Experience Birding in Uganda Like Never
Before
Step into a world where the skies, wetlands, and forests come alive with color and
song. From the elusive Shoebill gliding through papyrus swamps, to
rare Albertine Rift endemics hidden in misty montane forests, this 25-day
birding safari takes you deep into Uganda's most iconic habitats.
Whether you're a passionate birder or a wildlife photographer, this journey offers
unparalleled access to Uganda's wetlands, savannahs, and mountain
forests — with expert guides ensuring you never miss a single sighting. Canoe trips,
boat cruises, and guided forest walks put you face-to-face with some of Africa's
most spectacular birds.
Why You'll Love This Safari
Double Shoebill Encounters
- Mabamba Swamp – Ramsar wetland canoe safari
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Second Shoebill opportunity
- Nile Delta – Murchison Falls papyrus channels
- Papyrus Gonolek – Wetland endemic specialist
Complete Albertine Rift Coverage
- Kibale Forest – Green-breasted Pitta
- Semliki National Park – Lowland forest endemics
- Bwindi (Buhoma & Ruhija) – Montane specialists
- Mgahinga – Bamboo zone & volcanic slopes
Diverse Ecosystems
- Papyrus swamps & Lake Victoria wetlands
- Lowland rainforests (Budongo, Kibale, Semliki)
- Montane cloud forests (Bwindi, Mgahinga)
- Savannah grasslands (Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo)
Photography Paradise
- Unhurried game drives & boat cruises
- Optimal lighting in forest trails
- Multiple days per location
- Professional photography guidance
Key Birding Highlights
Wetland Icons
- • Shoebill (3 locations)
- • African Skimmer
- • Papyrus Gonolek
- • African Pygmy Goose
- • Blue Swallow
Forest Specialists
- • Green-breasted Pitta
- • Chocolate-backed Kingfisher
- • Narina Trogon
- • African Green Broadbill
- • Nahan's Francolin
Albertine Endemics
- • Rwenzori Turaco
- • Grauer's Swamp Warbler
- • Handsome Francolin
- • Rwenzori Apalis
- • Dusky Crimsonwing
25-Day Itinerary Summary
| Days |
Location |
Key Activities &
Species |
| 1 |
Entebbe Botanical Gardens |
Arrival, acclimatization,
garden birding |
| 2 |
Mabamba Swamp |
Shoebill canoe
safari, Papyrus Gonolek |
| 3-4 |
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary |
Wetland birding, canoe for
Shoebill #2, rhino tracking
|
| 5 |
Transfer to Masindi |
Roadside birding: hornbills,
raptors |
| 6 |
Budongo Forest → Murchison
Falls |
Royal Mile birding,
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher |
| 7 |
Murchison Falls - Nile Delta
|
Boat cruise: African Skimmer,
Goliath Heron |
| 8 |
Murchison Falls birding |
Savannah game drives, riverine
species |
| 9-11 |
Kibale Forest & Bigodi Swamp
|
Green-breasted Pitta, chimp
tracking, swamp birding |
| 12-13 |
Semliki National Park |
Lowland forest endemics, Congo
basin specialists |
| 14-15 |
Queen Elizabeth NP |
Kazinga Channel boat, Kyambura
Gorge forest |
| 16-17 |
Bwindi - Buhoma Sector |
Montane forest birding,
Albertine endemics |
| 18-19 |
Bwindi - Ruhija Sector |
Highland specialists, Grauer's
Swamp Warbler |
| 20-21 |
Mgahinga Gorilla NP |
Bamboo forest, volcanic
slopes, montane species |
| 22-23 |
Lake Mburo NP |
Savannah birding, boat safari,
night drive |
| 24 |
Return to Entebbe |
Final birding, transfer |
| 25 |
Departure |
Airport transfer |
Comprehensive Habitat Coverage
This 25-day odyssey is designed to cover all of Uganda's major birding
habitats with sufficient time in each location to maximize species
encounters. From wetlands to montane forests, you'll experience the complete
diversity of Uganda's avifauna.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Note: This comprehensive 25-day itinerary covers every major
birding destination in Uganda. Below is a condensed overview highlighting key days.
