22 Days Uganda Rwanda Birding Tour – Overview

The 22 Days Uganda Rwanda birding tour is a comprehensive birding encounter that features the birding destination in the countries of Uganda and Rwanda.

The safari tour takes you through Entebbe, Mabamba swamp, Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests, Kibale National Park, Bigodi wetland, Semuliki National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwndi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga and Nyungwe Forest National Park.

These ecosystems vary from Savannah to wetland and forested areas which forms a rich ground for diverse birds that might be encountered while on this birding safari tour in Uganda and Rwanda.

22 Days Uganda Rwanda Birding Tour – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda (Entebbe International Airport) & transfer to your lodge

Day 2: Encounter birds in Mabamba swamp

Day 3: Birding transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & visit the top of the falls.

Day 4: Encounter birds in Murchison Falls National Park

Day 5: Birding transfer to Masindi

Day 6:  Encounter birds in Budongo Forest reserve

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale National Park & do bird walk in Bigodi wetland

Day 8: Encounter the birds of Kibale National Park

Day 9: Transfer to Semuliki National Park

Day 10: Encounter birds in Semuliki National Park

Day 11:  Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & bird along Kazinga channel

Day 12: Encounter birds of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 13: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 14 & 15: Encounter birds of Buhoma – northern sector of Bwindi

Day 16: Explore birds of Ruhija

Day 17:  Explore the Mubwindi swamp

Day 18: Transfer to Mgahinga National Park

Day 19: Encounter birds in Mgahinga National Park

Day 20 & 21: Encounter birds of Nyungwe Forest National Park

Day 22: Transfer to Kigali

22 Days Uganda Rwanda Birding Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda (Entebbe International Airport) & Transfer To Your Lodge

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport which is the main gateway to Uganda after your long flight. You will be welcomed by our courteous guide who will then transfer you to your respective lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Sheraton Kampala Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Buziga Country Resort (Budget/Basic).

Day 2: Encounter Birds in Mabamba Swamp

Transfer after an early breakfast to Mabamba swamp which is about 50kms west of Kampala. On your way to the destination and at the destination, you will have opportunities of encountering White Shouldered Tit, Papyrus Gonolek, Red Cap, White Winged Warbler, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Weyns Weaver and White Spotted Fluftail. Mabamba swamp offers ideal encounters with the rare and endangered shoebill stork along with other species like Allen’s and Purple Gallinule, Jacanas, Grey herons, Ruffaus  Squaco, Purple and Goliath Heron, Bellied Heron, the Pallid Harrier which is globally threatened and migrant species of blue swallow, egrets, ducks among others.

The bird encounter is done on a canoe where you also have opportunity of encountering the elusive Sitatunga Antelope. You will retire and transfer back to Kampala.

Accommodation: Sheraton Kampala Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Buziga Country Resort (Budget/Basic).

Day 3: Birding Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & Visit The Top of The Falls.

You embark on the transfer to Murchison Falls National Park in the morning after breakfast. The drive takes about 5 hours excluding en route stops to cover 311km distance traversing the flat country side of Nakasongora before crossing River Kafu to Masindi.

You will always make stops to view birds en route and have lunch in Masindi town before proceeding to Murchison Falls National Park.

On arrival you will visit the top of the falls and encounter the chanting birds that swing around the roaring falls and the magnificent scenery that will mesmerize you.

En route birding exposes you to counts of birds like Cliff Chat, Grey headed Bush Shrike, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Singing Cisticola, Namaqua Dove, African Moustached Warbler, Green-winged Pytilia, Crested and Scaly Francolin, Red-backed Shrike, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Black Bellied Firefinch, Northern and Black-winged Red Bishops, Marsh Tchagra and Black-faced Waxbill.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 4: Encounter Birds in Murchison Falls National Park

The encounter commences after breakfast and the days’ distribution of areas will depend on your guide. The encounter includes birding in the Savannah landscapes in the northern section, the Victoria Nile Delta, along the Nile launch cruise and the forested landscapes of the south.

This encounter in Murchison Falls National Park might expose you to birds like; Silver Bird, Speckle-fronted and Golden-backed Weavers, Beautiful Sunbird, White Crested Turacco, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Pennant-winged Night jars, the Buff-bellied Warbler, White-rumped Seed Eater, Black Billed Barbet, Yellow-flanked Barbet and Bar-breasted Firefinch, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Red-winged Grey Warbler,  Shoebill Stork, Abyssinian and Rufaous Crowned Roller, Grey Headed and Striped Kingfisher, Abyssinian  Ground Hornbill, Red-throated and Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Saddle-billed Stork, Goliath Heron, Sacred Ibis, Senegal Thick-knee, Fulvous and white Faced Whistling-Duck, Water and Spotted Thick-knee, Long-toed Lapwing, Black-headed Lapwing, Little Bittern, Red-necked Falcon, Vinaceous Dove, Osprey and Blue-breasted Bee-eater among other bird species.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 5: Birding Transfer to Masindi

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Masindi birding e route through Kaniyo Pabidi forest along with great flora and fauna.

The forest offers impressive sights of Puvel’s Illadopsis, secretive dull brown bird, Yellow and Grey Lobgbill, Blue Breasted, Pygmy and Chocolate Backed Kingfisher; shaggy-crested Guinea fowl, Narina Tragon Yellow Billed, Fire Crested Alethe, Yellow Spotted and Grey Throated Barbet among other bird species.

Accommodation: Masindi Hotel

Day 6:  Encounter Birds in Budongo Forest Reserve

After an early breakfast, connect to the adjacent Budongo forest for amazing bird encounters. You will take a bird walk along the royal mile a famously encountered road that lies under a lush forest canopy.

The forest offers opportunities of spotting birds like; Nahan’s Francolin, White-thighed Hornbill, Sabine’s and graceful Cassin’s Spinetail, Blue-throated Roller, Forest Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Lemon Bellied Crombec, Ituri Batis, Tit Hylia, Forest Robin, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Grey Throated, Yellow Billed, Yellow Spotted and Hairy Breasted Barbet, Black Billed and Great Blue Turaco, Plain, Spotted, Slender Billed, Little Grey, White Throated and Little Greeenbul, Dusy Long Tailed Cuckoo, Black-capped Apalis and Red Tailed Bristlebill among other species.

Primate species may also be spotted like black and white colobus monkeys, Red tailed and blue monkeys. After this activity, continue on the drive and spend an overnight in Hoima.

Accommodation: Kontik Hotel / Kolping Hotel

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale National Park & Do Bird Walk in Bigodi Wetland

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park. You will be birding en route across low lying water logged environments in Kagadi and Kagorro forest reserve near Kyenjonjo.

You will have an early lunch break in Fort Portal town before proceeding to have a bird walk in Bigodi wetland.

Bigodi has 200 species of birds thus it offers opportunities of encountering a range of birds including; great blue turaco, papyrus gonoleks, waxbills, hornbills, weavers, kingfishers, cuckoos, flycatchers among others.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee guesthouse (Midrange/Standard) or Kibale Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 8: Encounter The Birds of Kibale National Park

The forested landscapes of Kibale Forest National Park offers great encounters with 375species of birds. It starts early in the morning after breakfast and stretches for the whole day.

Birds that may be encountered on this activity include among others; Blue-headed bee-eater, Nahans francolin, masked apalis, White-naped Pigeon, Cassin spine tail, Crested fly catcher, Green- brested Pitta, Red Winged Francolin, Joyful Greenbul, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Red- chested fluff tail,  Grey winged Robbin, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet,  Hairy-breasted Barbet, Western Nicator, White-spotted Flufftail, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Brown-backed Scrub-robin, Black Bishop, Grey-winged Robin-chat,  Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, White-breasted Negrofinch, Superb Sunbird, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bocage’s Bush-shrike, Black-crowned Waxbill and Brown-throated Wattle-eye.

Accommodation: You will have diner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 9: Transfer to Semuliki National Park 

After an early breakfast embark on the transfer to Semliki Forest National Park. Undertake a bird walk along Sempaya trail to have chances of exploring a range of birds along the trail.

The Sempaya trail also takes you to the Sempaya hot springs where a female and male hot springs settle in a low lying marshy ground which will lure you to boil some plantains or eggs to get a fast meal.

Accommodation: Semuliki Safari Lodge / Kiruia Guesthouse

Day 10: Encounter Birds in Semuliki National Park

The forest tract of Semuliki is an extension of West African jungle that stretch from Equatorial Guinea through Congo forming a habitat for Guinea Congo biome species that do not exist in other areas of East Africa.

