15-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari

Explore Mabamba’s papyrus channels by canoe and bird in nearby community habitat. Shoebill is the principal focus, while possible wetland observations also include lapwings, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, African Jacana and Papyrus Gonolek.

Return to Mabamba early for another wetland session, allowing a second opportunity to work the available channels and margins. Later, continue toward Mpanga Forest for forest-edge and woodland birding.

Travel north toward Murchison Falls National Park, using suitable lunch and birding stops along the route. On reaching the park area, the habitat mix broadens to savannah, riverine woodland and open country, with possible bee-eaters, raptors, hornbills and large mammals.

Start with an early wildlife and birding drive across Murchison Falls National Park. An afternoon boat cruise on the Nile then shifts attention to waterbirds, river wildlife and species using the surrounding Borassus grassland.

Devote the day to the Royal Mile and nearby Budongo Forest trails. The broad track and forest conditions provide opportunities for sustained observation and photography of Uganda’s forest birdlife.

Drive south to Kibale, incorporating birding and rest stops where the journey allows. If the group reaches the area with enough daylight, use the remaining time around the accommodation or nearby forest edge.

Begin early with Green-breasted Pitta and other Kibale forest birds as priorities. Chimpanzee tracking is optional and must be confirmed in advance. Later, work the roadside before exploring Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary’s mix of forest margins and wetter habitat.

Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, whose savannah, woodland and wetlands support both abundant birdlife and large mammals. The supplied route notes that more than 600 bird species have been recorded in the park.

Use the morning for a wildlife drive with time for both birds and mammals. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel for waterbirds, hippos and other animals using the shoreline.

Cross the Ishasha sector, where tree-climbing lions are a possible observation rather than a certainty. Afterwards, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Albertine Rift forest birding and the upcoming primate activity.

Join a guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi’s Buhoma sector. The activity is subject to permit availability, park rules and confirmed arrangements, while walking conditions depend on the gorillas’ movements and the forest.

Spend a full day on Bwindi’s forest trails, working toward Mubwindi or another suitable area selected for current access and bird activity. The focus is on Albertine Rift specialties and other forest birds.

Leave Bwindi and travel toward Lake Mburo National Park, pausing for birding when conditions and journey time permit. Settle into the confirmed accommodation in the park area.

Explore Lake Mburo by vehicle, on foot where access permits and on a boat trip. Possible birds range from kingfishers and night-herons to African Finfoot and open-country species; zebra, eland and antelope may also be encountered.

Return to Entebbe for the onward flight. Additional birding stops can be made only when the road journey and confirmed departure time allow.