12 Days Birding Safari
This 12 Days Uganda Birding and wildlife Safari is a magical journey into the isolated jungles of Uganda, promising you an experience of different bird species encounters like no other. This safari is designed to allow every traveler interested in birding have a chance at spotting the different unique bird species Uganda has to offer. You will visit places like Mabira Forest, Mabamba Swamp, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Maramagambo Forest, and many others.
Day 1- Arrival
On arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your accommodation in either Kampala or Entebbe.
Meal Plan: No Meals included
Day 2- Mabamba Swamp
After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Mabamba swamp, which covered mainly by papyrus. It is located on Lake Victoria, 50kms west of Kampala. The species that are common here include the rare shoebill, Goliath Herons, White faced whistling Duck, White-winged Warbler, Yellow-backed weaver and many more. The birding is done in a Canoe, which makes the whole activity exciting.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 3- Birding in Mabira
After breakfast, head to Mabira forest which is located along the Kampala-Jinja highway. It’s a large forest reserve that has species like the Black kite, Hawk Eagle, Grey spotted woodpecker, Violet Blacked Starling, Blue Headed crested fly catcher and Capuchin Babbler. You will have a break for lunch at one of the resorts in the forest. After the trek, you will head back to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 4- Kampala to Lake Mburo (4hrs)
After your breakfast, you will drive to the Western part of Uganda. You will have a stopover at the equator, and you will then proceed to Mbarara for lunch before heading to Lake Mburo arriving at the park in the afternoon. On arrival, you will head for a boat ride on Lake Mburo, which is surrounded by giant sedge papyrus reeds and home to the Papyrus Gonolek. This area has over 357 species of birds, which may include the Crested Crane, Nubian Woodpecker, Swamp Flycatchers, Bees Eaters, the rare Shoebill, Red Headed Lovebird, and the Lesser Swamp Warbler. After, you will head to Lake Mburo National Park for an overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 1- Arrival
On arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your accommodation in either Kampala or Entebbe.
Meal Plan: No Meals included
Day 2- Mabamba Swamp
After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Mabamba swamp, which covered mainly by papyrus. It is located on Lake Victoria, 50kms west of Kampala. The species that are common here include the rare shoebill, Goliath Herons, White faced whistling Duck, White-winged Warbler, Yellow-backed weaver and many more. The birding is done in a Canoe, which makes the whole activity exciting.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 3- Birding in Mabira
After breakfast, head to Mabira forest which is located along the Kampala-Jinja highway. It’s a large forest reserve that has species like the Black kite, Hawk Eagle, Grey spotted woodpecker, Violet Blacked Starling, Blue Headed crested fly catcher and Capuchin Babbler. You will have a break for lunch at one of the resorts in the forest. After the trek, you will head back to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 4- Kampala to Lake Mburo (4hrs)
After your breakfast, you will drive to the Western part of Uganda. You will have a stopover at the equator, and you will then proceed to Mbarara for lunch before heading to Lake Mburo arriving at the park in the afternoon. On arrival, you will head for a boat ride on Lake Mburo, which is surrounded by giant sedge papyrus reeds and home to the Papyrus Gonolek. This area has over 357 species of birds, which may include the Crested Crane, Nubian Woodpecker, Swamp Flycatchers, Bees Eaters, the rare Shoebill, Red Headed Lovebird, and the Lesser Swamp Warbler. After, you will head to Lake Mburo National Park for an overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 5- Lake Mburo to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After early morning breakfast, you will go for a walking Safari towards the Kazuma Hill viewing point. During this walk, you will have to look out for the Black bellied bustard, African Wattled Plover, Yellow Billed ox Pecker, Red Faced Barbet, Temmricks Courser and many more. After a lunch break at Rwonyo, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, that is situated astride the equator in the western rift valley through the beautiful green scenery of western Uganda. Over 568 bird species have been recorded in this park. You will arrive in the evening and check into your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 6- Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After early morning breakfast, proceed for a game drive through the kasenyi track. Expect to see bird species like the Great White Pelican, Lesser Flamingo, Martial Eagle, Griffon Vultures and Weavers. Later head back to the camp for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to Kazinga Channel for a boat ride. This place is a stopover for a good number of European migrant bird species. During the boat ride, expect to see the Lesser Kestel, Gull billed Tern, Pallid Harrier, Great Snipe, Fish Eagles, and the Shoebill stock. The ride takes 2-3 hrs. We then drive back to our lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and dinner
Day 7- Maramagambo Forest
After breakfast, drive to Maramagambo Forest for a nature walk in the forest. During the walk, you should look out for different bird species like the Eurasian Golden oriole, Red headed blue bill, Bat hawks, Sulphur breasted bush shrike, Brown eared woodpecker, Fawn breasted Waxbill and the Dark capped yellow warbler. You will also see some different primate species like the Black and white Colobus monkey. Later in the afternoon drive to Kibale Forest National Park for an overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 8- Birding in Kibale Forest National Park /Bigodi swamp