The encounter in Semuliki offers you chances of spotting specialties like;  Congo Serpent Eagle, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Bate’s Nightjar, Orange-tufted Sunbird, Rufous-sided, Black-winged Broadbill, Black-throated Coucal, Icterine Greenbul, Nkulengu Rail, Spot-breasted Ibis, Long-tailed Hawk, Capuchin Babbler, Northern Bearded Scrub Robin, Yellow-throated and Western Nicator,  Red-chested Owlet, Black-collared Lovebird, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, White-bellied Kingfisher, Zenker’s and Lyre-tailed Honey guides, White-throated Blue Swallow, Crested Malimbe, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Blue-billed Malimbe, Chestnut Bellied and Pale-fronted Negrofinch, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, Piping, Black Dwarf, Red-billed Dwarf, White Crested, African Piculet among other bird species.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous night.

Day 11:  Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Bird Along Kazinga Channel

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park passing by the scenic landscapes of Rwenzori Mountains that are famously known as the legendary mountains of the moon as they were described by Ptolemy in 150AD.

Arrive in Mweya early for lunch after which you will embark on the launch cruise on Kazinga Channel at 3pm.

The two hour launch cruise will not only expose you to over 60 species of birds but also other Uganda safari offerings like Hippos, Nile Crocodiles not forgetting elephants, buffaloes and other antelopes drinking on the channel side. the birds that might be encountered include; the African Skimmer, African Spoonbill, Striated Heron, Herring Gull, Water Thick-knee, Lesser Black Backed Gull,  Three-banded Plover, Green, Marsh, Wood and Common Sandpiper, Plain Martin, Gray-headed Gull, Lesser Swamp-Warbler among others.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 12: Encounter Birds of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Have a whole day encounter with birds in the varied ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The birding encounter can be conducted in Mweya peninsular, environs of Lake Kikorongo, Maramagambo forest, Savannah plains of Kasenyi, Katunguru bridge Area among other areas.

Queen Elizabeth National Park exposes you to birds like; Temminck’s Courser, Rupell’s Griffon, Martial Eagle,  White Headed, Lappet Faced Vultures, Blue Quail, Harlequin Quail, Small (Common) Buttonquail, African Crake, African Skimmer, Black Headed Gonolek, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Amur Falcon, Lowland Akalat, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Greater and Lesser Flamingo among others.

The sights of wildlife like elephants, buffaloes, spotted Hyena, side stripped jackals, and Antelopes among others may not be missed.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous Lodge.

Day 13: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you can take a short bird walk in Imaramagambo forest to encounter a range of forest birds like; Little Grebe, African Finfoot, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Yellow bill, Black Coucal, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Black Bee-eater, Blue-throated Roller, Barbets, Red-throated Wryneck, Honey guide Greenbul, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike,  Brown-eared Woodpecker, Dark-capped Warbler, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Green Crombec, Broad-tailed Warbler, African Moustached Warbler, Croaking Cisticola, Black-and-white Shrike Flycatcher, Black-headed Batis, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Brown Illadopsis, African Paradise Flycatcher, Marsh Tchagra, Brubru, Black Bishop, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, White-breasted Negrofinch and Western Black-headed Oriole.

Return from this activity and then embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 160km about 5 hours’ drive arriving in the evening for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Gorilla Forest Camp (Upmarket/Luxury), Silverback Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 14 & 15: Encounter Birds of Buhoma – Northern Sector of Bwindi

These two days are designed to allow you explore the birds of Bwindi in detail along the trails like the Munyange water fall trail, River Ivi walk and Habinyanja trail.

The birds that might be encountered include; Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Rufous-chested Fluff tail, Pink Footed and Northern Puff Back, Honey Guide, Red Tailed, Toro Olive, Slender Billed, Little, Sheilley’s, Little Grey, Cabani’s White Throated and Yellow Wiskered Greenbuls, Cameroon Sombre,  Elliots, Cardianl, Yellow Crested, Red Throated Allethe, Fine Banded woodpeckers, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, White Headed Wood Hopoe, Black faced Woodland Warbler, Waller’s, Stulman’s and Narro Tailed Starlings, Banded and White Chinned Prinia, Black Bee Eater, Blue Throated Brown, Northern Double Collard, Blue Headed, Collard, Olive, Green, olive Bellied, Rwenzori  Doulbe Collard and Green Headed Sunbirds, Kivu Ground Thrush, Bar tailed Tragon, African Broad Bill, Neumann’s Warbler, Red-chested Owlet, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher and Pale-breasted Illadopsis.

Accommodation: Gorilla Forest Camp (Upmarket/Luxury), Silverback Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 16: Explore Birds of Ruhija

Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a true birders’ paraise with great bird counts per square Kilometer.

The hilly forested landscapes of Ruhija offers sights of birds like; Macknon’s Fiscal, Augar Buzzard, Tropical Boubou, Ayre’s Hawk Eagle, Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher, Mountain Buzzard and Wagtail, Western Bronze Naped Pigoen, Barred and Dusky Long Tailed Cuckoo, Black Faced Rufous Warbler, White Headed Wood Hopoe, Ducky Tit, Ludhur’s and Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike,  Grey-Green Bush-Shrike, White Eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Chestnut Throated Apalis, Streaky Seed-Eater, White Starred Robin, Stripe Breasted Tit among others.

Accommodation: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 17:  Explore The Mubwindi Swamp

After breakfast, you head to birding encounters in Umubwindi swamp where you might have chances of encountering; the beautiful leafy looking broadbill, Olive, Elliot’s and Fine-banded Woodpecker, Black-billed Turaco, African Hill Babbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Mountain Illadopsis, Mountain Greenbul, Red-faced Woodland, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Chestnut-throated Collard and Black Throated Apalis, Mountain Yellow Warbler,  Stripe-breasted Tit, Mountain, Shelley’s and Yellow-streaked Greenbul, African Green-Broadbill, Regal Sunbird and Rwenzori Batis among other bird species.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 18: Transfer to Mgahinga National Park

After breakfast, embark on the drive to the south to Mgahinga National Park. You can make birding stop in Echuya forest to have chances of encountering; Little Rush Warbler, Grauer’s Rush Warbler which is among the rare Bradypterus Warblers that exist within the Albertine rift.

Continue to Mgahinga and do a bird walk along the border to encounter a range of birds including; speckled mouse bird, fire finch and Ibis among others.

Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Mucha Hotel (Midrange/Standard) or Amajambere Iwacu Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 19: Encounter Birds in Mgahinga National Park

After an early breakfast, embark on a whole day birding encounter on the volcanic slopes of Mgahinga National Park.

Departing with a picnic lunch, you will commence this day long activity at Ntebeko following the gorge trail that loops up to Mount Sabyinyo with montane ecosystem that favors the thriving of Dusky Turtle Dove,  Cape Robin-Chat, Rwenzori Turaco, Kivu Ground Thrush, White Tailed Blue Flycatcher, White-eyed Slaty, Olive Wood-pecker, Mountain Yellow Warbler, White-starred Robin, White-napped Raven, Yellow-crowned Canary, Streaky and Thick Billed Seedeater, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Shelly’s Crimson-wing among other bird species. Retire in the evening for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 20: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park 

On day 20, embark on the transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south west of Rwanda. It is 256km approximately 9 hours’ drive.

You will traverse the hill sides of Rwanda with their impressive scenery which has earned her a dub of the land of a thousand hills, have lunch en royte and arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Nyungwe View Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Nyungwe Hill Top (Midrange/Standard) or Gisakura Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 21: Encounter Birds of Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe forest is montane forest that survived the last ice age thus has got a range of bird species that count to 278 species of birds.

The whole day encounter in the forest might expose you to birds like; Red-throated Alethe, Grauer’s Rush Warbler,  Turacos such as the Rwenzori Turaco,  Purple-breasted and Blue-headed Apalis, Kungwe Apalis, Alehe poliophrys,  Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Ruwenzori Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Parus fasciiventer, Batis diops, Ruwenzori Batis,  Caprimulgus ruwenzorii, Archer’s Robin-chat, Ruwenzori Nightjar, Dusky Crimson Wing, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Cossypha archeri, Cryptospiza jacksoni, Francolinus nobilis, Handsome Francolin, Red-collared Babbler, Hemitesia neumanni, Cryptospiza shelleyi,  Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Kupeornis rufocinctus, Melaenornis ardesiacus, Neumann’s Warbler and Regal Sunbird.

Day 22: Transfer to Kigali

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kigali city with numerous bird stops en route. The journey is 268km and approximately 6 hours excluding stops en route. You will arrive in Kigali to mark the end of your birding safari.

End of  The 22 Days Uganda Rwanda Birding Tour.