Africa's Rarest & Most Dazzling Forest Birds
Uganda's forests are home to some of Africa's rarest and most dazzling birds. From the
canopy-dwelling turacos and elusive barbets of Mabira and Budongo, to the endemic jewels
of Semliki and Bwindi, this 10-day safari is tailored for serious birders and
photographers. Expect intimate encounters, stunning landscapes, and birds
that are often lifetime lifers.
Safari Highlights
Wetland Specials
- Shoebill – iconic wetland bird at Mabamba
- Papyrus Gonolek – papyrus swamp endemic
- White-winged Swamp Warbler – papyrus specialist
- Malachite Kingfisher – wetland jewel
Lowland Forest Species
- Nahan's Francolin – elusive forest-floor species (Mabira)
- Chocolate-backed Kingfisher – Budongo specialty
- Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye – forest flycatcher
- Buff-spotted Woodpecker – understory specialist
Albertine Rift Endemics
- Rwenzori Turaco – stunning mountain specialist
- Red-collared Mountain Babbler – Bwindi endemic
- Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher – Albertine specialty
- African Green Broadbill – Semliki jewel
Photography Opportunities
- Great Blue Turaco – Uganda's avian icon
- Colorful sunbirds – garden and forest edge
- Turacos and hornbills – canopy action
- Misty forest landscapes – environmental shots
Why This Safari is Special
- Focus exclusively on forest
birding and endemics
- Visit 4 premier forest sites
(Mabira, Budongo, Semliki, Bwindi)
- Target Albertine Rift endemics
in Semliki & Bwindi
- Shoebill search in wetlands
before forest immersion
- Expert guides and photo tips
throughout
- Optimal light for bird
photography in forest settings
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Meals: Full Board
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and
orientation. Evening briefing on Uganda's forest and endemic birds.
Accommodation: Entebbe (Full Board)
Day 2: Mabamba Wetlands
Distance: ≈48 km / ≈1.5 hrs |
Meals: Full Board
Mabamba is a Ramsar site and one of the world's premier wetland birding areas. Papyrus
channels, floating mats, and seasonal pans attract rare waterbirds, including the
prehistoric Shoebill Stork, Papyrus Gonolek, and African Pygmy Goose.
Early morning canoe safari for Shoebill and papyrus specialists. Packed lunch in the
field while birding the wetlands. Afternoon drive back to lodge.
🎯 Target Birds
- • Shoebill
- • Papyrus Gonolek
- • White-winged Swamp Warbler
- • Blue-breasted Bee-eater
- • Malachite Kingfisher
📸 Photo Tips
- • Use a beanbag or tripod for stability in canoe
- • Spot meter on waterbirds to avoid blown highlights
- • Low-angle shots give dramatic Shoebill portraits
Accommodation: Entebbe (Full Board)
Day 3: Lutembe Bay & Entebbe Botanical
Gardens
Distance: ≈35 km / ≈45 min |
Meals: Full Board
Lutembe Bay is a freshwater wetland on Lake Victoria's edge, famous for large numbers of
Grey-headed Gulls and Papyrus specialists. Entebbe Botanical Gardens provide shaded
forests and lakeshore habitats, attracting forest-edge species and sunbirds.
🎯 Target Birds
- • Papyrus Gonolek
- • Grey-headed Gull
- • African Fish Eagle
- • Great Blue Turaco
- • Woodland Kingfisher
- • Malachite Kingfisher
Accommodation: Entebbe (Full Board)
Day 4: Mabira Forest
Distance: ≈50 km / ≈1.5 hrs |
Meals: Full Board
Mabira is Uganda's largest lowland rainforest, with dense canopy, rivers, and glades.
Home to turacos, woodpeckers, wattle-eyes, and elusive partridges, it's an Albertine
Rift IBA hotspot.
🎯 Target Birds
- • Nahan's Francolin
- • Buff-spotted Woodpecker
- • Red-headed Bluebill
- • Yellow-whiskered Greenbul
- • Jameson's Wattle-eye
📸 Photo Tips
- • ISO 1600–3200 for dim light
- • Wide-angle for environmental forest shots
- • Focus on behavior: feeding, preening, canopy activity
Accommodation: Mabira/Kampala/Entebbe (Full
Board)
Day 5: Budongo Forest / Royal Mile
Distance: ≈250 km / ≈5–6 hrs |
Meals: Full Board
Budongo Forest is a lowland tropical rainforest famous for chimpanzees and over 350 bird
species. The Royal Mile offers some of the best birding for turacos, hornbills, and
Albertine Rift endemics.
🎯 Target Birds
- • Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher
- • Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill
- • Chocolate-backed Kingfisher
- • Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye
Accommodation: Budongo (Full Board)
Day 6: Intensive Budongo Forest Birding
Meals: Full Board
Full day in Budongo, exploring canopy towers, river edges, and forest trails. Packed
lunch in forest. Search for elusive Albertine Rift endemics.
🎯 Target Birds
- • Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher
- • African Green Broadbill
- • Fraser's Rufous Thrush
- • Dusky Crimsonwing
Accommodation: Budongo (Full Board)
Day 7: Semliki National Park
Distance: ≈400 km / ≈7–8 hrs |
Meals: Full Board
Semliki is a lowland rainforest along the Congo border, with swampy forests, rivers, and
savanna patches. It hosts rare forest endemics and Albertine Rift specialties, including
African Green Broadbill and Green-breasted Pitta.
🎯 Target Birds
- • African Green Broadbill
- • Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher
- • Red-chested Owlet
- • Black Bee-eater
- • Blue-headed Sunbird
Accommodation: Semliki (Full Board)
Day 8: Semliki Forest Birding
Meals: Full Board
Full day exploring Semliki's trails, swamp edges, and riverine corridors. Packed lunch
in field. Focus on endemics and shy forest species.
🎯 Target Birds
- • Rwenzori Turaco
- • Red-collared Mountain Babbler
- • Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher
- • Rufous-sided Broadbill
Accommodation: Semliki (Full Board)
Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Distance: ≈350 km / ≈7 hrs |
Meals: Full Board
Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage site, globally famous for gorillas and forest birds.
Albertine Rift endemics like the Rwenzori Turaco and Black-billed Weavers thrive here.
Early morning forest walk on established trails with packed lunch. Afternoon birding on
ridges and valley edges.
🎯 Target Birds
- • Rwenzori Turaco
- • Red-throated Alethe
- • Mountain Masked Apalis
- • White-starred Robin
Accommodation: Bwindi (Full Board)
Day 10: Final Forest Birding & Departure
to Entebbe
Distance: ≈450 km / ≈8 hrs |
Meals: Full Board
Early morning forest walk or lodge garden birding. Begin transfer to Entebbe. Stop for
roadside birding and packed lunch en route. Arrival in Entebbe for flight departure.
