3-Day Kampala, Uganda Birding Specials

Day 1 — Mabamba Wetlands & Mabira Rainforest

Background: Mabamba Swamp is a papyrus-dominated wetland on the edge of Lake Victoria, famous for the elusive Shoebill. Canoe trips provide quiet access to observe waterbirds and marsh species. In the afternoon, transfer to Mabira Rainforest, a large lowland forest supporting a variety of forest-edge and woodland birds.

🎯 Target Birds — Mabamba:

• Shoebill

• Papyrus Gonolek

• Malachite Kingfisher

• Long-toed Lapwing

• White-backed Duck

• Blue-breasted Bee-eater

• Abyssinian Roller

• African Jacana

Bird Checklist: Mabamba Swamp Birds

Overnight: Rain Forest Lodge (Mabira)

Next Destination: Mabira full-day birding 

Day 2 — Full-Day Birding in Mabira Rainforest

Background: Mabira is a large lowland rainforest with a mix of trails, clearings, and swamp edges. It supports a rich variety of forest and woodland species, including turacos, sunbirds, kingfishers, and flycatchers. Morning and afternoon walks provide excellent opportunities to spot both canopy and understory birds.

🎯 Target Birds — Mabira:

• Nahan’s Francolin

• Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle

• African Dwarf Kingfisher

• Great Blue Turaco

• Sabine’s Spinetail

• Cassin’s Spinetail

• Fire-crested Alethe

• Red-capped Robin-Chat

• Forest Robin

• African Crowned Eagle

Bird Checklist: Mabira Forest Birds

Overnight: Rain Forest Lodge (Mabira)

Next Destination: Kasenge (~55 km)

Day 3 — Morning Birding at Kasenge & Return to Kampala / Entebbe

Background: Kasenge Forest Reserve is a smaller forest patch near Kampala, excellent for forest edge and forest bird species. Morning birding offers a chance to record these species before returning to the city.

Target Birds — Kasenge:

• Great Blue Turaco

• Green Hylia

• Woodland Kingfisher

• Pied Kingfisher

• Giant Kingfisher

• Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill

• African Pied Hornbill

• Crowned Hornbill

• Open-billed Stork

• Hadada Ibis

• African Openbill Stork

• Black-headed Weaver

• Yellow-mantled Weaver

• African Grey Parrot

• Lizard Buzzard

• Bronze Sunbird

• Superb Sunbird

• Egyptian Geese

• Little Bee-eater

• Marsh Sandpiper

• Green-capped Eremomela

• Slender-billed Greenbul

• Red-tailed Greenbul

Bird Checklist: Kasenge Forest Birds

Overnight: N/A — transfer to Kampala / Entebbe (~45 km)

Next Destination: End of safari