14 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tours With Optional Mountain Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking – Overview

The 14 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tours with optional Mountain Gorilla to Bwindi, Mganhinga Gorilla & Chimpanzee trekking to Kibale Forest Parks is an amazing Uganda birding expedition covering the great Uganda birding sites including Mabamba swamp, Budongo Forest Reserve (Royal Mile & Kaniyo Pabidi), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP where you can as well track Chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Buhoma & Ruhija sectors) also with the option of Mountain Gorilla Trekking and eventually Lake Mburo National Park.

14 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tour With Optional Mountain Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport and transfer to the Hotel

Day 2: Birding in Mabamba Swamp & transfer to Masindi

Day 3: Birding along the Royal Mile & drive to Murchison – birding along the escarpment

Day 4: Private birding boat ride to the Delta Area, birding in the Savannah & transfer to Masindi via Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park, birding enroute including Sebitoli forest

Day 6: Do whole day birding in Kibale National Park. Optional afternoon Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale NP

Day 7: Transfer to Semliki National Park, do birding & return to Fort Portal

Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, birding in the Savannah & evening boat birding along Kazinga Channel

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bird en route in Ishasha sector with chances of exploring tree climbing lions as well. Evening birding along the park boundaries

Day 10: Birding in Buhoma Sector or Optional Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 11: Birding to Ruhija via Neck

Day 12: Encounter birds in the hilly forested landscapes of Ruhija and extension to Umubwindi Swamp

Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and do birding in the Savannah

Day 14: Private birding boat ride on Lake Mburo & transfer to Entebbe for flight departure

14 Days Uganda Birding Safari With Optional Mountain Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport And Transfer To The Hotel

Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport, meet our representative and connect to the hotel for overnight

Accommodation:

Budget: Acacia Beach Hotel

Midrange: Boma Hotel Entebbe

Luxury: Protea Hotel Entebbe – Deluxe room

Day 2: Birding in Mabamba Swamp & Transfer to Masindi

Undertake birding excursion to Mabamba swamp on Lake Victoria shores about 1 hour drive from Entebbe.

Mabamba Swamp is popular for the famous historical shoebill stork along with other birds. Enjoy a birding canoe looking for this prominent species traversing the swamp channels and have wonderful picturesque moments upon encountering it.

Other species to look out for include;  Lesser Jacana, Black-Shouldered kite, Blue Swallow, Blue Breasted Bee-Eater, White Winged warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Carruther’s Cisticola, Spotting Swamp Flycatcher, Papyrus Gonolek, ducks, gulls, plovers, egrets, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers.

You will retire from the activity, drive to Masindi town for relaxation, dinner and overnight. Lunch can be enjoyed at any convenient restaurant en route.

Accommodation:

Midrange: Kabalega Resort

Day 3: Birding Along The Royal Mile & Drive to Murchison – Birding Along The Escarpment 

Early birding expedition to Budongo Forest – one of the great mature tropical forests in Uganda. Birding is done along the Royal Mile the leading birding spot within Budongo Forest Reserve.

Birds to look out for include; Nahan’s Francolin, White-thighed Hornbill, Sabine’s and graceful Cassin’s Spinetail, Blue-throated Roller, Forest Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Lemon Bellied Crombec, Ituri Batis, Tit Hylia, Forest Robin, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Grey Throated, Yellow Billed, Yellow Spotted and Hairy Breasted Barbet, Black Billed and Great Blue Turaco, Plain, Spotted, Slender Billed, Little Grey, White Throated and Little Greeenbul, Dusy Long Tailed Cuckoo, Black-capped Apalis and Red Tailed Bristlebill among other species.  Primate species may also be spotted like black and white colobus monkeys, Red tailed and blue monkeys.

From the activity, proceed to Murchison via Bulisa and bird along the escarpment. Connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation:

Budget: Murchison River Lodge – Lazy Camping

Midrange: Murchison River Lodge – thatched Safari tents

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe room

Day 4: Private Birding Boat Ride To The Delta Area, Birding in The Savannah & Transfer to Masindi via Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

Murchison Falls National Park is home to 451 bird species thriving in its varied habitats ranging from riverine to Savannah and forests.

The private boat to the delta Area at the sunrise looks out for the famous Shoebill stork along with other bird species amidst the majestic views of Nile River – Victoria Nile (the first arm of world’s longest River emptying in Lake Albert).

