10 Days of Birding in Uganda
Discover endemic and foreign bird Species in the Pearl of Africa on this 10-day Uganda Birding Journey, tailored and guided. This incredible 10-day journey takes you from Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park, passing through several birding destinations and staying in excellent Eco-Lodges along the way.
The 10-day birding trip guarantees private birding tours, boat and canoe rides, hikes, primate walks, and opportunities to spot everything from green-breasted pitta to shoebill storks and other endangered species. Other wildlife highlights of this trip include Chimpanzee treks. This 10-day trip offers you the best of Uganda Safaris.
Highlights
- Enjoy chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park.
- Go birding in Entebbe (Mabamba and Entebbe Botanical Gardens),
- Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo, Semliki, and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
- Look for shoebill storks and green-breasted pittas, two of Uganda’s most sought-after bird species.
Brief Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda.
- Day 2: Birding in Mabamba Wetland and Entebbe Botanical Gardens.
- Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, evening game drive.
- Day 4: Morning birding tour and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Day 5: Bwindi Full-day Birding Tour.
- Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, afternoon boat ride.
- Day 7: Morning Queen Elizabeth NP Birding adventure and transfer to Semliki National Park.
- Day 8: Semliki National Park birding tour, Sempaya hot springs.
- Day 9: Drive to Kibale National Park, afternoon chimpanzee trek.
- Day 10: Morning Birding session and return drive to Entebbe, Depart.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda
Today, you will arrive in Entebbe and meet our driver guide at the Airport. They will then transfer you to the hotel or provide refreshment. With more than 60,000 people, Entebbe covers a large City area (approximately 56 square kilometres) at an altitude of 3,870 ft (1,180 m). After checking in at the hotel and taking some time to organise, you will head out for a simple tour of the Town.
Overnight at: Hotel Number Five (luxury), Boma Guesthouse (midrange), or Victoria Rock Resort (budget).
Meal Plan: Depends on arrival time.
Day 2: Birding in Mabamba Wetland and Entebbe Botanical Gardens
We shall leave the Hotel Early in the morning for a 15-minute transfer to the pier, the starting point for the 90-minute boat cruise. Our first birding destination is the beautiful Mabamba Wetland, a stunning 2,424-hectare Sanctuary with over 300 bird species, including the iconic shoebill storks.
Later, disembark the boat and board a canoe to manoeuvre through the swamp while searching for the birds. You will spend the next 1-2 hours (depending on your interest) spotting the various bird species that include the shoebill storks, Papyrus gonolek, African Jacana, Orange weaver, Blue swallow, Malachite Kingfisher, Purple heron, African pygmy goose, Blue-breasted bee-eater, and many others. Stop for lunch at the hotel’s nearby restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will go for birding in Entebbe Botanical Gardens on a guided walk. Birds here include African Jacana, African fish eagles, African firefinch, African Darter, pink-backed pelicans, Bat hawks, Red-billed Firefinch, Common Sandpiper, and White-backed Duck, among many others. The Egyptian Goose, Ashy Flycatcher, Knob-billed Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, Red-eyed Dove, and the Lesser Moorhen are also possible.
Overnight at: Hotel Number Five (luxury), Boma Guesthouse (midrange), or Victoria Rock Resort (budget).
Meal Plan: Depends on arrival time.
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, game drive
After breakfast, you will depart Entebbe early for the western side of Uganda and down to Lake Mburo National Park.
Along the way, we stop at one incredible and phenomenal site. The stop is at the Equator crossing for photography and a cup of coffee. Arrive at the Park in the afternoon, in time for lunch and siesta, while preparing for your next adventure.
In the afternoon, you will go for a game drive with the hope of seeing leopards and many other species that call Uganda’s smallest savannah National Park home.
Overnight at: Mihingo Safari Lodge (luxury), Kigambira Safari Lodge (midrange), or Rwakobo Rock Lodge (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4: Morning birding tour and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You will have a half day to explore the beautiful Lake Mburo National Park and all the birds it has to offer. This 270-square-kilometre Protected Area is known for its 350 bird species and for incredible birding areas, including the swampy Valleys of Miriti and Warukiri, the shores of Lake Mburo, and Rubanga Forest.
Expect a World-class birding experience during your 3-hour guided bird walk through Rubanga Forest, where you can see species such as the Double-toothed Barbet, the Grey-backed Camaroptera, Green Pigeon, Narina Trogon, Harrier Hawk, and many others. Stop for lunch at the Lodge.
Afterwards, your private safari driver will pick you up for a 5-hour drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On the way, there will be opportunities to stop and take in some of the stunning landscapes. Arrive in the evening for dinner and rest.
Overnight at: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (luxury), Engagi Lodge (midrange), or Gorilla Bluff Lodge (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 5: Bwindi Full-day Birding Tour
After breakfast, you will pack up your picnic lunch, a bird guidebook, a pair of binoculars, and a camera for a full day of bird watching. There are more than 350 bird species recorded in the 321-square-kilometre Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which protects a variety of natural habitats, including montane forests, lowland forests, bamboo forests, sub-alpine forests, and swampy areas.
On today’s birding excursion, you will explore the Ruhija sector (Mubwindi swamp), on the Eastern side of the Park, and a one-hour drive from Buhoma. Watch out for Grauer’s Broadbill, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Blue-headed Sunbird, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, African Hill Babbler, Rwenzori Batis, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Apalis, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Dusky Crimsonwing, Stripe-breasted Tit, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, and many others.
If you’re looking for more adventure, you can enjoy a guided village walk to spice up your birding experience. Retire to the Lodge for a well-deserved dinner and an overnight stay.
Overnight at: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (luxury), Engagi Lodge (midrange), or Gorilla Bluff Lodge (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, afternoon boat ride
Today, transfer 4 hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This 1978-square-kilometre Park is home to over 600 bird species, making it the highest ever-recorded number in any Protected Area in Uganda. Enjoy the magnificent views as you drive, passing rolling hills, plains, and other incredible landscapes. Head to the Lodge and, after settling in, head to the pool for a swim, have lunch, and continue with your afternoon adventure.
This afternoon, take a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel to see some of the bird species that call the nearby swamps and other areas home. The highlights of this afternoon’s boat/birding trip will be the many water and wetland-endemic bird species you can see, including Pink-backed pelicans, African fish eagles, African skimmers, Egyptian Goose, African jacana, Black-headed weavers, Great cormorant, Yellow-billed storks, Malachite and Pied kingfisher, Grey-crowned cranes, Great blue Turaco, Long-crested eagles, and many others.
Overnight at: Elephant Plains Lodge (luxury), Mweya Safari Lodge (midrange), or Simba Safari Camp (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 7: Morning Queen Elizabeth NP Birding adventure and transfer to Semliki National Park
This morning’s birding adventure leads you to Kyambura Forest Reserve, on the Eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park and home to Martial Eagles, blue-headed Bee-eaters, Papyrus gonolek, lesser flamingo, Bar-tailed Godwit, white-napped pigeons, African Broadbill, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, and many others. Have lunch at the Lodge.
Next, hop in your 4X4 Safari Jeep and drive 3-4 hours to Semliki National Park, another wonderful birding destination with over 441 bird species.
Overnight at: Semliki Safari Lodge (luxury), Ntoroko Game Lodge (midrange), or Semliki Fishing River Camp (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 8: Semliki National Park birding tour, Sempaya hot springs
Spend today on another birding excursion, which combines morning and afternoon outings with a seasoned birding guide, with breakfast for meals as well as a siesta. You will come across a variety of microhabitats, from semi-deciduous forest to savannah grassland to swamp forest.
Each area offers a unique opportunity to see bird species native to the Semliki National Park. Expect to see the Black-throated Coucal, African Piculet, Nkulengu Rail, Red-billed dwarf hornbill, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, western dwarf hornbill, Blue-billed Malimbe, Grey kestrel, Red-throated bee-eater, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, western long-tailed hornbill, and Black-casqued hornbill, among others.
Journey End your birding excursion with a trip to the nearby Sempaya hot springs, twin geological pools heated by the underlying volcanic/tectonic forces beneath the Earth’s crust. Hop between the healing pools with temperatures of up to 103°C (217°F), while taking in breathtaking views of the stunning landscapes surrounded by bird-filled verdant vegetation. In between soaks, cool off in the cold pools.
Overnight at: Semliki Safari Lodge (luxury), Ntoroko Game Lodge (midrange), or Semliki Fishing River Camp (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 9: Drive to Kibale National Park, afternoon chimpanzee trek
Hit the road again this morning, driving 3 hours to Kibale National Park, a wonderful chimpanzee tracking and birding destination. The journey takes you through the countryside, past banana plantations, and past Crater Lakes. Upon arrival, check into the Lodge, where you will be spending one night.
In the afternoon, you will undertake a half-day excursion into Kibale Forest. Along with a team of experienced Ranger guides and researchers, you will walk through the forest searching for the Great Apes that share 98.7% DNA with humans. The chance of encountering these creatures is high, and they are accustomed to human presence.
You will spend the next 1-4 hours searching for them, then another hour observing their behaviour, feeding patterns, how they play, and socialise in the forest. Also, keep an eye out for forest birds, including African pitta, Abyssinian ground thrush, and others. After the trek, you will retire to the Lodge.
Overnight at: Kibale Lodge (luxury), Turaco Treetops Lodge (midrange), or Kibale Forest Camp (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 10: Morning birding session and return drive to Entebbe, Depart
Spend your morning exploring Kibale National Park, spotting more bird species, including those you missed the previous day. Expect sights of Green-breasted pitta, Black-capped Apalis, western nicator, African pitta, Purple-breasted sunbird, Black bee-eater, Black-collared Apalis, Pin-tailed Whydah, White-naped pigeon, Blue-throated roller, Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Red-chested Owlet, and others.
Grab a quick, packed lunch and say goodbye to Kibale National Park. Make the 6-hour drive back to Kampala/Entebbe. Safe travels!
The package includes;
- Services of an experienced full-time English-speaking guide.
- 9 nights’ accommodation in only the best accommodations.
- Bottled water.
- Meals as per the itinerary.
- Experienced birders in all locations.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Ground transportation with a comfortable 4X4 safari jeep.
- Airport transfers are inclusive as long as they are within the safari days.
- Chimpanzee trekking permits.
- Park entry fees.
The package excludes: Visa fees. Medical and travel insurance, Optional activities not included in the itinerary, Laundry fees, Telephone expenses, Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Post-safari accommodation in Kampala
