14 Days Birding Safari in Uganda

Included with this package

  • Accommodations and Meals mentioned
  • English-speaking Resident Driver Guide 
  • 4×4 Custom built safari vehicle and Fuel
  • Park Entrance Fees in all mentioned national parks
  • Government taxes
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Airport transfers

Overview

Immerse yourself in the Pearl of Africa for 14 days. Begin your safari with the park closer to the capital city of Uganda followed by the world’s high rated gorilla tracking destination, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you spend 4 nights forging unforgettable memories. Go to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest and Murchison Falls National Park where you will watch endemics and make great images. Uganda is called a birders’ haven and this trip will enable you prove that.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to the hotel

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport where you meet and greet our representative. Transfer to your accommodation in Entebbe and rest.

This afternoon you may decide to tour Entebbe town or search for the shoebill in Mabamba Swamp.

Day 2: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Birding in the park

After breakfast, start the journey to the southwestern part of the country.

The drive is about 3-4 hours from Kampala to the park with the first stopover being at the Equator line in kayabwe for a photo moment break, and a break for a cup of Ugandan coffee. After the break, you will then continue with the journey to the park for hot lunch and relaxation.

Later in the afternoon, you may decide to go birding or do a night game drive, or a guided nature walk in the national park. Please note that it is predator free.

Day 3: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

From Lake Mburo, take the road trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive takes you to the beautiful highlands of Kigezi. Arriving in the evening you check into a booked hotel or lodge in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You have lunch along the way and spot several bird species during the drive.

Day 4: Birding in Mubwindi swamp of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

In the morning you have breakfast then dive out for birding to the Mubwindi swamp. You will spend the entire day birding in this area. There several Albertine Rift endemics in this region and you can spot them on this 4km trail. 

These include the Grauer’s Broadbill, Regal Sunbird, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Dwarf Honeyguide, Stripe-breasted Tit, Ruwenzori Apalis, Grauer’s Scrub Warbler, Black Goshawk, and Ross’s Turacco, Handsome Francolin, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eaters, Dusky Crimsonwing and many more.

Included: birding in Mubwindi swamp

Day 5: Birding to Buhoma sector of Buhoma

Birding along “the neck” to Buhoma sector. This place is known as the neck because this is where the forest narrows but offers very good excellent forest birding opportunities.

Along this spot, you should look out for bird species like the Red-throated Alethe, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Collared Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Strange weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, Regal Sunbird, Red-headed Malimbe and many more.

After birding along this trail, you reach Buhoma sector in the evening arriving in time for dinner and at Buhoma Haven Lodge.

Here you relax and spend the night.

Included: birding to Buhoma

Day 6: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast and briefing from the guides of Uganda Wildlife Authority, set off for the gorilla tracking in the tropical rain forest of Bwindi. The activity starts at 8.00am and you join the other members according to the distribution of the gorilla families, only eight visitors per family each day.
We advise you to carry snacks, enough drinking water, rain jacket in case of rain and trekking boots a walking stick. If you are not sure of your fitness you might hire a porter and pay him a tip to help you carrying the bag. It is unpredictable how long will take to find the primates as they freely move into the forest.
However the encounter with the gorillas, lasting for about one hour, certainly is a rewarding experience and an unforgettable one. After the trekking you go back to the lodge at leisure.
Dinner and Overnight and dinner at the lodge.

Included: Gorilla tracking

Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Leave the Bwindi Forest foothills and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You take a slow drive through the Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park then continue and spend the night in the northern sector.

Lunch en-route and spot several bird species along the way.

Day 8: Game drive and afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel

Have breakfast and go for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and beyond. Expect to see lions, elephants, buffalos, antelopes, warthogs, and several bird species. Return to the lodge for lunch.

This afternoon go for a 2 hour boat cruise on the hippo concentrated Kazinga Channel connecting Lake George to Lake Edward. The boat is a great platform to see many water birds. Do a short sunset game drive enroute to hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Included: Morning game drive, boat cruise

Day 9: Drive to Kibale National Park

This morning, you have breakfast then embark on the drive to Kibale Forest National Park. Along the way, you go birding and spotting several bird species.

Arriving in the afternoon, you will arrive in time for dinner, relaxation.

Day 10: Chimpanzee tracking and birding in the Bigodi Sanctuary

Rise early this morning for the start of your chimpanzee trek. Barks of baboons occasionally overflow the forest’s silence as you make your way along the trail. In addition to the chimpanzees expect to see species such as the Grey-headed Olive-back, Marsh Tchagara, Scaly Francolin, White-naped Pigeon, Narina Trogon, Pied Hornbill, Yellow-billed Barbets, African Goshawk, Grey Parrots and many more.

Return return to your lodge for lunch then after visit Bigodi wetland for birding. Bigodi wetland is host to an array of biodiversity including primates and bird species. Some of the bird species include the Great Blue Turaco,White-collard Oliveback, Papyrus Gonolek, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Superb Sunbird and many more.  

After the nature walk at Bigodi, you then return to the lodge to relax, refresh and have dinner.

Included: Chimpanzee tracking, birding in Bigodi swamp

Day 11: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Check out and drive to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive takes you birding along the way arriving in the evening. You arrive in time of check in and dinner at a booked accommodation in Murchison Falls.

Day 12: Game drive and boat cruise to the bottom of the falls

Have breakfast and get ready for a morning game drive to encounter with the early risers such as the lions, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, antelopes, waterbucks, warthogs, jackals and birds.

Return to the lodge, refresh and have lunch as you prepare for the 2-3 hours boat trip to the bottom of the Murchison waterfalls this afternoon spotting crocodiles, hippos, elephants, buffalos and several birds along the banks of the Victoria Nile. Visit the top of the falls and then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Included: game drive, boat cruise

Day 13: Transfer to Royal Mile in Budongo forest

From Murchison Falls National Park, you will drive to the Royal Mile for bird watching. There is prolific birdlife in this spot with 2 bird species not found anywhere else in East Africa and 93 of the 144 Guinea-Congo Forests biome species recorded here.

You spend the whole day birding along this spot with chance of spotting bird species like the Dwarf Kingfisher, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Olive-bellied Crombec, Nahan’s Francolin, Little Crake, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Black-winged Red Bishop, Yellow-backed Weaver and many more. After the birding experience, transfer to Budongo Eco Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 14: Transfer to Entebbe International Airport

Depending on the time for your flight, you may go to Ziwa to track the rhinos and transfer to Entebbe for your outbound flight.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

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Contact Information
Travel Information

UGANDA AND RWANDA VISA INFORMATION

Uganda Visa Information

  • Tourist visas to Uganda MUST be applied for online prior to travel. Visitors are advised to upload all required documentation, online visa applications are made at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
    Please click this link to see Visa exempt countries to Uganda
  • Visitors should not overstay their visa validity otherwise they will be subjected to a fine of U$ 30 per day and other appropriate legal action.
  • Visitors who seek to stay longer than the period granted on arrival, extension of the period should be sought from the Immigration Headquarters in Kampala before expiry of the initial visitor’s pass. All visitors must comply with immigration legislation and other national laws of the country during their stay in Uganda. For further information on immigration go to: mia.go.ug

Rwanda Visa Information

  • Citizens of all countries are allowed to get visa upon arrival without prior application. Apply online here.
  • Citizens of country members to the African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie can get free visas upon arrival in Rwanda for a visit of 30 days.
  • A citizen of East African Community Member States can receive a pass/entry visa free of charge upon arrival for a six-month stay in Rwanda.
  • Visitors from the following countries can be granted 90-day visas at no cost upon arrival in Rwanda: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore and the State of Qatar.
  • Citizens of countries that are not visa exempt have an option of applying online or at the Rwanda Diplomatic Mission of the country of residence before departure. Those applying online have the option to pay online or upon arrival. There is no single affiliated agent that is authorised to apply for a visa on your behalf.
  • The visa fees must not exceed 50 USD for single entry visa or 70 USD for multiple entry.

Note:  This information is subject to change! Always consult the Rwandan embassy in your country if you are not sure.

What to Pack for This Adventure

Planning a safari in Uganda or Rwanda can be an exciting experience, but it’s essential to ensure that you pack all the necessary items for a comfortable trip. Here’s a list of items you need to pack:

Clothing – The weather can be unpredictable, so bring lightweight and breathable clothing that can be layered. Long-sleeved shirts and pants are great for protection against mosquitoes, while waterproof jackets are crucial for rainy seasons.

Footwear – Comfortable and sturdy hiking boots are ideal for walking on the rough and uneven terrain. Open-toe shoes and sandals are not recommended.

Sun Protection – Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with a high SPF rating to protect from the intense sun while on safari.

Insect Repellent – Mosquitoes and other insects are present throughout the parks, so carry a potent insect repellent.

Binoculars – A good pair of binoculars will help you spot wildlife from a distance and enhance your overall safari experience.

Camera – A camera or a smartphone with a great camera will allow you to capture memorable experiences while on safari.

Medications – Don’t forget to carry a personal first aid kit with essentials such as pain relievers, antihistamines, and anti-diarrhea medicine.

Finally, pack light as some of the safari lodges or accommodations have luggage weight restrictions. Plan accordingly to avoid any surprises and make the most of your adventurous journey.