10 Days Uganda Birding Rhinos and Primates Safari
10 Days Uganda Birding, Rhinos and Primates Safari is one of the best wildlife trips you can take in East Africa. This exciting safari takes you through Uganda’s richest forests, wetlands, and national parks. You will search for the prehistoric Shoebill, track wild Rhinos, follow Chimpanzees through thick forest, and trek Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi. Along the way, you will see hundreds of bird species in stunning natural settings. In short, this 10-day journey packs a lifetime of wildlife memories into one unforgettable trip.
Day 1: Birding at Mabamba Swamp and Mpanga Forest
Your adventure begins at Mabamba Swamp, west of Kampala. Specifically, this large marsh sits along the shores of Lake Victoria in Mpigi District, making it one of the best birding spots near Kampala. To start, you board a small boat and paddle slowly through the papyrus channels. Meanwhile, your guide leads the search for the famous Shoebill. Remarkably, this prehistoric bird stands quietly in the water, patiently waiting to catch frogs, lungfish, and water snakes. As a result, the search usually takes two to three hours, building suspense and excitement with every turn through the channels
Besides the Shoebill, you spot many other water birds. Look out for African Jacanas, Malachite Kingfishers, Papyrus Gonoleks, and White-winged Warblers. After the swamp, you drive to Mpanga Forest. This small rainforest covers about 453 hectares near the Kampala-Masaka highway. Despite its size, it holds 300 bird species, 500 types of trees, and three monkey species. You search for forest birds like the Fire-crested Alethe, Grey-headed Nigrita, and Red-tailed Bristlebill. After a full day of birding, you drive to Kampala for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa and Travel to Masindi
After breakfast, you head north toward Masindi. On the way, you stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This sanctuary opened in 2005 and currently holds over 22 White Rhinos. It is the only place in Uganda where you can track Rhinos in the wild. Your ranger guides you on foot through the bush to find these massive animals. It is a thrilling and safe experience. Afterwards, you explore the sanctuary for birds. You may spot the White-crested Turaco, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, and Thick-billed Cuckoo among others. In the late afternoon, you continue to Masindi for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Birding in Budongo Forest and Murchison Falls
Budongo Forest is the largest natural forest in Uganda. It lies near Masindi and shares many bird species with neighboring Congo. You spend the whole day birding in this rich forest. Your guide leads you along forest trails in search of some very special species. You look for the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, Shining Blue Kingfisher, and Blue-breasted Kingfisher. Furthermore, you search for the Ituri Batis, Chestnut-capped Warbler, and White-thighed Hornbill.
If time allows, your driver takes you to the top of Murchison Falls. This is a breathtaking viewpoint where the powerful Nile River squeezes through a narrow 7-metre gorge. The view is spectacular. You return to Masindi in the evening.
Day 4: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park
Today is mostly a travel day. You leave early in the morning and take the Hoima-Kagadi road toward Kibale. The drive takes about seven hours. However, it is not boring at all. You pass through beautiful rift valley landscapes, rolling hills, and green farming villages. You stop for lunch in Fort Portal town. Along the way, occasional roadside stops let you stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery. You arrive at Kibale in the evening and check in for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
This is one of the most exciting days of the safari. Early in the morning, you enter Kibale Forest with a ranger and guide, ready for an unforgettable adventure. First and foremost, your goal is to spot the Green-breasted Pitta, one of Kibale’s most sought-after birds. With luck, on a good day, you see it displaying its bright colors on a forest perch.
Following that, the next highlight is Chimpanzee tracking. Remarkably, Chimpanzees share 98.7% of their DNA with humans, making them our closest living relatives. Skillfully, your guide tracks them through the forest using calls and movement signs. Once located, you spend up to one hour watching them feed, play, and interact. Altogether, it is a deeply moving and truly unforgettable experience.
In the afternoon, you visit Bigodi Swamp. This community-run wetland walk offers superb birding. You look for the Grey-capped Warbler, Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher, and Afep Pigeon. Additionally, you spot other primates such as the Red Colobus, Uganda Mangabey, and Blue Monkey. Bigodi is a wonderful example of how local communities protect wildlife.
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, you begin the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. Along the way, your route passes through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is famous for its tree-climbing lions. Therefore, keep your eyes on the fig trees as you drive through — lions often rest on the branches above. In addition, you make birding stops along the way to add more species to your growing list.
Eventually, you arrive at Bwindi-Buhoma in the evening. Bwindi is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests — in fact, it dates back over 25,000 years and contains nearly 400 plant species. Most importantly, it protects around 400 Mountain Gorillas, which represent about half the world’s entire population. With that in mind, you check in and prepare with great anticipation for Gorilla trekking the next day.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking and Birding in Bwindi
Today is the highlight of the whole safari. After a briefing from the rangers, you enter the forest to begin Gorilla trekking. The trek can last anywhere from four to seven hours depending on where the gorilla family is resting that day. You push through dense vegetation, climb steep slopes, and cross small streams. Then, suddenly, you find them.
You spend one hour with the gorilla family. You watch the silverback rest, the youngsters play, and the mothers nurse their babies. It is one of the most powerful wildlife encounters on Earth. After returning to the lodge, you rest briefly before heading out for afternoon birding. You search for Albertine Rift endemics such as Chapin’s Flycatcher, Bar-tailed Trogon, Purple-breasted Sunbird, and the Blue-shouldered Robin Chat. Bwindi holds 23 species found nowhere else in the world.
Day 8: Birding Along the Buhoma-Ruhija Route
Today you drive from Buhoma to Ruhija, birding along the way. This scenic route cuts through the heart of Bwindi. The drive takes two to three hours and passes through montane forest and highland grassland. You keep the windows down and your binoculars ready. Your guide knows exactly where to stop for the best sightings.
You look for specialties like the Black-collared Apalis, Masked Apalis, Mountain Apalis, and the Regal Sunbird. In addition, you search for the Many-colored Bush Shrike, Black Bee-eater, and White-tailed Blue Flycatcher. You arrive in Ruhija by mid-afternoon. After lunch, you go out again for evening birding as the forest comes alive before sunset.
Day 9: Travel to Lake Mburo National Park
You leave Bwindi early and drive northeast to Lake Mburo National Park. This park is smaller than Uganda’s other parks, but it is rich with wildlife. It hosts over 60 mammal species including Impala, Burchell’s Zebra, Buffalo, Warthog, Hippo, Leopard, and Hyena. Notably, the Impala is found only in this park within Uganda. The park also holds 350 bird species including the Shoebill, African Finfoot, and Saddle-billed Stork.
On the way, you enjoy Uganda’s famous countryside. Green banana plantations, rolling hills, and herds of long-horned Ankole cattle fill the landscape. It is a relaxing and scenic drive. Upon arrival, you board a boat for an afternoon cruise on Lake Mburo. From the water, you see crocodiles, hippos, and an array of waterbirds including the Fish Eagle and African Finfoot. It is a peaceful and rewarding end to an active day.
Day 10: Return to Entebbe with a Stop at the Equator
After breakfast, you begin the final drive back to Entebbe. During the journey, which takes about four hours, you make a memorable stop at the Equator crossing on the Kampala-Masaka highway. Notably, this is a popular and fun stop where you stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, take photos and also watch a fascinating demonstration that shows how water drains in opposite directions on each side of the line.
You then continue to Entebbe International Airport. Your 10-day Uganda Birding, Rhinos and Primates Safari ends here, full of memories that will last a lifetime.
What the Safari Includes
The trip covers accommodation, meals, expert guide services, transport throughout Uganda, and gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits. It does not include flights, visas, tips, personal drinks, porter fees during trekking, or personal shopping expenses.
Plan Your Safari Today
Safari Vacations and Travel Services has over 10 years of experience planning Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC safaris. Furthermore, our local consultants work closely with you to build the perfect itinerary. In addition, we handle all permits, accommodation bookings, and transport logistics from start to finish. As a result, you can sit back and enjoy a seamless travel experience. So, get in touch today to start planning your unforgettable Uganda safari.