Birds to look out for in Murchison include; the Goliath Heron – the largest heron in the world and pairs of elegant Grey Crowned Cranes – the national bird of Uganda, Swamp Flycatcher, the Blue-headed Coucal, Squacco Heron, Sandpipers, African Jacana, Denham’s Bustard, Black-billed Barbet, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Black-headed Gonolek, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Weaver Birds, Pied, Piapiac, Silver bird, Giant and Malachite Kingfishers, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Red-throated Bee-eater, African Quail-Finch and Speckle-fronted Weaver.

You will meet the vehicle at the Delta point, disembark from the boat and proceed with birding in the Savannah.

Murchison Falls National Park is also home to a range of wildlife such as Elephants, Rothschild giraffes, Buffaloes, the Jackson’s Hartebeest, the Oribi, Uganda Kob, Lions, and leopards among others.

Cross with the 4pm ferry and drive to Masindi looking out for Puveli Illadopsis en route in the Kaniyo pabidi forest.

Accommodation:

Midrange: Kabalega Resort

Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park, Birding Enroute Including Sebitoli Forest

Embark on the drive to Kibale National Park traversing the landscapes of Hoima, Kagadi and Kyenjojo while birding en route including Sebitoli forest – an extension of Kibale National Park. Retire for dinner and overnight.

 Accommodation:

Budget: Kibale Forest Camp – Non-en suite Tent

Midrange: Kibale Forest Camp –En suite Safari Tent

Luxury: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottage

Day 6: Do Whole Day Birding in Kibale National Park. Optional Afternoon Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale NP

Kibale National Park is home to 375 species of birds with its unique ones such as the Green breasted pitta and the Kibale ground thrush.

Other bird species to look out for include; Afep Pigeon, Crowned Eagle, Red-chested Owlet, White-naped Pigeon, Black Bee-eater, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Western Nicator, Little Greenbul, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Brown-chested Alethe, African Grey Parrot, Brown Illadopsis, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Black-capped Apalis, Collared Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Blue-headed Sunbird,  Purple-breasted Sunbird, Yellow Spotted Nicator, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Little Green Bul, Abyssinian Ground-thrush and Black-eared Ground Thrush.

With an amazing birding adventure in the morning, you can dedicate the afternoon to Chimpanzee trekking exploring the members of the Great Apes.

Chimpanzee trekking starts at 2pm from Kanyanchu Tourism Center with briefing from the park rangers. The trek lasts 2 – 5 hours with 1 hour of direct interface with Chimps as they feed and socialize.

But you can as well choose to bird in Bigodi wetland the home to 138 bird species including the great blue turaco. Drive to Fort Portal for overnight

Accommodation:

Budget: Rwenzori View Guesthouse 

Midrange: Mountains of the Moon Hotel

Luxury:  Kyaninga Lodge

Day 7: Transfer to Semliki National Park, Do Birding & Return to Fort Portal

Connect to Semliki Forest National Park in the early morning about 1hr – 1.5hrs drive welcomed by amazing scenic views of Rwenzori Mountains.

Semuliki National Park is famous for its Guinea Congo biome species that are hardly found in other areas of East Africa. Birds to look out for include; Congo Serpent Eagle, Bate’s Nightjar, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Orange-tufted Sunbird, Rufous-sided, Black-winged Broadbill, Black-throated Coucal, Icterine Greenbul, Nkulengu Rail, Spot-breasted Ibis, Long-tailed Hawk, Capuchin Babbler, Northern Bearded Scrub Robin, Yellow-throated and Western Nicator,  Red-chested Owlet, Black-collared Lovebird, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, White-bellied Kingfisher, Zenker’s and Lyre-tailed Honey guides, White-throated Blue Swallow, Crested Malimbe, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Blue-billed Malimbe, Chestnut Bellied and Pale-fronted Negrofinch, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, Piping, Black Dwarf, Red-billed Dwarf, White Crested, African Piculet among other bird species. Return to Fort Portal for overnight.

Accommodation:

Budget: Rwenzori View Guesthouse 

Midrange: Mountains of the Moon Hotel

Luxury:  Kyaninga Lodge

Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Birding in The Savannah & Evening Boat Birding Along Kazinga Channel

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park 135km about 2 – 3 hours’ drive amidst incredible views of the legendary Mountains of the moon – the Rwenzori Mountains.

Queen Elizabeth National Park has the highest bird species compared to other National Parks in Uganda with over 600 bird species.

Upon arrival, do birding in the Savannah and later along Kazinga Channel by boat. Birds to look out for include; Temminck’s Courser, Rupell’s Griffon, Martial Eagle, White Headed, Lappet Faced Vultures, Blue Quail, Harlequin Quail, Small (Common) Buttonquail, African Crake, African Skimmer, Black Headed Gonolek, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Amur Falcon, Lowland Akalat, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Greater and Lesser Flamingo among others.  Queen Elizabeth National Park is also home to Lions, Leopard, waterbuck, Elephant, Buffalos among others.