Birding here is done in Bigodi Swamp, located some 5kms from the visitors’ centre. There are over 325 bird species here. After your morning breakfast, you will walk through the forest to Bigodi swamp for your birding safari. Expect to see species like the Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Black-billed Turaco, White-naped pigeon, Great blue Turaco, White spotted crake, Green breasted pitta, and Toro olive Greenbul. Return to your accommodation for overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 5- Lake Mburo to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After early morning breakfast, you will go for a walking Safari towards the Kazuma Hill viewing point. During this walk, you will have to look out for the Black bellied bustard, African Wattled Plover, Yellow Billed ox Pecker, Red Faced Barbet, Temmricks Courser and many more. After a lunch break at Rwonyo, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, that is situated astride the equator in the western rift valley through the beautiful green scenery of western Uganda. Over 568 bird species have been recorded in this park. You will arrive in the evening and check into your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 6- Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After early morning breakfast, proceed for a game drive through the kasenyi track. Expect to see bird species like the Great White Pelican, Lesser Flamingo, Martial Eagle, Griffon Vultures and Weavers. Later head back to the camp for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to Kazinga Channel for a boat ride. This place is a stopover for a good number of European migrant bird species. During the boat ride, expect to see the Lesser Kestel, Gull billed Tern, Pallid Harrier, Great Snipe, Fish Eagles, and the Shoebill stock. The ride takes 2-3 hrs. We then drive back to our lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and dinner
Day 7- Maramagambo Forest
After breakfast, drive to Maramagambo Forest for a nature walk in the forest. During the walk, you should look out for different bird species like the Eurasian Golden oriole, Red headed blue bill, Bat hawks, Sulphur breasted bush shrike, Brown eared woodpecker, Fawn breasted Waxbill and the Dark capped yellow warbler. You will also see some different primate species like the Black and white Colobus monkey. Later in the afternoon drive to Kibale Forest National Park for an overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 8- Birding in Kibale Forest National Park /Bigodi swamp
Birding here is done in Bigodi Swamp, located some 5kms from the visitors’ centre. There are over 325 bird species here. After your morning breakfast, you will walk through the forest to Bigodi swamp for your birding safari. Expect to see species like the Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Black-billed Turaco, White-naped pigeon, Great blue Turaco, White spotted crake, Green breasted pitta, and Toro olive Greenbul. Return to your accommodation for overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 9- Kibale Forest to Murchison Falls
After early morning breakfast, drive to Murchison falls National Park with parked lunch through Fort portal arriving at the park late in the evening. Check in at the lodge and relax at the bar area.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and dinner
Day 10- Victoria Nile & Lake Albert
After early morning breakfast, you will take a boat ride along the Victoria Nile to Lake Albert. This place is home for some bird species like the Long-toed lapwing, Goliath Heron, Water thick-knees, Secretary Bird, Ground hornbill, the rare Shoebill and many more. In the afternoon, you may opt to go for a game drive.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 11- Nile Delta & Top of the falls
After breakfast, we shall take a trip to the top of the falls. Species to look for here include the White rumped canary, Carmine Bee eater, Sacred Ibis, Pied Kingfisher, Red throated Bee eaters, Saddle billed stock, Red necked Falcon, Osprey, Bruce’s Green pigeon, Vinaceous dove, Ground Hornbill, Shoebill, Secretary Bird, Fulvous whistling Duck, White crested Turaco, Silver bird, Grosbeak Weaver, and many more.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 12- Back to Kampala or Entebbe
Early morning breakfast, and then proceed to Budongo forest for a half day Nature walk at Kaniyo Pabidi. During the walk, you will also be able to see different bird species like the Yellow footed flycatcher, White crested Turaco, Piping Hornbill, African Wood Orol and the Black-shouldered nightjar. After, drive to Masindi for lunch and later transfer to Kampala or Entebbe for your international flight. Additional accommodation can be arranged for extra cost incase you want to have an extra night.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Packed Lunch
Tour Package Includes:
- Transport in a 4WD minivan with pop-up roof for excellent safari view.
- All fuel for the tour.
- English speaking Ugandan driver/guide.
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary.
- All breakfasts and dinners included.
- Park-entrance fees according to the itinerary.
- All activities described in the itinerary.
Excludes:
- International air fares and entry visa to Uganda.
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance.
- Government tax or park fees increase.
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
- All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.)
Day 9- Kibale Forest to Murchison Falls
After early morning breakfast, drive to Murchison falls National Park with parked lunch through Fort portal arriving at the park late in the evening. Check in at the lodge and relax at the bar area.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and dinner
Day 10- Victoria Nile & Lake Albert
After early morning breakfast, you will take a boat ride along the Victoria Nile to Lake Albert. This place is home for some bird species like the Long-toed lapwing, Goliath Heron, Water thick-knees, Secretary Bird, Ground hornbill, the rare Shoebill and many more. In the afternoon, you may opt to go for a game drive.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 11- Nile Delta & Top of the falls
After breakfast, we shall take a trip to the top of the falls. Species to look for here include the White rumped canary, Carmine Bee eater, Sacred Ibis, Pied Kingfisher, Red throated Bee eaters, Saddle billed stock, Red necked Falcon, Osprey, Bruce’s Green pigeon, Vinaceous dove, Ground Hornbill, Shoebill, Secretary Bird, Fulvous whistling Duck, White crested Turaco, Silver bird, Grosbeak Weaver, and many more.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner
Day 12- Back to Kampala or Entebbe
Early morning breakfast, and then proceed to Budongo forest for a half day Nature walk at Kaniyo Pabidi. During the walk, you will also be able to see different bird species like the Yellow footed flycatcher, White crested Turaco, Piping Hornbill, African Wood Orol and the Black-shouldered nightjar. After, drive to Masindi for lunch and later transfer to Kampala or Entebbe for your international flight. Additional accommodation can be arranged for extra cost incase you want to have an extra night.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Packed Lunch
Tour Package Includes:
- Transport in a 4WD minivan with pop-up roof for excellent safari view.
- All fuel for the tour.
- English speaking Ugandan driver/guide.
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary.
- All breakfasts and dinners included.
- Park-entrance fees according to the itinerary.
- All activities described in the itinerary.
Excludes:
- International air fares and entry visa to Uganda.
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance.
- Government tax or park fees increase.
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
- All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.)
© Heritage Explorers Uganda 2025