17 Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari

Arrival in Entebbe and Transfer to your Guest House or Hotel

Upon arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be greeted by an Encounter Africa Safari guide who will transfer you to your guest house for the night. Depending on your arrival time, optional activities include a boat excursion to Ngamba Island, a visit to the nearby Botanical Gardens, or a short birding tour at the Uganda Wildlife Education Center.

• Accommodation: Gorilla African Guest House
• Meals: All meals included

Birding at Mabamba Wetland

After an early breakfast, we will drive to Mabamba Swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria, one of the prime spots for viewing the rare Shoebill stork. Bird species to look out for include Goliath Herons, White-faced Whistling Duck, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, and many more. A canoe trip through the swamp will enhance our birding experience. Return to the guest house in the evening while birding en route.

• Accommodation: Gorilla African Guest House
• Meals: All meals included

Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, check out and drive to Lake Mburo National Park, birding along the way with stops at the Equator and Kaku Swamp. Expect to see species like Black Kite, Common and Purple Swamphen, and various geese. Arrive at Lake Mburo National Park for an overnight stay.

• Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock / Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
• Meals: All meals included

Birding and Boat Cruise at Lake Mburo

Enjoy a game drive and birding in Lake Mburo National Park, home to over 350 bird species. Look for Spot-flanked Barbets, Snake-eagles, and more. After a picnic lunch, take a boat cruise on Lake Mburo to spot water birds and other wildlife. Return to the lodge while birding on the way.

• Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock / Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
• Meals: All meals included

Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After breakfast, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, with birding stops along the scenic route through southern Uganda. Arrive in Bwindi in the evening.

• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
• Meals: All meals included

Gorilla Tracking and Transfer to Ruhija

Early morning transfer to Ruhija for gorilla tracking. The trek duration varies, and after observing the gorillas, return to the park headquarters for a certificate. Transfer to Ruhija sector for overnight stay.

• Accommodation: Broadbill Tented Forest Camp or Bakiga Lodge
• Meals: All meals included

Birding in Mubwindi Swamp

Birding at Mubwindi Swamp, known for elusive rift endemics like Grauer’s Broadbill and Regal Sunbird. Expect to see a range of species including Black Goshawk, African Emerald Cuckoo, and many more. Return to the lodge for dinner.

• Accommodation: Broad Bill Tented Forest Camp or Bakiga Lodge
• Meals: All meals included

Birding to Buhoma via “The Neck”

Travel to Buhoma through “The Neck,” an area known for excellent forest birding. Look for Albertine Rift endemics like Handsome Francolin and Rwenzori Nightjar, among others. Return to Buhoma Community Rest Camp for the night.

• Accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
• Meals: All meals included

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Birding En Route

In the morning, embark on a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, enjoy opportunities for birdwatching. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, venture on a game drive through the Kasenyi plains, where you can search for a variety of savannah wildlife, including buffaloes, antelopes, elephants, and possibly lions or leopards. Bird enthusiasts will have the chance to spot species such as the Red-chested, Diederik, and Klaas’s Cuckoo, Short-toed, Black-chested and Brown Snake-eagles, and the African White-backed Vulture, among others.

• Accommodation: Elephant Hab / Buffalo Resort
• Meals: All meals included

Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Boat Cruise

Start your day early with breakfast before heading out for a birding adventure in the Kasenyi plains. Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts over 615 recorded bird species, making it one of the richest birding locations globally. Look out for the Red-chested Cuckoo, Black-chested Snake-eagle, African Marsh Harrier, and many more. After a morning of birding, enjoy a picnic lunch at Mweya Peninsula before embarking on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This provides a unique perspective on wildlife and birdlife. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

• Accommodation: Elephant Hab / Buffalo Resort
• Meals: All meals included

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park with Birding at Maramagambo Forest

Following breakfast, check out of the lodge and drive to Maramagambo Forest for a birding walk. Expect to encounter species such as the Blue-breasted Kingfisher, African Dusky Flycatcher, and Red-headed Bluebill, as well as primates like the Black and White Colobus monkey. After the walk, continue your journey to Kibale Forest National Park, arriving in the evening to check into your lodge for dinner and overnight.

• Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
• Meals: All meals included

Birding in Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland

Begin your day with an early breakfast before setting out to explore Kibale Forest, home to over 300 bird species. Look for the Green-breasted Pitta, Red-chested Owlet, and various woodpeckers. After returning to the lodge for lunch, head to Bigodi Swamp for an afternoon birding walk. Expect to see species such as the Buff-spotted Woodpecker and Great Blue Turaco. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

• Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
• Meals: All meals included

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, check out and begin your drive to Murchison Falls National Park, passing through scenic areas like Fort Portal and the tea plantations. Enjoy birding stops along the way. Arrive at your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Kabalega Wilderness Camp
• Meals: All meals included

Birding in the Delta Area of Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, cross the Nile by ferry to the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. Spend the day birding and game driving towards the Delta, searching for species like the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Shoebill, and various weavers. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Kabalega Wilderness Lodge
• Meals: All meals included

Nile Delta and Top of the Falls

Start your day with a boat trip along the Delta, where you may spot the Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, and Carmine Bee-eater. Enjoy sightings of mammals such as elephants, giraffes, and lions. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Kabalega Wilderness Lodge
• Meals: All meals included

Birding in Budongo Forest

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Budongo Forest for a half-day nature walk at Kaniyo-Pabidi. Look for bird species like the Puvel’s Illadopsis, White-crested Turaco, and various Kingfishers. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

• Accommodation: Budongo Eco-Lodge
• Meals: All meals included

Return to Entebbe with Birding En Route

Drive back to Entebbe International Airport, with birding stops along the way, including a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking and additional bird sightings. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for dinner and relaxation at a lodge in Entebbe before your departure, concluding your 17-day Uganda Birding Safari.