14-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari

This 14-day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari offers a truly immersive journey into the pristine and diverse ecosystems of East Africa. Designed for birding enthusiasts of all levels, this itinerary combines exceptional birdwatching opportunities with remarkable wildlife encounters, all within a well-paced and budget-friendly framework.

Uganda is renowned for its incredible avian diversity, hosting over 1,000 bird species. This safari provides an opportunity to explore key birding hotspots, from wetlands and savannahs to tropical rainforests, ensuring a rich and rewarding experience.

Safari Highlights include birding in Mabamba Wetlands in search of the iconic Shoebill Stork, exploration of Lake Mburo National Park, extensive birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (including the northern sector and Mubwindi Swamp), birding and wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Forest birding in Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your guesthouse.

Depending on your arrival time, optional activities include:

• A boat excursion to Ngamba Island (optional)
• A visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens
• A short birding experience at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre

Drive Time: ~15 minutes

Accommodation:

• Budget: Via Via Guesthouse
• Midrange: Admas Hotel
• Luxury: Protea Hotel by Marriott / Hotel No.5

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Mabamba Swamp Birding Excursion

After an early breakfast, proceed to Mabamba Swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria one of the best locations in Uganda to spot the elusive Shoebill Stork.

Birding is conducted by canoe through narrow channels, offering close encounters with a variety of species including:

Goliath Heron, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Lesser Jacana, various weavers, and Red-headed Lovebird.

Return to Entebbe in the evening with birding en route.

Accommodation: Same as Day 1

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park (Birding En Route)

Depart after breakfast for Lake Mburo National Park, with birding stops along the way including the Equator and Kaku Swamp.

Expect sightings of:

Grey Crowned Crane, Saddle-billed Stork, African Paradise Flycatcher, and multiple water birds.

Drive Time: 5–6 hours

Accommodation:

• Budget: Rwakobo Rock
• Midrange: Kigarama Wilderness Lodge
• Luxury: Mihingo Lodge / Kigambira Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Birding and Boat Cruise – Lake Mburo

Enjoy a morning game drive combined with birding. The park hosts over 350 bird species including:

Bateleur, Brown-chested Lapwing, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, and African Fish Eagle.

In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, offering sightings of:

African Finfoot, Papyrus Gonolek, African Darter, and various herons.

Accommodation: Same as Day 3

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Northern Sector)

Journey through the scenic highlands of southwestern Uganda, characterized by rolling hills, tea plantations, and terraced farms.

Arrive in Bwindi in the evening.

Drive Time: 6–7 hours

Accommodation:

• Budget: Buhoma Commu nity Rest Camp / Ride 4 a Woman
• Midrange: Buhoma Haven Lodge
• Luxury: Buhoma Lodge / Mahogany Springs / Bwindi Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Birding in Mubwindi Swamp

Spend a full day birding in Mubwindi Swamp, one of the best locations for Albertine Rift endemics.

Key species include:

• Grauer’s Broadbill
• Regal Sunbird
• Archer’s Robin-Chat
• Rwenzori Apalis

This area also hosts a wide range of forest specialists and elusive species.

Accommodation: Same as Day 5

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Birding Through “The Neck” to Buhoma

Explore the forest corridor known as “The Neck,” a prime birding area rich in endemic species.

Possible sightings:

Rwenzori Nightjar, Grauer’s Warbler, Strange Weaver, and Dusky Crimsonwing.

Accommodation: Same as Day 5

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Birding the Main Trail – Bwindi

Continue birding along Bwindi’s main trails.

Expect species such as:

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Bar-tailed Trogon, African Broadbill, and Neumann’s Warbler.

You may also encounter primates including:

Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and chimpanzees.

Accommodation: Same as Day 5

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park with scenic views along the way.

Enjoy an afternoon game drive in Kasenyi Plains, where you may see:

Elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, and numerous bird species.

Drive Time: 4–5 hours

Accommodation:

• Budget: Bush Lodge
• Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Elephant Plains / Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Honey Bear Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Birding and Boat Cruise – Kazinga Channel

Morning birding/game drive in Kasenyi Plains, followed by an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

The park boasts over 600 bird species, including:

Martial Eagle, African Skimmer, various vultures, kingfishers, and waterbirds.

Accommodation: Same as Day 9

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Transfer to Kibale National Park (via Maramagambo Forest)

Stop for birding in Maramagambo Forest, known for species such as:

Blue-breasted Kingfisher, African Golden Oriole, and various flycatchers.

Proceed to Kibale National Park in the evening.

Accommodation:

• Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
• Midrange: Turaco Treetops
• Luxury: Primate Lodge / Kibale Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: Birding in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetland

Explore Kibale Forest, home to over 300 bird species including:

Green-breasted Pitta, Black-billed Turaco, and various illadopsis species.

Continue to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for additional birding opportunities.

Accommodation: Same as Day 11

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13: Return to Entebbe

After breakfast, drive back to Entebbe with optional stopovers en route.

Depending on your departure time, you may relax at a day room before your international flight.

Drive Time: 5–6 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast