32 Days Best of Uganda birding Safari Experience
Best of Uganda birding, This is a month-long journey filled with adventure. We shall start off going East through Mabira forest, bird the slopes of Mt. Elgon and travel North through Pian Upe to the extreme North East in Kidepo. From here, we shall then travel South to meet the longest river in Africa, River Nile, in Murchison falls National Park, the hot springs of Sempaya in Semliki, the Chimpanzee of Kibale and further down to the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. We shall go south through the impenetrable forest of Bwindi to hike the slopes of Mt. Mgahinga for those high elevation specials. We shall finalize with a visit to the grasslands of Lake Mburo National Park
STRONG POINTS:
Biggest list of birds
Biggest list of mammals
Visits all the major Important bird areas.
Regional Endemics
Day 1: Arrival and overnight at Entebbe
Day 2: Mabamba Swamp – Travel to Mabamba
We drive to Mabamba Swamp, 50 km west of Kampala. At the Swamp, most of the birding is done on a canoe, paddled by our local site guides. Our main goal for the excursion is the Shoebill that can be sighted in both the sky and down in the marsh. Also watch out for the; Swamp Flycatcher, African Purple Swamp Hen, African Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, African Pigmy Goose, White-faced Whistling Duck, Squacco Heron, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Winding Cisticola, Goliath Heron, and Black Crake. In the afternoon, we shall travel to Kampala for overnight.
Location: Entebbe
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Latitude 0 Degrees or similar |
| Mid-Range | Kaazi Beach Resort or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 3: Jinja Uganda – Whole day at Mabira forest
We head out to Mabira Forest where we plan to spend the whole day in search for some amazing species. As the only Forest reserve located within the central area of the country, Mabira Forest provides a rather easy opportunity for sighting a number of “difficult” forest species located in different parts of the country such as the Tit Hylia, Nahan’s Francolin, Lowland Sooty Boubou as well as other species like the Shinning Blue Kingfisher among many more. The relatively flat terrain of the area makes movement easy thus aiding with the experience one has whilst birding in the forest. We shall continue East to Jinja for overnight.
Location: Jinja Uganda
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Wild Water Lodge Jinja or similar |
| Mid-range | Heaven Lodge Jinja or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner.
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 4: Sipi Falls Uganda – Drive to Mbale / Mount Elgon
We drive through towns and communities as we proceed to Mount Elgon which is at a higher elevation. Mount Elgon is one of the few volcanic mountains within the country. This has provided the vibrant growth of the forest that is inhabited by a multitude of species which including the Abyssinian Ground Thrush. Stay in Mbale
Location: Sipi Falls
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Sipi River Lodge or similar |
| Mid-Range | Rafiki Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 5: Sipi Falls Uganda – Whole day birding
We hike the mount through the forest as we hopefully try to acquire sightings of species like Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, White-bellied Tit,
Location: Sipi Falls
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Sipi River Lodge or similar |
| Mid-Range | Rafiki Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 6: pain Upe Game Reserve – Birding to Pian Upe
We transfer from the forest of Mount Elgon to the wooded grasslands of Pian Upe. The change in elevation and habitat provides for quite the scenic views. Pain Upe is the largest Wildlife Reserve in the country and is home to a multitude of wildlife species especially birds which include the only country endemic species, Fox’s Weaver.
Location: Pian Upe Game Reserve
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Africana Hotel Moroto or similar |
| Mid-Range | Kara-Tunga Safari Camp or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 7: pain Upe Game Reserve – Whole day in Pian Upe
The hunt for the Fox’s Weaver has us journey through the park as we also search for other interesting birds like the Rufous Chatterer, Northern Brownbul, Stone Partridge, Purple-banded Sunbird, African Golden Oriole among many others.
Location: Pian Upe Game Reserve
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Africana Hotel Moroto or similar |
| Mid-Range | Kara-Tunga Safari Camp or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 8: whole day birding to Moroto
We shall do some birding through the park as we transfer to Matheniko Wildlife reserve in Moroto. We intend to try and get some other sightings along the journey
Day 9: Birding around Moroto
The plan is to spend the whole day moving through Matheniko-Bokora Wildlife Reserve. The reserve is home to a variety of species such as the White-headed, Red-billed and White-billed Buffalo Weavers, Purple Grenadier among many more.
Location: Pian Upe Game Reserve
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Africana Hotel Moroto or similar |
| Mid-Range | Kara-Tunga Safari Camp or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 10: Kidepo Valley National Park – Birding to Kidepo
We transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park after breakfast. We shall drive through Matheniko Wildlife Reserve as this stretch provides a fascinating scenery and we will hopefully pick up any species we might have missed out on the previous day. Kidepo Valley National Park is the least explored of all parks in the country which also provides for more popular bird activity with its count reaching 480 species, making it second to Queen Elizabeth National Park amongst all the protected areas in the country.
Location: Kidepo Valley National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Apoka Safari Lodge or similar |
| Mid-Range | Adere Safari Lodges kidepo or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 11 and 12: Kidepo Valley National Park – Whole day birding Kidepo
The park has two main areas and the plan is to give appropriate time to each of these areas. The first will have us explore the Narus Valley and then the Kidepo Valley on the next. Best of Uganda birding, Both these valleys are fantastic spots for an exceptional birding experience providing opportunities for the Secretary bird, Fox Kestrel, Stone Partridge, Rick-necked Francolin, White-bellied and Hartlaub’s Bustards among many others.
Location: Kidepo Valley National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Apoka Safari Lodge or similar |
| Mid-Range | Adere Safari Lodges kidepo or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 13: Murchison Falls National Park – Birding to Murchison Falls National Park
After an early breakfast, we drive to Murchison Falls National Park which is Uganda’s largest National Park and it protects a huge chunk of untamed savannah bisected by the mighty River Nile. It is named after the dramatic Murchison Falls where by the World’s longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge in a frothing pool 43 m below. The park also boasts of 76 mammal species including; the lion, elephant, leopard, hippopotamus, Rothschild giraffe, Cape buffalo, hartebeest, oribi, warthog, and the Uganda Kob as wells 360 bird species including the rare Shoebill Stork.
Location: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Paraa Safari Lodge or similar |
| Mid-Range | Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 14 and 15: Murchison Falls National Park – Whole days in the park
The two days in the park involves multiple game drives so as to cover the different areas with in this vast wilderness as well as two boat cruises, one to the bottom of the Murchison falls, which are considered by some as the strongest falls in the world. This stretch provides multiple birding opportunities with recorded sightings of the Rock Pratincole, White-fronted Plover, Purple Swamphen among many others that have been sighted along the boat cruise that ends with beautiful views of the Murchison falls. Best of Uganda birding, The other boat cruise will have us journey to the delta as the river drains into Lake Albert. This stretch is rather long but definitely worth it as it provides opportunities for the Saddle-billed Stork, Red-winged Gray Warbler, and also the Shoebill.
Location: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Paraa Safari Lodge or similar |
| Mid-Range | Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 16: Murchison Falls National Park – Birding to Masindi
As we depart from the park, we shall look out for any other sightings. We will drive a short stretch of the Budongo forest which has recorded sightings of the Puvell’s Illadopsis. We intend to try out a few species as we proceed to Masindi.
Location: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Paraa Safari Lodge or similar |
| Mid-Range | Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 17: Murchison Falls National Park – Whole day at Royal Mile Budongo Forest
This stretch consists of a broad flat trail with in the Budongo forest with relatively tall trees on either side of the track. The Budongo forest is considered to have been a part of the Ituri forest at some point
Location: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Paraa Safari Lodge or similar |
| Mid-Range | Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 18: Fort Portal – Birding to Fort Portal/Best of Uganda birding
We shall drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park for the last time as we proceed to Kibale forest arriving in Fort Portal in the late afternoon. Kibale forest national park is the best safari destination for chimpanzee tracking in East Africa. Best of Uganda birding, It contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of all tropical forests in Uganda. Best of Uganda birding, It hosts 13 species of primates including the Chimpanzee. It has 1450 chimpanzees and these represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. It is also home to the rare L’hoest’s Monkey and East Africa’s largest population of the threatened Red Colobus Monkey.
Location: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation:
| Luxury | Kyaninga Lodge or similar |
| Mid-range | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout.
Day 19: Semuliki National Park – Whole day at Semliki Forest
We start the day with a drive to Semliki National Park which is about 2 hours away from Fort Portal. The forest was once connected to the greater Ituri Forest that stretches from West Africa through the Congo basin. Best of Uganda birding, This is considered to be the furtherest eastern range for West African species which includes hornbills like the Red-billed Dwarf, White-crested, Black Dwarf, Black Casqued as well as other special species like the Yellow-throated Nicator, Capuchin Babbler among many others.
Location: Semuliki National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Semuliki Safari Lodge or similar |
| Mid-range | Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner.
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 20 and 21: Kibale Forest National Park – Kibale Forest
With one day set aside for the Chimpanzee tracking, the two days in Kibale National Park are intended to provide us with an opportune max coverage of the hotspots with in and outside the park boundaries. For the day of birding, we intend to have a very early start so as to get into the forest early with the main target target being the Green-breasted Pitta but also other specials like the Joyful Greenbul, Lowland Apalis. Best of Uganda birding, The afternoon will have us outside the park as we explore the Bigodi Wetland which the natives have preserved as it provides good opportunities for birds like the Yellow-billed Barbet, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, White-spotted Flufftail among many more.
Location: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation:
| Luxury | Kyaninga Lodge or similar |
| Mid-range | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout.
Day 22: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Birding to Queen Elizabeth National Park
The main activity for the day is the drive to Queen Elizabeth national park. The Park which is named after the Queen of England, who visited it in 1954, is the second largest national park in Uganda.Best of Uganda birding, Queen Elizabeth national park boasts the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the region. This is evidenced by the presence of open savanna, rainforest, dense papyrus swamps and brooding crater lakes, and the vast Lake Edward.
Queen Elizabeth National Park has almost 100 mammal species and a remarkable 612 bird species hence making it a superb safari territory, with elephants, a profusion of hippos, the elusive Giant Forest hog and the beautiful Uganda Kob which are all regularly sighted around the tourist village on the Mweya Peninsula – which also boasts a marvelous waterfront setting in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
| Luxury | Mweya Safari Lodge or similar |
| Mid-range | Twin Lake Safari Cottages or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout.
Day 23: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Whole day in the park
There will be a morning game drive searching for; Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Uganda Kob, Waterbucks, Warthogs and many more bird species like Collard Pratincole, Temninck’s Courser, Kittlitz’s Plover. After lunch, you have an exotic and exciting boat trip along the Kazinga Channel.Best of Uganda birding, The trip is one of the most exciting water activities in Uganda since the channel is a narrow neck of water that connects Lakes George and Edward, with excellent photographic opportunities for waterside birds and abundant Hippopotamus, huge families of buffalos, and elephants with a possibility of multiple bird species like an endless number of the Pied Kingfisher, African Skimmer, Red-throated Bee-eater, Long-tailed and Great Cormorants.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
| Luxury | Mweya Safari Lodge or similar |
| Mid-range | Twin Lake Safari Cottages or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout.
Day 24: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Birding to Bwindi Buhoma
We plan to drive through the Ishasha section (if the road and weather conditions are favorable) where, if lucky, you may be able to view tree climbing lions and as we proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to approximately half of the world endangered population of Mountain Gorillas. Best of Uganda birding, This vast reserve also offers arguably the most productive montane forest birding in Africa and supports 22 of Uganda’s 23 Albertine Rift endemic bird species. The park was once part of a much larger forest that included the Virunga Volcanoes in neighboring Rwanda, and now Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an ecological island within a sea of human cultivation and therefore of big conservation importance.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation:
| Super Luxury | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or similar |
| Luxury | Buhoma Lodge or similar |
| Mid-range | Bakiga Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout.
Day 25: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Whole day birding the main trail
We shall spend the day birding the Buhoma main trail as we head towards the waterfalls within the forest. This stretch provides us with opportunities for sightings of the Neumann’s warbler, Dusky long-tailed Cuckoo, Gray-breasted Babbler, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, African Hill Babbler among many more species. The trail is relatively even thus providing a rather easy excursion that is not as physically demanding.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation:
| Super Luxury | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or similar |
| Luxury | Buhoma Lodge or similar |
| Mid-range | Bakiga Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout.
Day 26: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Optical Gorilla tracking
We shall assemble at the Park Offices for the briefing in the morning prior to this historic event. Gorilla tracking is a very captivating activity as it might take 1-8 hours which involves walking in the wilderness in search of these gentle giants which can be a challenging activity, therefore ensure physical fitness. Best of Uganda birding, It is a wonderful experience to stare in to the eyes of these gentle giants; watch them in awe as they play and go about their daily activities. Gorilla Tracking is indeed a “once in a lifetime” experience that you must never miss.
Each encounter with the gorillas is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in a delightfully playful display.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation:
| Super Luxury | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or similar |
| Luxury | Buhoma Lodge or similar |
| Mid-range | Bakiga Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout.
Day 27: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Birding to Ruhija
The journey between Buhoma and Ruhija has us moving through “the neck” which is a small stretch of forest that connects the northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the southern sector and this small stretch provides a birding hotspot. We intend to make a few stops along the way to look for species such as the Jameson’s Ant-pecker.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation:
| Super Luxury | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or similar |
| Luxury | Buhoma Lodge or similar |
| Mid-range | Bakiga Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout.
Day 28: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Birding Ruhija and optional Mubwindi Swamp/Best of Uganda birding
This sector of Bwindi is further south and is at a higher elevation and due this conducive range, it is where we intend to maximize the opportunity for finding the Albertine Rift Endemics such as the Strip-breasted Tit, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Nightjar, Collard Apalis. Best of Uganda birding, The option to move to the Mubwindi Swamp is dependent on the client as this stretch is rather very physically demanding but it provides get benefits such as opportunities for the Grauer’s Broadbill, Grauer’s Warbler, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, all of which are also Albertine Rift Endemics.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation:
| Super Luxury | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or similar |
| Luxury | Buhoma Lodge or similar |
| Mid-range | Bakiga Lodge or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout.
Day 29: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Birding to Mgahinga
We then head further south to and even higher elevation. Mgahinga Gorilla national park is also home to the Mountain Gorilla and is connected to the great Virunga Forest that connects the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda
Location: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Chameleon Hill Lodge |
| Mid-range | Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner.
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 30: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Whole day birding the mountains
We hike the montane forest in search for high-altitude species such as the Rwenzori Turaco, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, Bamboo Warbler, Kandt’s Waxbill among many more.
Location: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Chameleon Hill Lodge |
| Mid-range | Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner.
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 31: Lake Mburo National Park – Birding to Lake Mburo
As we drive to Lake Mburo National Park, we shall keep an eye out for bird sightings along the way. The plan is to arrive in the park in the afternoon and try out some evening species as we transfer to the lodge which will be with in the park boundaries.
Location: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Mihingo Lodge |
| Mid-range | Rwakobo Rock Lodge |
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 32: Lake Mburo National Park – Whole day in the park
We start the day with a boat cruise on Lake Mburo its as we search for the elusive African Finfoot which is considered must-see while in the area. We shall also have other sightings such as the Red-headed Weaver, Spot-flanked Barbet. Best of Uganda birding, We will have an afternoon game drive in the park looking bird specialties like the Crested Barbet, Red-faced Barbet, Pearl-spotted Owlet.
Location: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation Option:
| Luxury | Mihingo Lodge |
| Mid-range | Rwakobo Rock Lodge |
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 33: Birding to Entebbe / Kampala
We shall keep an eye out for any species we might have missed as we drive out of the park on our way to Entebbe.
32 Days Best of Uganda birding Safari Experience
We believe in value for money. Every guest would like to have the most reliable and comfortable vehicles on safari. In response to the clients’ needs, we have a very strict vehicle replacement policy that ensures a young fleet at all times. We have a total fleet of 225 well-maintained motor vehicles, predominantly 4-wheel drives. This does away with the problem of sub-contracting vehicles and driver-guides, which may compromise the quality of services. Our safari vehicles are specifically converted for maximum space and comfort. All of them have hatched roof and sliding windows to facilitate good viewing and convenient photography during game drives and sight seeing.
