Tour Overview

21 Days Birding safari takes you through most of Uganda’s birding habitats including national parks and Important Bird Areas. Areas you will visit during this trip include; Murchison Falls Conservation Area, Kibale Forest, Semuliki Wildlife Reserve, Semuliki National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Swamp and Ruhija in Bwindi, Lake Mburo National Park, Mabamba Wetland Forest. The trail taken is designed around some of the most endangered and localized birds including the Albertine Rift Endemics. The beauty of this trip is that, although centered around certain special birds, we see so much of more widely distributed species on the way and tremendous scenery and places little visited by other tourists.

Tour Highlights

21 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Detailed Itinerary

 Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Your adventure begins as you touch down at Entebbe International Airport, the gateway to Uganda’s diverse ecosystems and vibrant birdlife. After clearing immigration and customs, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your tour guide who will be your companion throughout this exhilarating birding safari. Transfer to your accommodation in Entebbe, where you can unwind from your journey and prepare for the excitement ahead

Accommodation options:

• Papaya Guest house
• 2 friends beach hotel
• Victoria Roch Resort.

Destination:  Entebbe

Day 2: Exploring Entebbe’s Avian Wonders

In the morning after breakfast, venture out to the nearby Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a haven for birdwatchers. Amidst the lush greenery, you’ll encounter a plethora of bird species, including the majestic African fish eagle, the vibrant malachite kingfisher, and the melodious grey-headed kingfisher. Spend the day leisurely strolling through the gardens, capturing stunning photographs and immersing yourself in Uganda’s rich avifauna. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 3: Journey to Mabamba Swamp

Today, embark on a journey to Mabamba Swamp, a renowned birding site located on the shores of Lake Victoria. Board a traditional canoe and glide through the labyrinthine channels, keeping an eye out for the elusive shoebill stork, one of Africa’s most sought-after bird species. As you navigate through the papyrus reeds and water lilies, you’ll also encounter a myriad of other avian delights, including the African jacana, the pied kingfisher, and the long-tailed cormorant. Overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Today after morning breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, lake Mburo is one of the smallest but rich in several bird species. While in lake Mburo, the best birding spots include walking on a platform near Saltlick and forest, bird species to look out for here include; the Bateleur, Rufous-bellied Heron, Grey-crowned crane, Coqui Francolin, Black-bellied Bustard, Grey Crowned crane, Brown-chested lapwing among others. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Accommodation options:

• Rwakobo rock
• Mihingo lodge
• Arcadia cottages lake Mburo

Destination:  Lake Mburo National Park

Day 5: Explore Lake Mburo and afternoon transfer to Bwindi forest-MuBwindi Swamp Ruhija

Have morning breakfast and check out of the lodge and after head to the park for morning bird watching be on the on the look for the birds that you could have missed during the previous day. You will exit the park and drive to Mbarara town where you will have your lunch. Continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its population of endangered mountain gorillas. While gorilla trekking will undoubtedly be a highlight, don’t overlook the forest’s incredible birding opportunities. Spend the next three days traversing the mist-shrouded trails, where you’ll encounter a plethora of forest-dwelling species, including the elusive African green broadbill, the dazzling Ruwenzori turaco, and the vibrant bar-tailed trogon.

Day 6: Birding Safaris in Ruhija/ Mubwindi Swamp, Transfer to Buhoma

Rise up early and have morning breakfast with your packed lunch, check out of the lodge and drive to the park to begin you with the birding experience, you will be guided by an expert bird guide to seek the birds and explore the areas that you may have not reached the previous day. You will have brief rest for lunch and thereafter, transfer to Buhoma sector where you will check in on arrival for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation options:

• Buhoma lodge
• Nkuringo Gorilla lodge.

Destination:  Buhoma Sector

Day 7: Full day birding safaris in Buhoma

You will rise up quite early and your morning breakfast after, with your packed lunch, set out for the birding activity. Carry enough drinking water to keep you hydrated because you will be doing a lot of walking. You will spend a full day exploring the Buhoma sector with higher chance of spotting several bird species.
Bird species you may see here include; Bat Hawk, Dusky and Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher, Stripe Breasted Tit, White-Throated and Black bee-eater Many colored Bush-shrike, Cinnamon chested, Eagle olive and Western Bronze Napped Pigeon, White bellied, Red-caped and Blue -Shouldered Robin -chat, Bar-tailed Trogon, Red Chested Owlet, Black-faced Rufous Warbler and Neumann’s, Cuckoo, Pale Breasted Illadopis, Red-throated and Fire crested Alethea, , Collared, Yellow-breasted and Black-throated Apalis, Yellow-Mantled, Black Bellied and Brwon- Capped Weavers, Narrow-tailed and Stuhiman’s Starlings, Rufous- Chested Fluff-tail, Baglafecht among others. In the evening, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: Full Day Birding Safaris in Buhoma

