19-Day Uganda Birding and Primates Safari
A customized 19-day Uganda birding journey through Mabamba, Lake Mburo, Mgahinga, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Semuliki, Kibale and Budongo, with gorilla and chimpanzee tracking.
About this tour
A customized 19-day Uganda birding journey through Mabamba, Lake Mburo, Mgahinga, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Semuliki, Kibale and Budongo, with gorilla and chimpanzee tracking.
Every journey is customized around the guest’s birding interests, available time, preferred accommodation and optional activities. A personalized price is based on tour length, accommodation choice, permits and selected activities. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Uganda.
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, transfer to the agreed accommodation and, if flight timing permits, begin birding in Entebbe Botanical Gardens.
Visit Mabamba Swamp by canoe in search of Shoebill and other papyrus wetland birds, then continue to Lake Mburo National Park.
Begin with early birding in Lake Mburo before travelling to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Kisoro area.
Spend a full day birding Mgahinga’s montane habitats. Priorities include Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis and Dwarf Honeyguide.
Travel to Ruhija with birding in Echuya Forest and other suitable stops along the route.
Carry a packed lunch for a full day on the Mubwindi Swamp trail. Key possibilities include Grauer’s Broadbill, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher and Handsome Spurfowl.
Attend the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing and undertake a guided mountain-gorilla trek, subject to permit availability and confirmed guest arrangements.
Transfer to the Buhoma sector while birding the forest corridor at The Neck.
Spend a full day birding the Waterfall Trail. Priorities may include Neumann’s Warbler, Jameson’s Antpecker, Willard’s Sooty Boubou and African Broadbill.
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park and take an evening boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, subject to arrival time and operating conditions.
Travel to Semuliki National Park with birding stops along the route before settling near the park.
Spend a full day birding the Kirumia Trail for lowland forest specialities. Trail choice and effort are adjusted to access, weather and recent sightings.
Return to the Kirumia Trail or bird the Red Monkey Trail according to species missed on the first day and current forest conditions.
Travel to Kibale National Park with birding along the escarpment and other suitable stops.
Join a permitted chimpanzee-tracking activity and continue birding in Kibale Forest during the afternoon.
Make an early search for Green-breasted Pitta and other forest species, then continue to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for additional birding and primate possibilities.
Travel toward Masindi with birding stops along the road according to time and conditions.
Spend a full day birding the Royal Mile in Budongo Forest for kingfishers, hornbills, forest flycatchers, greenbuls and other specialities.
Travel back to Entebbe International Airport with birding stops where time permits. The route and departure timing are coordinated with the confirmed flight.
Locations & map
- Entebbe - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Mabamba Swamp - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Lake Mburo National Park - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Echuya Forest - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Ruhija - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Buhoma - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Semuliki National Park - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Kibale National Park - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
- Budongo Forest - Uganda (Conditions vary by elevation, habitat and season; current access and weather are confirmed before travel.)
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Available on request; dates and itinerary are customized to the guest’s interests, available time and travel preferences
Price: Price on request
Included
- All meals - Included in the customized package.
- Airport pickup and drop-off - Arrival and departure transfers are included.
- Park entry fees - Entry fees for parks in the confirmed itinerary are included.
- 4x4 Land Cruiser transport with fuel - Ground transport and fuel are included.
- Professional guide services - Professional guiding is included throughout the confirmed program.
- Boat cruises - Boat cruises named in the confirmed itinerary are included.
- Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits when requested - Permits are included when selected and named in the personalized proposal.
Not included
- International flights and visas - Travellers arrange international flights and entry requirements.
- Travel and medical insurance - Travellers arrange suitable cover for the selected activities.
- Personal expenses, tips and unselected options - Any activity, permit or service not named in the personalized proposal is excluded.
Transport & stays
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with fuel, plus boat excu Ground transport and route-specific boat activities are confirmed in the personalized proposal. | Meet: Entebbe International Airport, an Entebbe hotel or another agreed location | Pickup: Airport pickup and drop-off are included; exact details follow the confirmed flights and accommodation.
Accommodations
- The Boma Hotel or 2 Friends Beach Hotel (day 1) Suggested mid-range options
- Rwakobo Rock or Kigarama Wilderness Lodge (day 2) Suggested mid-range options
- Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge or Travellers Rest Hotel (days 3-4) Suggested mid-range options
- Bakiga Lodge or Agandi Eco Lodge (days 5-7) Suggested mid-range options
- Buhoma Haven Lodge or Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse (days 8-9) Suggested mid-range options
- Twin Lakes Safari Lodge or Enganzi Game Lodge (day 10) Suggested mid-range options
- Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or Isunga Lodge (days 14-16) Suggested mid-range options
- Masindi Hotel or New Court View Hotel (days 17-18) Suggested mid-range options
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Is this a fixed itinerary?
The route is a detailed starting point and is customized to guest interests, available time, accommodation preference, permits and current conditions.
Are gorilla and chimpanzee permits included?
They can be included when requested. Availability and cost are confirmed for the chosen dates.
Is there a fixed departure price?
A personalized current proposal is prepared after the route, accommodation and optional activities are confirmed.