15 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tours – Overview

15 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tours is a remarkable African birding expedition to Uganda featuring a diversity of water birds, Savannah, and forest-related bird species.

The 15 Days Birding Safari in Uganda covers the popular Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Budongo Forest and Kibale NP, the Savannah parks of Murchison Falls NP, Lake Mburo NP, and Queen Elizabeth NP.

It also includes Mabamba Swamp popular for Shoebill storks.

15 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tours – Highlights

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

Day 2: Birding in Mabamba Swamp and transfer to Masindi

Day 3: Birding along the Royal Mile in Budongo Forest, birding along the escarpment & transfer to Murchison Falls Np

Day 4: Morning Private boat to the Delta Area & birding in the Savannah in the afternoon

Day 5: Morning birding in northern Murchison and transfer to Hoima

Day 6: Transfer to Kibale National Park Area, birding en route including Sebitoli

Day 7: Do whole day birding in Kibale National Park & Bigodi Wetland walk

Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Np, sightseeing of the Rwenzoris en route & do birding in the afternoon upon arrival

Day 9: Do a whole day birding in Queen Elizabeth Np with an afternoon Kazinga Channel tourist boat cruise

Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Explore the birds in the Ishasha sector with chances of tree-climbing lions

Day 11: Whole day birding in Buhoma Sector.

Day 12: Birding to Ruhija via Neck

Day 13: Encounter birds in the hilly forested landscapes of Ruhija and the extension to Umubwindi Swamp

Day 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and do birding in the Savannah

Day 15:  Early birding on Lake Mburo by boat, birding in the Savannah and transfer to Entebbe for late evening flight departure.

15 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport & 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 and Transfer to Masindi

Undertake a 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, Carruthers Cisticola, Spotting Swamp Flycatcher, Papyrus Gonolek, ducks, gulls, plovers, egrets, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers.

You will retire from the activity, and 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 in Budongo Forest, Birding Along The Escarpment & Transfer to Murchison Falls Np

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 Greenbul, 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: Morning Private Boat To The Delta Area & Birding in The Savannah in The Afternoon

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 sunrise looks out for the famous Shoebill stork along with other bird species amidst the majestic views of the Nile River – Victoria Nile (the first arm of the 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.

Accommodation:

Budget: Murchison River Lodge – Lazy Camping

Midrange: Murchison River Lodge – thatched Safari tents

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe room

Day 5: Morning Birding in Northern Murchison And Transfer to Hoima

Enjoy morning birding opportunities in northern Murchison before crossing to the southern side to do birding at the top of the falls.

Here, you enjoy the views of the Nile River squeezing itself to pass through a less than 7m ravine before falling 43m below to what has been termed as the Devil’s Cauldron generating a thunderous roar and a trademark rainbow.

Birds to look out for include; Pel’s fishing Owl, chest-nut crowned and the Red-winged grey warbler among others. From the activity, transfer to Hoima via Kaniyo Pabidi forests with possibilities of exploring the Puvel’s Illadopsis. Proceed to Hoima for overnight.

Accommodation

Midrange: Hoima Cultural Lodge

Day 6: Transfer to Kibale National Park Area, Birding En-route Including Sebitoli

 Embark on the drive to Kibale National Park traversing the landscapes of 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 7: Do Whole Day Birding in Kibale National Park & Bigodi Wetland Walk

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.

In the afternoon, you do birding in Bigodi wetland the home to 138 bird species including the great blue turaco. Settle for relaxation 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 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Np, Sightseeing of The Rwenzoris En-route & Do Birding in The Afternoon Upon Arrival

After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 3 hours’ drive. The views of Rwenzori Mountains – the third highest Mountain in Africa (5,109m) en route are quite fascinating. Proceed to the park and do birding in the Savannah.

Accommodation:

Budget: Bush Lodge – Non en-suite tent

Midrange: Bush Lodge – En suite Bandas

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Deluxe room

Day 9: Do Whole Day Birding in Queen Elizabeth Np With Afternoon Kazinga Channel Tourist Boat Cruise

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 – Non en-suite tent

Midrange: Bush Lodge – En suite Bandas

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Deluxe room

Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Explore The Birds in Ishasha Sector With Chances Of Tree Climbing Lions

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 11: Whole-day Birding in Buhoma Sector.

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.

Accommodation:

Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Midrange: Haven Lodge Buhoma

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge

Day 12: 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 13: Encounter Birds in The Hilly Forested Landscapes of Ruhija And The 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 Pigeon, 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 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park And Do Birding With a Boat Ride on Lake Mburo

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, and 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 15:  Early Birding on Lake Mburo By Boat, Birding in The Savannah And Transfer to Entebbe For Late Evening Flight Departure.  

Enjoy a morning birding encounter on Lake Mburo on the 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 15 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tour.