Overview
This 14 Day Uganda Birding Tour is the most complete trip, combining the best birding with the most memorable wildlife experience. Beginning with Shoebill at Mabamba Swamp, the trails lead you through Uganda’s top birding destinations, namely Lake Mburo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest, Semuliki, Budongo, and Murchison Falls.
You will visit several Albertine Rift endemics, Congo biome specials, and hard-to-see species such as African Green-breasted Pitta, while also indulging in gorilla trekking in Bwindi and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale.
Experience Birding walks, game drives, and boat excursions on iconic water bodies like the Kazinga Channel and the River Nile, mixed with chances to see some of Uganda’s abundant mammalian life, such as the verandah-shaking African elephants and, tantalizingly, the tree-climbing lions.
14 Day Uganda Birding Tour: Detailed Itinerary with Cost
Day 1: Shoebill Quest & Lake Mburo Arrival
Morning pick-up in Entebbe for a thrilling boat trip to Mabamba Swamp to seek the elusive Shoebill. Keep an eye out for African Jacana, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-headed Coucal, and Long-toed Plover.
Afterward, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park (approx. 3-4 hrs). Evening birding for species like African Finfoot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Red-faced Barbet, Striped Kingfisher, Lilac-breasted Roller, and Black-collared Barbet
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Eagles Nest Camp or Leopard Rest Camp
Day 2: Lake Mburo Acacia Savannah & Woodland Birding + afternoon Boat Trip
A full day dedicated to birding in Lake Mburo. Explore acacia woodlands and open savannah for Grey-crowned Crane, Coqui Francolin, Tabora Cisticola, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Lilac-breasted Roller, Broad-billed Roller, and White-winged Warbler. The park offers diverse habitats for incredible sightings.
Accommodation: All meals included, dinks not included
Eagles Nest Camp or Leopard Rest Camp
Day 3: Ruhija – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Highlights & Albertine Endemics
Travel to Ruhija (approx. 4-5 hrs). Birding en route to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s Ruhija sector, then afternoon birding at the School Trail.
Target Albertine Rift Endemics like African Green Broadbill, Regal Sunbird, Stripe-breasted Tit, Handsome Francolin, and Mountain Masked Apalis.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Broadbill Forest Camp or Trekkers Tavern
Day 4: Ruhija Albertine Rift Endemics Hunt
A full day immersed in Ruhija’s rich montane forest, a prime spot for Albertine Rift Endemics. Search for Grauer’s Warbler, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, and Dusky Crimsonwing. This area boasts incredible biodiversity.
Later, drive on a slower pace, keep an eye on the roadside through the “NECK” for African Black Duck, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Mountain Wagtail, African Dusky-blue Flycatcher, and more to the Buhoma section.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 5: Buhoma Forest Section – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Birding coupled with Gorilla Trekking
Morning Gorilla Trekking in the morning, afternoon nature walk, birding in the forest, keeping an eye for Many-colored, Luhder’s, Lagden’s and Doherty’s Bushshrikes, Green Tinkerbird, African Broadbill, and many more.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 6: Ishasha Savannah & Queen Elizabeth National Park Northern Section
Morning birding as we drive to Queen Elizabeth NP via the Ishasha sector (approx. 4-5 hrs), famous for tree-climbing lions. Look for Wattled Starling, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, African Skimmer, Grey Kestrel, and African Crake. Continue to the park’s northern section for more savannah species.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Engiri Game Lodge or Bush Lodge Lazy Camping
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth NP Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Trip
Morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth NP for grassland birds like Red-throated Spurfowl, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Grey Crowned Crane, Martial Eagle, and Temminck’s Courser.
Afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, offering excellent views of African Fish Eagle, Pink-backed Pelican, Malachite Kingfisher, Great Cormorant, and Saddle-billed Stork.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Rwenzori View Guest House or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (Budget Class)
Day 8: Morning African Green-breasted Pitta Experience, Afternoon Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Sanctuary onwards.
Early morning African Green-breasted Pitta experience (seasonal and highly sought after bird!). Afternoon successful Chimpanzee trekking, add a nature walk and birding at Bigodi Swamp Sanctuary.
Expect to see Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, and Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Rwenzori View Guest House or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (Budget Class)
Day 9: Semuliki Valley National Park (Congo Biome Birds)
Whole day birding in Semuliki Valley National Park (approx. 2-3 hrs transfer). This park offers true Congo Biome species. Target specialties like White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Nkulengu Rail, Congo Serpent Eagle, Blue-throated Roller, and African Piculet.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Rwenzori View Guest House or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (Budget Class)
(Return to the Kibale area due to proximity for the next day)
Day 10: Transfer to Masindi & add Nyabyeya Grasslands for beautiful finches
Transfer to Masindi town (approx. 5-6 hrs). Afternoon birding at Nyabyeya grasslands, in the shadows of Budongo Central Forest Reserve. Search for Zebra Waxbill, Brow Twinspot, Grey-headed Oliveback, Bar-breasted and Red-billed Firefinch, Yellow-mantled and Red-collared Widowbirds.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Kolping Hotel Masindi or Masindi Hotel (Budget Class)
Day 11: Budongo Central Forest Reserve - The Royal Mile, Forest Birding
A full day dedicated to birding in Budongo Central Forest Reserve, particularly the famed Royal Mile. Look for Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Forest Robin, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, African Dwarf Kingfisher, White-spotted Rail, Blue-throated Roller, and Yellow-spotted Barbet – true central African forest species.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Kolping Hotel or Masindi Hotel (Budget Class)
Day 12: Murchison Falls Transit birding via the Busingiro Forest and Butiaba Escarpment to the southern bank of the Nile
Birding en route to Murchison Falls National Park through Busingiro Forest and the Butiaba Escarpment (approx. 2-3 hrs).
Expect sightings of African Dwarf Kingfisher, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Heuglin’s Spurfowl, Red-throated Bee-eater, Cutthroat Finch, Black-faced Waxbill, Indigobird, Dark-chanting Goshawk, Fox Cisticola, and many others. Arrive at the southern bank of the Nile.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Red Chili or Nkudwa Nile View Hotel or other
Day 13: Murchison Falls NP Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise
Morning game drive on the northern bank of the Nile in Murchison Falls NP. Look for Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Denham’s Bustard, Secretarybird, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, and Saddle-billed Stork.
Afternoon boat trip to the bottom of the falls, with chances for Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, Skimmers, and Rock Pratincole.
Accommodation: All meals included, drinks not included
Red Chili or Nkudwa Nile View Hotel or other
Day 14: Return to Entebbe en route birding & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary detour
Transfer back to Entebbe (approx. 5-6 hrs), with several birding stops along the way. Keep an eye out for any missed species like the Marsh Widowbird and the White-browed Buffalo Weaver.
Detour to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see White Rhinos and associated birdlife like Rufous-naped Lark, Black-bellied Bustard, and Speckle-breasted Woodpecker.
Drop-off in Entebbe / at Entebbe International Airport – EBB.