Accommodation:

 Budget: Bush Lodge – Lazy Camping

Midrange: Bush Lodge – Bandas

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Deluxe room

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bird En-route in Ishasha Sector With Chances of Exploring Tree-climbing Lions As Well As Evening Birding Along The Park Boundaries

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 160km to Buhoma birding in Ishasha sector – south of Queen Elizabeth National Park en route.

The sector is also popular for tree climbing lions presenting an amazing sight on your Uganda birding safari. Proceed to Bwindi Buhoma and bird along the park boundaries.

Accommodation:

Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Midrange: Haven Lodge Buhoma

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge

Day 10: Birding in Buhoma Sector or Optional Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bird along the waterfall trail looking out for slender billed starling, Kivu ground thrush, plus the white bellied Robin-chat, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Mountain Buzzard, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, Sooty Boubou, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, African Hill-Babbler, Ayre’s Hawk-eagle, Black-and-white Shriker-flycatcher, slender billed starling, Dusky Tit, Ashy Flycatcher, Chin-spot Batis, Rwenzori Batis, Dusky-blue Flycatcher and Doherty’s Bush-shrike among others.

Alternatively, take up an amazing Mountain Gorilla Trekking to explore these amazing species. The activity commences at 8am and takes 2 – 8 hours depending on the movement of the allocated gorilla group.

The actual time with the Mountain Gorillas is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation.

Accommodation:

Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Midrange: Haven Lodge Buhoma

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge

Day 11: Birding to Ruhija via Neck

Enjoy an amazing birding experience along the neck to Ruhija in the East of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Birds to look out for include; the Grey-throated Barbet, Red-tailed and Shelley’s Greenbul, Common Buzzard, Red-throated Alethe, African Shrike-flycatcher Ayres’s Hawk-eagle, Black Bee-eater and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater to mention but a few. Retire for Dinner and overnight

Accommodation:

Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp

Day 12: Encounter Birds in The Hilly Forested Landscapes of Ruhija And Extension To Umubwindi Swamp

Ruhija sector – the best birding spot in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park presents rich bird encounters including the endemic African green broadbill.

Birds to look out for include; Macknon’s Fiscal, Augar Buzzard, Tropical Boubou, Ayre’s Hawk Eagle, Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher, Mountain Buzzard and Wagtail, Western Bronze Naped Pigoen, Barred and Dusky Long Tailed Cuckoo, Black Faced Rufous Warbler, White Headed Wood Hopoe, Ducky Tit, Ludhur’s and Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike,  Grey-Green Bush-Shrike, White Eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Chestnut Throated Apalis, Streaky Seed-Eater, White Starred Robin, Stripe Breasted Tit among others.

The Umubwindi swamp after which the park is named presents possibilities of viewing the; leafy looking broadbill, Olive, Elliot’s and Fine-banded Woodpecker, Black-billed Turaco, African Hill Babbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Mountain Illadopsis, Mountain Greenbul, Red-faced Woodland, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Chestnut-throated Collard and Black Throated Apalis, Mountain Yellow Warbler,  Stripe-breasted Tit, Mountain, Shelley’s and Yellow-streaked Greenbul, African Green-Broadbill, Regal Sunbird and Rwenzori Batis among other bird species.

Accommodation:

Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp

Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park And Do Birding in The Savannah 

Drive to Lake Mburo National Park 235km driving through the scenic landscapes including the fascinating Kigezi Highlands, the overlooking Virunga Volcanoes and the farmlands of Ntungamo and Mbarara.

Upon arrival, do birding in the acacia associated Savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo National Park which is home to 350 bird species including the endemic Red faced Barbet and rare Tabora cisticola among other bird species.

Lake Mburo National Park is also home to Impala antelope, the largest population of Burchell’s Zebra, Elands, Rothschild giraffes, Topis among others that combine with birds to derive a diverse safari experience

Accommodation:

Budget: Eagles Nest Mburo

Midrange: Rwakobo Rock

Luxury: Mihingo Lodge

Day 14: Private Birding Boat Ride on Lake Mburo & Transfer to Entebbe For Flight Departure  

Enjoy a morning birding encounter on Lake Mburo on boat. Here, there are possibilities of exploring the African fin-foot, African fish eagle and a range of Kingfishers.

From the activity, bird in the Savannah and later transfer to Entebbe International Airport to catch up with the flight back home.

End of The 14 Days Uganda Birding Safari With Optional Mountain Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking.