee, Western Marsh Harrier, Blue-naped Mousebird, Northern Wheatear, African Darter, Purple Heron, Kittlitz´s Plover, Caspian Plover, Gull-billed Turn, Ruddy Turnstone, Collared Pratincole, Black-bellied Bustard, Black-billed Wood Dove, Grey Kestrel, Common Buttonquail, Thick-billed Weaver, Montagu´s Harrier and Heuglin´s Francolin (Lifer). We returned to camp, freshened up and had a nice dinner.
Some Pictures from Day 7:
Red-winged Grey Warbler, Drymocichla incana
Western Black-headed Batis, Batis erlangeri
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Diederik Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Plocepasser superciliosus
Red-throated Bee-eater, Merops bulocki
Abyssinian Roller, Coracias abyssinicus – LIFER
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
Brown Snake Eagle, Circaetus cinereus
Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Merops variegatus
Water Thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis
Western Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus
African Fish Eagle, Icthyophaga vocifer
Palm-nut Vulture, Juvenile, Gypohierax angolensis
Kittlitz´s Plover, Anarhynchus pecuarius
Caspian Plover, Anarhynchus asiaticus
Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Collared Pratincole, Glareola pratincola
Isabelline Shrike, Lanius isabellinus
African Wattled Lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
Montagu´s Harrier, Circus pygargus
Heuglin´s Spurfowl, Pternistis icterorhynchus – Lifer
Day 8, Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Red-chilli camp to Budongo Forest inside Murchison Falls to Masindi.
We were going to bird the Budongo Forest inside the park that morning. On the way, we recorded amongst others the following species: Crested Francolin, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Palm-nut Vulture and Grasshopper Buzzard. The Budongo Forest inside the park have a lot of nice birds including the Puvel´s Illadopsis. To say the least the expectations were very high. We had specified and booked a bird guide the day we entered the park and was met by a young man. I was surprised not to see my normal guide James. To make a long story short, the guide did not have a clue about the birds. It feels very bad when you pay $60 per person for entry and the guide does not have a clue. At any rate, we gave it a shot and here are some of the birds we registered: White-throated Greenbul, Little Greenbul, Western Oriole, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Little Grey Greenbul. Green Crombec, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, African Emerald Cuckoo, Western Nicator, Green-headed Sunbird, Spotted Greenbul, White-thighed Hornbill, Honeyguide Greenbul and Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo.Paul and I walked a little behind the other ones and I heard the Cuckoo calling. I thought it was the guide playing. I later found out that the guide had never even registered it. We came back to the car and I asked the guide for the Puvel´s Illadopsis and he suggested that I should take them to the place. What a total waste of time and good money? We drove towards Masindi and stopped at my normal spot. We only added Striped Kingfisher and African Pygmy Kingfisher as new birds at that spot. We drove to the hotel freshened up and had a nice meal. As normal we retired early to bed.
No Pictures from Day 8 🙂
Day 9, Thursday, January 23, 2025, Masindi via Royal Mile to Semuliki
We had an early start and were at the Royal Mile section of Budongo Forest at 07:00. We had arranged got two guides since the birding method of my English friends and my Belgian friends were very different. I went with my Belgian frinénds that day. Here are some of the species we found on the beautiful Royal Mile: African Pygmy Kingfisher, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, White-thighed Hornbill, Little Greenbul, Tambourine Dove, Congo Pied Hornbill, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Speckled Tinkerbird, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Western Crested Guineafowl, White-throated Bee-eater, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Olive Sunbird, Narina Trogon, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Fraser´s Forest Flycatcher, Red-tailed Greenbul, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Brown-chested Alethe, White-breasted Nigrita, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Little Grey Greenbul, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Red-headed Malimbe, Grey Parrot, Willow Warbler, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Toro Olive Greenbul, Red-headed Bluebill, Red-chested Cuckoo, Klaas´s Cuckoo, Purple-headed Starling, Grey-headed Nigrita, Green Twinspot, Jameson´s Wattle-eye, Slender-billed Greenbul, Ashy Flycatcher and African Emerald Cuckoo. We were back at the car, had a quick breakfast and were on our way to Semuliki at 12:00 as planned. The Long drive to Semuliki were uneventful and we arrived safe at our camp in Semuliki in the late afternoon, too late to do any birding.
