Day 1 — Arrival & Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Background: Entebbe Botanical Gardens, located on Lake Victoria’s northern shores, host over 200 bird species across woodlands, lakeshore habitats, and landscaped gardens. An excellent introduction to Uganda’s lowland birdlife.
🎯 Target Birds: African Grey Parrot, Great Blue Turaco, Malachite Kingfisher, Black-headed Gonolek, Splendid Sunbird, African Jacana
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Overnight:
Luxury: Number 5 Boutique Hotel / Entebbe Forest Lodge
Midrange: The Boma Hotel / Best Western Inn Hotel – Entebbe
Next Destination: Mabamba Swamp
Day 2 — Mabamba Swamp (Shoebill) → Return to Entebbe/Kampala
Background: Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar wetland, is famous for the elusive Shoebill. Its papyrus-lined channels host African Pygmy Goose, Papyrus Gonolek, and Lesser Jacana. Birding is usually by canoe.
🎯 Target Birds: Shoebill, Papyrus Gonolek, African Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Malachite Kingfisher
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Mabamba Swamp
Overnight: Same as Day 1
Next Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 3 — Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Background: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is Uganda’s only location to see rhinos in the wild. Its wetlands, riverine forests, and grasslands support over 300 bird species.
🎯 Target Birds: African Fish Eagle, Giant Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Black-headed Lapwing, White-crested Turaco, Crowned Hornbill
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Overnight:
Luxury: Luxury Chalets
Midrange: Ziwa Rhino Lodge
Next Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (Day 4)
Day 4 — Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Morning Canoe for Shoebill & Afternoon Birding
Background: Canoe trips allow close observation of Shoebill and other waterbirds. Forest trails and grasslands in the afternoon yield turacos, hornbills, and woodland species.
🎯 Target Birds: Shoebill, African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Black-headed Lapwing, African Marsh Harrier, Grey-headed Kingfisher
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Overnight: Same as Day 3
Next Destination: Masindi
Day 5 — Drive to Masindi
Background: The route passes wetlands, farmlands, and woodlands. Stopover birding along rivers and roadside wetlands can reveal raptors, hornbills, storks, and larks.
🎯 Target Birds: Long-crested Eagle, Yellow-throated Longclaw, African Grey Hornbill, Abdim’s Stork (seasonal)
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Masindi
Overnight: Masindi Hotel / Kabalega Resort
Next Destination: Budongo Forest
Day 6 — Budongo Forest (Royal Mile) → Murchison Falls
Background: Budongo Forest is Uganda’s largest lowland forest, home to Albertine Rift endemics. The Royal Mile trail is excellent for turacos, hornbills, flycatchers, and forest robins.
🎯 Target Birds: Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Forest Robin, Narina Trogon, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Budongo Forest
Overnight:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge
Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Next Destination: Nile Delta
Day 7 — Nile Delta Boat Trip & Evening Birding
Background: The Nile Delta’s papyrus swamps and open waters host species like Goliath Heron, African Skimmer, and occasionally Shoebill. Evening savannah birding yields raptors and open-country species.
🎯 Target Birds: Shoebill (rare), Goliath Heron, African Skimmer, Pink-backed Pelican, Giant Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Murchison Falls NP
Overnight: Same as Day 6
Next Destination: Murchison Falls surroundings
Day 8 — Morning Birding & Travel toward Kibale
Background: Continue exploring Murchison Falls surroundings before heading toward Kibale. Riverine and woodland habitats along the way provide additional species sightings.
🎯 Target Birds: African Fish Eagle, Yellow-billed Kite, Woodland Kingfisher, Red-throated Bee-eater
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Murchison Falls NP
Overnight: Same as Day 6
Next Destination: Kibale National Park
Day 9 — Transfer to Kibale National Park
Background: Kibale is a premier lowland forest reserve with over 370 bird species. Forest trails are ideal for Albertine Rift endemics.
🎯 Target Birds: African Green Broadbill, Blue-headed Coucal, Great Blue Turaco, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Forest Robin
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Kibale National Park
Overnight:
Luxury: Kimpundu Lodge
Midrange: Primate Lodge
Next Destination: Bigodi Swamp
Day 10 — Bigodi Swamp: Morning & Evening Birding
Background: Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary protects papyrus swamp and forest edge birds. Morning canoe or guided walk for waterbirds, evening walk for forest species.
🎯 Target Birds: Shoebill, Papyrus Gonolek, African Finfoot, Lesser Jacana, Grey-capped Warbler, Red-throated Alethe
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Bigodi Swamp
Overnight: Same as Day 9
Next Destination: Kibale Forest Birding
Day 11 — Forest Birding in Kibale
Background: Full morning forest birding in Kibale for Albertine Rift endemics and mixed-species flocks. Trails include forest interior, clearings, and riverine edges.
🎯 Target Birds: African Broadbill, Blue-headed Coucal, Dusky Crimsonwing, Green-breasted Pitta, Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Kibale National Park
Overnight: Same as Day 9
Next Destination: Semliki National Park
Day 12 — Transfer to Semliki National Park
Background: Semliki National Park is Uganda’s richest lowland forest, part of the Albertine Rift. Its unique combination of swamp forest, riverine areas, and foothills attracts rare forest and raptor species.
