Overview
This 24-day birding and photography tour takes you through Uganda and Rwanda’s richest habitats, from wetlands and lowland forests to savannas and montane rainforests. You’ll target key species such as the Shoebill, African Green-breasted Pitta, and Albertine Rift endemics, while also enjoying chances to photograph elephants, giraffes, primates, and other iconic wildlife.
The journey covers Uganda’s top birding sites, Mabamba, Budongo, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Semuliki, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, and Lake Mburo before continuing to Rwanda’s Nyungwe, Akagera, and Mgahinga. With expert guiding, comfortable lodges, and endless photographic opportunities, it’s a comprehensive East African adventure designed for dedicated birders and nature enthusiasts.
Uganda Birding Tour: Detailed Itinerary with Cost
Day 1: Arrival and Entebbe Botanical Gardens Birding
Morning (Arrival): Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), you will be met by your guide and transferred to your accommodation.
Afternoon (4 hours birding): Head to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens for an afternoon of birding. This lush green space offers a fantastic introduction to Ugandan birdlife.
Bird Species (at least 25): Splendid Glossy Starling, African Grey Parrot, Ross’s Turaco, Great Blue Turaco, Orange Weaver, Yellow-backed Weaver, Slender-billed Weaver, Golden-backed Weaver, African Pied Hornbill, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Woodland Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, African Palm Swift, Speckled Mousebird, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Tambourine Dove, Hadada Ibis, African Openbill, Great Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Hamerkop.
Possible Mammals: Vervet Monkey, Black-and-white Colobus Monkey, Tree Squirrels.
Accommodation: Boma Hotel Entebbe
Day 2: Mabamba Swamp & Transfer to Masindi
Morning (4 hours birding): Early morning departure for Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar site renowned for its Shoebill sightings. You’ll explore the swamp by canoe.
Bird Species (at least 25): Shoebill, African Jacana, Lesser Jacana, Long-toed Lapwing, African Pygmy Goose, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Saddle-billed Stork, Papyrus Gonolek, Yellow-backed Weaver, Blue-headed Coucal, Swamp Flycatcher, African Marsh Harrier, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, Common Squacco Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Purple Heron, Grey-headed Gull, African Wattled Lapwing, Spur-winged Lapwing, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Grey-crowned Crane, Glossy Ibis, Hadada Ibis.
Possible Mammals: Sitatunga (rarely seen), African Clawless Otter (rarely seen).
Afternoon (Transfer & Optional Birding): After lunch, embark on a scenic drive to Masindi Town.
Transfer Time: Approximately 4-5 hours.
Optional Evening Birding (Nyabyeya): If time permits and you’re not too tired, enjoy some optional evening birding around Nyabyeya, a good spot for grassland and savanna species; Brown Twinspot, Grey-headed Oliveback, Marsh Tchagra, Bar-breasted Firefinch, Brown Babbler, Senegal and Blue-headed Coucal, Black-winged Kite, and a few more.
Accommodation: Masindi Hotel
Day 3: Birding in Nyabyeya Grassland in the Morning, and Afternoon Royal Mile - Budongo Forest
Morning (4 hours birding): Explore the Nyabyeya Grasslands for savanna and woodland birds that we could have missed last evening.
Bird Species: Lizard Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle, Grey Kestrel, Ross’s Turaco, Eastern Plantain-eater, African Grey Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Double-toothed Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Yellow-billed Barbet, Lesser Honeyguide, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, African Thrush, Rufous-naped Lark, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Bronze Mannikin, Pin-tailed Whydah, Tawny-flanked Prinia, White-browed Robin-Chat, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Red-collard Widowbird, Zebra Waxbill, Cabanis’s and Golden-breasted Bunting, Heuglin’s Francolin.
Afternoon Royal Mile in Budongo Forest for specialized forest birding.
Bird Species: Ituri Batis, Nahan’s Francolin, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, White-thighed Hornbill, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Fire-crested Alethe, Scaly Francolin, Grey-winged Robin-Chat, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Afep Pigeon, Great Blue Turaco.
Possible Mammals: Chimpanzees (chance encounter during birding), Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Baboon.
Accommodation: Masindi Hotel
Day 4: Travel birding on the way to Murchison Falls National park via Butiaba Escarpment and Afternoon/ Evening Nile Boat Trip
Morning (4 hours birding): Depart from Masindi, birding en route to Murchison Falls National Park via the Butiaba Escarpment grasslands. This area offers unique species due to its dry, thorny bush and rocky outcrops.
