Overview
This comprehensive itinerary is designed to, offer an immersive experience into Uganda’s diverse habitats and targeting a wide array of sought-after species and long list of over 600 birds species, including Uganda’s endemics, 23 – Albertine Rift Endemics and unusual sightings. Your professional bird guide will ensure optimal viewing opportunities and provide expert insights throughout your journey.
Key note:
- Special Bird: A species of particular interest due to its beauty, behavior, or limited distribution within the region.
- Rare Bird: A species that is difficult to find, has a very restricted range, or is globally threatened.
- Endemic: A species found only in a specific geographic area (e.g., Albertine Rift Endemic).
- Big Checklist: Opportunity to nail most the country’s native, and migratory species.
- Opportunity: You have a chance to join optional Gorilla, Golden Monkey and Chimpanzee trekking as extra for your tour
Uganda Birding Tour: Detailed Itinerary with Cost
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe and Introductory Birding at botanical gardens
Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Meet your professional bird guide and transfer to your hotel in Entebbe.
Late Afternoon (Optional): An introductory birding session at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. This relaxed walk offers a fantastic introduction to common Ugandan species and provides a gentle start to your birding adventure.
Possible Birds: Orange Weaver, Slender-billed Weaver, Golden-backed Weaver, Grey-headed Gull, African Hobby, Woodland Kingfisher, Broad-billed Roller, Pied Kingfisher and more
Rare Birds: African Grey Parrot (though less common in Entebbe now, occasional sightings are possible), Dwarf Kingfisher.
Accommodations: Precious guest house, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 2: Mabamba Shoebill Site in the morning, later Transfer to Mabira Forest Reserve Area
Morning: Early start for a visit to the Mabamba Bay Wetland system, a Ramsar site renowned for the incredible Shoebill. We’ll explore the papyrus swamps by canoe, maximizing our chances of encountering this iconic and pre historic bird – the shoebill.
Special Birds: Shoebill (the primary target), Blue-headed Coucal, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, African Water Rail, African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, Goliath Heron and other more.
Rare Birds: Shoebill (globally vulnerable), Lesser Jacana (scarce in some areas).
Afternoon: Transfer towards Mabira Forest Reserve.
Late Afternoon: Limited birding at the edge of Mabira Forest. This offers a glimpse into the forest avifauna before a full day tomorrow.
Birds: Grey-throated Barbet, Great Blue Turaco, African Emerald Cuckoo, Double-toothed Barbet, African blue flycatcher, buff-breasted rail etc.
Accommodations: Precious guest house, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 3: Full-Day Forest Birding in Mabira Forest Reserve
Full Day: Immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity of Mabira Forest Reserve with a local site guide. We’ll explore various trails, targeting forest specialists.
Special Birds: Nahan’s Francolin, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Speckled Tinkerbird, Green-breasted Pitta (very rare, highly sought-after, usually requires specific targeting and luck), Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, Forest Wood Hoopoe, African Pied Hornbill, Jameson’s Wattle-eye, Grey-headed Negrofinch, Western Black-headed Oriole, Shining Blue Kingfisher, Blue-throated Roller – to mention but a few
Rare Birds: Nahan’s Francolin (globally vulnerable), Green-breasted Pitta (extremely rare and shy, requires significant effort and luck).
Accommodations: Griffin falls camp/stone castle inn, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 4: Mabira Forest in the morning, afternoon Transfer to Kapchorwa (Mount Elgon)
Morning: Return to Mabira Forest to target any key species missed on Day 3 or to enjoy further views of encountered birds.
Afternoon: Begin the scenic drive to Kapchorwa town, located at the foothills of Mount Elgon. This journey offers changing landscapes and potential roadside birding.
Special Birds (En Route): Augur Buzzard, Yellow-billed Kite, various cuckoos depending on season, herons, storks like saddle-billed, African Open bill, various cisticolas and more.
Accommodations: Home of friends, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 5: Forest Birding Hikes at Mount Elgon National Forest Reserve (Kapkwai Exploration Center- with a site guide)
Full Day: Explore the montane forests of Mount Elgon National Park, focusing on the Kapkwai Exploration Center area. This region hosts a unique assemblage of Afro-montane species.
Special Birds: African Hill Babbler, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Jackson’s Francolin, Black-collared Apalis, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Olive-bellied Sunbird, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Alpine Chat, Golden-winged sunbird.
Rare Birds: Hunter’s Cisticola, Spotted Creeper (localized and elevation-specific).
Accommodations: Home of friends, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 6: Mount Elgon in the morning, later transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Morning: Continue birding at Mount Elgon to consolidate sightings and search for any remaining target species.
Afternoon: Begin a leisurely drive, birding along the way, to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. The landscape transitions from montane to savanna, offering new avian possibilities.
Special Birds (En Route): Yellow-billed Shrike, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, White-headed, and red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Ardnaud’s Barbet and a couple more
Accommodations: UWA Bandas, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 7: Full-Day Savanna Birding in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Full Day: A full day dedicated to game drives and birding within the vast savannas of Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. This dry, arid region is home to several East African and semi-desert species.
Special Birds: Karamoja Apalis (localized, target species for this region), Jackson’s Hornbill, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-headed Lapwing, Pygmy Falcon, Fox Kestrel (rare), African Barred Owlet, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse and many more dry country birds.
Rare Birds: Karamoja Apalis (endemic to this dry savanna region of Uganda and Kenya, highly sought-after), Fox Kestrel (scarce and localized).
Accommodations: UWA Bandas, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 8: Pian Upe to Moroto town and add Moroto Missionary Catholic Grounds
Morning: Drive from Pian Upe towards Moroto town, continuing to bird along the route for new savanna species.
Afternoon: Birding at the Moroto Missionary Catholic Grounds. This unexpected hotspot can offer some unique sightings for the special Wstern Kenya visiters like Amythe’s Sunbird.
Special Birds: Stone Partridge, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Red-billed Oxpecker, Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird, Grey-capped Social Weaver.
Accommodations: Kara-Tunga/other in moroto town, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 9: Birding at Matheniko Wildlife Reserve
Full Day: Explore the arid savannas of Matheniko Wildlife Reserve, which shares similar habitat characteristics with Pian Upe and Kidepo, but offers additional chances for some specialized species.
Special Birds: Dusky Turtle Dove, Standard-winged Nightjar (seasonal), Four-banded Sandgrouse, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Red-pate Cisticola, Rufous-tailed Weaver.
Rare Birds: Yellow-billed Shrike, Mousetached penduline tit, steel blue, straw-tailed and Eastern long-tailed widowbird (localized in some areas).
Accommodations: Sleep in Kotido/back to previous lodge, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 10: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park & Evening Game Drive
Morning: Scenic transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Africa’s most stunning wildernesses. The journey itself offers excellent birding opportunities as the landscape changes.
Late Afternoon: Short game drive in the Narus Valley of Kidepo, introducing you to the park’s iconic large mammals and savanna birds.
Special Birds: Ostrich, Abyssinian Roller, Superb Starling, Rufous-crowned Roller, Karamoja Apalis (if not seen previously).
Rare Birds: Orange river flancolin (only naturally occurring in Kidepo within Uganda).
Accommodations: Apoka Camp, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 11: Birding in Kidepo Valley National Park (Narus Valley up-to Kidepo River)
Full Day: Dedicated birding in Kidepo Valley National Park, focusing on the rich Narus Valley and the areas around the Kidepo River. This park is a stronghold for many dry country and Horn of Africa species.
Special Birds: Kori Bustard, Secretarybird, Little Green Bee-eater, Pygmy Falcon, Golden Pipit, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Red-necked Falcon, Grey-capped Social Weaver, Eastern Pale Chanting Goshawk, African Grey Hornbill, White-crested Turaco,
Rare Birds: Golden Pipit (very localized in East Africa), Greater Kestrel (sporadic visitor), Northern Grey Tit (restricted range).
Accommodations: Apoka Bandas, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 12: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park (Birding En Route)
Full Day: Begin the long but bird-rich transfer from Kidepo to Murchison Falls National Park. The journey covers varied habitats, providing continuous birding opportunities.
Special Birds (En Route): Gambaga Flycatcher, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Black-headed Batis, White-browed Sparrow Weaver.
Accommodations: Red Chilli, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 13: Murchison Falls National Park: Game Drive and Boat Trip
Morning: Morning game drive in the northern bank of Murchison Falls National Park, offering excellent savanna birding alongside big game viewing.
Special Birds: Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Denham’s Bustard, Martial Eagle, Saddle-billed Stork, Secretarybird, Grey-crowned Crane, Red-throated Bee-eater (colonies near the river), Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Senegal Lapwing, Pygmy Sunbird, Rock Praticole and more
Afternoon: Boat trip on the Victoria Nile to the bottom of Murchison Falls or to the delta point. This offers fantastic waterbird viewing.
Special Birds: Shoebill (at the delta, excellent chance), African Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron, Squacco Heron, African Skimmer (seasonal), White-backed Night-Heron (rare), Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Rock Pratincole, African Finfoot (rare).
Accommodations: Red Chilli, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 14: Birding at the Royal Mile - Budongo Forest
Full Day: Explore the renowned Royal Mile in Budongo Forest, a prime site for Ugandan forest birding. This area is famous for its concentration of sought-after species.
Special Birds: Ituri Batis, Nahan’s Francolin, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, White-thighed Hornbill, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher and more
Rare Birds: Ituri Batis (localized), Nahan’s Francolin.
Accommodations: Masindi Hotel, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 15: Transfer to Fort Portal, add Nyakasura Hills (Optional)
Morning: Transfer to Fort Portal town, passing through varied landscapes.
Late Afternoon (Optional): Optional birding hike at Nyakasura Hills, offering views of surrounding habitats and potential new species like the Orange-winged Spurfowl.
Special Birds: Chubb’s Cisticola, Grey-backed Fiscal, African Thrush, Mountain Wagtail.
Accommodations: Rwenzori View Guest House, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 16: Birding at Semuliki Valley National Park
Full Day: A full day of birding in Semuliki Valley National Park, a true extension of the Congo Basin forests into Uganda. This park is a hotbed for Central African species.
Special Birds: White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, Eastern Bearded Greenbul, African Piculet, Long-tailed Hawk, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Dwarf Honeyguide, Grey-throated Rail, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Black-casqued Hornbill.
Rare Birds: Many of Semuliki’s birds are range-restricted or very localized in Uganda, including the hornbills and honeyguides mentioned above. Long-tailed Hawk is particularly rare and difficult to see.
Accommodations: Little Monkey, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 17: Kibale Forest (African Green-breasted Pitta) & Bigodi Swamp Sanctuary
Morning: Early search for the highly elusive African Green-breasted Pitta in Kibale National Park. This requires patience and luck.
Special Birds: African Green-breasted Pitta (extremely rare, highly sought-after, requires luck and dedicated search), White-naped Pigeon, Western Green Tinkerbird, Yellow-spotted Barbet, White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Grey-winged Robin-Chat.
Afternoon: Nature walk birding at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-run swamp offers fantastic opportunities for primates and water-associated birds.
Special Birds: Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, Great Blue Turaco, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Ross’s Turaco, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle.
Optional: Night walk for nocturnal species (e.g., Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, African Wood Owl).
Accommodations: Red Chilli, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 18: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and add afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Trip
Morning: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Afternoon: Unforgettable boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. This is a birdwatcher’s paradise with incredible concentrations of waterbirds.
Special Birds: African Skimmer (seasonal), Pink-backed Pelican, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Martial Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Gull, various terns and waders, African Finfoot (rare).
Rare Birds: African Skimmer, African Finfoot.
Accommodations: Bush Lodge, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 19: Queen Elizabeth NP & Transfer to Buhoma (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)
Morning: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park as we gradually connect towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The open savannas of Queen Elizabeth offer contrasting birdlife to the forest environments ahead.
Special Birds: Martial Eagle, White-backed Vulture, Rupell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, African Crake, Senegal Plover, Red-capped Lark.
Afternoon: Drive to Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Evening: Relaxed birding around the lodge in Buhoma.
Special Birds: Grey-throated Barbet, African Blue Flycatcher, Black-billed Weaver.
Accommodations: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 20: Birding at Buhoma Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Albertine Rift Endemics)
Full Day: Deep dive into the wonders of Buhoma sector, a prime location for Albertine Rift Endemics. We’ll explore various trails within the forest.
Special Birds (Albertine Rift Endemics – ARE): Short-tailed Warbler, Grey-headed Sunbird, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Collared Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Mountain Masked Apalis, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, African Broadbill, Red-throated Alethe, Kivu Ground Thrush, Neumann’s Warbler, Montane Oriole.
Rare Birds: Many of the Albertine Rift Endemics are globally rare and restricted to this specific mountain range. Short-tailed Warbler and African Broadbill are particularly sought after.
Accommodations: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 21: Birding in the “NECK” & Transfer to Ruhija Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Full Day: Birding along “the Neck,” the connecting section between Buhoma and Ruhija, offering unique altitudinal and habitat variations. Then transfer to Ruhija sector, another hotspot for Albertine Rift Endemics.
Special Birds (AREs): White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Regal Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Mountain Greenbul.
Rare Birds: Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis.
Accommodations: Ruhija Rest Camp, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 22: Birding in Ruhija – Mubwindi Swamp Trail (Albertine Rift Endemics)
Full Day: Dedicate the day to birding the famous Mubwindi Swamp Trail in Ruhija. This trail is one of the best for encountering highly localized Albertine Rift Endemics.
Special Birds (AREs): African Green Broadbill (very rare, highly sought-after), Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Rwenzori Apalis, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Handsome Francolin and more
Rare Birds: African Green Broadbill (critically endangered, a top target), Grauer’s Rush Warbler (globally vulnerable), Handsome Francolin.
Accommodations: Virunga-Kisoro, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 23: Birding at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Albertine Rift Endemics)
Full Day: Explore the Afro-montane habitats of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a vital site for high-altitude Albertine Rift Endemics.
Special Birds (AREs): Rwenzori Turaco, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, Dusky Turtle Dove, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Strange Weaver, Rwenzori Nightjar (nocturnal), Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher.
Rare Birds: Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird (high altitude specialist), Rwenzori Turaco.
Accommodations: Virunga-Kisoro, (all meals included, drinks not included
Day 24: Muko Swamp & Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Morning: Detour to Muko Swamp, a key site for a very special and elusive wetland species.
Special Birds: Red-chested Flufftail (extremely shy, requires playback and patience), White-winged Warbler, Lesser Jacana.
Rare Birds: Red-chested Flufftail (notoriously difficult to find).
Afternoon: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park.
Optional: Evening/Night game drive for nocturnal birds and mammals.
Special Birds (Night): Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, African Scops Owl, Square-tailed Nightjar, Slender-tailed Nightjar.
Accommodations: Eagles Nest Camp/Leopard Rest Camp, (all meals included, drinks not included)
Day 25: Lake Mburo National Park & Departure
Morning: Game drive in Lake Mburo National Park, focusing on its unique acacia woodlands and savanna. The park is known for its “Tanzanian visitor species” which are at the northern limit of their range here.
Special Birds: African Finfoot (excellent chance on boat trip), White-backed Duck, Red-faced Barbet (endemic to Uganda and localized), Yellow-bellied Apalis, Crested Barbet, Tabora Cisticola, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Spot-flanked Barbet, Long-tailed Cisticola, Brown-chested Lapwing (seasonal).
Rare Birds: Red-faced and Black-collard Barbet (localized endemic), African Finfoot, White-backed Heron.
Late Afternoon: Boat trip on Lake Mburo for waterbirds, with a focus on African Finfoot and White-backed Duck.
Late Afternoon/Evening: Begin your transfer back to Entebbe International Airport for your homebound flight, concluding an unforgettable Ugandan birding adventure.