Some pictures from Day 9:
African Pygmy Kingfisher, Ispidina picta
White-thighed Hornbill, Bycanistes albotibialis
Fraser´s Forest Flycatcher, Fraseria ocreata
African Dwarf Kingfisher, Ispidina picta
Day 10, Friday, January 24, 2025, Semuliki
We went to the office to register and pick up our guides. On the way we saw Black-casqued Hornbill and Blue-spotted Wood Dove. After registering we went towards the Kirumia trail, but our guide Alex wanted us to explore an area with some grassland first. Here are some of the birds we registered: African Hobby (EA Photo Lifer),Black-crowned Waxbill, Simple Greenbul (Lifer), Olive Sunbird, Chestnut-breasted Nigrita (Lifer), Willcock´s Honeyguide, Orange-cheeked Waxbill (Photo Lifer), Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Common Waxbill, Magpie Mannikin, Palm-nut Vulture, Village Weaver, Thick-billed Weaver and Woodland Kingfisher. We finally entered the trail at around 09:15. I had warned my friends it would be hot and it were already very hot. Paul walked ahead with his guide, I walked with the Belgians. Here are some of the birds we registered: Piping Hornbill, Congo Pied Hornbill, Velvet Mantled Drongo, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Brown-chested Alethe, Yellow-lored Bristlebill, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Black Sparrowhawk, Fraser´s Rufous Thrush, Blue-throated Roller, Lowland Sooty Boubou and White-bellied Kingfisher. My Belgian friends were now totally exhausted from the heat so we had to turn back. Here are some of the birds we registered on the way back to the car: Little Greenbul, Green Crombec, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Red-tailed Greenbul, Yellow-throated Cuckoo and Eastern Yellow-billed Barbet. We drove back to camp and our driver went back to fetch Paul that had gone to the Oxbow Lake as we all intended. In the afternoon, Paul and I took a walk around the road, but did not pick up anything of interest except i got a nice flight shot of a Piping Hornbill.
We had dinner and retired early to bed.
Some pictures from Day 10
African Hobby, Falco cuvierii (EA Photo Lifer)
Simple Greenbul, Chlorocichla flaviventris (LIFER)
Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Estrilda melpoda (Photo Lifer)
Village Weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
Thick-billed Weaver (Female), Amblyospiza albifrons
Red-tailed Ant Thrush, Neocossyphus rufus
Congo Pied Hornbill, Lophoceros nasutus
Piping Hornbill, Bycanistes fistulator
Day 11, Saturday, January, 25, 2025, Semuliki
The Belgians were still exhausted from the walk the day before so Paul and I took our guide and tried the Red Monkey Trail: Here are some of the birds we observed: African Olive Pigeon, Brown Illadopsis, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Red-tailed Ant Thrush, White-spotted Flufftail, Blue-billed Malimbe, Palm-nut Vulture, Lowland Sooty Boubou, Blue Malkoha, Crested Malimbe, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Nicator, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black-casqued Hornbill, Buff-throated Apalis, Honeyguide Greenbul, Congo Serpent Eagle (Lifer) and Blue-headed Coucal. We had lunch and met the Belgians that had taken the car and birded from the car. In the afternoon, Paul and I took a walk around camp and found the following species: Black-and-white Shrike Flycatcher, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Red-rumped Tinkerbird (Photo Lifer), Swamp Palm Bulbul, Klaas´s Cuckoo and Purple-headed Starling. We returned to camp, freshened up, had dinner and retired early to bed.