Full detailed itinerary with daily target species lists, photography tips, and
accommodation options available upon request.
Phase 1: Lake Victoria & Wetlands
(Days 1-4)
Day 1: Arrival & Entebbe Botanical
Gardens
Welcome to Uganda! Botanical gardens
birding for Great Blue Turaco, Malachite Kingfisher, Splendid Sunbird.
Over 200 species recorded.
Day 2: Mabamba Swamp - First
Shoebill Encounter
Canoe safari through Ramsar wetland.
Shoebill, Papyrus Gonolek, African Pygmy Goose, Lesser
Jacana, Blue-breasted Bee-eater.
Days 3-4: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Second Shoebill opportunity via canoe.
Forest & wetland birding: African Fish Eagle, Giant Kingfisher,
White-crested Turaco. Rhino tracking optional.
Phase 2: Northern Forests &
Murchison Falls (Days 5-8)
Day 6: Budongo Forest - The Royal
Mile
Uganda's largest lowland forest.
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Narina Trogon,
Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill.
Day 7: Nile Delta Boat Cruise
Premier birding site. Third Shoebill
chance, African Skimmer colonies, Goliath Heron,
Pink-backed Pelican, countless bee-eaters.
Phase 3: Western Forests -
Kibale & Semliki (Days 9-13)
Days 9-11: Kibale Forest & Bigodi
Swamp
Green-breasted Pitta
(premier target), African Green Broadbill, Great Blue Turaco. Chimpanzee
tracking included. Bigodi wetland for papyrus specialists.
Days 12-13: Semliki National Park
Congo basin lowland forest endemics.
Nkulengu Rail, Congo Serpent Eagle, Western Nicator, Yellow-throated
Cuckoo specialist species.
Phase 4: Queen Elizabeth NP &
Albertine Rift Mountains (Days 14-21)
Days 14-15: Queen Elizabeth
National Park
Kazinga Channel boat cruise for African
Finfoot. Game drives: raptors, bustards. Kyambura Gorge forest birding.
Days 16-19: Bwindi Impenetrable
Forest (Buhoma & Ruhija)
4 days exploring both sectors. 23
Albertine Rift endemics including African Green Broadbill, Grauer's
Swamp Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Mountain Masked
Apalis.
Days 20-21: Mgahinga Gorilla
National Park
Bamboo forest & volcanic slopes. Rwenzori
Nightjar, Mountain Buzzard, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, high-altitude
specialists.
Phase 5: Savannah Finale &
Departure (Days 22-25)
Days 22-23: Lake Mburo National
Park
Acacia woodland specialists. Bare-faced
Go-away-bird, African Finfoot, boat safari, night drive for nocturnal
species. Walking safari among zebras.
Days 24-25: Return & Departure
Final birding opportunities en route.
Airport transfer for international departure with 800+ species recorded.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
-
Expert birding guide services for entire safari
-
All ground transportation in 4×4 safari vehicle
-
All national park entry fees and conservation fees
-
Boat trips: Mabamba canoe, Ziwa canoe, Nile Delta, Kazinga Channel,
Lake Mburo
-
Chimpanzee tracking permit
-
All accommodations (luxury or midrange options)
-
All meals (Full Board)
-
Bottled water in vehicles
-
Emergency medical evacuation insurance
Excluded
-
International airfares
-
Uganda visa fees
-
Gorilla tracking permits (optional add-on - USD $800/person)
-
Travel & medical insurance
-
Tips for guides and lodge staff
-
Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, phone calls)
-
Alcoholic beverages (unless specified)
Conservation & Community Impact
This safari supports local communities and conservation efforts across Uganda. Your
visit directly contributes to habitat protection, anti-poaching initiatives, and
community development projects in the regions you visit.
