Safari Overview
Explore the lush savanna, wetlands, and forests of
Murchison
Falls National Park, one of Uganda's richest birding destinations. With
over 650 bird species, the park spans savanna birds, waterbirds,
and
Albertine Rift endemics. Traverse the Royal Mile, Albertine
Escarpment, and the delta of the Victoria Nile,
encountering iconic species like Shoebill Stork, Pel's
Fishing Owl, and the elusive Ituri Batis, all set
against
Uganda's dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Safari Highlights
- Shoebill Stork in
Victoria
Nile Delta
- Pel's Fishing Owl at
Murchison Falls
- Albertine Rift endemics
at
Royal Mile
- 650+ bird species across
diverse habitats
- Boat cruises & savanna
game
drives
Perfect For
- Serious birders &
listers
- Wildlife photographers
- Endemic species seekers
- Nature enthusiasts
- Combined birding &
wildlife
Iconic Target Species
Northern Carmine Bee-eater
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher
Wildlife Bonus
Murchison Falls is also home to lions, leopards, giraffes, elephants, cape
buffalo,
hippos, crocodiles, and numerous antelope species — creating unforgettable
combined
birding and wildlife photography opportunities.
Full Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Day 1: Arrival and Entebbe Botanical Gardens Birding
Entebbe, on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, is a mosaic of
wetlands, gardens, and forest fragments. The Botanical Gardens
offer
excellent birding in both canopy and understory habitats, while the lakeshore
attracts a
variety of waterbirds.
Target Birds — Entebbe
- Great Blue Turaco
- Ross's Turaco
- Striped Kingfisher
- Malachite Kingfisher
- Pygmy Kingfisher
- Giant Kingfisher
- African Paradise
Flycatcher
- Red-bellied Paradise
Flycatcher
- Bat Hawk (evening)
- Black Bishop
- Orange Weaver
- Yellow-backed Weaver
Overnight: Sophie's Hotel or Green Valley Inn (BB)
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
2
Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls, Uganda's largest national park (3,840 km²), is a
mosaic of savanna, woodland, and riparian forest. The Victoria Nile
flows through a narrow gorge, creating a spectacular backdrop for birding. The park
supports a rich mix of savannah birds, large raptors, and Albertine Rift endemics.
Target Birds — Top of Falls
- Pel's Fishing Owl
- Rock Pratincole
- Bat Hawk
- Various Nightjars
- White-crested Turaco
(en
route)
Overnight: Kaniyo Pabidi Lodge (FB)
Meal Plan: Full Board
3
Day 3: Forest Birding at Sambiya River Lodge
Sambiya River Lodge sits within the Albertine Rift ecosystem, famed
for endemics and near-endemic forest species. Dense canopy, secondary forest, and
riverine vegetation offer ideal birding opportunities.
Target Birds — Sambiya Forest
- Puvel's Illadopsis
- Grey Longbill
- Yellow Longbill
- Fire-crested Alethe
- Narina Trogon
- Dusky Long-tailed
Cuckoo
- Crested Guineafowl
- Yellow-rumped
Tinkerbird
- Yellow-throated
Tinkerbird
- Yellow-billed Barbet
- Yellow-spotted Barbet
- Brown-eared Woodpecker
Overnight: Sambiya River Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
4
Day 4: Northern Park Drive and Delta Boat Cruise
The Delta of the Victoria Nile is rich in wetlands and papyrus
channels
supporting waterbirds, while the northern savanna and woodlands harbor iconic
African
species. Boat rides at the delta provide close encounters with wetland birds,
hippos, and
crocodiles.
Target Birds — Delta & Savanna
- Shoebill Stork
- White-fronted Black
Chat
- African Quailfinch
- Northern Carmine
Bee-eater
- Swallow-tailed
Bee-eater
- Red-throated Bee-eater
- Silver Bird
- Stanley's Bustard
- Black-billed Barbet
- Abyssinian Roller
- White-browed Sparrow
Weaver
- Vitelline Masked Weaver
Wildlife Highlights
Lions, Leopards (rare), Giraffes, Oribis, Hartebeests, Elephants, Cape Buffalo,
Hippos, and Nile Crocodiles
Overnight: Sambiya River Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge (FB)
Meal Plan: Full Board
5
Day 5: Albertine Escarpment Birding En Route to Masindi
The Albertine Escarpment features exceptional habitat diversity and
endemism, from rocky outcrops to wetlands and forest patches, harboring rare montane
and
lowland species.
Target Birds — Albertine
Escarpment
- Black-billed Barbet
- Spot-flanked Barbet
- Foxy Cisticola
- Cliff Chat
- Black-headed Batis
- Green-backed Eremomela
- Yellow-bellied Hyliota
- Green-headed Sunbird
- Sabine's Spinetail
- Cassin's Spinetail
Overnight: Masindi Hotel or New Court View Hotel
Meal Plan: Full Board
6
Day 6: Royal Mile and Busingiro Sector Birding
The Royal Mile forest corridor and Busingiro
sector
are rich in Albertine Rift endemics and montane forest species, with trails giving
excellent canopy and understory access.
Target Birds — Royal Mile &
Busingiro
- Nahan's Francolin
- Cassin's Hawk Eagle
- Chocolate-backed
Kingfisher
- Dwarf Kingfisher
- Blue-breasted
Kingfisher
- White-thighed Hornbill
- Narina Trogon
- Ituri
Batis
- Lemon-bellied Crombec
- Tit Hylia
- Uganda Woodland Warbler
- Jameson's Wattle-eye
- Fraser's Ant Thrush
- Purple-headed Starling
Overnight: Lodge near Busingiro
Meal Plan: Full Board
7
Day 7: Transfer to Kampala & En Route Grassland Birding
The drive to Kampala passes through open savanna and farmland,
providing sightings of grassland specialists and endemics. This is a great
opportunity to
add final species to your list before the safari concludes.
En Route Grassland Birds
Variety of grassland species including various weavers, larks, pipits, and
raptors.
End of Safari: Arrival in Kampala
Recommended Birding & Photography Gear
Essential Equipment:
- • Binoculars & spotting scope
- • Camera with 100-400mm & 400-600mm lenses
- • 16-35mm wide-angle & 24-70mm zoom
- • Tripod or bean bag for stability
Additional Items:
- • Polarizer & ND filters
- • Extra batteries & memory cards
- • Rain covers for equipment
- • Field guide & notebook
Note: Drones prohibited in national parks; outside parks requires
UCAA
authorization.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
-
Accommodation and meals per itinerary
-
Professional birding & photography guide
-
Park entrance and boat cruise fees
-
Transport in 4x4 vehicle with fuel
-
Bottled drinking water throughout
-
All birding stops and game drives
Excluded
-
International flights and visas
-
Travel insurance
-
Tips and gratuities
-
Drinks and personal expenses
-
Optional activities not listed
Mid-Range Birding & Photography
Safari
This safari combines comfortable mid-range accommodations with
professional birding guides and excellent access to prime
birding sites. Perfect for serious birders and photographers looking
for
quality experiences without luxury pricing.
Photo Gallery
Explore stunning images from this birding adventure showcasing the diverse birdlife and
beautiful landscapes you'll encounter.
Murchison Falls
Uganda's largest national park
Victoria Nile Delta
Shoebill & waterbirds
Photography Tips
Murchison Falls offers exceptional photography opportunities with 650+ bird species.
Bring a comprehensive lens kit (16-35mm, 24-70mm, 100-400mm, 400-600mm) for varied
subjects from landscapes to wildlife. Early morning and late afternoon light
provides the
best conditions for both bird and landscape photography.