Transfer Time to Murchison Falls NP: Approximately 3-4 hours to the park gate (driving while birding), then further drive within the park to the boat Jetty.
Bird Species: White-crested Turaco, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Eastern Plantain-eater, Black-bellied Bustard, Heuglin’s Spurfowl, Scaly Spurfowl, Vinaceous Dove, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Namaqua Dove, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Coucal, Senegal Coucal, Spur-winged Lapwing, Black-headed Lapwing, Wattled Lapwing, African Jacana, Saddle-billed Stork, Marabou Stork, African Sacred Ibis, Hadada Ibis, Western Cattle-Egret, Northern Red and Black-winged Bishop
Possible Mammals: Common Warthog, Olive Baboon, Uganda Kob, Bushbuck.
Afternoon (Boat Trip): Arrive at Murchison Falls National Park and check in. At 4:00 PM, embark on a boat trip on the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls. This is an excellent opportunity for water birds and large mammals.
Bird Species: African Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron, Grey-crowned Crane, African Darter, Cormorants (Long-tailed, Great), Egyptian Goose, Spur-winged Goose, African Skimmer (seasonal), Rock Pratincole, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Red-throated Bee-eater, African Wattled Lapwing, Sandpipers (Common, Green), Wood Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt, Common Ringed Plover, Senegal Thick-knee, Water Thick-knee.
Possible Mammals: Hippopotamus, Nile Crocodile, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Uganda Kob.
Accommodation: Murchison Falls Bamboo Village Lodge
Day 5: Murchison Falls National Park - Game Drives
Morning (4 hours birding and game drive): Enjoy a morning game drive on the northern bank of Murchison Falls National Park, combining birding with wildlife viewing.
Bird Species: Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Secretarybird, Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Lappet-faced Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Denham’s Bustard, Heuglin’s Francolin, Helmeted Guineafowl, Grey-backed Fiscal, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Beautiful Sunbird, Rufous-naped Lark, African Grey Hornbill, Spotted Palm-Thrush, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Red-billed Quelea, Superb Starling, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, White-browed Coucal, Black Coucal.
Possible Mammals: Lion, Leopard (elusive), Rothschild’s Giraffe, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Uganda Kob, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Oribi, Waterbuck, Bohor Reedbuck.
Afternoon (4 hours birding and game drive): Continue with an afternoon birding and game drive in different sections of the park, seeking out species missed in the morning.
Bird Species: Grey-headed Kingfisher, Black-headed Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Wattled Lapwing, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, African Wattled Plover, Senegal Coucal, Swamp Flycatcher, Black-billed Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Cardinal Woodpecker, African Black-headed Oriole, Pied Wagtail, Yellow-throated Longclaw, African Pipit, Lesser Masked Weaver, Grosbeak Weaver, Red-winged Ptychomyza, Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike, White-crested Helmetshrik.
Possible Mammals: Side-striped Jackal, Spotted Hyena, Topi.
Accommodation: Murchison Falls Bamboo Village Lodge
Day 6: Transfer to Kibale Forest & Afternoon Birding around the lodge
Morning (2 hours birding): Enjoy a final morning birding session around Murchison Falls before starting your journey.
Late Morning/Afternoon (Transfer): Begin the long but scenic drive to the edge of Kibale Forest National Park.
Transfer Time: Approximately 5-6 hours.
Late Evening (Birding around the lodge): Arrive at your lodge near Kibale Forest. After settling in, enjoy some relaxed birding around the lodge grounds. Many forest edge species can be found here.
Bird Species: Red-chested Sunbird, Olive Sunbird, Copper Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, African Emerald Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Didric Cuckoo, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Speckled Mousebird, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, African Thrush, Common Bulbul, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Variable Sunbird, Bronze Mannikin.
Possible Mammals: Vervet Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys (often visible around lodges).
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 7: African Green-breasted Pitta Hunt and other species & Evening Bigodi Swamp Walk
Morning (4-6 hours dedicated for forest birding): Early morning start for the highly sought-after African Green-breasted Pitta within Kibale Forest. This is a special bird and requires dedication and a good site ranger guide.
