12 Days Uganda Birding Safari

Grab your bird guidebook, pair of binoculars, notebook, and camera, and head out for the 12 Days Uganda Birding Safari, an opportunity to discover the numerous birds in the Pearl of Africa guided by Superfine Safaris.   With over 1006 bird species recorded in the country, Uganda is a Paradise for Exotic Avian species, and there are lots of destinations ripe for an ornithological expedition. Guided by an expert English-speaking safari guide, you will traverse the length and breadth of Uganda, from the swamps, savannah, and forest, to the Mountains, sighting the most colorful feathered beauties over 12 days. The 12 Days birding adventure also entails other tourist experiences such as game viewing, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruising and cultural tours which together make a complete Uganda safari experience

Highlights

• Go bird watching in Uganda’s most exotic National Parks.
• View exceptional bird species in the wetlands of Mabamba Sanctuary and others.
• Hike through the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Albertine Rift endemics and forest bird species.
• Search for elusive species such as green-breasted pitta in Kibale National Park, shoebill storks in Mabamba, and others.
• Tour the Entebbe Botanical Gardens.
• Trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park.
• Trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda- Experience Entebbe’s history and culture.

Day 2: Birding at Mabamba Wetland Sanctuary and Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Day 3: Entebbe to Kibale National Park.

Day 4: Birding and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.

Day 5: Kibale National Park- Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 6: Morning birding walk and afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel.

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via Ishasha.

Day 8: Ruhija Birding tour and afternoon Batwa walk.

Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest- Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 10: Free morning in Lake Bunyonyi, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park.

Day 11: Morning birding walk and afternoon boat ride.

Day 12: Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala/Entebbe- Departure.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda- Experience Entebbe’s history and culture

After arriving at Entebbe International Airport, your driver guide will meet you outside the Airport building and transfer you to your Hotel. The remainder of the day, you will have free time to explore the beautiful City at your leisure. Perhaps, take a tour through the Art and Craft market, which features hundreds of stalls and shops. Then enjoy sunset views along the shores of Lake Victoria. For dinner, you can sample one of the restaurants that serve delicious traditional Ugandan dishes.

Overnight at: Entebbe Forest Lodge (luxury), Boma Guesthouse (midrange), or Papyrus Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Dinner.

Day 2: Birding at Mabamba Wetland Sanctuary and Entebbe Botanical Gardens

After a hearty breakfast at your Hotel, you will meet your guide at the Lounge and embark on your first destination on the 12-day Uganda Birding safari. The first stop is Mabamba Wetland, which is located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria and is home to over 300 bird species. All told, you will spend about 3 hours (including time for speedboat, canoe ride through the swamp, the actual birding tour, and trip back to the pier) enjoying some incredible birding on the shores of Lake Victoria. Some of the typical wetland varieties to expect during this adventure include the legendary shoebill storks, African jacana, African pygmy goose, Blue swallow, Papyrus gonolek, Orange weaver, Malachite Kingfisher, Purple heron, and the Blue-breasted bee-eater, among others.

Afterwards, you will drive back to the Lodge for lunch. Afterward, you will take a guided walk through Entebbe Botanical Gardens as the second stop for this day. The commonest species here are the Knob-billed Duck, African fish eagles, Yellow-billed Duck, Lesser Moorhen, African firefinch, African Darter, Ashy Flycatcher, pink-backed pelicans, Bat Hawks, Egyptian Goose, Red-billed Firefinch, Red-eyed Dove, Common Sandpiper, and White-backed Duck, among many others.

For dinner, you can dine at the Hotel or be transferred to a nearby 2 Friends rooftop Hotel (dependent on weather), which offers breathtaking views of Entebbe Town.

Overnight at: Entebbe Forest Lodge (luxury), Boma Guesthouse (midrange), or Papyrus Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 3: Entebbe to Kibale National Park

In the morning, you will transfer 6-7 hours to the far west of the country, stopping en route for photography and birding breaks at ideal vantage points (especially the tea plantations). Today’s destination is the Kibale Forest National Park, which, comprising 79500 hectares, is the primate Capital of the World and also an incredible birding spot. Within its boundaries is a moist evergreen forest interspersed with grasslands and swamps, making it an ideal birding territory with over 375 bird species to look out for.

Upon arrival at the Lodge, you will check in, have lunch, and head out to explore the surrounding landscapes. There’s a wonderful birding territory at the Lodge, as most Lodges are surrounded by tall trees, swamps, and bushes amid secondary rainforest.

Overnight at: Primate Lodge (luxury), Turaco Treetops Lodge (midrange), or Kibale Tourist Safari Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4: Birding and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park

Today, you will enjoy another exciting birding adventure in Kibale Forest National Park. The 795-square-kilometer Protected Area is known for its phenomenal diversity of forest species and the Guinea-Congo forests Biome species. On this morning tour, you will come across several species that are found only in this unique ecosystem.

Some birds you can spot include the rare green-breasted pitta, Black-capped Apalis, Yellow-throated Nicator, Dusky Crimsonwing, Ross Turaco, red-billed dwarf hornbill, purple-breasted sunbird, western Nicator, Red-chested Owlet, African pitta, Black bee-eater, Black-collared Apalis, Pin-tailed Whydah, White-naped pigeon, African piculet, Blue-throated roller, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, and many others. This 3-hour birding walk is accompanied by a seasoned birding guide and leads to only the best vantage points.

After your birding tour, you will either stop for lunch at Tinker’s homestay for a local Ugandan lunch or at the Lodge for International cuisine options.

After lunch, your afternoon takes you back to Kibale Forest for a chimpanzee tracking adventure, for an up-close and personal encounter with mankind’s closest relatives in the animal Kingdom. The experienced Ranger guides will introduce you to the unique diversity and the members of the chimpanzee community that inhabit the forest. There’s an opportunity to see more bird species and other primates along the way. After 1-4 hours of searching for the Great Apes, you will spend one hour watching and taking photos upon sighting them.

Overnight at: Primate Lodge (luxury), Turaco Treetops Lodge (midrange), or Kibale Tourist Safari Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 5: Kibale National Park- Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with over 600 bird species. The road heading to the National Park offers views of the verdant banana plantations, Crater Lakes, and lush Valleys, in addition to offering good birding opportunities.

Just three hours into the journey, you will be ushered to Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the afternoon, you will embark on a game drive with the hope of seeing elephants, Hippos, Buffaloes, lions, leopards, Uganda Kobs, and others. Lots of bird species will also be sighted during this game drive.

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

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 6: Morning birding walk and afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel

With your private safari guide, you will drive or walk (depending on where you are staying) from the Lodge to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Spread over 197800 hectares, this Protected Area is home to a forest, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and salty and freshwater Lakes and other water bodies (including the Kazinga Channel). The numerous bird trails here attract visitors year-round, and this includes bird lovers.

Multitudes of birds will be spotted during this three to four-hour bird walk, and these include the Black bee-eater, Double-toothed barbet, Red-chested sunbird, western banded snake eagle, long-crested eagle, grey-crowned crane, Great blue Turaco, White-naped pigeon, and many others.

The afternoon birding adventure takes you through the Kazinga Channel in a 2-3-hour boat ride. This 37-kilometer-long natural channel connects Lakes Edward and George, and during this birding tour, expect anywhere between 50 and 100 species. These include the African skimmers, African Jacana, African fish eagles, Pink-backed pelicans, Great blue Turaco, Egyptian Goose, Black-headed weavers, Great cormorant, Yellow-billed storks, Malachite and Pied kingfisher, Grey-crowned cranes, Long-crested eagles, and many. After the long, hectic, and rewarding day, return to the Lodge to rest and have dinner.

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

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via Ishasha

With your private safari guide, you will drive a little three hours south from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Spread over 32100 hectares, this Protected Area, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to an Afromontane rainforest, lowland forest, and sub-alpine vegetation. The numerous bird trails in Bwindi attract birders year-round.

The drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park goes through the Ishasha sector to see the mysterious tree-climbing lions. After checking into your Lodge, you can enjoy birding around the surrounding landscapes.

Overnight at: Bwindi Lodge (luxury), Mahogany Springs Lodge (midrange), or Gorilla Bluff Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 8: Ruhija Birding tour and afternoon Batwa walk

Carry a packed breakfast and transfer for one hour to the Ruhija sector, on the Eastern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This sector is exceptional in that it is home to over 100 of the 350 Bwindi bird species, and Mubwindi swamp is the main birding area in the sector. Here are African green broadbills, Rwenzori Apalis, African green pigeon, blue-headed sunbirds, Black-billed Turaco, Grauer’s broadbill, Great blue Turaco, Stripe-breasted Tit, Shelley’s crimsonwing, Lagden’s bushshrike, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Doherty’s bushshrike, Handsome spurfowl, western crested Guineafowl, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, and many others.

After your morning birding adventure, you will return to the Lodge for lunch. Your Bwindi adventure continues in the afternoon with an afternoon Batwa walk. Here, you will learn about the traditions and cultures of the ancient people that occupied Bwindi Impenetrable Forest before it was gazetted into a National Park.

Overnight at: Bwindi Lodge (luxury), Mahogany Springs Lodge (midrange), or Gorilla Bluff Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest- Lake Bunyonyi

In the morning, you will drive 3 hours to Lake Bunyonyi. The scenery on this mountainous trip is breathtaking as you drive alongside kilometers of raw hillsides, Lakeshores, and stunning Valleys. When you arrive at Lake Bunyonyi, you will check in and settle in for lunch. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure.

Accommodation at: Birdnest @Bunyonyi (Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort (midrange), or Kansiime Backpackers (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 10: Free morning in Lake Bunyonyi, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Another wonderful birding adventure awaits in the form of a two-hour guided nature walk. With an expert local bird guide, you will walk through the unspoiled trails, across terraced hillsides, cultivated gardens, and forest.  The walk departs around 7 am and returns in time for breakfast. Species to look out for include Great Cormorant, African Pied Wagtail, African Jacana, Blue-headed Coucal, Black-headed weavers, Black Kites, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Baglafecht weavers, White-tailed blue flycatcher, sacred Ibis, Red-eyed Dove, Grey-crowned cranes, Pied wagtail, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, white-eyed slaty-flycatcher, Tropical Boubou, and many others. There’s an option of exploring the area through a canoe/boat ride, too.

The afternoon takes you to Lake Mburo National Park, 5 hours away, for another unforgettable birding experience.

Accommodation at: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Kigambira Safari Lodge (midrange), or Eagle’s Nest Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 11: Morning birding walk and afternoon boat ride

Today’s birding adventure is in Uganda’s smallest savannah National Park. The main attraction in Lake Mburo National Park is Lake Mburo, which is also famous among bird enthusiasts. However, your morning birding adventure will be in Rubanga forest with species to look out for being Grey-backed Camaroptera, Harrier Hawks, Narina Trogon, Double-toothed Barbet, the Green Pigeon, and many others.

After the 3-hour bird walk, you will go back to your Lodge for lunch, and then have siesta. In the afternoon, you will go for birding on Lake Mburo, on a boat ride. Expect to see African fish eagles, shoebill storks, Pelicans, Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Papyrus gonolek, Grey-crowned cranes, African finfoot, Saddle-billed storks, Papyrus yellow warbler, alongside wildlife such as Nile crocodiles and Hippos. Relax at the Lodge.

Accommodation at: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Kigambira Safari Lodge (midrange), or Eagle’s Nest Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 12: Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala/Entebbe- Departure

Take the morning to enjoy one final bush breakfast in Paradise. At the appropriate time, you and your private safari guide will leave Lake Mburo National Park on a three to four-hour drive to Kampala to rest or Entebbe Airport, where you will catch your flight home. Safe travels and come back soon!

The 12-day Uganda birding safari package includes;

• Hotel and Airport transfers.
• Ground transportation with a 4WD Safari vehicle.
• Bottled water.
• Entry fees for all birding areas, where required – National Parks, and other sites.
• 11 nights’accommodation in different birding areas.
• Relevant Government taxes.
• Services of an expert English-speaking safari guide.
• All other activities that are listed in the itinerary.

The 12-day Uganda birding safari package excludes;

• Personal alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• International flights to/from Entebbe.
• Porter fees.
• Travel and Medical insurance.
• Souvenir shopping.
• Gratuities to Rangers/guides, Lodge staff, safari guide/s, and porters.
• Ugandan Visa/s required for the trip.
• Extra accommodation in local Hotels pre or post safari.
• Laundry fees.
• Telephone expenses.