Day 1: Arrival & Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Meals: Full Board

Entebbe Botanical Gardens, on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, cover 40 hectares of landscaped gardens, woodlands, and lakeshore wetlands. The gardens host over 200 bird species and offer an excellent introduction to Uganda's lowland forest and lakeshore birdlife. Early mornings and late afternoons provide ideal birding conditions. The focus is on forest fringe species, sunbirds, and kingfishers along the shore.

Accommodation: Number 5 Boutique Hotel (Luxury) / The Boma Hotel (Midrange)

Day 2: Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Expedition

Meals: Full Board

Mabamba Swamp is a globally recognized wetland (Ramsar site) famous for the elusive Shoebill. Papyrus channels, reed beds, and shallow pools host African Pygmy Goose, Papyrus Gonolek, and Lesser Jacana. Birding is usually by canoe, offering close views of birds in their natural habitat. The search for Shoebill often takes 3-4 hours in the morning when the bird is actively hunting.

Accommodation: Number 5 Boutique Hotel (Luxury) / The Boma Hotel (Midrange)

Day 3: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Meals: Full Board

Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda to observe rhinos in the wild. Its wetlands, riverine forests, and open grasslands support raptors, kingfishers, and lapwings. The sanctuary provides excellent birding opportunities alongside wildlife viewing. The afternoon birding will be a combination of a bush walk and a short game drive through the savannah areas to look for raptors and bustards.

Accommodation: Luxury Chalets (Luxury) / Ziwa Rhino Lodge (Midrange)

Day 4: Morning Canoe for Shoebill & Transfer to Masindi

Meals: Full Board

Early morning canoe trips allow close observation of Shoebill and other waterbirds in Ziwa's wetlands (specifically Lugogo swamp). Canoe trips allow close observation of Shoebill and other waterbirds. Later, trails through forest edges and grasslands reveal turacos, hornbills, and other woodland and open-country species. Afternoon drive to Masindi for overnight on the way to Budongo Forest's Royal Mile.

Accommodation: Masindi Hotel / Kabalega Resort

Day 5: Budongo Forest (Royal Mile) & Murchison Falls

Meals: Full Board

Budongo Forest Reserve, one of Uganda's largest lowland forests, is a hotspot for Guinea-Congolian forest biome species (Central/West African species). The Royal Mile trail is a wide, forested road that hosts turacos, hornbills, flycatchers, and forest robins. Following the forest visit, the drive to Murchison Falls passes savannah and riverine habitats, ideal for roadside birding. The Royal Mile birding will be a morning walk from 7:00 am to maximize sightings of rare forest floor and canopy species.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury) / Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)

Day 6: Nile Delta Boat Trip & Evening Birding

Meals: Full Board

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest and oldest park (3,480 km²), is home to 76 mammals and 451 birds. The Nile Delta (Lake Albert Delta) supports papyrus swamps and open water habitats, attracting species such as Goliath Heron, African Skimmer, and occasionally Shoebill. Evening savannah birding along riverbanks adds raptors and open-country species to the list. The Delta Boat trip is specifically for the Shoebill and other riverine specialists like the Red-throated Bee-eater, which nests in the riverine cliffs.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury) / Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)

Day 7: Northern Sector Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise

Meals: Full Board

Morning game drive in the northern sector with focus on savannah birds and Rothschild Giraffe, Lelwel's Hartebeest, and Oribi. Afternoon boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls offers opportunities for waterbirds and riverine species including Giant Kingfisher, African Skimmer, and Rock Pratincole.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury) / Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)

Day 8: Top of Murchison Falls & Transfer to Kampala

Meals: Full Board

standing atop Murchison Falls offers breathtaking photo opportunities — rainbows arching through the mist, sweeping Nile vistas, and the thunderous plunge of the world's most powerful waterfall. Nearby lies Uhuru Falls, a graceful cascade formed by the 1960s floods. This is a full-sensory adventure: the roar of the Nile, the spray of rainbow mist, and the sheer power of the water carving through the gorge. A final game drive in the northern sector targets savannah specials like Secretary Bird and raptors before the drive south.

Accommodation: Number 5 Boutique Hotel (Luxury) / The Boma Hotel (Midrange)

Day 9: Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Optional early morning birding at Entebbe Botanical Gardens or along Lake Victoria's shores. Last chance to capture final sightings before airport transfer.