Some pictures from Day 11:
The Hot Springs at the Red Monkey trail
Crested Malimbe, Malimbus malimbicus
Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus atroflavus (Photo Lifer)
Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Columba iriditorques
Day 12, Sunday, January, 26, 2025, Semuliki to Buhoma Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
We had a long drive ahead of us to get to Buhoma. We had some discrepancies on which way to take, but I was the only one that had driven there before and were eventually listened too. We picked up some birds through Queen Elisabeth National Park: Long-crested Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-winged Red Bishop, Woolly-necked Stork, White-browed Coucal, Sooty Chat and Yellow-throated Longclaw. We continued and reached our lodge in Buhoma at around 14:00. My friend Robert was there to guide us. On the afternoon walk outside Bwindi impenetrable Forest, we registered amongst other species: Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Bronze Sunbird, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Green-throated Sunbird, African Thrush, African Blue Flycatcher, Black-necked Weaver, Mountain Oriole, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Many-coloured Bushshrike, Lühder´s Bushshrike, Bocage´s Bushshrike, Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, Petit´s Cuckooshrike, Common Scimitarbill, Speckled Tinkerbird, Grey-winged Robin-Chat, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Ross´s Turaco, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Tambourine Dove and Black-billed Weaver. We returned to camp, freshened up and had Dinner. We retired early to bed.
Some pictures from Day 12:
Augur Buzzard, Juvenile, Buteo augur
Yellow-throated Longclaw, Macronyx croceus
Saddle-billed Stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Bronze Sunbird, Nectarina kilimensis
Bocage´s Bushshrike, Chlorophoneus bocagei
Lühder´s Bushshrike, Laniarius luehderi
Petit´s Cuckooshrike, Campephaga petiti
Tambourine Dove, Turtur tympanistra
White-eyed Slary Flycatcher, Melaenornis fischeri
Common Scimitarbill, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
Black-necked Weaver, Ploceus nigricollis
Speckled Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus scolopaceus
Black-billed Weaver, Ploceus melanogaster
Day 13, Monday, January 27, 2025, Buhoma Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
It was decided that Paul and I should go with another guide that day. The Belgians went with Robert. Here are some of the birds Paul and I recorded: Pink-footed Puffback, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Plain Greenbul, Honeyguide Greenbul, Black-throated Apalis, Slender-billed Greenbul, Brown-throated Wattle-eye. Cape Wagtail, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Elliot´s Woodpecker, Stuhlmann´s Starling, Green White-eye, Waller´s Starling, Narrow-tailed Starling, Grey-throated Barbet, Black-billed Turaco, White-headed Wood Hoopoe, Grey Apalis, White-tailed Ant Thrush, Green Hylia, Little Green Sunbird, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Olive-green Camaroptera, Kakamega Greenbul, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Neumann´s Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Equatorial Akalat, Jameson´s Antpecker (Photo Lifer), Mountain Illadopsis, Brown-capped Weaver, Dusky Tit, Black Saw-wing, Willcock+s Honeyguide and Fraser´s Rufous Thrush. Then the rain started pouring down. We were far inside the forest and almost ran towardscamp, In the afternoon, when the rain had stopped, we got pictures of Grey-winged Robin-Chat and Ross´s Turaco. We also saw an African Shrike Flycatcher.We went back to the lodge, freshened up, had dinner and retired early to bed.
Some pictures from Day 13:
Cape Wagtail, Motacilla capensis
Fraser´s Rufous Thrush, Stizorhina fraseri
Little Grey Greenbul, Eurilla gracilis
Grey Apalis, Apalis cinerea
Petit´s Cuckooshrike, Female, Campephaga petiti
Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Phylloscopus laetus
Jameson´s Antpecker, Parmoptila jamesoni, Photo Lifer
Mountain Illadopsis, Illadopsis pyrrhoptera, Endemic to Central and Eastern Africa
Me and Paul before the rain set in
Grey-winged Robin-Chat, Sheppardia polioptera
Ross´s Turaco, Tauraco rossae
Day 14, Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Buhoma via “The Neck” to Ruhija, Bwindi Impenetrabled Forest
We left early and were at the neck around 08:30. Here are some of the birds we registered: Red-headed Bluebill, Cassin´s Honeybird, White-chinned Prinia, Green-headed Sunbird, Chubb´s Cisticola, Ansorge´s Greenbul, Kakamega Greenbul, Petit´s Cuckooshrike, Black Bee-eater, Banded Prinia, African Emerald Cuckoo, Narrow-tailed Starling, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Grey-throated Barbet, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black-billed Turaco, Grey-chinned Sunbird, Woodland Kingfisher, African Black Duck, Red-chested Flufftail, Collared Sunbird, Chapin´s Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Buff-throated Apalis, White-necked Raven, Mackinnon´s Shrike and Mountain Buzzard. We continued to Broadbill Camp in Ruhija and when we parked the car found White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Stripe-breasted Tit, Variable Sunbird and Cassin´s Hawk-Eagle. We had lunch and headed back to the main road for some excellent birding: Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Apalis, Albertine Sooty Boubou, Rwenzori Batis, Strange Weaver, Doherty´s Bushsrike, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Northern Puffback, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Dark-backed Weaver and back in camp at night, African Wood Owl. We had a nice dinner and retired early to bed.
