19-Day Western Uganda Birding: Semuliki, Rwenzori and Bwindi
Follow western Uganda from Murchison Falls through Budongo, Kibale, Semuliki and the Rwenzori foothills to Bwindi and Mgahinga, combining birding with primate excursions.
About this tour
This nineteen-day western Uganda circuit adds Semuliki and the Rwenzori foothills to a route linking Murchison Falls, Budongo, Kibale and Bwindi. Those extra forest stages broaden the habitat sequence before the journey finishes in Mgahinga’s highlands. Birding drives, walks and boat excursions are combined with chimpanzee, gorilla and golden monkey tracking.
The northern opening explores the Murchison river corridor and the Royal Mile in Budongo. Kibale follows, with a chimpanzee excursion and afternoon birding around Bigodi. Semuliki then brings lowland forest associated with the Congo Basin, contrasting with the vegetation encountered around the Rwenzori foothills.
Queen Elizabeth National Park supplies a savannah and wetland stage, including a Kazinga Channel cruise. The journey continues through Ishasha to Bwindi, where gorilla tracking is followed by three dedicated birding outings around Mubwindi, Buhoma and the main trail. Regal Sunbird, Stripe-breasted Tit and Bar-tailed Trogon are among the possible forest birds.
Mgahinga provides the final highland setting and a golden monkey excursion before the return to Entebbe. A private birding vehicle, English-speaking guide and eighteen nights of accommodation support the circuit. Primate-permit arrangements and the final activity price are available on request. Animal movements, weather and arrival times can affect individual outings.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Uganda.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival and guide meeting
Land at Entebbe International Airport and meet the birding guide. An overnight in Entebbe allows time to rest, depending on the flight schedule.
Day 2
The northern road to Murchison
Travel via Kampala, Luwero and Masindi toward Murchison Falls. After a possible lunch stop in Masindi, birding along the forest approach offers chances for hornbills, flycatchers and turacos.
Day 3
Murchison river and delta birds
Take a morning boat excursion in the falls area, searching riverbanks and wetland habitats for birds. After lunch, an afternoon birding drive explores the delta area for open-country species.
Day 4
Royal Mile and Budongo
Head south with birding breaks before exploring the Royal Mile. The forest day focuses on hornbills, barbets, malimbes and other woodland birds.
Day 5
Travel to Kibale
Drive toward Kibale with lunch in the Fort Portal area. The journey may take more than four hours, leaving the evening for rest before the next day's activities.
Day 6
Chimpanzees and Bigodi
Begin with the Kibale briefing and chimpanzee tracking. Afternoon birding explores wetland and riverine forest near Bigodi when weather conditions are suitable.
Day 7
Semuliki lowland forest
Transfer west to Semuliki for its Congo Basin forest influence. Search for lowland birds before an overnight in the area.
Day 8
From Semuliki to the Rwenzori
Make a further morning birding outing before lunch. The afternoon transfer toward the Rwenzori Mountains may take more than four hours.
Day 9
Rwenzori foothill birding
Spend the morning searching the lower Rwenzori birding area. Sunbirds, forest warblers and starlings are among the possibilities before onward travel preparations.
Day 10
Into Queen Elizabeth National Park
Continue to Queen Elizabeth after lunch. Check into the lodge and rest before the next full day in the park.
Day 11
Savannah drive and channel cruise
Search for birds during a morning game drive, returning to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon Kazinga Channel cruise adds waterbirds and shoreline wildlife.
Day 12
Ishasha birding transfer
Travel through the southern Ishasha sector toward Bwindi. Birding stops may reveal raptors, cuckoos and other roadside species before reaching the lodge.
Day 13
Gorillas in Bwindi
Attend the forest briefing before tracking mountain gorillas. Allow for more than two hours of walking and searching, depending on their movements.
Day 14
Mubwindi forest trail
Take a walk of about four kilometres on the Mubwindi trail. Search for montane birds such as Regal Sunbird, Stripe-breasted Tit and Rwenzori Apalis.
Day 15
Buhoma birding day
Explore the Buhoma forest section. The outing gives another opportunity to find Albertine Rift birds that have remained elusive earlier in the trip.
Day 16
Another day on Bwindi's trails
Spend the day birding the main trail, with Bar-tailed Trogon and Dusky Tit among the possibilities. Return to the lodge before the following day's transfer.
Day 17
Mgahinga mountain vegetation
Drive toward Mgahinga's montane and bamboo habitats. If arrival is early enough, take an afternoon walk toward a viewpoint.
Day 18
Golden monkey excursion
After a briefing, set out to search for golden monkeys. Continue watching for highland birds during the walk, including possible Rwenzori Turaco.
Day 19
Entebbe departure journey
Return to the international airport to end the safari. A Lake Mburo birding stop is a possibility only if the day's travel schedule allows.
Locations & map
- Entebbe - Uganda
- Murchison Falls National Park - Uganda
- Budongo Forest - Uganda
- Kibale National Park - Uganda
- Semuliki National Park - Uganda
- Rwenzori Mountains - Uganda
- Queen Elizabeth National Park - Uganda
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Uganda
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park - Uganda
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Price: Price on request
Included
- Eighteen nights in birding lodges or safari camps
- Meals specified in the itinerary
- Private 4x4 vehicle for birding and photography
- English-speaking birding guide
- Entry to the parks and reserves on the route
- Listed birding walks and boat excursions
- Bottled water during drives and field outings
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Government taxes and conservation levies
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Personal spending and gratuities
- Extra activities and services outside the agreed itinerary
- Meals and drinks not listed in the itinerary
- Accommodation outside the safari dates
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.