20 Days Uganda Birding Safari – Overview

Uganda is a rich birding destination that is listed as number one on the African continent with over 1090 bird species.

The 20 Days Uganda Birding Safari is a comprehensive birdwatching tour in Uganda that takes you through Uganda’s varied ecosystem settings ranging from wetlands to Savannah and forested landscapes.

The 20 days birding safari in Uganda commences involves birding encounters in Mabamba swamp, Mabira forest, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Budongo forest, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Imaramagambo forest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.

20 Days Uganda Birding Safari – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda

Day 2: Bird watching in Mabamba swamp

Day 3: Birding watching in Mabira Forest Reserve

Day 4: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (do Rhino tracking & an afternoon shoe bill canoe paddle) & proceed to Masindi

Day 5: Whole day birding encounter in Budongo Forest Reserve

Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & visit the top of the falls

Day 7: Encounter birds in Murchison Falls National Park

Day 8: Take short bird walks & transfer to Hoima

Day 9: Transfer to Kibale National Park & bird in Bigodi Wetland

Day 10: Encounter the birds of Kibale National Park

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

Day 12: Bird in the Savannah plains of Kasenyi, Mweya peninsular & water environs of Lake Kikorongo

Day 13: Whole day birding in Immaramagambo forest

Day 14: Bird watching in Ishasha & transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 15: Encounter birds of Buhoma

Day 16: Bird watching to Ruhija via neck

Day 17: Encounter birds of Ruhija

Day 18: Bird in Umubwindi Swamp

Day 19: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & evening bird walk

Day 20: Half-day birding encounter in Lake Mburo National Park & transfer to Kampala

20 Days Uganda Birding Safari – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda

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: Bird Watching in Mabamba Swamp

The Mabamba birding encounter commences early in the morning after breakfast when birders head to the west of Kampala 50km to the shores of Lake Victoria.

The drive opens you to sights of various birds en route such as; White-winged Warbler, Yellow-backed Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-headed Coucal, Northern Brown-throated Weaver among others. The Papyrus swamp with narrow water channels is explored on canoe and the major catch of the day is the rare shoe bill stork.

The swamp also offers possible sights of Swamp Flycatcher, African Water Rail, African Purple Swamp-hen, Common Moorhen, African Jacana, Lesser Jacana, African Pygmy Goose, Squacco, White-faced Whistling-duck, Rufous-bellied and Purple Heron, Winding Cisticola, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Goliath Heron, Black Crake, Hamerkop, African Marsh Harrier, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, Yellow-billed Duck, Common Waxbill, Blue-headed Cuckoo, Intermediate Egret, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Long-toed Lapwing, Osprey, Red-billed Fire-finch and African Pied Wagtail. The encounter requires you to depart with packed lunch. In the evening you will return to Kampala.

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

Day 3: Birding Watching in Mabira Forest Reserve

After breakfast, transfer to Mabira Forest Reserve in the east of Kampala along Jinja road for the whole day birding encounter.

The mature tropical rain forest is a habitat to a range of forest birds like; African Pied Hornbill, Forest Wood-Hoopoe, Tit Hylia, Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, Black-Billed Turaco, Ruffaous Flycatcher Thrush, White-bellied, Blue-breasted, Shining-blue and Dwarf Kingfishers, Slender Billed, Yellow Whiskered, Toro Olive and Little Grey Greenbul, Green-tailed and Red Tailed Bristlebill, Forest Robin, Fire-crested Alethe,  Snowy-crowned, and Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat.

Other birds include the Yellow Spotted, Grey Throated, and Yellow-billed Barbet, White-spotted Flufftail, Jameson’s Wattle-eye, Little Green, Green Throated and Olive Bellied Sunbird, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Green Crombec, Black-throated Apalis, African Paradise Flycatcher, Black-and-white Shrike, African Flycatcher, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Blue Throated Roller,  Velvet-mantled Drongo among other species. After the activity, retreat to Kampala overnight.

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

Day 4: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (Do Rhino Tracking & An Afternoon Shoe-bill Canoe Paddle) & Proceed to Masindi

Leave Kampala after breakfast as early as 6:00 am from your place of stay and head to the north of Uganda accompanied by the company guide.

