18 days 17 Nights Uganda birding safari
per person
This 18-day Uganda birding safari is an adventure that promises to be both thrilling and educational for bird enthusiasts. Uganda’s diverse landscapes, ranging from lush rainforests to sprawling savannas, provide a rich habitat for over 1000 bird species, including some rare and endemic ones. The safari will take you on a journey through the country’s top birding spots, such as Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. In addition to spotting a variety of colorful birds like the African fish eagle, shoebill stork, and the elusive green-breasted pitta, you will also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Uganda’s stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture. Each day will bring new discoveries and unforgettable moments, making this birding safari a truly unforgettable experience for any nature lover.
Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
- Day 2:Transfer to Mabamba Swamp
- Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 4: Birding in Kibale Forest
- Day 5: Transfer to Semuliki National Park
- Day 6: Birding in Semuliki National Park
- Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 8: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Day 10: Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Day 11: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Day 12: Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Day 13: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 14: Transfer to Echuya Forest Reserve
- Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 16: Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 17: Transfer back to Entebbe
- Day 18: Departure from Entebbe
Full Travel Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Welcome to Uganda! Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe for an overnight stay. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the nearby Entebbe Botanical Gardens, home to various bird species including the African fish eagle, palm-nut vulture, and grey parrot.
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Day 2:Transfer to Mabamba Swamp
After breakfast, we will depart for Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar site located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. This wetland is renowned for being one of the best places in Uganda to spot the elusive shoebill stork, as well as other wetland bird species such as the African jacana, papyrus gonolek, and blue-headed coucal. We will spend the day birding by canoe along the swamp channels before returning to Entebbe for the night.
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Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Today we will drive to Kibale Forest National Park, a journey that will take us through beautiful countryside and past traditional homesteads. Upon arrival, we will check in to our accommodation and have the opportunity to explore the nearby area, keeping an eye out for bird species such as the African grey parrot, yellow-throated tinkerbird, and Narina trogon.
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Day 4: Birding in Kibale Forest
Kibale Forest is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 375 species recorded within its borders. Today we will embark on a full day of birding within the forest, keeping an eye out for Albertine Rift endemics such as the African green broadbill, yellow-spotted barbet, and purple-breasted sunbird. We will also have the opportunity to see a variety of primates including chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, and L'Hoest's monkeys.
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Day 5: Transfer to Semuliki National Park
After breakfast, we will drive to Semuliki National Park, a remote and beautiful park located in the western arm of the East African Rift Valley. The park is home to a variety of bird species including the Nkulengu rail, African piculet, and white-crested hornbill. We will spend the afternoon birding along the park's trails before returning to our accommodation for the night.
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Day 6: Birding in Semuliki National Park
Today we will spend the day exploring Semuliki National Park, keeping an eye out for some of its most sought-after bird species such as the lyre-tailed honeyguide, yellow-throated cuckoo, and black dwarf hornbill. The park is also home to several primate species including chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
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Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, we will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's most popular and diverse safari destination. En route, we will have the opportunity to stop at various birding hotspots including the Maramagambo Forest and Katunguru Bridge. Upon arrival in Queen Elizabeth National Park, we will check in to our accommodation and have the opportunity to do some birding around the lodge.
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Day 8: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today we will embark on a full day of birding within Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is home to over 600 bird species. We will explore diverse habitats including open savannah, dense papyrus swamps, and acacia woodlands, keeping an eye out for species such as the African skimmer, white-winged warbler, and papyrus gonolek. We will also have the opportunity to see a variety of large mammals including elephants, lions, and hippos.
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Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, we will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to almost half of the world's population of mountain gorillas. En route, we will pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where we may have the chance to spot tree-climbing lions. Upon arrival in Bwindi, we will check in to our accommodation and have the opportunity to do some birding around the lodge.
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Day 10: Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. Today we will embark on a full day of birding within the forest, keeping an eye out for Albertine Rift endemics such as the handsome francolin, black-billed turaco, and short-tailed warbler. We may also have the opportunity to see some of Bwindi's resident primate species including L'Hoest's monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
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Day 11: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After breakfast, we will drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the Virunga Mountains. The park is home to a variety of bird species including the Rwenzori turaco, dusky turtle dove, and scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird. Upon arrival, we will check in to our accommodation and have the opportunity to do some birding around the park headquarters.
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Day 12: Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Today we will spend the day exploring Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, keeping an eye out for some of its most sought-after bird species such as the Rwenzori batis, Albertine owlet, and collared apalis. The park is also home to a population of endangered mountain gorillas, and we may have the opportunity to track them with a local guide.
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Day 13: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Bunyonyi, often referred to as the "Switzerland of Africa" due to its stunning scenery and cool climate. The lake is home to a variety of waterbirds including the white-winged black tern, grey-crowned crane, and malachite kingfisher. We will spend the afternoon birding around the lake before checking in to our accommodation for the night.
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Day 14: Transfer to Echuya Forest Reserve
Today we will drive to Echuya Forest Reserve, a small but important forested area located near Lake Bunyonyi. The reserve is home to several Albertine Rift endemics including the dusky crimsonwing, red-throated lathe, and yellow-eyed black flycatcher. We will spend the day birding within the reserve before returning to Lake Bunyonyi for the night.
Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda's smallest but most diverse national parks. En route, we will have the opportunity to stop at various birding hotspots including Ruhija sector and Mbarara town. Upon arrival in Lake Mburo National Park, we will check in to our accommodation and have the opportunity to do some birding around the lodge.
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Day 16: Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
Today we will embark on a full day of birding within Lake Mburo National Park, which is home to over 300 bird species. We will explore diverse habitats including acacia woodlands, grassy valleys, and seasonal wetlands, keeping an eye out for species such as the red-faced barbet, northern brown-throated weaver, and African finfoot. We will also have the opportunity to see a variety of other wildlife including zebras, impalas, and buffaloes.
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Day 17: Transfer back to Entebbe
After breakfast, we will drive back to Entebbe for our final night in Uganda. En route, we may have the chance to stop at various birding hotspots including Mpanga Forest and Mabamba Swamp. Upon arrival in Entebbe, we will check in to our accommodation and have some free time to relax before our departure.
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Day 18: Departure from Entebbe
After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute souvenir shopping or additional birdwatching around Entebbe before transferring to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight.
End of safari
Tour Includes;
- Gorilla permit
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Transport in 4×4
- Guides & Park fees
- International flight ticket
- Tourist Insurance
- Beverages
- Tips
18 days 17 Nights