14 Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari

After an early breakfast, set off for Mabamba Wetland, located west of Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria. This RAMSAR site is among the best places in the world to spot the elusive Shoebill Stork in its natural habitat. Glide silently through the papyrus swamp in a traditional canoe, keeping your eyes open for other remarkable wetland birds such as the Blue-breasted Bee-eater, White-winged Warbler, African Jacana, and Long-toed Lapwing. Later in the day, return to your guest house, enjoying roadside birding en route.

• Accommodation: Gorilla African Guest House

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s journey takes you southwest through Uganda’s countryside to Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest of Uganda’s savannah parks yet brimming with birdlife. En route, you’ll make birding stops at notable wetlands like Kaku Swamp, home to Black-headed Herons, Grey Crowned Cranes, and African Wattled Lapwings. After a lunch stop, continue to the park and settle in at your lodge. In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxing walk or short birding drive around the lodge grounds.

• Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock or Lake Mburo Safari Lodge

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rise early for a morning birding game drive through Lake Mburo’s acacia woodlands and savannah. Over 350 bird species call this park home, including Crested Francolin, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Red-headed Lovebird, and the secretive African Finfoot. After a picnic lunch, set off on a boat cruise along Lake Mburo, scanning the shores and papyrus reeds for Papyrus Gonolek, White-backed Night Heron, and Malachite Kingfisher. Return to your lodge for dinner under the stars.

• Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock or Lake Mburo Safari Lodge

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dense rainforest and critical population of mountain gorillas. As you traverse the lush landscapes of southern Uganda, you’ll stop for birdwatching opportunities along the way, taking in the breathtaking views of the rolling hills. This region is rich in birdlife, and you may spot species like the White-necked Raven, Blue-headed Coucal, and Mountain Buzzard. After a lunch break en route, continue your journey to the northern section of Bwindi. Check-in at your lodge in the evening.

• Accommodation: Broadbill Tented Forest Camp or Bakiga Lodge

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, venture into Mubwindi Swamp, one of the most rewarding birding locations in Bwindi. The swamp, nestled in the valley beneath dense forest canopies, is home to a range of Albertine Rift endemics, including the stunning Grauer’s Broadbill and the iridescent Regal Sunbird. Keep your eyes peeled for other species such as the Rwenzori Batis, Yellow-eyed Blackflycatcher, and Grey-winged Robin-Chat. The day will be spent slowly walking the forest trails and enjoying the enchanting atmosphere of this ancient forest. Return to your lodge in the evening for a delicious dinner and rest.

• Accommodation: Broadbill Tented Forest Camp or Bakiga Lodge

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, you’ll journey to the Buhoma sector of Bwindi, birding along the way through the famous “The Neck,” a narrow stretch of forest between the two main sections of the park. This area offers excellent birding opportunities, with chances to spot elusive Albertine Rift endemics like the Luhder’s Bush-Shrike and the Kivu Ground-Thrush. The birding here is diverse, ranging from highland species to lowland forest specialists. Once you arrive in Buhoma, you’ll check into your accommodation and relax for the evening.

• Accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’ll hike the Main Trail in the Buhoma section of Bwindi, one of the park’s most rewarding birding routes. Along the way, you’ll search for species like the Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Bar-tailed Trogon, and the Mountain Greenbul. The forest here is home to a wide variety of mid-canopy and under-storey birds, including the Grauer’s Warbler and the African Broadbill. As you walk through the moss-draped forest, listen for the calls of various forest-dwelling species and enjoy the serenity of one of Uganda’s richest birding areas.

• Accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, begin your drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its diverse ecosystems and abundant birdlife. On the way, you’ll pass through the Ishasha Sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions, and stop for birding along the way. Queen Elizabeth is home to over 600 bird species, including the White-tailed Lark, Pale-breasted Thrush, and the Papyrus Gonolek. After arriving at your lodge and checking in, you’ll have the opportunity to unwind and enjoy the sounds of the park’s avian inhabitants as dusk settles.

• Accommodation: Enganzi Game Lodge or Bush Lodge

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This full day in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a mix of birding and wildlife viewing. Start the day with a game drive through the Kasenyi Plains, where you’ll look for species such as the Black-bellied Bustard, Martial Eagle, African Crake, and Temminck’s Courser. After a picnic lunch, embark on a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a haven for water birds. Here, you’ll see species like the African Skimmer, Great White Pelican, and the colorful Malachite Kingfisher, along with numerous hippos, elephants, and buffaloes along the shores.

• Accommodation: Enganzi Game Lodge or Bush Lodge

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start the day with a birding excursion to Maramagambo Forest, one of the park’s prime birding areas. Maramagambo is home to several rare species, such as the White-naped Pigeon, African Finfoot, Forest Flycatcher, and the elusive Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat. After an exciting morning of birdwatching, you’ll drive to Kibale National Park, known for its incredible biodiversity, particularly its population of primates. The drive will take you through the scenic crater lakes region, where you may spot species such as the Common Bulbul and Green-backed Eremomela.

• Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Primate Lodge Kibale

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kibale National Park is often considered the birding capital of Uganda, and for good reason—it is home to over 370 species of birds. Today, you’ll hike through the forest, looking for species such as the Green-breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Black-capped Apalis, and the striking Blue-headed Sunbird. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland, an essential birding location where you can spot species like the Great Blue Turaco, Papyrus Gonolek, and the White-spotted Flufftail. Afterward, return to your accommodation for the night.

• Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Primate Lodge Kibale

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, begin your drive back to Entebbe, making several stops along the way to look for birds in the diverse habitats you pass through. Depending on the route, you might encounter species such as the White-winged Tern, Grey-headed Bushshrike, and African Harrier-Hawk. Arrive in Entebbe in the late afternoon, where you can relax at your guest house and prepare for your final day in Uganda.

• Accommodation: Gorilla African Guest House

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner