Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Lake Victoria Birding

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and meet your safari guide before transferring to your hotel near Lake Victoria. The afternoon is dedicated to gentle birding around hotel gardens, lakeshores, and nearby wetlands. Expect to see waterbirds, kingfishers, herons, sunbirds, weavers, and cormorants while recovering from your international flight and preparing for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Entebbe – Mabamba Swamp (Shoebill Experience)

An early morning excursion takes you to Mabamba Swamp, Uganda’s most reliable site for the Shoebill. Using traditional canoes, you glide silently through papyrus channels in search of this prehistoric-looking bird. Other sightings may include African Finfoot, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, and various jacanas before returning to Entebbe.

Day 3: Entebbe – Mabira Forest Reserve

Travel east to Mabira Forest, one of Uganda’s most important lowland forests. The day is spent birding forest trails and clearings, searching for turacos, forest robins, greenbuls, illadopsis, and colorful butterflies. The dense forest atmosphere provides a strong contrast to wetland birding experienced earlier in the safari.

Day 4: Mabira – Lake Mburo National Park

Drive southwest to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s most accessible savannah park. Afternoon birding focuses on acacia woodland and lake edges where African Wattled Lapwing, Crested Francolin, Brown-chested Lapwing, and various raptors occur. Plains game such as zebra, impala, and buffalo are frequently seen alongside birds.

Day 5: Lake Mburo National Park – Full Exploration

A full day is dedicated to birding and wildlife viewing in Lake Mburo. Morning game drives target grassland birds, bustards, and raptors, while afternoon walks and lakeside birding offer chances to see African Finfoot, kingfishers, herons, and Grey Crowned Crane. The park’s relaxed atmosphere allows close observation and excellent photography.

Day 6: Lake Mburo – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Journey southwest through scenic highlands toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Birding stops along the way reveal farmland and roadside species, while the dramatic change in vegetation signals entry into montane rainforest. Evening bird calls and forest sounds set the tone for the next phase of the safari.

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Trekking

This day is dedicated to one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences: mountain gorilla trekking. After a briefing, you trek through dense forest to locate a habituated gorilla family. The encounter offers close observation of gorilla behavior. Afternoon birding around forest edges may reveal Albertine Rift endemics and colorful forest species.

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Forest Birding

Spend the day birding different trails within Bwindi, one of Africa’s richest forests. Target species include African Green Broadbill, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, and numerous sunbirds. Slow-paced walks allow careful listening and observation of mixed feeding flocks and understory specialists.

Day 9: Bwindi – Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha Sector)

Descend from forest to savannah as you travel to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Birding focuses on open plains and riverine habitats. Expect figbirds, starlings, raptors, and waterbirds, alongside chances to see elephants and other savannah mammals.

Day 10: Queen Elizabeth – Savannah & Wetland Birding

Morning game drives explore Kasenyi Plains for bustards, larks, and birds of prey. In the afternoon, birding around crater lakes and wetlands produces flamingos, pelicans, herons, and weavers. The park’s habitat diversity ensures a productive day for both birding and wildlife viewing.

Day 11: Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel provides outstanding waterbird sightings. You will see skimmers, pelicans, storks, kingfishers, and fish eagles at close range. Mammals such as hippos, buffalo, and elephants line the shores, creating a classic African safari scene.

Day 12: Queen Elizabeth – Kibale Forest Area

Travel north to Kibale Forest National Park. Afternoon birding focuses on forest edges, tea estates, and wetlands where forest and savannah species overlap. Expect turacos, hornbills, barbets, and colorful sunbirds.

Day 13: Kibale Forest – Chimpanzees & Birding

Begin the day with chimpanzee tracking, observing these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. Later, bird forest trails targeting greenbuls, flycatchers, warblers, and mixed flocks. Kibale’s rich biodiversity ensures both primate and birding highlights in a single day.

Day 14: Kibale – Semuliki National Park

Descend into the Albertine Rift Valley toward Semuliki National Park. Afternoon birding introduces Central African species rarely found elsewhere in East Africa, including hornbills, kingfishers, and forest specialists adapted to lowland rainforest conditions.

Day 15: Semuliki National Park – Full Day Birding

Spend a full day exploring Semuliki’s lowland forest and riverine habitats. Target specialties such as Nkulengu Rail, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, and colorful forest kingfishers. The humid forest environment and unique species composition make this one of Uganda’s most exciting birding destinations.

Day 16: Semuliki – Rwenzori Foothills

Travel along the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, birding montane slopes and cultivated areas. Expect montane species, sunbirds, and scenic landscapes dominated by snow-capped peaks. The day combines birding with dramatic scenery and cultural encounters in nearby communities.

Day 17: Rwenzori – Hoima Region

Continue north through western Uganda’s countryside, stopping for birding in wetlands, woodland patches, and river crossings. This transitional zone offers chances to add new species while enjoying Uganda’s rural landscapes and traditional villages.

Day 18: Hoima – Murchison Falls National Park

Enter Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area. Afternoon birding introduces savannah species, hornbills, and raptors. Wildlife sightings increase as you approach the Nile ecosystem.

Day 19: Murchison Falls – Savannah Game Drives

Morning game drives north of the Nile focus on savannah birds such as bustards, rollers, secretary birds, and eagles. Mammals including giraffe, lions, and elephants are commonly seen, making this a classic wildlife safari day combined with rewarding birding.

Day 20: Nile Delta Boat Safari

A boat safari to the Nile Delta offers excellent chances for Shoebill sightings and abundant waterbirds. Herons, storks, skimmers, and kingfishers thrive in this productive ecosystem. The slow boat pace allows close observation and photography.

Day 21: Murchison – Budongo Forest

Transfer to Budongo Forest, famous for its tall mahogany trees. Afternoon birding targets forest canopy species, parrots, hornbills, and understory birds in one of Uganda’s most productive birding forests.

Day 22: Budongo Forest – Full Birding Day

Spend the day exploring Budongo’s forest trails, focusing on mixed feeding flocks, ant-followers, and secretive forest species. The calm forest atmosphere allows patient observation and listening, rewarding birders with excellent sightings.

Day 23: Budongo – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Travel east to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Track rhinos on foot while birding open grassland and woodland habitats. This area offers a unique combination of large mammals and savannah bird species.

Day 24: Ziwa – Entebbe

Drive back to Entebbe with birding stops along wetlands and roadside habitats. The journey allows you to revisit familiar species and add final sightings to your bird list while enjoying a relaxed pace toward the end of the safari.

Day 25: Entebbe – Departure

Depending on flight time, enjoy a final morning bird walk around Entebbe Botanical Gardens or Lake Victoria shores. Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for departure, concluding an exceptional journey through Uganda’s finest wildlife and birding destinations.