21 Days Uganda Birding Safaris Tour in Africa – Overview

21 Days Uganda Birding Safaris Tour in Africa, Trending Uganda birding safaris is a comprehensive birding safari package covering incredible birding spots in Uganda including Mabira Forest Reserve, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Semuliki National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Mabamba Swamp.

21 Days Uganda Birding Safaris Tour in Africa – Highlights

• Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport & drive to the lodge
• Day 2: Drive to Mabira Forest and do birding
• Day 3: Mabira Forest birding – full day
• Day 4: Drive to Masindi on the outskirts of Budongo Forest Reserve. En route birding at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Day 5: Budongo Forest Reserve birding encounter – Busingiro Area / Royal Mile
• Day 6:  Birding Kaniyo Pabidi Site – a section of Budongo Forest Reserve, drive to Murchison Falls National Park & bird on the top of the falls
• Day 7: Bird along the Nile River; Private boat to the Delta Area and afternoon tourist boat to the bottom of the falls
• Day 8: Birding in the Savannah stretches of northern Murchison & transfer to Hoima. Birding at the escarpment en route
• Day 9: Birding transfer to Kibale National Park Area. Bird along the Sebitoli Area
• Day 10: Full-day birding in Kibale NP & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
• Day 11: Birding in Semuliki NP & return to Fort Portal
• Day 12: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, bird in the Mweya Peninsular
• Day 13: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park; Kasenyi sector, Katunguru Area & Kazinga Channel
• Day 14: Birding in Ishasha sector en route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 15: Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Buhoma Sector
• Day 16: Undertake Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi – Buhoma Sector
• Day 17: Birding to Ruhija through Neck
• Day 18: Birding in Ruhija sector including the Umubwindi Swamp
• Day 19: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, do birding in the Savannah
• Day 20: Early morning birding by boat on Lake Mburo, birding in the Savannah & transfer to Entebbe
• Day 21:  Birding Mabamba Swamp and depart

21 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tour in Africa – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport & Drive To The Lodge 

Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe Airport, meet our representative and transfer to the Hotel for relaxation and overnight

Accommodation

Budget: Airport Guesthouse

Midrange: Boma Hotel Entebbe

Luxury: Protea Hotel Entebbe – Deluxe room

Day 2: Drive to Mabira Forest And Do Birding

Transfer to Mabira Forest Reserve after breakfast for a day birding encounter. Mabira Forest Reserve is one of the notable birding sites in Uganda with over 300 bird species among which include; the Horn-bill species, Great Blue Turaco, African Grey parrot, African Pitta, sun-birds and Nahan’s Francolin.

Mabira Forest is noted among the two places in East Africa where the pretty Tit hylia has been recorded. Retire for overnight

Accommodation

Budget: Griffin Falls Camp

Luxury: Mabira Rain Forest Lodge

Day 3: Mabira Forest Birding – Full-day

Undertake an extensive birding exploration in the famous Mabira Forest Reserve. Explore the different forest sectors exposing yourself a great deal birds, primates and lush flora.

Accommodation

Budget: Griffin Falls Camp

Luxury: Mabira Rain Forest Lodge

 Day 4: Drive to Masindi on The Outskirts of Budongo Forest Reserve. En-route Birding at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary 

After breakfast, transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – the only place with Rhino population in Uganda. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is also home to 250 bird species among which include the; Blue spotted dove, Booted eagle, Abyssinian Ground Horn-bill,        Broad billed Roller, African Black Crake, Brown-backed Srub Robin, African Blue Flycatcher  among other birds. The sights of the Southern white Rhinos will add on great memories. Proceed to Masindi for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kabalega Resort Masindi

Day 5: Budongo Forest Reserve Birding Encounter – Busingiro Area / Royal Mile

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. Retire for relaxation and overnight

Accommodation: Kabalega Resort Masindi

Day 6:  Birding Kaniyo Pabidi Site – A section of Budongo Forest Reserve, Drive to Murchison Falls National Park & Birding on The Top of The Falls

Drive to Murchison Falls National Park – Kaninyo pabidi forest sector entering via Kichumbayobo gate. You do birding in this section of Budongo Forest popular for the Puvelli Illadopsis and the Yellow footed fly catcher among other species.

From the activity proceed to the top of Murchison Falls – the world’s most powerful waterfall enjoying incredible sights and sounds of the Nile River squeezing itself to pass through a 7m ravine before falling 43m below generating a plume of spray surrounded by a thunderous roar and marked with a trademark rainbow!

The enchanting birds thrive here with others singing their songs in excitement while others perch calmly amidst the roaring sound! Retire for overnight

Accommodation:  

Budget: Twiga Tales Lodge

Midrange: Murchison River Lodge – thatched safari tent

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe room

Day 7:  Bird Along The Nile River; Private Boat to The Delta Area And Afternoon Tourist Boat To The Bottom of The Falls

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.

In the afternoon, enjoy a tourist boat cruise to the bottom of the falls as it offers sights of aquatics, water birds on the river banks and the wild game that draw close to drink water.

Accommodation:  

Budget: Twiga Tales Lodge

Midrange: Murchison River Lodge – thatched safari tent

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe room

Day 8:  Birding in The Savannah Stretches of Northern Murchison & Transfer to Hoima. Birding At The Escarpment En-route

Birding in the northern sector of Murchison, cross with the 11am ferry and drive out of the park via Bulisa/Bugungu gate. Enjoy birding on the escarpment before proceeding to Hoima for overnight

Accommodation:  Hoima Cultural Lodge

Day 9: Birding Transfer to Kibale National Park Area. Bird Along The Sebitoli Area

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 10: Full-day Birding in Kibale NP & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary And Drive to Fort Portal

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.

On this day, you can as well choose to do Chimpanzee trekking either in the morning or in the afternoon.

Accommodation:

 Budget: Rwenzori View Guesthouse 

Midrange: Mountains of the Moon Hotel

Luxury:  Kyaninga Lodge

Day 11: Birding in Semuliki NP & 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 12: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bird in The Mweya Peninsular 

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 13: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park; Kasenyi Sector, Katunguru Area & Kazinga Channel

 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 14: Birding in Ishasha Sector En-route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

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 15: Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – 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 16: Undertake Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Buhoma Sector

 Undertake an exciting Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the home to a minimum of 400 Mountain Gorillas which is close to a half of their world population.

The trek starts at 8am from the park station Buhoma and lasts 2 – 8 hours depending on how the gorillas have moved.

The direct encounter with Mountain Gorillas is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation. During the trek to and from the Gorillas, you enjoy birding opportunities.

Accommodation:

Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Midrange: Haven Lodge Buhoma

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge

Day 17: Birding to Ruhija Through 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 18: Birding in Ruhija Sector Including The 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 19: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, 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 20: Early Morning Birding By Boat on Lake Mburo, Birding in The Savannah & Transfer to Entebbe

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.

Accommodation

Budget: Airport Guesthouse

Midrange: Boma Hotel Entebbe

Luxury: Protea Hotel Entebbe – Deluxe room

Day 21:  Birding Mabamba Swamp And Depart

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, connect to Entebbe International Airport for an onward flight.

End of The 21 Days Uganda Birding Safari Tour in Africa.