18-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari with Ziwa and Bwindi
Link Ziwa, Murchison Falls and Budongo with Kibale, Bwindi and Lake Mburo on an 18-day safari combining dedicated birding, boat trips and primate tracking.
About this tour
Rhino country, rainforest trails and wetland birding are linked in this eighteen-day circuit from Entebbe. Ziwa begins the wildlife programme, followed by Murchison Falls and Budongo. The route then works south through Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi, ending with an extended Lake Mburo stay.
Birding is woven through the transfers and given dedicated time in the parks. Budongo’s Royal Mile offers forest species, while Kibale combines chimpanzee tracking with afternoon birding around the main road and Bigodi wetland. At Queen Elizabeth, a morning drive is paired with the Kazinga Channel cruise.
After gorilla tracking, three further Bwindi days concentrate on the Mubwindi trail, Buhoma and the main forest trail. This longer stay provides repeated opportunities to search for montane birds, including possible Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Apalis and Bar-tailed Trogon.
Lake Mburo rounds off the circuit with savannah birding, a possible evening or night drive and a roughly two-hour boat trip. African Finfoot and White-backed Night Heron are among the waterbird possibilities. Lodge or safari-tent accommodation, full-board meals, guided transport, listed activities and park fees are included. Wildlife movements and local conditions influence the sightings and pace of each excursion.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Uganda.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive and settle in Entebbe
Meet the safari guide at the international airport. Depending on arrival time, settle into an Entebbe lodge and rest before the northern journey.
Day 2
Ziwa birding approach
Travel through the Bombo–Luwero corridor toward Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Its thickets, wetlands and riverine vegetation introduce the route's first birding opportunities.
Day 3
Rhinos and the Murchison transfer
Start with a briefing and rhino tracking at Ziwa. Afterwards continue via Masindi toward Murchison Falls, making birding stops in the forest along the approach.
Day 4
Murchison Falls wildlife and waterbirds
Explore the park on a morning drive, watching both mammals and birds. After lunch, a cruise toward the base of the falls searches for bee-eaters, herons and storks along the river.
Day 5
Budongo and the Royal Mile
Leave Murchison with birding breaks on the southbound journey. Spend time on the Royal Mile forest trail before an overnight in the Masindi or Hoima area.
Day 6
Fort Portal to Kibale
Continue to Kibale, with lunch planned in Fort Portal. Settle into the lodge and prepare for the following morning's chimpanzee excursion.
Day 7
Kibale tracking and wetland birding
A park briefing starts the chimpanzee-tracking day. Later, roadside forest and Bigodi wetland offer birding opportunities when time and conditions allow.
Day 8
Into Queen Elizabeth
Travel via Fort Portal and Kasese to Queen Elizabeth National Park. If arrival permits, take a short evening drive through its savannah habitats.
Day 9
Kazinga Channel birdlife
Combine a morning game and birdwatching drive with lunch at the lodge. Cruise the Kazinga Channel afterwards, looking for pelicans, herons and other waterside birds.
Day 10
Birding through Ishasha
Make birding stops while travelling through Ishasha toward Bwindi. Raptors and roadside birds provide interest before reaching the forest lodge.
Day 11
Bwindi mountain gorillas
Join the gorilla-tracking briefing and head into the forest. The search may take more than two hours, with the animals' movements determining the excursion.
Day 12
The Mubwindi trail
Follow a roughly four-kilometre walk toward Mubwindi. This outing searches for Albertine Rift birds, including possible Regal Sunbird and Rwenzori Apalis.
Day 13
Buhoma forest habitats
Spend another birding day in the Buhoma section. Forest species and regional specialties remain the priority as the guide searches for birds missed earlier.
Day 14
Main-trail forest birding
Explore a further Bwindi trail before returning to the lodge. Bar-tailed Trogon, Dusky Tit and forest thrushes are among the possibilities.
Day 15
Southwestern roads to Lake Mburo
Drive toward Lake Mburo for the final park stay. Lunch may be taken at the lodge or at the Igongo centre near Mbarara, depending on timing.
Day 16
Lake Mburo savannah birds
Search the thornbush, grassland and wetland edges on a morning drive. An evening or night outing may provide additional birding and nocturnal wildlife opportunities.
Day 17
Lake Mburo waterbird cruise
Allow approximately two hours for the boat trip, looking for African Finfoot, herons and kingfishers. Return to the lodge with game viewing along the way, then rest ahead of departure.
Day 18
Across the Equator to Entebbe
Leave the lodge after breakfast and travel toward the airport. A lunch stop at the Masaka Equator area breaks the final drive.
Locations & map
- Entebbe - Uganda
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary - Uganda
- Murchison Falls National Park - Uganda
- Budongo Forest - Uganda
- Kibale National Park - Uganda
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - Uganda
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Uganda
- Lake Mburo National Park - Uganda
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Price: Price on request
Included
- Lodge or safari-tent accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- 4x4 transport with a driver-guide
- Listed game drives, birding and primate tracking
- Park entry and activity permits
- Drinking water during activities
- Entebbe airport transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Personal spending and gratuities
- Extra activities and services outside the agreed itinerary
- Alcoholic drinks unless provided by the lodge
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.