16-Day Uganda Mixed Ecosystems Popular Birding Safari
A 16-day Uganda circuit across Lake Victoria wetlands, western rainforests, Nile and savanna habitats, Bwindi’s Albertine Rift forests and Lake Mburo.
About this tour
This 16-day circuit samples a broad cross-section of Uganda’s birding habitats. It begins around Entebbe and Lake Victoria, with garden birding and a Mabamba Bay visit, then moves north through Budongo’s Royal Mile to Murchison Falls National Park. Savanna tracks and a Nile boat session add open-country and water-associated species before the route turns south toward Kibale.
Kibale and Bigodi bring forest and wetland birding, including an early search for Green-breasted Pitta. Chimpanzee tracking is part of the published programme. The journey continues through Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the plan combines savanna birding with an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat trip, and then follows the Ishasha sector toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Several days are devoted to Bwindi, covering the Buhoma Waterfall Trail, the Bwindi Neck, Ruhija and Umubwindi Swamp. A gorilla-tracking day is included in the sequence, subject to current permit arrangements. The final stage crosses to Lake Mburo for woodland and lake birding before returning to Kampala or Entebbe.
Current permits, accommodation, transport, price, group size and detailed inclusions are confirmed after inquiry. All bird and wildlife encounters remain conditional.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Uganda.
Birds you can spot
Podica senegalensis
target
Merops gularis
target
Pseudocalyptomena graueri
target
Corythaeola cristata
target
Pitta reichenowi
target
Laniarius mufumbiri
target
Gallirex johnstoni
target
Balaeniceps rex
target
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival and Botanical Gardens birding
Arrive in Entebbe and, when timing permits, begin with afternoon birding in the Botanical Gardens. The gardens introduce Lake Victoria shoreline, garden and forest-edge habitats.
Day 2
Mabamba Bay and transfer to Masindi
Visit Mabamba Bay on Lake Victoria for wetland birding, with Shoebill as the main priority. Continue north to Masindi for the night.
Day 3
Budongo Royal Mile to Murchison Falls
Bird the Royal Mile in Budongo Forest for forest-interior species. Transfer onward to Murchison Falls National Park.
Day 4
Murchison savanna and Nile birding
Explore Murchison’s savanna tracks during the morning. In the afternoon, use the River Nile boat route for waterbirds and riverside species.
Day 5
Transfer to Kibale with birding
Travel south toward Kibale, using suitable stops for birding along the way. The day is primarily a transfer between Murchison and the western forest zone.
Day 6
Green-breasted Pitta and chimpanzees
Begin early with a search for Green-breasted Pitta and other forest birds in Kibale. The published programme then allows for chimpanzee tracking in the afternoon.
Day 7
Bigodi Wetland to Queen Elizabeth
Scan Bigodi Wetland during the morning for wetland and forest-edge birds. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon.
Day 8
Queen Elizabeth and Kazinga Channel
Bird the savanna tracks of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Later, take the Kazinga Channel boat route for waterbirds and other channel wildlife.
Day 9
Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi
Travel through the Ishasha sector while birding en route. Continue from Queen Elizabeth National Park toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Day 10
Buhoma Waterfall Trail
Walk the Waterfall Trail in Bwindi’s Buhoma sector, concentrating on montane forest birds. The day remains within the lower-elevation Buhoma area.
Day 11
Bwindi Neck to Ruhija
Transfer from Buhoma toward Ruhija, stopping for birding at the Bwindi Neck. This links two distinct sectors of the forest.
Day 12
Gorilla tracking
The programme sets aside this day for gorilla tracking in Bwindi. Permit availability, briefing and exact timing must be confirmed for the booked departure.
Day 13
Umubwindi Swamp birding
Bird the Umubwindi Swamp area from Ruhija, with attention to Albertine Rift endemics. Access and field effort depend on current trail conditions.
Day 14
Birding transfer to Lake Mburo
Leave Bwindi and transfer toward Lake Mburo National Park, birding at suitable stops along the route.
Day 15
Lake Mburo woodland and boat birding
Cover Lake Mburo’s woodland tracks during the morning. An afternoon boat session adds lake and shoreline birding.
Day 16
Morning birding and return
Use the morning for a final birding session around Lake Mburo. Transfer afterward to Kampala or Entebbe.
Locations & map
- Entebbe - Central Uganda Uganda
- Mabamba Bay Wetland - Wakiso District Uganda
- Budongo Forest / Royal Mile - Western Uganda Uganda
- Murchison Falls National Park - Western Uganda Uganda
- Kibale National Park - Western Uganda Uganda
- Bigodi Wetland - Kibale area Uganda
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - Western Uganda Uganda
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Southwestern Uganda Uganda
- Lake Mburo National Park - Western Uganda Uganda
9 stops in itinerary order. Select a marker for its name.
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Price: Price on request
Policies & FAQ
How are price, permits and inclusions confirmed?
Send an inquiry with your preferred dates and party details. The current price, availability, permits, accommodation, transport and included services will be confirmed for the final proposal.
Are bird and wildlife sightings guaranteed?
No. The itinerary identifies habitats and possible target species, but observations depend on season, weather, access and natural bird or wildlife activity.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.