Bird Species: African Green-breasted Pitta (main target), Bronze-naped Pigeon, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Superb Sunbird, Green-headed Sunbird, African Emerald Cuckoo, Dusky Tit, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Shining Blue Kingfisher, White-collared Oliveback, Masked Apalis, Red-faced Cisticola, African Thrush, Mountain Oriole, Yellow-billed Barbet, Crested Guineafowl, Nahan’s Francolin, African Broadbill (seasonal), Western Black-headed Oriole.
Possible Mammals: Chimpanzees (if tracking is done, otherwise vocalizations), Red-tailed Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Bushpig (elusive).
Afternoon birding (3-4 hours): After lunch, proceed to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a fascinating swamp and forest-edge birding experience with a renowned site guide.
Bird Species: Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Yellow-billed Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Grey-throated Barbet, Splendid Glossy Starling, Magpie Mannikin, Woodland Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Shining Blue Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Blue-headed Coucal, Tambourine Dove, African Green-Pigeon, Hadada Ibis, African Openbill, Seed Cracker, Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, White-spotted Rail, African Harrier-Hawk.
Possible Mammals: Red Colobus, Black-and-white Colobus, Vervet Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Uganda Mangabey (Very Rare)
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 8: Semuliki Valley National Park Birding
Morning & Afternoon (8+ hours of birding in the forest): Full day birding in Semuliki Valley National Park, known for its Central African rainforest bird species. This will involve both morning and afternoon sessions, with a packed lunch and site ranger guide.
Transfer Time to Semuliki from Kibale: Approximately 1.5 – 2 hours.
Bird Species: Congo Serpent Eagle (very rare), Nkulengu Rail (very rare), Long-tailed Hawk (rare), Lyre-tailed Honeyguide (rare), Black-casqued Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, African Piculet (illusive), African Dwarf Kingfisher, Blue-throated Roller, Crowned Eagle, Forest Wood Hoopoe, African Broadbill, Grant’s Bluebill, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Piping Hornbill, White-thighed Hornbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, Simple Greenbul, Xavier’s Greenbul, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Red-headed Malimbe, Blue-billed Malimbe and more.
Possible Mammals: De Brazza’s Monkey (rare), Mona Monkey, Forest Duiker.
Accommodation: Return to Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or a suitable lodge near Semuliki. Given the long day, a lodge closer to Semuliki might be considered, but for consistency in the itinerary, we’ll keep it at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge for now.
Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Game Drives/Boat Trip
Early Morning (Transfer): Depart early for Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Transfer Time: Approximately 2.5 – 3 hours.
Morning & Afternoon (Game Drive & Boat Trip): Upon arrival, immediately embark on a game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, offering excellent opportunities for large mammals and open savanna birds. After lunch, enjoy a fantastic boat trip on the Kazinga Channel (optional private boat), a highlight for both birds and large aquatic mammals.
Bird Species: African Skimmer (seasonal), Pink-backed Pelican, African Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Great White Pelican, White-backed Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Black-headed Gonolek, Lappet-faced Vulture, African Wattled Plover, Spur-winged Lapwing, Water Thick-knee, African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Woodland Kingfisher, Blue-naped Mousebird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Grey-backed Fiscal, Rufous-naped Lark, Olive Bee-eater, Black Egret, African Snip, Black Crake, Little Bitern, African Darter, Three-banded Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Red-throated Bee-eater and more..
Possible Mammals: African Elephant, African Buffalo, Uganda Kob, Topi, Lion, Leopard (elusive), Hippopotamus, Nile Crocodile, Common Warthog, Bushbuck, Waterbuck.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 10: Queen Elizabeth NP Birding again and later Transfer to Lake Mburo National park for Overnight
Morning to lunch time birding game drive: Another dedicated birding session in Queen Elizabeth National Park, perhaps exploring different habitats like the channel track or the Ishasha Sector roadside birding
Bird Species: African Crake, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Grey Kestrel, Black-headed Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, African Palm Swift, Squacco Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Black Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Marabou Stork, Hadada Ibis, African Sacred Ibis, Pied Avocet (rare), Black-winged Stilt, Collared Pratincole, Timminik’s Couser, plus other more savanna birds.
Possible Mammals: Defassa Waterbuck, Bush Duiker, African Giant Forest Hog (rare).
Afternoon (Transfer & Optional Night Game Drive for Nocturnal): After lunch, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park.
Transfer Time: Approximately 3-4 hours.
Evening/Night (Optional Night Safari): Upon arrival, check in and then embark on an evening / night safari, a unique opportunity to view night animals and birds like Night Jar and Owls..
Possible Mammals: Zebra, Impala, Eland, Topi, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Clip Springer, Leopard, Hyenas, White-tailed Mangoose, and more.
Accommodation: Hyena Hill Lodge – OR Rwakobo Rock –
Day 11: Lake Mburo National Park - Birding and Boat Trip
Morning (6+ hours birding): Explore Lake Mburo National Park for its unique savanna and acacia-dwelling bird species.
Bird Species: Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Black-collared Barbet, Red-faced Barbet, Brown-chested Lapwing, Tabora Cisticola, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Long-tailed Cisticola, Crested Francolin, Coqui Francolin, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Black Cuckoo, Green-backed Woodpecker, Bearded Woodpecker, Thick-billed Cuckoo (rare), Crested Barbet, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Common Buzzard.
Possible Mammals: Zebra, Impala, Eland, Topi, Burchell’s Zebra, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Hippopotamus, Common Duiker.
Afternoon (2.5 hours Boat Trip and rest of the day birding at the lake shore): Continue birding, with a focus on the lake shore and surrounding wetlands, including a boat trip on Lake Mburo.
Bird Species (can all be seen any time of the day): African Scops Owl (nocturnal, but possible calls), Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl (nocturnal, but possible in the day), White-backed Night-Heron (nocturnal, but possible in dense vegetation), African Jacana, Lesser Jacana, Long-toed Lapwing, Black Crake, African Pygmy Goose, White-backed Duck, Red-headed Lovebird, Mosque Swallow, Lesser Striped Swallow, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Longclaw, African Pipit, Lesser Masked Weaver, Grosbeak Weaver, Grey-capped Warbler, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Zitting Cisticola, Red-faced Cisticola, African Emerald Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo.
Possible Mammals: Hippopotamus, Crocodile, Bushpig (rare), Side-striped Jackal.
Accommodation: Hyena Hill Lodge – OR Rwakobo Rock –
Day 12: Transfer to Buhoma Section (Bwindi Forest National Park) & evening birding around the lodge
Morning (Transfer): Depart from Lake Mburo and begin the journey to Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is a long but incredibly scenic drive through the Kigezi Highlands, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa.”
Transfer Time: Approximately 6-7 hours (While birding on the way).
Afternoon / Evening birding around the lodge/ at the edge of the forest: Arrive at Buhoma and settle into your lodge. In the late afternoon, enjoy birding around the lodge grounds and the immediate forest edge.
Bird Species: Black-billed Turaco, Joyful Greenbul, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Common Bulbul, Speckled Mousebird, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Tambourine Dove, Red-chested Sunbird, Green-throated Sunbird, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Little Green Sunbird, Collard Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, African Blue Flycatcher, Lhuder’s, Many-colored sunbird.
Possible Mammals: Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys (rare), Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Tree Squirrels.
Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman Lodge
Day 13: Buhoma Sector Birding
Morning and Afternoon (8+ hours birding): Full day of intensive birding within the Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This forest is a prime location for Albertine Rift Endemics.
Bird Species: Fraser’s Eagle-Owl, Short-tailed Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Dusky Crimsonwing, Mountain Masked Apalis, Collared Apalis, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, African Emerald Cuckoo, Kivu Ground-Thrush, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Equatorial Akalat, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Black-billed Turaco, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Tullberg’s Woodpecker, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Western Nicator.
Possible Mammals: Mountain Gorillas (if tracking is done, otherwise low chances bound), L’Hoest’s Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, Blue Monkey, Black-and-white Colobus Monkey, Forest Duikers.
Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman Lodge
Day 14: Birding Through Neck to Ruhija Section- Bwindi National Park
Morning (Transfer while birding on the way. Stretagic Stop at the NECK ): Transfer from Buhoma to the “Neck” area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which offers slightly different habitats and bird species. Spend the morning birding here.
Transfer Time: Approximately 1.5 – 2 hours.
Bird Species: White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Mountain Illadopsis, Rwenzori Batis, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Olive Greenbul, Simple Greenbul, Shelley’s Greenbul, Dusky Tit, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, Black-faced Rufous-Warbler, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Scarce Swift, Alpine Swift, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Grey-chested Illadopsis, White-browed Crombec, African Golden Oriole.
Possible Mammals: Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Baboons.
Afternoon/Evening birding at the School Trail (or still at the NECK) Ruhija: Continue birding on the way to our lodge. Add evening leisurely birding at school trail.
Bird Species: Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Mountain Buzzard, African Goshawk, African Dusky Flycatcher, African Dusky Blue Flycatcher Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher.
Possible Mammals: Forest Duikers (rare), Tree Squirrels.
Accommodation: Bakiga Lodge
Day 15: Ruhija Sector Birding (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
Morning and Afternoon (9+ hours of birding): Full day of birding in the Ruhija Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a renowned area for Albertine Rift Endemics and montane forest species.
Bird Species: Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco(rare), Regal Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Mountain Masked Apalis, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Ruwenzori Batis, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler (seasonal), Archer’s Robin-Chat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Grey-chested Illadopsis, African Green Broadbill, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, African Emerald Cuckoo, Lagden’s Bushshrike.
Possible Mammals: Mountain Gorillas (if tracking is done, otherwise low chances Bound), L’Hoest’s Monkey, Red-tailed Monkey, Blue Monkey, Black-and-white Colobus Monkey, Forest Duiker.
Accommodation: Bakiga Lodge
Day 16: Ruhija Roadside Birding & Transfer to Kisoro
Morning (5+ hours birding): Enjoy a final birding session along the roadsides of Ruhija, which can be surprisingly productive for forest edge species and those moving between forest patches.
Bird Species: African Stonechat, Mountain Wagtail, White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, African Golden Oriole, Lühder’s Bushshrike, Pink-footed Puffback, Slender-billed Greenbul, Mountain Greenbul, Common Wattle-eye, African Dusky Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Black-headed Waxbill, Streaky Seedeater, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Brown-capped Weaver, Crested-Flycatcher, White-chinned Prinia, Grey-capped Warbler, African Citril, Yellow-crowned Canary, Red-faced Cisticola, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher.
Afternoon (Transfer): After a productive morning, begin your transfer to Kisoro Town.
Transfer Time: Approximately 3-4 hours.
Accommodation: Travellers Rest Kisoro
Day 17: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Birding (Optional Golden Monkey Trekking)
Morning & Afternoon (10+ hours birding): Full day birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, another key location for Albertine Rift Endemics in a different montane forest setting. Focus on the Sabinyo Gorge trail for unique species.
Bird Species: Rwenzori Turaco (Key), Black-collared Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-throated Alethe, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Blue-headed Coucal, Grey-crowned Crane, White-necked Raven, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Grey-capped Warbler, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird, African Firefinch, Pin-tailed Whydah, Western Citril, Streaky Seedeater, African Stonechat, Montane Nightjar, Ruwenzori Nightjar (nocturnal, but possible in specific habitats).
Possible Mammals: Golden Monkeys (uncommon during birding), Mountain Gorillas, Forest Duiker, Bushpig and Forest Buffalos (rare).
Accommodation: Travellers Rest Kisoro
Day 18: Transfer to Kigali and add Nyandungu Eco-Park Birding in the evening.
Morning (Transfer): Cross the border into Rwanda and transfer to Kigali.
Transfer Time: Approximately 3-5 hours, including border formalities.
Afternoon/Evening(4+ hours birding): After checking in, head to Nyandungu Eco-park for an afternoon of urban wetland and woodland birding.
Bird Species (common spp): Common Stonechat, Black Cuckoo Shrike, Mannikins (Bronze, Black-and-white), Waxbills (Common, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu), Finches, Weavers (Speckle-fronted, Slender-billed), Kingfishers (Malachite, Pied, Giant), Herons (Common Squacco, Green-backed, Striated), Bee-eaters (Little, Cinnamon-chested), Cisticolas (Zitting, Tawny-flanked), Grey-crowned Crane, African Openbill, Hadada Ibis, African Marsh Harrier, African Fish Eagle, Black Kite, Palm-nut Vulture, Woodland Kingfisher, African Thrush, Rufous-naped Lark, Common Bulbul, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul.
Possible Mammals: Not many large mammals, but various small rodents and perhaps some civet or genet activity at night.
Accommodation (Mid-range in Kigali):
Recommendations: Heaven Lodge, Hotel des Mille Collines, Lemigo Hotel.
Day 19: Akagera National Park Birding
Morning & Afternoon (10+ hours birding game drive): Full day of birding in Akagera National Park. This is a savannah park with lakes and wetlands, offering a different suite of birds. You will likely combine game drives with specific birding spots and potentially an optional boat trip on Lake Ihema.
Transfer Time to Akagera from Kigali: Approximately 2.5 – 3 hours.
Bird Species: African Fish Eagle, Papyrus Gonolek, Lilac-breasted Roller, Martial Eagle, Red-faced Barbet, Woodland Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Palm-nut Vulture, Saddle-billed Stork, Hamerkop, Marabou Stork, Helmeted Guineafowl, Long-crested Eagle, Goliath Heron, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, African Openbill Stork, African Jacana, Swamp Flycatcher, Black-headed Gonolek, Fork-tailed Drongo, Squacco Heron, Pin-tailed Whydah, Bateleur.
Possible Mammals: Lion, Leopard (elusive), African Elephant, African Buffalo, Zebra, Topi, Impala, Eland, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Hippopotamus, Nile Crocodile.
Accommodation: Akagera Transit Lodge –
Day 20: Akagera Birding & Transfer to Kigali
Morning (7+ hours birding): Continue birding in Akagera National Park, focusing on areas not fully explored the previous day or targeting specific species.
Bird Species (at least 25 – without repeating from Day 19): African Sacred Ibis, Hadada Ibis, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, African Harrier Hawk, Augur Buzzard, Pied Crow, White-browed Coucal, Senegal Coucal, Arrow-marked Babbler, Black-lored Babbler, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Common Waxbill, Bronze Mannikin, Grey-headed Sparrow, African Pied Wagtail, Yellow-throated Longclaw, African Pipit, Lesser Masked Weaver, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Grosbeak Weaver, Red-billed Quelea, Superb Starling.
Possible Mammals: Various antelopes, Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey.
Afternoon (Transfer): After lunch, transfer back to Kigali.
Transfer Time: Approximately 2.5 – 3 hours.
Accommodation (Mid-range in Kigali):
Hotel des Mille Collines, Lemigo Hotel, Heaven Lodge in Kigali
Day 21: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park & Birding
Morning (Transfer): Begin the scenic drive to Nyungwe National Park in southwestern Rwanda. This is a long journey through beautiful tea plantations and rolling hills.
Transfer Time: Approximately 5-6 hours.
Afternoon (4 hours birding): Arrive at your lodge near Nyungwe and enjoy an afternoon of birding around the lodge surroundings and forest edge.
Bird Species: Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Ruwenzori Turaco, African Emerald Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Didric Cuckoo, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Grey-throated Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, African Pied Hornbill, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, African Thrush, Mountain Oriole, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Joyful Greenbul, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Common Bulbul, Speckled Mousebird, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Tambourine Dove, African Green-Pigeon, Red-chested Sunbird, Green-throated Sunbird.
Possible Mammals: Colobus Monkeys (often visible), Red-tailed Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Tree Squirrels.
Accommodation: Ken-Barham Hotel
Day 22 & 23: Nyungwe National Park Birding
Morning & Afternoon (8 hours birding each day): Two full days dedicated to exploring the incredible bird diversity of Nyungwe National Park. You will explore various trails, including the famous Uwinka Overlook and Kamiranzovu Swamp. Nyungwe is home to an exceptional number of Albertine Rift Endemics.
Bird Species (at least 25 each day – targeting new species):
Day 22: Albertine Rift Endemics are the focus. Red-collared Babbler, Blue-headed Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Dusky Crimsonwing, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Mountain Masked Apalis, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Ruwenzori Batis, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler (seasonal), Kivu Ground-Thrush, Archer’s Robin-Chat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Grey-chested Illadopsis, African Broadbill (seasonal), Strange Weaver, Neumann’s Warbler, Red-bellied Paradise-Flycatcher, Doherty’s Bushshrike, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher.
Day 23: Birding back to Kigali for Return Flight
Morning (4 hours birding): Enjoy a final birding session around Nyungwe, perhaps targeting some of the more accessible trails or areas for species you may have missed.
Afternoon (Transfer & Departure): After lunch, begin your transfer back to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, carrying incredible memories and a long list of birds seen!
Transfer Time: Approximately 5-6 hours.
