18 Days Uganda Forest Birding Safari

Join this exclusive 18 Days Uganda Forest Birding Safari to discover and learn about Uganda birds and other experiences. Discover and tick numerous birds off your birding list on this 18 Days Uganda birding safari with Superfine Safaris Limited.  The 18 Days safari is also an opportunity to experience Uganda’s outstanding forest ecosystem during guided walks and bird watching expeditions on this 18-day Uganda Forest Birding safari. This safari starts on the Lake Victoria shores, in Entebbe, where you will explore the unmatched beauty and unique bird species in the lush Mabamba Wetland Sanctuary. Then journey to the verdant green landscapes of Mabira Forest, Budongo Forest, with visits to other remarkable National Parks thereafter.

Finish with three special nights surrounded by the lush wild nature in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park before wrapping up in Uganda’s vibrant Capital, Kampala, or Entebbe City, before departing for your next destination for the African Adventure.

Highlights

• Explore the unique natural beauty of Mabamba Wetland and the City of Entebbe.
• Join an expert local guide on guided walks to explore Forest Reserves and National Parks dominated by forests.
• Enjoy multiple birding trips to see Uganda’s vast variety of bird species.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe, optional bird watching experience.

Day 2: Mabamba Wetland birding experience and Transfer to Mabira Forest.

Day 3: Mabira forest birding experience.

Day 4: Transfer to Budongo Forest, Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 5: Full-day Budongo Forest birding: Royal Mile Trail.

Day 6: Scenic drive from Budongo Forest to Kibale Forest National Park.

Days 7 & 8: Kibale Forest Birding Experience.

Day 9: Birding in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary and drive to Semliki National Park.

Day 10: Semliki Forest Birding Experience.

Day 11: Semliki to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 12: Maramagambo Forest Birding and afternoon boat ride on Kazinga Channel.

Day 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Day 14: Buhoma Gorilla trekking experience and afternoon village tour.

Day 15: Ruhija sector Birding experience: Mubwindi Swamp.

Day 16: Transfer to Kisoro, Echuya Forest Reserve.

Day 17: Echuya Forest Birding Experience.

Day 18: Drive/Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe, Departure.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe, optional bird watching experience

Habari! Welcome to Entebbe, Uganda’s Gateway City on the Lake Victoria shores. Your private safari driver will meet you at the Airport and transfer you to your Hotel. Depending on the time you arrive, you can drop your bags and then start exploring this spectacular City, which is also a unique birding area. There’s plenty to see, as this Town is marked by several birding areas that include Mabamba Wetland, the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, and others.

This afternoon, you will get an introduction to the exotic bird species in Entebbe Botanical Gardens that include the Yellow-billed Duck, Red-billed Firefinch, pink-backed pelicans, African Jacana, White-backed Duck, and the Egyptian Goose, among others.

Overnight at: Hotel Number Five (luxury), 2 Friends Beach Hotel (midrange), or Papyrus Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Meals on the visitor’s account.

Day 2: Mabamba Wetland birding experience and Transfer to Mabira Forest

Early morning, you will be transferred to Mabamba Wetland Sanctuary for your extraordinary birding experience. The ride on a speedboat from the pier to the swamp is about 45 minutes, then you will take the canoe ride through the swamp to search for the different bird species. Species to look out for include the Blue-breasted bee-eater, Papyrus gonolek, Blue swallow, African pygmy goose, and most interestingly, the shoebill storks.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Mabira Forest, which is located in Mukono district, on the Kampala-Jinja Highway. You will arrive in the evening to simply rest and prepare for the next day’s first birding experience.

Overnight at: The Rainforest Lodge (midrange) or Griffin Falls Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 3: Full-day Mabira forest birding experience

Today is yours to bird watch to your heart’s content at Mabira Forest Reserve. Start right away from the Lodge, with the sounds of chirping birds in the distance. Watch out for the African Emerald Cuckoo, Hadada ibis, Hooded vultures, Black-shouldered Kites, Tit Hylia, Gray-capped Warbler, Helmeted Guineafowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Ross’s Turaco, Blue-headed Coucal, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Eastern Plantain-eater, Eurasian Moorhen, and White-spotted Flufftail.

While you wander the well-maintained paths, pause to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Bat Hawk, Grey-crowned cranes, African Jacana, Yellow-billed Stork, African Darter, Reed and Great Cormorant, Little and Great egret, African sacred ibis, Yellow-billed egret, Pink-backed pelican, Hamerkop, Brown snake-eagle, Tawny Eagle, and Lizard Buzzard, among others.

If you are looking for more adventure, you will enjoy an optional zip lining trip. Other activities include cycling and nature walks.

Overnight at: The Rainforest Lodge (midrange) or Griffin Falls Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4: Transfer to Budongo Forest, Murchison Falls National Park

Rise early today to make the 8-hour trip from Mabira Forest to Budongo Forest, Murchison Falls National Park, with your private safari driver. There will be stops along the way, the first being at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for not just Rhino tracking but also a birding tour. On arrival at the Lodge, you will relax, have dinner, and overnight at the Lodge. Overnight at: Nile Safari Lodge (luxury), Sambiya River Lodge (midrange), or Budongo Eco Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 5: Full-day Budongo Forest birding: Royal Mile Trail

Today’s breathtaking full-day forest birding adventure will uncover the natural beauty and bird species of Budongo Forest, a verdant wonderland with over 300 bird species. After being picked up from your Lodge, you will trek along the natural Royal Mile trail that winds through the verdant forest and offers spectacular views of the forest. With a bit of luck, you might spot primates such as chimpanzees, black and white Colobus monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, Olive baboons, and others.

The hike along the Royal Mile trail introduces you to unique bird species such as Shining-blue Kingfisher, Black Goshawk, Lesser-striped swallow, Western black-headed Batis, Heuglin’s Spurfowl, Helmeted Guineafowl, Black-billed and Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, African Green-Pigeon, White-browed Coucal, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Reed Cormorant, Tambourine Dove, Western cattle egret, Hamerkop, Black-headed heron, African Goshawk, Long-crested Eagle, Bateleur, Palmnut vulture, Blue-naped Mousebird, Black Kite, Spotted Eagle-owl, Narina Trogon, Blue-breasted Dwarf, Piping Hornbill, Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Crowned hornbill, and many others. As the afternoon approaches, head back to the Lodge for lunch, and later afternoon adventure or siesta.

Overnight at: Nile Safari Lodge (luxury), Sambiya River Lodge (midrange), or Budongo Eco Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 6: Scenic drive from Budongo Forest to Kibale Forest National Park

This morning, your safari driver will meet you at the Lodge Lounge for a 7-8-hour transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, a 795-square-kilometer Protected Area with over 375 bird species occupying various ecosystems. The climate here and the unique ecosystems here provide an ideal environment for resident and exotic birds to thrive. First, you will visit the top of the falls and continue in the 4WD safari vehicle to the stunning Kibale Forest National Park, where you will have plenty of time to cool off in the lush green vegetation that surrounds the Lodge.

Overnight at: Volcanoes Kibale Lodge (luxury), Isunga Lodge (midrange), or Kibale Safari Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Days 7 & 8: Kibale Forest Birding Experience

You have two days of birding in Kibale Forest National Park, with the hope of ticking at least 200 of the 375 bird species that call the Forest home. As you traverse the various scenic hiking trails, enjoy the stunning tapestry of flora and fauna that surrounds you. Keep your eyes peeled and ears alert for the plethora of bird species along the way, and these include Green-breasted Pitta, Lowland masked Apalis, Yellow-throated tinkerbird, Western Nicator, African shrike-flycatcher, Scaly spurfowl, Hairy-breasted barbet, Chestnut wattle-eye, Speckled tinkerbird, Black-capped Apalis, Red-faced woodland warbler, Heuglin’s spurfowl, Little greenbul, Yellow-ramped tinkerbird, Nahan’s francolin, Cassin’s spinetail, Blue-headed bee-eater, Blue-throated roller, Chubb’s cisticola, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Dusky crimsonwing, Crowned eagle, Brown-eared woodpecker, African-green Pigeon, Little greenbul, Black-crowned Tchagra, Papyrus gonolek, Brown-chested Alethe, Alpine Swift, African wood owl, Papyrus canary, African Shrike flycatcher, and many others. Along these birding trails, let the phenomenal natural beauty and wildlife species of Kibale National Park take your breath away.