The journey is 311km about 5-hours drive to Murchison Falls National Park passing through the flat Nakasongora landscapes before diverting at Nakitoma from the main road 115 Km from Kampala to drive further for an extra 7 Km to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

You will spend some time tracking the magnificent white Rhinos which only exist at this place in Uganda after which you will proceed to undertake a canoe ride within the Lugogo swamp to have chances of spotting the shoebill. After the activity, continue to Masindi for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Masindi Hotel

Day 5: Whole Day Birding Encounter in Budongo Forest Reserve

This is designed to enable have a whole day encounter in Budongo Forest reserve. This will give you chances of encountering a range of birds including; African Crowned Eagle, Nahan’s Francolin, White-spotted Flufftail, Sabine’s Spinetail, Cassin’s Spinetail, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, Blue-throated Roller, Piping Hornbill, White-thighed Hornbill, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Spotted Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Rufous-crowned Elemomela, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Black-capped Apalis, Ituri Batis, Chestnut-caped Flycatcher, Grey-headed Sunbird and Western-black Headed Oriole among other birds.

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

Day 6: 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 to what has been termed as the Devil’s Cauldron.

The site is a favorite spot for birds as they swing across the plume of spray and dancing 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 7: 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 be spending overnights at your previous lodge.

Day 8: Take Short Bird Walks & Transfer to Hoima

After breakfast, undertake short bird walks in the forested landscapes of the south along Sambiya River before embarking on the transfer to Hoima. You go birding en route before arriving in Hoima for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Kontik Hotel

Day 9: Transfer to Kibale National Park & Bird in Bigodi Wetland

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park and the journey usually takes about 5 hours. You may bird en route before stopping for lunch in Fort Portal town.

Proceed to Bigodi Wetland for an afternoon bird walk. 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 12: Bird in The Savannah Plains of Kasenyi, Mweya Peninsular & Water Environs of Lake Kikorongo

After breakfast, embark on a whole day of birding encounters in the Savannah plains of Kasenyi to have chances of viewing birds like; Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture African White-backed Vulture,  Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Bateleur, Long-created Eagle, Martial Eagle, Grey Kestrel, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, Crowned Plover, Senegal Plover, African Wattled Plover, Rufous napped Lark, Kittlitz’s Plover, Flappet Lark,  White-tailed Lark, Brown-backed Srub-Robin, Zitting Cisticola,  Croaking Cisticola, Black-lored Babbler, Grey backed Fiscal, Grey-capped Warbler, Black-crowned Tchagra, Pin-tailed Whydah, Fork-tailed Drongo and Black-headed Gonolek.

Stretch to water environs of Lake Kikorongo with chances of encountering bird species like; Common Squacco Heron, Shoebill, Saddle-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, Black Crake, African Jacana, Knob-billed Duck,  Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Swamp Warbler, White-winged Warbler, Greater Swamp Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek and Carruther’s Cisticola.

The extension to Mweya peninsula gives you chances of viewing; African Mourning Dove, Diederik Cuckoo, Raptors, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Swamp Flycatcher, Squire-tailed Nightjar, Swamp Nightjar, Grey-Headed Kingfisher, Red-chested Sunbird, Blue-naped Mousebird, Nubian Woodpecker, Pygmy Kingfisher,  Little Bee-eater, Swallows, Red-capped Lark, Martins, Swifts, Grey-capped Warbler, Lesser Masked Weaver, Black-headed Gonolek, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Pin-tailed Whydah, Yellow-backed Weaver and Slender-billed Weaver. Retire for relaxation and overnight.

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

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

After breakfast, you transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 4 hours’ drive. You will drive through the great scenic views of Rwenzori Mountains towering to 5,109m above sea level with magnificent streams of glaciers flowing from snow cover on the top of this mountain range.

You will arrive at Mweya early 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 12: Bird in the Savannah Plains of Kasenyi, Mweya Peninsular & Water Environs of Lake Kikorongo

After breakfast, embark on whole day birding encounter in the Savannah plains of Kasenyi to have chances of viewing birds like; Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture African White-backed Vulture,  Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Bateleur, Long-created Eagle, Martial Eagle, Grey Kestrel, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, Crowned Plover, Senegal Plover, African Wattled Plover, Rufous napped Lark, Kittlitz’s Plover, Flappet Lark,  White-tailed Lark, Brown-backed Srub-Robin, Zitting Cisticola,  Croaking Cisticola, Black-lored Babbler, Grey backed Fiscal, Grey-capped Warbler, Black-crowned Tchagra, Pin-tailed Whydah, Fork-tailed Drongo and Black-headed Gonolek.

Stretch to water environs of Lake Kikorongo with chances of encountering bird species like; Common Squacco Heron, Shoebill, Saddle-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, Black Crake, African Jacana, Knob-billed Duck,  Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Swamp Warbler, White-winged Warbler, Greater Swamp Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek and Carruther’s Cisticola.

The extension to Mweya peninsula gives you chances of viewing; African Mourning Dove, Diederik Cuckoo, Raptors, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Swamp Flycatcher, Squire-tailed Nightjar, Swamp Nightjar, Grey-Headed Kingfisher, Red-chested Sunbird, Blue-naped Mousebird, Nubian Woodpecker, Pygmy Kingfisher,  Little Bee-eater, Swallows, Red-capped Lark, Martins, Swifts, Grey-capped Warbler, Lesser Masked Weaver, Black-headed Gonolek, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Pin-tailed Whydah, Yellow-backed Weaver and Slender-billed Weaver. Retire for relaxation and overnight.

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

Day 13: Whole Day Birding in Immaramagambo Forest

After breakfast, embark on the whole day bird watching encounter in the rain forest of Immaramagambo forest.

The forest offers you chances of spotting bird species like; African Finfoot, Little Grebe, Red-chested Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Yellow bill, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Black Coucal, Black Bee-eater, Barbets, Blue-throated Roller, Red-throated Wryneck, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Honey guide Greenbul, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Dark-capped Warbler, Green Crombec, African Moustached Warbler, Broad-tailed Warbler, Croaking Cisticola, Black-headed Batis, Black-and-white Shrike Flycatcher, Chestnut Wattle-eye, African Paradise Flycatcher, Brown Illadopsis, Marsh Tchagra, Brubru, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Black Bishop, Western Black-headed Oriole and White-breasted Negrofinch.

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

Day 14: Bird Watching in Ishasha & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Pass through the Savannah landscapes of Ishasha with chances of spotting; Palm-nut Vulture, African Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Hooded Vulture, White-backed Vulture,  Brown Snake Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, Bateleur, Long-created Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle, Grey Kestrel, Helmeted Guineafowl, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, African Wattled Plover, Senegal Plover, African Green Pigeon, Ross’s Turaco, Striped Kingfisher, Broad-billed Roller,  Double-toothed Barbet, White-headed Barbet,  Greater Honeyguide, Grey Woodpecker, White-browed Robin-Chat, Brown-backed Scrub-Robin, Green Crombec, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Grey-backed Fiscal and Cisticolas. Continue on the drive to arrive in Bwindi in the afternoon. You can opt for an evening forest walk with in close environs of Buhoma or relax at the lodge.

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

Day 15: Encounter Birds of Buhoma

The birds of Buhoma can be explored by taking these trails; 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: Bird Watching to Ruhija via Neck

After breakfast, have a birding transfer to Ruhija via Neck and although the distance is only 58km, there route presents rich birding encounters.

The birds to look for include; Red throated Wryneck, Baglafecht, Copper and Variable Sunbirds, Black-necked and African Golden Weavers, Village Indigobird, Black-throated Canary and Yellow Bishop.

The extension through Kitahurira or the Neck, there lies chances of spotting; Black Sparrow hawk, Cinnamon chested Bee eater, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, White-chinned Prinia, Cassin’s Honey bird, Petit’s Cuckoo shrike,  Pink-footed Puffback, Mountain Wagtail, rare Tiny Sunbird, Brown-capped Weaver, Kandt’s and Yellow-bellied Waxbills and Dusky Twinspot.

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

Day 17: Encounter 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 18: Bird in Umubwindi Swamp

After an early breakfast, embark on the birding encounter to the Umubwindi swamp which has got a legendary attachment that later resulted in the naming of the entire national park as Bwindi.

The water-logged environment of Umubwindi swamp is a haven for a range of birds among which include; African Green Broadbill, Purple-breasted, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Grey Cuckooshrike, Mountain Illadopsis, Mountain Greenbul, Buff-Throated, Chestnut, Grey, Collard, Black Throated,  Mountain Masked, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds.

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

Day 19: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & Evening Bird Walk

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park 235km. You will traverse the scenic landscapes of southwestern Uganda encountering birds en route before making a lunch stop at Igongo cultural center 12km past Mbarara.

After lunch, proceed to Lake Mburo National Park 33km after which you will undertake an evening bird walk around Rwonyo Area to view a range of bird species or you can opt for a boat cruise on Lake Mburo that might expose you to African fish eagle and Kingfishers.

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

Day 20: Half-day Birding Encounter in Lake Mburo National Park & Transfer to Kampala.

After an early morning breakfast, embark on the half day search of 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 of wild animals. Explore the Miriti and Warukiri swamps, 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. Retire for lunch after which you will embark on the transfer to Kampala 240km about 3 – 4 hours’ drive arriving in the evening.

End of  The 20 Days Uganda Birding Safari