35-Day Ultimate Uganda Safari

Day 1 / Night 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Accommodation: Luxury: Number 5 Boutique Hotel / Entebbe Forest Lodge | Midrange: The Boma Hotel / Best Western Inn

Background: Entebbe, Uganda’s gateway, offers lush gardens and forested trails. Perfect to acclimatize.

Activities:

• Afternoon birding at Entebbe Botanical Gardens

🎯 Target Birds: Grey-headed Sparrow, African Paradise Flycatcher, African Green Pigeon
Click here to view the Full Bird List of Entebbe Botanical Gardens

📷 Photo Tip: Early morning light highlights colors; 400–600mm lens recommended.

Next Destination: Mabamba Swamp

Day 2 / Night 2: Full-Day Birding — Mabamba Swamp

Accommodation: Same as Day 1

Background: Mabamba Swamp is a papyrus wetland, home to the elusive shoebill and other rare wetland birds.

Activities:

• Full-day boat birding through papyrus channels

🎯 Target Birds: Shoebill, Papyrus Gonolek, Lesser Jacana
Click here to view the Full Bird List of Mabamba Swamp

📷 Photo Tip: Morning mist enhances dramatic shots; telephoto essential.

Next Destination: Lake Mburo NP

Day 3 / Night 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP (~4–5 hours)

Accommodation: Luxury: Mihingo Lodge / Kigambira Safari Lodge | Midrange: Rwakobo Rock / Arcadia Cottages

Background: Lake Mburo NP features savannah, wetlands, and woodland, ideal for Uganda kob, hippos, and diverse birds.

Activities:

• Afternoon birding along lakes, wetlands, and woodland edges

🎯 Target Birds: African Fish Eagle, Black Crake, Great Egret

📷 Photo Tip: Golden hour reflections; wide-angle and telephoto recommended.

Next Destination: Lake Mburo NP — Full-Day Birding

Day 4 / Night 4: Full-Day Birding — Lake Mburo NP

Activities:

• Explore lakes, wetlands, and woodland edges for birds

🎯 Target Birds: African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, Lesser Jacana

📷 Photo Tip: 400–600mm lens ideal; tripod recommended.

Next Destination: Mgahinga Gorilla NP

Day 5 / Night 5: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla NP (~6–7 hours)

Accommodation: Luxury: Gahinga Lodge | Midrange: Kyahafi Lodge / Gahiza Lodge

Background: Mgahinga sits in the Virunga Volcanoes, featuring montane forests, bamboo zones, and golden monkeys.

Activities:

• Evening birding around lodge

🎯 Target Birds: Rwenzori Turaco, Regal Sunbird, White-bellied Robin

📷 Photo Tip: Afternoon light in bamboo forest perfect; long lens recommended.

Next Destination: Bwindi NP — Ruhija Sector

Day 6 / Night 6: Full-Day Birding — Mgahinga NP

Activities:

• Explore montane forest and bamboo zones

🎯 Target Birds: Rwenzori Turaco, Mountain Masked Apalis, Regal Sunbird

📷 Photo Tip: Misty morning trails offer dramatic canopy shots; tripod useful.

Next Destination: Bwindi NP — Ruhija Sector

Day 7 / Night 7: Transfer to Bwindi — Ruhija Sector (~3–4 hours)

Accommodation: Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge | Midrange: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge / Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge

Background: Ruhija offers remote montane forest and bamboo habitats with high bird endemism.

Activities:

• Afternoon birding near lodge

🎯 Target Birds: Shelley’s Crimsonwing, White-starred Robin, African Broadbill

📷 Photo Tip: Forest edges ideal for canopy shots; long lenses recommended.

Next Destination: Full-Day Birding — Ruhija Sector

Day 8 / Night 8: Full-Day Birding — Ruhija Sector

Activities:

• Full day exploring forest trails

🎯 Target Birds: Shelley’s Crimsonwing, African Broadbill, Great Blue Turaco

📷 Photo Tip: Misty mornings ideal; 400–600mm lens recommended.

Next Destination: Bwindi NP — Buhoma Sector

Day 9 / Night 9: Transfer to Buhoma Sector (~3–4 hours)

Accommodation: Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp / Mahogany Springs Lodge | Midrange: Silverback Lodge / Buhoma Haven Lodge / Buhoma Lodge

Background: Buhoma offers primary forest trails and clearings for Albertine Rift endemics.

Activities:

• Afternoon forest birding

🎯 Target Birds: African Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, White-starred Robin

📷 Photo Tip: Afternoon light ideal for forest-edge photography.

Next Destination: Full-Day Birding — Buhoma Sector

Day 10–11 / Nights 10–11: Two Full Days of Birding — Buhoma Sector

Activities:

• Explore primary forest, bamboo zones, and clearings

• Optional gorilla trekking

🎯 Target Birds: African Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Great Blue Turaco, Dusky Crimsonwing

📷 Photo Tip: Misty mornings ideal; long lenses essential.

Next Destination: Queen Elizabeth NP — Ishasha / Mweya

Day 12 / Night 12: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP (~5–6 hours)

Accommodation: Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp / Mweya Safari Lodge | Midrange: Embogo Lodge / Enjojo Lodge / Ishasha Jungle Lodge / Enganzi Lodge

Background: Queen Elizabeth NP is famous for tree-climbing lions, Kazinga Channel wetlands, and savannah habitats.

Activities:

• Afternoon birding along savannah and riverine habitats

🎯 Target Birds: African Fish Eagle, White-headed Barbet, African Jacana
Click here to view the Full Bird List of Queen Elizabeth NP

📷 Photo Tip: Golden hour along Kazinga Channel ideal for photography.

Next Destination: Full-Day Birding — Queen Elizabeth NP

Day 13 / Night 13: Full-Day Birding — Queen Elizabeth NP

Activities:

• Explore Ishasha plains and Mweya wetlands

• Optional Kazinga Channel boat cruise

🎯 Target Birds: African Fish Eagle, Pied Kingfisher, Papyrus Gonolek
Click here to view the Full Bird List of Queen Elizabeth NP

📷 Photo Tip: Early morning light ideal; wide-angle for landscapes, telephoto for birds.

Next Destination: Semliki NP

Day 14 / Night 14: Transfer to Semliki NP (~6–7 hours)

Accommodation: Luxury: Semliki Safari Lodge

Background: Semliki NP is a lowland rainforest and riverine ecosystem with rare Albertine Rift birds and mammals.

Activities:

• Afternoon birding along forest trails

🎯 Target Birds: African Piculet, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Great Blue Turaco
Click here to view the Full Bird List of Semliki NP

📷 Photo Tip: Low light in forest; tripod and fast lenses recommended.

Next Destination: Full-Day Birding — Semliki NP

Day 15 / Night 15: Full-Day Birding — Semliki NP

Activities:

• Full day exploring rainforest trails

🎯 Target Birds: Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher, African Piculet, White-bellied Robin
Click here to view the Full Bird List of Semliki NP

📷 Photo Tip: Forest understory requires telephoto lenses; patience essential.

Next Destination: Kibale NP