Overnight at: Volcanoes Kibale Lodge (luxury), Isunga Lodge (midrange), or Kibale Safari Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 9: Birding in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary and drive to Semliki National Park

This morning, a driver will collect you from the Lodge and transfer to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for your next birding adventure. Here, you will mainly see Wetland/swamp species that include Great blue Turaco, Papyrus gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Black-headed Gonolek, Pied and Blue-breasted Kingfisher, White-breasted Negrofinch, Black-crowned waxbill, Yellow-billed barbet, Red-eyed Dove, and Ring-necked Dove, among others. ]

Once you are done with the wetland birding experience, your safari driver will continue your journey to Semliki National Park, another exceptional destination for forest birding experiences.

Overnight at: Semliki Safari Lodge (luxury), Ntoroko Game Lodge (midrange), or Semliki Fishing River Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 10: Semliki Forest Birding Experience

Today’s Forest birding adventure includes a visit to the stunning Semliki National Park, which is home to over 441 bird species, including the Black-casqued hornbill, African Piculet, Blue-billed Malimbe, Black-throated Coucal, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Western long-tailed hornbill, the Nkulengu Rail, Red-billed dwarf hornbill, Western dwarf hornbill, Grey kestrel, Red-throated bee-eater, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, and many others.

At the appointed time, your guide will transfer you back to Semliki National Park to explore Sempaya Hot Springs. More bird species will be sighted during this walk, followed by dinner and overnight at the Lodge.

Overnight at: Semliki Safari Lodge (luxury), Ntoroko Game Lodge (midrange), or Semliki Fishing River Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 11: Semliki to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start the day with breakfast, followed by a 3-hour trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park, another remarkable birding area in Uganda. Along the way, you will enjoy views of the Crater Lakes, banana plantations, and verdant Valleys to discover the natural beauty of the countryside.

Afterward, you will proceed to the Lodge, in/around Queen Elizabeth National Park. Set in the shadow of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, you will enjoy afternoon game drives through the Park’s game tracks with the hope of seeing elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Topis, Hippos, and so much more. Return to the Lodge after your tour for overnight, and preparation for the next adventure in this Bird lover’s Paradise.

Overnight at: Elephant Plains Lodge (luxury), Mweya Safari Lodge (midrange), or Simba Safari Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 12: Maramagambo Forest Birding and afternoon boat ride on Kazinga Channel

Start the day with a hearty breakfast, followed by the drive down to Maramagambo forest. You will meet a bird specialist who will help you locate unique bird species such as the White-naped Pigeon, Sulphur-breasted Bush shrike, Rwenzori Turaco, Dark-capped Yellow warbler, Ross’s Turaco, Bat Hawk, Forest flycatchers, African green Pigeon, African finfoot, African broadbill, Black bee-eater, White-tailed Lark, African finfoot, Martial Eagle, Papyrus canary, lesser and greater flamingos, Black Coucal, African Emerald Cuckoo, African Skimmers, Grey Kestrel, Helmeted Guineafowl, and many others.

After lunch, continue your birding adventure with a boat ride on Kazinga Channel, a 37-kilometer natural channel connecting Lakes George and Edward, and a hot spot for avian activity due to its swamp-fringed banks. Expect to see between 50 and 100 species, including African fish eagles, African skimmers, shoebill storks, Yellow-billed storks, Pink-backed pelicans, and so much more. End your rewarding day at your Lodge with free time to unwind by the pool and have a nice dinner.

