12 Day Uganda Birding Safari

Duration

12 days

Max People

28

Min Age

12+

Pickup

Airpot

Overview

This 12-day Uganda Birding Safari offers an exceptional opportunity to explore one of Africa’s richest birding destinations. Known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda boasts over 1,080 recorded bird species, including numerous Albertine Rift endemics, forest specialists, and iconic African birds. The safari is carefully designed to cover a wide range of habitats—from wetlands and savannahs to tropical rainforests and montane ecosystems—ensuring outstanding bird diversity and memorable wildlife encounters.

The journey begins in Entebbe and Mabamba Swamp, a globally renowned site for the prehistoric Shoebill Stork, before continuing to Kibale Forest National Park, home to green-breasted pittas and many forest birds. Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park reveals waterbirds, raptors, and savannah species along the Kazinga Channel, while Bwindi Impenetrable Forest offers prime chances to see Albertine Rift endemics such as the African Green Broadbill..

In addition to birding, the safari offers scenic landscapes, cultural encounters, and opportunities to observe other wildlife, making it a well-rounded nature experience. Comfortable lodges, well-paced travel, and carefully selected birding sites make this itinerary ideal for both serious birders and enthusiastic nature lovers.

This 12-day safari promises an unforgettable exploration of Uganda’s remarkable avian diversity and natural beauty.

Included/Excluded

  • Specialized birding guide
  • All airport transfers
  • All park entry fees
  • Accommodation in FB
  • All activities as stipulated
  • Bottled Drinking water during the safari
  • Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits
  • Visa
  • 5 Star Accommodation
  • Airport Transfers
  • International airfare Tips and gratuities
  • Drinks/ Beverages, Personal Items Visa Insurance
  • Anything not mentioned above

Tour Plan

Day 01 Arrival in Entebbe

Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxed birding excursion at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a prime introduction to Uganda’s rich avifauna. The gardens host a variety of forest and lakeshore species, including Great Blue Turaco, African Grey Parrot, Woodland Kingfisher, and several sunbirds. This gentle walk helps ease into the trip after international travel. Overnight at 2 Friends Beach Hotel, double pool-view room with air conditioning, on a full-board basis.

Day 02 Entebbe to Lake Mburo National Park
  • After an early breakfast, depart Entebbe for western Uganda, with a stop at Mabamba Swamp, one of the best birding sites in East Africa. A guided canoe excursion through the papyrus swamp offers excellent chances of spotting the iconic Shoebill, alongside African Jacana, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, and Malachite Kingfisher. Continue the journey to Lake Mburo National Park, arriving in time for afternoon birding within the park. The park is home to dry savannah and acacia woodland species such as Red-faced Barbet, Brown-chested Lapwing, and Coqui Francolin. Overnight at Rwakobo Rock Cottages, double room, full board.
Day 03 Full Day Birding in Lake Mburo National Park

Today is dedicated to extensive birding within Lake Mburo National Park. Morning birding drives and nature walks provide opportunities to record species like Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Green Wood Hoopoe, Rufous-chested Swallow, and various raptors. Later in the day, enjoy a private boat ride on Lake Mburo (1–2 hours), excellent for waterbirds such as African Finfoot, Pied Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, and several heron and cormorant species. Return to Rwakobo Rock Cottages for dinner and overnight on a full-board basis.

Day 04 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, depart Lake Mburo and travel toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through scenic landscapes and agricultural communities. Arrive at the park for afternoon birding activities, exploring diverse habitats that include savannah, wetlands, and woodland. This area boasts an impressive bird list, with species such as Martial Eagle, Black-headed Gonolek, and various bustards and hornbills. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge, deluxe double room, full board.

Day 05 Full Day birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Spend the day birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park, starting with morning game drives focusing on grassland and woodland species. In the afternoon, enjoy a private boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel (2–3 hours), one of the best birding experiences in Uganda. Expect close views of African Skimmer, Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans, Saddle-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, and numerous kingfishers. Return to Mweya Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 06 Queen Elizabeth to Kibale National Park
  • After breakfast, drive north toward Kibale National Park, known for its rich tropical forest biodiversity. En route, enjoy scenic views of crater lakes and tea plantations. In the afternoon, take part in a crater walk near Kibale Forest, offering forest-edge and wetland birding opportunities. Look out for species such as Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Green-breasted Pitta (seasonal), and various forest sunbirds. Overnight at Turaco Tree Tops, luxury cottage, double/twin, full board.
Day 07 Full day Birding at Kibale National Park-optional Chimpanzee trekking

This day is dedicated to birding in Kibale National Park, one of Africa’s best forests for bird diversity. Morning forest walks focus on mixed-species flocks and interior forest specialists, including African Grey Parrot, Red-chested Owlet, and African Emerald Cuckoo. In the afternoon, enjoy the Bigodi Swamp Walk (2–3 hours), a community-run sanctuary rich in wetland and forest-edge species such as Great Blue Turaco, Papyrus Canary, and Speckled Tinkerbird. Return to Turaco Tree Tops for overnight.

Day 08 Kibale to Masindi

After breakfast, depart Kibale and transfer to Masindi, passing through rural countryside and forested landscapes. The journey provides informal roadside birding opportunities and scenic stops. Arrive in Masindi in the afternoon for rest and preparation for the upcoming forest birding experiences. Overnight at Masindi Hotel, standard double room (Hemingway upgrade), full board.

Day 09 Birding at Royal Mile, Budongo Forest

Today features birding along the famous Royal Mile in Budongo Forest, one of Uganda’s top birding locations. This forest is renowned for its rare and endemic species, including Nahan’s Francolin, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Ituri Batis, and Yellow-footed Flycatcher. The well-maintained trail allows slow-paced birding with excellent photographic opportunities. Return to Masindi Hotel for dinner and overnight.

10 Masindi to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, with birding stops en route, including forested areas of Budongo Forest. Upon arrival in the park, enjoy afternoon birding in savannah and riverine habitats, home to Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, and Denham’s Bustard. Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge, deluxe double room, full board.

11 Full day birding at Murchison Falls National Park

A full day in Murchison Falls National Park, starting with morning game drives and birding across open savannah plains. In the afternoon, take a private boat cruise on the Nile, offering exceptional sightings of Shoebill (seasonal), Goliath Heron, African Skimmer, and numerous waterbirds along the riverbanks. The dramatic scenery near the falls adds to the experience. Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge.

12 Murchison Falls to Entebbe (Departure)-Via Ziwa

After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls National Park and travel back toward Entebbe. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where a guided walk offers a chance to see rhinos and additional bird species such as Southern Red Bishop, African Wattled Lapwing, and Grey Crowned Crane. Continue to Entebbe for onward international departure, marking the end of an exceptional Uganda birding safari.

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Min - Max (Persons) Adult Price Child Price Baby Price
10 - 30 $195.00 $125.00 $1.00