28-Day Uganda Birding Circuit: Mount Elgon, Kidepo and Albertine Rift

Arrive in Uganda and settle into accommodation around Entebbe or Kampala. The first overnight depends on the flight schedule.

Drive northeast through Kampala, Jinja and Budadari toward Mount Elgon. If time remains after reaching the lodge, take an evening birding outing.

Spend the day around Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre and the loop toward Cheptui Falls. Secondary forest and dense scrub offer chances for mountain birds and sunbirds.

Travel to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, watching for birds during the approach. Explore its open grassland and drier habitats for raptors, ground birds and other savannah species.

Make the long transfer toward Kidepo Valley National Park. A packed lunch may be used during the journey before reaching the lodge and resting.

Search Narus Valley on a morning birding drive. An evening outing around Apoka can add birds from the grassland, acacia and seasonal wetland habitats.

Continue birding Kidepo's open landscapes, looking for species missed on the previous outing. Rest after lunch ahead of the next long transfer.

Travel toward Murchison Falls through the Kitgum and Gulu area. Lunch arrangements depend on the progress of the journey before settling into the lodge.

Bird the Lake Albert delta area during the morning. After lunch, a boat excursion toward the falls adds riverbank birds and possible large mammals.

Head south with birding stops on the road to Budongo. Explore the Royal Mile and overnight in the Masindi area.

Transfer to Kibale with a lunch stop in Fort Portal. Allow the evening to recover from the drive and prepare for forest activities.

Attend a briefing before chimpanzee tracking in Kibale. Afternoon birding can include the main road and Bigodi wetland, depending on conditions.

Continue via Fort Portal and Kasese, making birding breaks along the way. An evening drive may be possible after arrival.

Explore the park by vehicle for birds and wildlife before lunch. Cruise the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon to search its shores and open water.

Drive through Ishasha, stopping for roadside and open-country birds. Continue to Bwindi and settle into the lodge before gorilla tracking.

A forest briefing begins the day's primate excursion. Time on the trail depends on the gorillas' movements and can extend beyond two hours.

Follow the Mubwindi trail to look for montane specialties. Regal Sunbird, Stripe-breasted Tit and Rwenzori Apalis are among the possible birds.

Spend another day searching the Buhoma forest section. This extends the opportunity to find species missed in other parts of Bwindi.

Devote a further day to the main forest trail. Look for birds such as Bar-tailed Trogon and Dusky Tit before returning to the lodge.

Continue toward Mgahinga's highland and bamboo vegetation. A viewpoint walk may be added if there is enough time after arrival.

Join the briefing and golden monkey tracking excursion. Watch for birds during the walk, with Rwenzori Turaco among the possibilities.

Drive toward Lake Mburo, with lunch in Mbarara or at the Igongo centre as timing allows. A short evening drive may follow an early arrival.

Search dry thornbush and savannah on the morning birding drive. An afternoon boat outing explores wetland edges for finfoot, herons and kingfishers.

Follow the Mbarara–Masaka road toward the Lake Victoria wetlands. A stop at the Equator can break the journey before the overnight near the next birding area.

Use a motorized boat to explore Mabamba's papyrus channels in search of Shoebill. Afternoon birding may continue around the landing area, cultivation and wetland margins.

Travel to Mabira Forest Reserve and have lunch at the lodge. A nearby trail may provide an evening birding walk.

Spend the day searching forest trails for birds such as turacos, kingfishers and barbets. Monkeys and other forest wildlife may also be encountered.

Leave after breakfast for Entebbe International Airport. This completes the four-week birding circuit.