Wake up and have morning breakfast and set up to the forest for full day birding, following the bird trails in the park to look out for the birds that you could have missed during the previous day. You will have a break for lunch and brief rest then later in the afternoon, you will return to the to forest for more bird watching until late evening when you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, a biodiverse paradise nestled in the heart of the Albertine Rift Valley. Over the next three days, immerse yourself in the park’s diverse habitats, from sprawling savannas to dense forests, as you search for its avian treasures. Keep your binoculars poised for sightings of the iconic African skimmer, the elegant African finfoot, and the regal martial eagle. Explore the Ishasha sector, famed for its tree-climbing lions, and marvel at the vibrant birdlife along the Kazinga Channel during a boat safari.

Accommodation options:

• Marafiki Safari lodge
• Enganzi Game Lodge
• crater safari lodge
• Simba safari camp.

Destination:  Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 10: Birding in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today you will spend a full day exploring the Isha Isha sector, after your morning breakfast, carry your packed lunch and drinking water from the lodge and set out for your birding Adventure to look for more bird species. Explore the different sectors of the park and seek out the different bird species. This experience will take you all though the day and return to the lodge in evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Bird species to look out for in Queen Elizabeth include; Black Shouldered Kite, Browm Chested Lapwing, Violet-backed and Wattled Starling, Garden, Broad-tailed , Brown and Western Banded Snake-Eagles, Black Chested Snake-Eagles, African marsh, Montagu’s and Pallid Harriers, Back Bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, Levaillants’s, Diederik and Klaas’s Cuckoo, Black and White-browed Coucal, Blue- naped and Speckled Mousebird, Rufous-naped and Flappet Lark, Grassland Pipit, Buff-bellied, Winged- snapping, Fork-tailed Drongo, Grey-caped Warbler, Ruppell’s Griffon and Lappet-faced Vultures, Grey-backed an Common Fiscal, Black-headed and Papyrus Gonolek, Malachite, Woodland and Pied King fisher, Pink-back and Great White Pelican, Yellow-billed, African Open-Bellied, Saddle-bellied Stork, African Spoonbill, Lesser Flamingo, Curlew Sandpiper, African Skimmer, Red-Headed Bluebill, Red Caped Robin-chat, red Tailed Bristal bill, Benald’s Flycatcher among others.

Day 11: Queen Elizabeth Full day Birding

Wake up early to the sound of the bird chirping, have breakfast and head out to the park for early bird watching, explore other sectors that you may have not reached the previous day. Bird watching requires patience and carefully take out the time and seek out the different bird species. Skill full bird guide will lead you through the bird tracks where you will be able to spot several bird species. After, you will drive back to the lodge and have lunch and latter afternoon, return to the park for more game watching. Later evening, you will retire for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 12: Transfer to Kibale forest national park

After morning breakfast, check out and drive to Kibale National Park, renowned as the primate capital of East Africa. Spend three days exploring the park’s lush forests and misty swamps, where an incredible diversity of birdlife awaits. Join expert guides on chimpanzee tracking expeditions, where you’ll have the chance to encounter our closest relatives in their natural habitat. While exploring the forest trails, keep your binoculars ready for sightings of the colorful African pitta, the elusive green-breasted pitta, and the vibrant blue-headed sunbird. Conclude your adventure with a sense of awe and gratitude for the incredible avian diversity that Uganda has to offer. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Accommodation options:

• Chimpanzee Forest lodge
• Isunga lodge
• Crater Safari Lodge.

Destination:  Kibale Forest National Park

Day 13: Full day Birding in Kibale forest National Park

Wake up early to delicious breakfast, and thereafter, set out for birding in Kibale forest where you will spend a full day birding experience. After the morning session, you will have a break for lunch and continue with the afternoon seeking out birds until evening when you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
While in Kibale forest, you will encounter birds like the Green Breasted Pitta, Afep Pigeon, Cardinal Woodpecker, Buff-Spotted, White-tailed Ant thrush, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Grey-winged, Gross-Splendid and Purple-headed starling, Grey-backed Twin Spot, White spotted Flutttail, Red-Capped Robin-Chat, African Crowned Eagle, African Broadbill, Lesser, Wilcock’s Thick-Bellied Honeyguide, Chestnut-Winged, African Crowned Eagle, African Broadbill, Dark-backed Weaver, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-headed Bluebill, Red-chested Owlet and Scaly Illadopsis among others.

Day 14: Birding safaris in Kibale forest National Park

Day 14: Birding safaris in Kibale forest National Park
Wake up early and have morning breakfast thereafter, head out for another bird watching experience in Kibale forest, take a guided walk to other areas of the park that you may have not reached or explored properly during the previous day. Return to the lodge for lunch and later evening return to Kibale forest for more game watching until evening where you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 15: Transfer to Semliki National Park

Venture northward to Semuliki National Park, a hidden gem tucked away in the remote reaches of western Uganda. Over the next three days, delve into the park’s pristine rainforests and verdant wetlands, where an array of avian wonders awaits. Keep your eyes peeled for specialties such as the captivating Nkulengu rail, the striking white-crested hornbill, and the elusive yellow-throated cuckoo. Explore the park’s hot springs and lush riverine habitats, gaining insight into the rich biodiversity of this lesser-known wilderness.
On arrival, check into the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation options:

• Kyaninga Lodge
• Semliki Safari lodge

Destination:  Semuliki National Park

Day 16: Full day Birding in Semliki National reserve

Wake up with the sound of the birds chirping take your breakfast and set out to anew twist of adventures in this Unique Park with such beautiful scenery. You will spend the day searching for the numerous bird’s species in the park. Return to the lodge for lunch and return to the park for afternoon bird watching ad later evening, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 17: Transfer to Masindi

Have your breakfast and thereafter, check out of the lodge and drive to Masindi. You will have lunch enroute, continue to Masindi town and on arrival, proceed and check in to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation options:

• Masindi Hotel
• New court view hotel

Destination:  Masindi

Day 18: Transfer to Queen Mile for Full Day Birding safaris in Budongo

After morning breakfast, with your packed lunch, set out in the park in search for the birds you will explore the different tracks in the park where you will an opportunity to spot variety of bird species. Bird species spotted here include; Yellow and Grey Long Bills, Green Crombec, African Shrike Flycatcher, Chestnut-caped and Forest Flycatcher, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Blue Breasted, African Dwarf, Pygmy Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, Yellow-spotted, Fairy-breasted and Yellow-billed Barbets and Jameson’s Wattle-eye. You will have a break for lunch and in the afternoon set out on another bird watching experience and proceed to Budongo forest where you will check in to the lodge on arrival for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation options:

• Budongo Eco Lodge

Destination:  Budongo

Day 19: Full day birding in Budongo forest of Murchison falls national park

Wake up early and have morning breakfast, carry your packed lunch and set out for another birding adventure in Budongo forest. You will have break for lunch and continue with the afternoon bird watching and thereafter, proceed to Murchison falls national park where you will check in to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Bird species in Murchison falls; Blue-headed Coucal, Swamp Flycatcher, Squacco Heron, African Jacana, Sandpipers, Denham’s Bustard, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Black-billed Barbet, Black-headed Gonolek, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Piapiac, Silver bird, Weaver Birds, Pied, Giant and Malachite Kingfishers, Red-throated Bee-eater, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Speckle-fronted Weaver and African Quail-Finch.

Accommodation options:

• Paraa safari lodge(luxury)
• Pakuba safari lodge(mid-range)
• Parkside safari lodge (Budget).

Destination:  Murchison Falls National Park

Day 20: Game drive, Birding Boat cruise and visit to the top of the falls

After morning breakfast, head out to park for the game drive that also involves bird watching experience. Explore the park’s diverse landscapes, from rolling savannas to dense woodlands, in search of its feathered inhabitants. Cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of the majestic Murchison Falls, where you’ll encounter a wealth of waterbirds, including the iconic shoebill stork, the majestic African fish eagle, and the elegant African skimmer. Embark on game drives across the savanna plains, where you’ll have the opportunity to spot species such as the rare secretary bird, the vibrant Abyssinian roller, and the elusive pennant-winged nightjar. Have lunch and in the afternoon, drive to the top of the falls where you will view the magnificent and powerful water fall squeezing through 7m narrow gorge and dropping its waters at about 45m below forming a thunderous roar. The driver will take you back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 21: Transfer to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary Birding and Departure

Wake up and have morning breakfast thereafter, check out and drive to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking and birding experience. Enjoy your time tracking the Rhinos where you will also have an opportunity to see several bird species. Notable birds here include; Cuckoo, Black-headed Heron, Goliath Heron, Grassland Pipit, Great Egret, Great Reed Warbler, Black-bellied bustard, Black-crowned Waxbill Gray crowned cranes, African Fish eagles, African Jacana, Pied Kingfisher, African Grey Hornbill, Marabou Stork, Crested Francolin, Black-crowned Waxbill, Dusky Tit, Little swift, Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Purple Heron, Great Egret, Great Reed Warbler among others. Exit the Zziwa Sanctuary and drive back to Kampala with enroute lunch and on arrival, the driver will drop you off at the Airport in time for your departure flight back home.

End of Tour

Includes & Excludes

Getting There

The trip will start from Kampala or Entebbe to Lake mburo national park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to queen Elizabeth national park to kibale forest national park to semuliki national park to murchison falls national park and you will be dropped off at your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe international airport after the trip.

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You can also reach us on Whats-app Number: +256753750983 for urgent requests.