Some pictures from day 14:
Ansorge´s Greenbul, Eurillas ansorgei
White-chinned Prinia, Shistolais leucopogon
Bar-tailed Trogon, Apaloderma vittatum
Narrow-tailed Starling, Poeoptera lugubris
Green-headed Sunbird, Cyanomitra verticalis
Variable Sunbird, Cinnyris venestus
Stripe-breasted Tit, Melaniparus fasciventer, Endemic to EC Africa
Streaky Seedeater, Chritagra striolata
Baglafecht Weaver, Ploceus baglafecht
Rwenzori Apalis, Oreolais ruwenzorii, Endemic to Albertine Rift Valley
Rwenzori Batis, Batis diops, Endemic to Albertine Rift Valley
Chubb´s Cisticola, Cisticola chubbi
Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Eurillas latirostris
Strange Weaver, Ploceus alienus, Endemic to Albertine Rift Valley
Day 15, Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Ruhija, Bwindi Impenetreble Forest
Paul and I were going down to the swamp that day. This is a tough hike, so the Belgians decided not to participate. here are some of the birds we discovered on the way down to the swamp: Regal Sunbird, Grey Cuckooshrike, Brown-capped Weaver, Handsome Francolin, Mountain Oriole, Mountain Masked Apalis, Mackinnon´s Shrike, Rwenzoru Hill Babbler, Kikuyu Greenbul, Cardinal Woodpecker, Archer´s Ground Robin, Rwenzori Batis, Grey-throated Barbet, Little Greenbul, Blue-headed Sunbird, White-browed Crombec, Thick-billed Seedeater, Bocage´s Bushshrike, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Abyssinian Thrush, Banded Prinia, White-starred Robin, White-tailed Dusky Flycatcher, Dusky Crimsonwing, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Stuhlmann´s Sarling, Cape Wagtail and Highland Rush Warbler. We had reached the swamp, had lunch and a rest before we started the steep climb up. Here are some of the new birds we recorded on our way up: Dwarg Honeyguide, Green Crombec, Dusky Tit, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Black Saw-wing and a pair of Grauer´s Broadbills. We reached the top, said goodbye to our guide and returned to camp. A tired Norwegian old fart and an even more tired Englishman that carried a to heavy pack. We birded a little around camp without finding anything special.
Some pictures from Day 15:
Handsome Spurfowl, Pternistis nobilis, Endemic to Albertine Rift Valley
Regal Sunbird, Cinnyris regius, Endemic to EC Africa
Kikuyu Mountain Greenbul, Arizelocichla kikuyuensis, Endemic to CE Africa
Blue-headed Sunbird, Cyanomitra alinae, Endemic to EC Africa
Grey-throated Barbet, Gymnobucco bonapartei
Archer´s Ground Robin, Dessornis archeri, Endemic to EC Africa
Mountain Masked Apalis, Apalis personata, Endemic to EC Africa
White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Elminia albonotata
Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Sylvia atriceps, Endemic to Albertine Rift Valley
At the Swamp
Dwarf Honeyguide, Indicator pumilio, Endemic to Albertine Rift Valley
Cardinal Woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens
Stuhlmann´s Starling, Poeptera stuhlmanni, Endemic to NE Africa
Banded Prinia, Prinia bairdii
Mackinnon´s Shrike, Female, Lanius mackinnoni
Mackinnon´s Shrike, Lanius mackinnoni
Day 16, Thursday, Jan 30, 2025: Ruhija to Kibale.
Before we left Broadbill camp, we found a Golden-breasted Bunting. We stopped for food on the road and found Pale-throated Greenbul, Long-crested Eagle, Violet-backed Starling, Rüppel´s Starling and Grey Kestrel. We continued and reached Sunbird Hill Camp in Kibale around 15:30. We were greeted by a Buff-throated Warvler when we parked the car. We checked into our rooms and Started birding in the garden and beyond. Here are some of the species we found: Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Bronze Mannikin, Green-headed Sunbird, Olive-bellied Sunbird, White-tailed Ant Thrush, African Harrier Hawk, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Klaas´s Cuckoo, African Blue Flycatcher, Superb Sunbird, Grey-chinned Sunbird, White-breasted Nigrita, Red-eyed Dove, Pin-tailed Whydah, Northern Puffback, Slender-billed Greenbul and African Pied Wagtail.
We freshened up, had dinner and retired early to bed.
Some pictures from Day 17:
Golden-breasted Bunting, Emberiza flaviventris
Chinspot Batis, Batis molitor
Rüppel´s Starling, Lamprotornis purpuroptera, Endemic to NE Africa
Violet-backed Starling, female, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Pale-throated Greenbul, Atimastillas flavigula
Buff-throated Apalis, Apalis rufogularis
My house at Sunbird Hill in Kibale
Superb Sunbird, Cinnyris superbus
Grey-chinned Sunbird, Anthreptes tephrolaemus
White-breasted Nigrita, Nigrita fusconotus
Northern Puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
Day 17, Friday, January 31, 2025: Kibale including Bigodi Swamp.
We were heading for Bigodi Swamp in Kibale this morning. Again, we split up in two groups. Paul and I walked counterclockwise whilst the Belgians walked clockwise. Here´s some of the birds Paul and I recorded: White-spotted Flufftail, Grey Crowned Crane, Little Greenbul, Shining Blue Kingfisher, White-chinned Prinia, African Thrush, Green Hylia, Black-and-white Mannikin, Bronze Mannikin, Grey-headed Nigrita, Thick-billed Weaver, Black-necked Weaver, White-breasted Nigrita, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Woodland Kingfisher, Double-toothed Barbet, Ross´s Turaco, African Openbill, White-headed Saw-wing, Black-and-white Shrike Flycatcher, Purple-headed Starling, Olive Sunbird, Western Nicator, White-browed Coucal, Splendid Starling, Eastern Plantain-eater, Red-chested Cuckoo, Green-headed Sunbird, Red-faced Cisticola, Speckled Mousebird, Abdim´s Stork, Black-bellied Seedcracker (LIFER), Yellow-throated Longclaw, Red-headed Bluebill, Magpie Mannikin, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Grey-winged Robin-Chat, African Emerald Cuckoo, Diederik Cuckoo, Great Blue Turaco and Northern Grey-headed Sparrow. We finished at the swamp and drove toward the park headquarters to get tickets to the Kibale National Park for the day after. First we stopped and got Cassin´s Flycatcher. At hte park Headquarter we got good pictures of a Black-crowned Waxbill. We returned for lunch at Sunbird Hill. After lunch, Paul and I took a walk and found amonfst others these species: Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Green Crombec, Wood Warbler (African Lifer), Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Levaillant´s Cuckoo, Black-lored Babbler, Vieillot´s Black Weaver, Malachite Kingfisher and Northern Brown-throated Weaver. We went back to camp, freshened up and had a nice dinner.
Some pictures from Day 17:
Black-bellied Seedcracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus, LIFER
Two happy young men after finding the Black-bellied Seedcracker
White-browed Coucal, Centropus superciliosus
Red-faced Cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
Magpie Mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides
Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
Cassin´s Flycatcher, Muscicapa cassini
Black-crowned Waxbill, Estrilda nonnula, Endemic to C Africa
Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Bradornis comitatus
Green Crombec, Sylvietta virens
Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix, African Lifer
Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Turtur afer
Levaillant´s Cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii
Black-lored Babbler, Turdoides sharpei, Endemic to East Africa
Malachite Kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
Day 18, Saturday, February 1, 2025: Kibale
The others were going inside the park on that day to get the Green-breasted Pitta. I have great pictures of that bird from before, so I decided to hang around camp and see what I could get in the garden and around. Here are some of the birds I found in a quiet garden: Green White-eye, African Grey Woodpecker, Great Blue Turaco, Crowned Hornbill and Olive-bellied Sunbird. I walked the normal paths, but did not add anything. In the afternoon, Paul joined me for a walk and we added for Kibale: Copper Sunbird, Little Bee-eater, Blue-headed Coucal, Golden-backed Weaver, Double-toothed Barbet, Long-crested Eagle and Brown-backed Scrub-Robin. We returned to camp. had dinner and retired early.
Some pictures from Day
Green White-eye, Zosterops stuhlmanni
African Grey Woodpecker, Dendropicos goertae
Great Blue Turaco, Corythaeola cristata
Crowned Hornbill, Lophoceros alboterminatus
Olive-bellied Sunbird, female, Cinnyris chloropygius
Olive-bellied Sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius
Copper Sunbird, Female, Cinnyris cupreus
Long-crested Eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
Double-toothed Barbet, Pogonornis bidentatus
Brown-backed Scrub-Robin, Cercotrichas hartlaubi
Red-eyed Dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
Day 19, Sunday, February 2, 2025: Kibala to Mabamba Swamp.
I was woken up the morning by a nightjar calling. I called it back and had a Black-shouldered Nightjar (Lifer). We started the long drive towards Nkima Forest Lodge, near Mabamba Swamp. We stopped at a Papyrus wetland and had Breakfast. We had White-winged Swamp Warbler, Black-headed Gonolek, Carruther´s Cisticola, Northern Brown-troated Weaver, Marsh Tchagra and African Black Swift there. Later we were stopped by some Chimpanzees by the road. At the lodge we took a walk and the only bird of interest we found was a Western Nicator. The lodge were very nice. We retired early that night.
Some pictures from Day 19:
Black-headed Gonolek, Laniarius erythrogaster
Marsh Tchagra, Bocagia minuta
Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Female, Ploceus castanops
Chimp by the road
Day 20, Monday, February 3, 2025: Mabamba Swamp to Entebbe
We drove early down to Mabamba Swamp. We had two boats. Paul and I in one and the others in the other one. We were greeted by a Spot-necked Otter when we arrived at the Swamp. Here are some of the birds we registered at the Swamp: Red-chested Sunbird, Pied Kingfisher, Winding Cisticola, Black Crake, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Blue-headed Coucal, Purple Heron, Squacco Heron, Reed Cormorant, Yellow-billed Egret, Yellow-billed Duck, Swamp Flycatcher, Sedge Warbler, Long-toed Lapwing, Grey Parrot, African Swamphen, Western and African Marh Harrier, Osprey, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Yellow-billed Kite, Rufouse-bellied Heron, Shoebill, White-winged and Fan-tailed Widowbird and Sand Martin. We returned to the Lodge and birded a little, but did not find anything interesting. We headed back to Entebbe and ended the trip. Paul flew out that night. I was supposed to fly out the morning after, but no flights available so I spent an extra night in Entebbe and worked on my pictures.
Some pictures from Day 20:
Spot-necked Otter, Hydrictis maculicollis
Yellow-billed Duck, Anas undulata
Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Merops variegatus
Blue-headed Coucal, Centropus monachus
Yellow-billed Egret, Ardea brachyrhyncha
Swamp Flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
African Marsh Harrier, Circus ranivorus
Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea
African Swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides
Pied Kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
Rufous-bellied Heron, Ardeola rufiventris
African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus
Long-toed Lapwing, Vanellus crassirostris
Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex
When the engine of the boat stops, everyone (except Paul) had to help.
An interesting trip, with birders at two different catagories, but I think after some initial misunderstandigs, the trip went well. We recorded a total of 455 birds. I got 9 lifers and 13 photo lifers.
Goodbye to Uganda for this time, but the country have a lot more to offer in terms of lifers for me, so I will be back.