16-Day Uganda Albertine Rift Birding Safari
Travel from Lake Mburo to Mgahinga and Bwindi, then explore Semuliki, Budongo and Murchison Falls on a 16-day birding journey with primate tracking.
About this tour
The southern highlands come early on this sixteen-day route, followed by the lowland forests of western Uganda and a finish at Murchison Falls. Lake Mburo opens the journey with a boat outing and savannah wildlife, before Mgahinga becomes the base for birding and separate golden monkey and gorilla excursions.
A full birding day at Mgahinga explores its varied montane vegetation. Rwenzori Turaco, Strange Weaver and Blue-headed Sunbird are among the possibilities. The itinerary then visits Bwindi’s Rushaga area for another forest-birding outing before a longer transfer toward Semuliki.
Semuliki changes the setting to low-lying forest connected with the Congo Basin. From there, the route turns toward the Budongo area, allowing separate visits to the Royal Mile and the southern forest section at Pabidi. The Royal Mile’s forest trail offers opportunities for barbets and malimbes, while the next outing searches for hornbills and flycatchers.
Murchison Falls supplies the final contrast: open woodland and palm-dotted savannah, a morning game drive and an afternoon boat trip. The last day returns to Entebbe with a packed lunch. Birding, boat excursions and primate tracking are scheduled activities; the cost coverage of individual permits and services is available on request.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Uganda.
Itinerary
Day 1
Entebbe arrival
Your guide meets you on arrival in Uganda. Overnight in Entebbe or Kampala, depending on the arrival schedule.
Day 2
Journey to Lake Mburo
Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. This is the first park stop before the route continues into the southwestern highlands.
Day 3
Boat birding at Lake Mburo
Take a boat excursion of about two hours, searching for African Finfoot, herons and wetland birds. Game drives on the return journey and later in the day add savannah birding and wildlife viewing.
Day 4
Travel to Mgahinga
Head toward Mgahinga on a journey that may exceed four hours. Lunch may be taken in Kabale before checking into the next lodge.
Day 5
Golden monkeys of Mgahinga
Report to the visitors' centre for the tracking briefing. The walk passes through highland vegetation while looking for golden monkeys and other forest wildlife.
Day 6
A full day of highland birding
Carry a packed lunch for the day's birding in Mgahinga. Possible highlights include Rwenzori Turaco, Strange Weaver and Blue-headed Sunbird among montane forest species.
Day 7
Mgahinga gorilla excursion
Attend the morning briefing before gorilla tracking. Allow for more than two hours in the forest, then return for lunch and prepare to move on.
Day 8
Rushaga forest birding
Explore the Rushaga area of Bwindi for another montane-forest bird community. Regal Sunbird and Equatorial Akalat are among the possible species.
Day 9
The road to Semuliki
Leave the highlands for the low-lying Semuliki area. The transfer is a substantial travel day, with a possible lunch stop in Kasese before reaching the lodge.
Day 10
Semuliki birdwatching
Search the forest habitats associated with the eastern edge of the Congo Basin. Hornbills, weavers and other lowland forest birds are the focus of this outing.
Day 11
Toward Budongo
Transfer toward Hoima and the next forest-birding stage. Lunch may be taken during the journey before an overnight near the following day's birding area.
Day 12
Royal Mile forest trail
Bring a packed lunch for an extended outing along the Royal Mile. Look for barbets, malimbes and other forest birds along the trail.
Day 13
Southern Budongo birding
Explore the Pabidi forest area on the southern side of Murchison Falls. Search for hornbills and flycatchers; chimpanzees may occasionally be encountered.
Day 14
Onward to Murchison Falls
Continue birdwatching in the Budongo area before driving into Murchison Falls National Park. Check into the lodge for the final park stage.
Day 15
Murchison savannah and river
A morning game drive covers open woodland and palm-dotted habitats, with bee-eaters, ground hornbills and eagles possible. An afternoon boat excursion adds river birds and wildlife near the falls.
Day 16
Airport transfer
Depart after breakfast with a packed lunch for the drive to Entebbe. The journey ends at the international airport.
Locations & map
- Entebbe - Uganda
- Lake Mburo National Park - Uganda
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park - Uganda
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Uganda
- Semuliki National Park - Uganda
- Budongo Forest - Uganda
- Murchison Falls National Park - Uganda
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.