25 Days Uganda Birdwatching Safari Itinerary

This 25-day Uganda birdwatching safari is a bird lover’s paradise, offering the opportunity to explore Uganda’s most renowned birding hotspots, diverse habitats, and rich biodiversity. Uganda boasts over 1,000 bird species, making it one of the top birding destinations in Africa. From savannahs and wetlands to montane forests and lakes, this extensive itinerary covers a wide range of ecosystems, giving you a chance to spot everything from the elusive shoebill to Albertine Rift endemics. In addition to birdwatching, you’ll also encounter primates, big game, and stunning landscapes throughout your journey.

Highlights:

• Spotting rare and endemic species such as the shoebill, African green broadbill, and the great blue turaco.
• Birdwatching in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kibale National Park.
• Exploring diverse birding habitats such as wetlands, lakeshores, forests, and savannahs.
• Opportunities to combine birdwatching with chimpanzee and gorilla trekking.
• Discovering Uganda’s lesser-known birding locations for a comprehensive experience.
• Engaging with Uganda’s beautiful landscapes and cultural heritage along the way.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Mabamba Swamp

Upon arrival in Entebbe, you’ll be met by your birding guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, visit Mabamba Swamp, famous for its population of shoebills. A canoe ride through the papyrus swamp may also reveal African jacanas, malachite kingfishers, papyrus gonoleks, and blue-headed coucals enjoying your Uganda birdwatching safari.

Overnight: Hotel in Entebbe.

Day 2: Mabamba Swamp and Botanical Gardens in Entebbe

Start your day with an early morning visit to Mabamba Swamp for more birding. Later, explore the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a serene mix of open grasslands, forests, and lakeshores, hosting species like the great blue turaco, Ross’s turaco, and black-and-white casqued hornbill.

Overnight: Hotel in Entebbe.

Day 3: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – Birding En Route

Depart Entebbe and drive north to Murchison Falls National Park. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino viewing and birding. Look out for Abyssinian ground hornbills, white-crested turacos, and northern puffbacks.

Overnight: Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 4: Birdwatching in Murchison Falls National Park

Enjoy a birding game drive focusing on species like Denham’s bustard, northern carmine bee-eater, and red-throated bee-eater. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Nile to spot water birds, including African fish eagles, Goliath herons, and African skimmers.

Overnight: Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 5: Birding and Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls

Morning birding along the riverbanks and savannah for black-headed gonoleks, African quailfinches, and Abyssinian rollers. In the afternoon, hike to the top of Murchison Falls to spot rock pratincoles, African dwarf kingfishers, and pel’s fishing owls.

Overnight: Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 6: Transfer to Budongo Forest Reserve

After breakfast, head to Budongo Forest Reserve, renowned for forest bird species like Puvel’s illadopsis and yellow-billed barbets. Afternoon birding on the Royal Mile, a premier birding trail.

Overnight: Lodge in Budongo.

Day 7: Birdwatching in Budongo Forest

Full-day birding in Budongo Forest, home to over 360 bird species, including chocolate-backed kingfishers, white-thighed hornbills, and Nahan’s francolins.

Overnight: Lodge in Budongo.

Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Drive to Kibale Forest National Park with birding stops en route. Look for grey-headed kingfishers, yellow-throated longclaws, and black bishops.

Overnight: Lodge in Kibale Forest.

Day 9: Birdwatching and Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale

Morning chimpanzee trek with opportunities to spot African grey parrots and blue-breasted kingfishers. Afternoon birding walk to see green-breasted pittas and scaly francolins.

Overnight: Lodge in Kibale Forest.

Day 10: Birding at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to spot great blue turacos, papyrus gonoleks, and white-winged warblers.

Overnight: Lodge in Kibale Forest.

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Birding En Route

Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, birding through crater lakes. Look for African skimmers, pelicans, and martial eagles.

Overnight: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 12: Birdwatching and Boat Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning game drive in Kasenyi plains for black-bellied bustards and crowned lapwings. Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to see African spoonbills and pink-backed pelicans.

Overnight: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 13: Birding in the Maramagambo Forest

Explore Maramagambo Forest for African emerald cuckoos, forest flycatchers, and white-tailed ant-thrushes.

Overnight: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 14-25: The Uganda birdwatching safari Continues

Details for the remaining days will include birdwatching at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Ruhija’s Mubwindi Swamp, Lake Bunyonyi, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You will encounter Albertine Rift endemics, stunning landscapes, and the possibility of gorilla and golden monkey trekking.

Final Overnight: Lodge near Entebbe, before departure.