🎯 Target Birds: African Green Broadbill, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Prinia, African Emerald Cuckoo, Grey Parrot, Black-billed Turaco
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Semliki National Park
Overnight:
Luxury: Semliki Safari Lodge
Midrange: Semliki River Camp
Next Destination: Semliki Birding
Day 13 — Morning Birding in Semliki & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
Background: Morning birding in the rich lowland forests of Semliki before transferring south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing open woodlands and savannahs.
🎯 Target Birds: Shoebill (if possible), African Finfoot, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Crowned Eagle
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Semliki National Park
Overnight:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Midrange: Enganzi Lodge
Next Destination: Queen Elizabeth NP Kazinga Channel
Day 14 — Queen Elizabeth NP: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise
Background: Birding combines savannah game drives with a Kazinga Channel boat cruise. The diverse habitats support waterbirds, raptors, and open-country species.
🎯 Target Birds: African Finfoot, Goliath Heron, Malachite Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, Shoebill (rare)
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Queen Elizabeth NP
Overnight: Same as Day 13
Next Destination: Kyambura Gorge
Day 15 — Kyambura Gorge Forest Birding
Background: The gorge provides riparian and forest habitats for Albertine Rift endemics and riverine species.
🎯 Target Birds: Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, White-starred Robin, Narina Trogon
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Kyambura Gorge
Overnight: Same as Day 13
Next Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 16 — Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Background: Bwindi hosts montane forests rich in Albertine Rift endemics, mixed flocks, and highland species.
🎯 Target Birds: Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Mountain Masked Apalis, Green-headed Sunbird
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Overnight:
Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp
Midrange: Silverback Lodge
Next Destination: Buhoma Sector Birding
Day 17 — Birding in Buhoma
Background: Full-day forest birding in Buhoma Sector for montane and forest edge species. Trails explore streams, clearings, and high-canopy zones.
🎯 Target Birds: White-bellied Robin, Black-capped Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Blue-headed Sunbird
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Buhoma
Overnight: Same as Day 16
Next Destination: Ruhija Sector
Day 18 — Birding in Buhoma & Transfer to Ruhija
Background: Morning birding in Buhoma, then drive to Ruhija Sector, exploring montane forest and bamboo zones.
🎯 Target Birds: Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Rwenzori Turaco, Stripe-breasted Tit, Mountain Wagtail
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Ruhija
Overnight:
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Midrange: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
Next Destination: Ruhija Birding
Day 19 — Birding in Ruhija (Morning & Evening)
Background: Full-day forest and bamboo birding. Excellent for highland species, mixed flocks, and Albertine Rift endemics.
🎯 Target Birds: Rwenzori Apalis, White-starred Robin, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Black-faced Rufous Warbler
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Ruhija
Overnight: Same as Day 18
Next Destination: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 20 — Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Background: Montane forest, bamboo zones, and volcanic slopes provide habitat for highland endemics.
🎯 Target Birds: Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Nightjar, Mountain Buzzard
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Mgahinga Gorilla NP
Overnight:
Luxury: Gahinga Lodge
Midrange: Kyahafi Lodge
Next Destination: Mgahinga Birding
Day 21 — Full Day Birding in Mgahinga
Background: Explore bamboo forests and volcanic slopes for montane and Albertine Rift endemic species.
🎯 Target Birds: Rwenzori Turaco, Mountain Masked Apalis, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Rush Warbler
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Mgahinga Gorilla NP
Overnight: Same as Day 20
Next Destination: Lake Mburo NP
Day 22 — Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & Evening Walk Birding
Background: Lake Mburo NP features woodland, savannah, and wetland habitats, ideal for waterbirds and savannah species.
🎯 Target Birds: African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, Red-throated Wryneck, African Fish Eagle
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Lake Mburo NP
Overnight:
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Midrange: Rwakobo Rock
Next Destination: Lake Mburo Birding
Day 23 — Morning Game Drive & Evening Boat Cruise in Lake Mburo
Background: Morning game drive for woodland and savannah species; evening boat cruise targets waterbirds and wetland species.
🎯 Target Birds: African Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Kingfisher, African Jacana, Papyrus Gonolek
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Lake Mburo NP
Overnight: Same as Day 22
Next Destination: Return to Kampala/Entebbe
Day 24 — Morning Birding & Return to Kampala/Entebbe
Background: Optional early morning birding in Lake Mburo NP before transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe.
🎯 Target Birds: Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow-throated Leaflove, African Paradise
Day 25 — Departure from Entebbe / Kampala
Background: After an unforgettable 25-day journey through Uganda’s wetlands, forests, savannahs, and montane regions, today you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight. Reflect on the incredible birding and wildlife experiences, from the elusive Shoebill to Albertine Rift endemics, as you depart.
🎯 Target Birds (Optional Early Morning): African Grey Parrot, Little Bee-eater, Malachite Kingfisher, African Jacana
Bird Checklist: Click here to view the Full Bird List of Uganda
Overnight: N/A — departure day
Next Destination: N/A — end of safari