Overnight at: Elephant Plains Lodge (luxury), Mweya Safari Lodge (midrange), or Simba Safari Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This morning, transfer 4 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This 321-square-kilometer UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only popular as a gorilla trekking destination but also an important birding area with over 350 bird species. There will be a stop at Ishasha sector for a brief game drive, with the hope of seeing the tree-climbing lions, African bush elephants, Cape buffaloes, Topis, Uganda Kobs, and Defassa waterbucks, among others. Lunch at Simba Café and continue to Bwindi, arriving in the evening.

Overnight at: Buhoma Lodge (luxury), Engagi Lodge (midrange), or Ride 4 a woman Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 14: Buhoma Gorilla trekking experience and afternoon village tour

The 14^th day of your 18-day Uganda Forest Birding safari is dedicated to gorilla trekking in Bwindi’s northern sector, Buhoma. The day starts early with a transfer to the Park Headquarters for a briefing from the Park Ranger before being allocated one of the habituated gorilla families. Search for the Giant Apes, and this should take about 1-6 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. This, therefore, requires patience and determination, and once spotted, it will be the best time of your life. You have one hour watching and taking photos, before heading back to the Lodge for lunch.

After lunch, continue your experience with a guided village tour in the nearby local community. Learn about the cultures and traditions, and end your day at the Lodge with free time to relax and enjoy dinner.

Overnight at: Buhoma Lodge (luxury), Engagi Lodge (midrange), or Ride 4 a woman Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 15: Ruhija sector Birding experience: Mubwindi Swamp

Rise and shine in your Ecolodge this morning. After an early breakfast, take a 60-minute drive to the Ruhija sector for your forest Birding experience. Upon arrival, you will join a guided bird walk through Mubwindi Swamp with the hope of sighting species such as Shelley’s crimsonwing, African green broadbill, African green pigeon, Black-billed Turaco, Doherty’s bushshrike, blue-headed sunbirds, western crested Guineafowl, Grauer’s broadbill, the Grauer’s swamp warbler, Great blue Turaco, Lagden’s bushshrike, Rwenzori Apalis, Handsome spurfowl, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, and many others.

The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, relaxing at the Lodge or going on a guided village walk.

Overnight at: Buhoma Lodge (luxury), Engagi Lodge (midrange), or Ride 4 a woman Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 16: Transfer to Kisoro, Echuya Forest Reserve

Say goodbye to Buhoma this morning and drive five hours to Kisoro Town, with jaw-dropping views of local homesteads and other unique attractions along the way.

Overnight at: Ichumbi Hotel (midrange) or Travelers Rest Hotel (budget.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 17: Echuya Forest Birding Experience

Spend your final day in the jungle exploring Echuya Forest. Enjoy a guided walk through the forest, which covers 3400 hectares and is home to over 150 bird species that include 18 Albertine Rift endemics. Look out for the Archer’s Robin-chat, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Handsome francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Purple-breasted sunbird, Rwenzori batis, Blue-headed sunbirds, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Regal sunbird, Red-faced woodland warblers, Kivu ground thrush, and so much more. End the day with views of Kisoro and a meal at the Lodge.

Overnight at: Ichumbi Hotel (midrange) or Travelers Rest Hotel (budget.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 18: Drive/Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe, Departure

Today, your 18-day Uganda Forest Birding safari comes to an end. Make the eight to nine-hour drive back to Kampala in time for drop off at the Hotel or Entebbe Airport to catch your homebound flight. Come back soon!

Our 18-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari package includes;

• Gorilla trekking permit/s.
• All site entry fees- National Parks, Reserves, and many others.
• Relevant Government taxes.
• Bottled water.
• Services of an experienced English-speaking driver guide.
• Ranger fees.
• 17 nights’accommodation and meals as per the itinerary.
• Boat cruises.
• Game viewing experiences.
• Ground transportation with a 4X4 Safari jeep.

Our 18-Day Uganda Forest Birding Safari package excludes;

• Visa fees.
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• Travel and medical insurance.
• Pre and post-safari accommodation in Entebbe or Kigali.
• Laundry fees.
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
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• Gratuities to porters, guides, Lodge staff, Ranger guides, e.t.c.
• Porter fees.