14 Days Uganda Birding Safari & Primates – Overview

The 14 Days Uganda Birding Safari & Primates is designed to enable you to explore some of the top Uganda birdwatching tour destinations with their great counts of birds, and unforgettable Primate trekking in Uganda

The encounter takes you through Mabamba swamp well known for its shoebill stork along with other 200 bird species, Lake Mburo National with its counts of Red Faced Barbet along with other 350 species of Uganda birds, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with its 350 species of birds, Queen Elizabeth National Park with 600 species of birds, Bigodi wetland with 200 species of birds, Kibale National Park with its 375 species of birds and Murchison Falls National Park with 451 bird species.

The encounter covers diverse ecosystems thus offering an unforgettable birding in Uganda experience for a traveler on Uganda birding safari.

14 Days Uganda Birding Safari & Primates – Highlights

Day 1: Encounter birds in the Mabamba Swamp
Day 2: Birding transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 3: Encounter birds in Lake Mburo National Park
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi & relax at the lodge
Day 5: Do boat cruise & transfer to Nkuringo
Day 6: Do gorilla trekking & transfer to Ruhija
Day 7: Whole day birding encounter in Ruhija

Day 8: Birding transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & bird along the Kazinga Channel
Day 9: Encounter birds of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 10: Birding to Kibale National Park & encounter birds of Bigodi wetland
Day 11: Whole day birding experience in Kibale National Park
Day 12: Do Chimpanzee trekking & birding transfer to Hoima
Day 13: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & visit the top of the falls.
Day 14: Whole day birding encounter in Murchison Falls National Park

14 Days Uganda Birding Safari – 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 50 km 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 the opportunity of encountering the elusive Sitatunga Antelope. You will retire and transfer back to Kampala.

Accommodation: Have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 3: Birding Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

The encounter starts early in the morning after breakfast heading to the southwest of Uganda 240km approximately 3 – 4 hours’ drive from Kampala. You have chances of spotting birds en route including the Wolly-Necked Stork, Ruffaous Bellied Heron, and Lilac Breasted Roller among other species.

The stop at the equator allows you to encounter the water experiments that justify the geographical divide between the south and northern hemispheres and impressive photo shooting.

Continue on the drive to Lake Mburo National Park arriving early for lunch. In the evening, you will embark on the birding encounter within the Rwonyo environs before retiring overnight.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Arcadia Cottages (Midrange/Standard), or Eagles Nest (Budget/Basic).

Day 4: Encounter Birds in Lake Mburo National Park

After an early morning breakfast, embark on the full-day search for birds in the Savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo National Park. Explore the park on foot following the respective trails in the company of an armed ranger to save you from attacks by wild animals.

Explore the Miriti and Warukiri swamps, the Rubanga forest, and the salt lick. The encounter offers you chances of spotting Rufous-bellied Heron, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Grey Crowned Crane, Brown-chested Lapwing, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Black-bellied Bustard, Red-headed Lovebird, Ross’s Turaco, Brown Parrot, Green Wood-hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Red-faced Barbet, White-headed Barbet, Long-tailed Cisticola, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Finfoot, White-winged Tit and Yellow-breasted Apalis among other birds. The boat ride on Lake Mburo in the afternoon exposes you to counts of Kingfishers and African Fish Eagle.

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

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park driving through the scenic landscapes of southwestern Uganda before arriving in Ruhija early for lunch.

After lunch, you will take a bird walk in the forested landscapes of Ruhija with opportunities of encountering Handsome Francolin Mountain Illadopsis, White-starred Robin, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Ayres’s and Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Mountain Buzzard, Grauer’s Warbler, Red-throated Alethe, Mountain Masked, Collard, Dusky, and Shelley’s Crimson wing, Chestnut Throated and Black – Throated Apalis, Dusky Tit, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, Stripe Breasted Tit among other bird species.

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

Day 6: Encounter Birds of Bwindi.

After an early breakfast, embark on the birding encounter to the Buhoma sector through Ruhija. You will explore the birds of Bwindi the whole day and in the evening; the encounter will be in the environs of Buhoma.

You might have chances of spotting 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, Cardinal, 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 Double 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. Retire for relaxation and overnight.

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

Day 7: Birding Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Bird Along The Kazinga Channel

After breakfast, you transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 160km about 5 hour drive. You will pass through the landscapes of Ishasha in the south of Queen Elizabeth where by chance you can encounter the tree-climbing lions that dwell in the fig trees of Ishasha.

You will arrive at Mweya for lunch after which you will embark on the birding encounter along the 45m long Kazinga channel using the launch.

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 8: Encounter Birds of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Have a whole day’s encounter with birds in the varied ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The birding encounter can be conducted in the Mweya peninsular, the environs of Lake Kikorongo, the Maramagambo forest, the 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 9: Birding to Kibale National Park & Encounter Birds of Bigodi Wetland

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park 157km about 4 hour drive. You will drive the scenic mountainous landscapes of Rwenzori that tower to 5,109m above sea level with snowcapped peaks.

You will arrive early for lunch after which you will embark on the birding encounter in the Bigodi wetland sanctuary.

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, and flycatchers among others.

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

Day 10: Whole-day Birding Experience in Kibale National Park

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

Birds that may be encountered in this activity include among others; Blue-headed bee-eater, Nahans francolin, masked apalis, White-naped Pigeon, Cassin spine tail, Crested flycatcher, Green-breasted 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 dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 11: Birding Transfer to Hoima

After breakfast, you can do short bird walks in the forest after which you will embark on the transfer to Hoima about a 5 – 6 hour drive. You will bird en route until you reach Hoima for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Kontik Hotel

Day 12: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & Visit The Top of The Falls.

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon arrival, you will visit the top of the falls where the Nile is squeezed to pass through an 8m gorge before falling 43m below what has been termed the Devil’s Cauldron.

The site is a favorite spot for birds as they swing across the plume of spray and dance according to the beats of the roaring water sounds as it clashes with the impermeable rocks. Retire in the evening for relaxation and overnight.

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

Day 13: Whole-day Birding Encounter in Murchison Falls National Park

The encounter commences after breakfast and the day’s 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 Turaco, 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 be spending overnights at your previous lodge.

Day 14: Transfer Back to Kampala & Bird Budongo Forest En-route.

After an early breakfast transfer southwards to Budongo forest to encounter the range of forest dweller birds before transferring to Kampala.

You will take short guided forest walks in search of birds like the African Broadbill, Xavier’s and Icterine Little Greenbul, the Puvell’s Illadopsis, Slender-billed Greenbul, Forest Robin, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, African and Red-Bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Hairy-breasted Barbet, African Emerald Cuckoo, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Fire Crested Alethe, Red-tailed Ant-thrush,  Yellow and Grey Long bills, Chocolate Backed and Blue Breasted Kingfisher, Blue-throated Roller, Whistling Cisticola, Red-headed and Red-billed Quelleas, Black Bishop, Magpie Mannikin, Pigmy Sunbird, Yellow-billed Shrike, African Harrier Hawk, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Olive-bellied Sunbird and Brown-eared Woodpecker among other birds.

Continue and have lunch in Masindi before transferring to Kampala.

End of  The 14 Days Uganda Birding Safari & Primates