Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Uganda

Welcome to Uganda, a country whose combination of tropical forests, wetlands, savannahs, lakes and Albertine Rift mountains makes it one of East Africa’s most exciting birding destinations. On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation.

Depending on your flight arrival time, you may begin with relaxed introductory birding around Entebbe. This provides an opportunity to become familiar with some of Uganda’s more widespread species before the specialist birding begins the following morning.

Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Tracking – Transfer to Kibale

After an early breakfast, travel to Mabamba Bay Wetland, one of Uganda’s best-known locations for searching for the prehistoric-looking Shoebill.

Birding is normally conducted from a small canoe with a local wetland guide. Moving quietly through papyrus channels allows you to search for the Shoebill while also observing other wetland birds. Depending on conditions and season, the wider wetland can provide opportunities for kingfishers, herons, egrets, jacanas, weavers and other water-associated species.

Shoebills are wild birds and sightings can never be guaranteed, but Mabamba is one of Uganda’s most established Shoebill birding locations.

After the excursion, continue west toward the Kibale region. The journey introduces you to Uganda’s changing countryside before reaching the lush landscapes surrounding Kibale National Park.

Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetland Birding

Today is dedicated to the forests and wetlands of the Kibale region. The landscape here is particularly attractive to birdwatchers because forest, swamp, woodland, farmland and community-managed habitat occur close together.

Explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary with a local guide. One of the day’s most visually impressive potential sightings is the Great Blue Turaco, although the exact species encountered vary according to season, weather, movement and luck.

The walk is also rewarding for travellers interested in primates, butterflies, plants and community conservation. Unlike a rushed wildlife stop, today’s schedule allows your guide to spend time listening for calls, checking fruiting trees and exploring productive habitat.

Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Continue south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, birding opportunistically along the route. The transition from the greener Kibale region into the open landscapes of Queen Elizabeth introduces an entirely different selection of habitats.

Queen Elizabeth is particularly valuable on a birding itinerary because wetlands, crater areas, open savannah, woodland and the Kazinga Channel occur within the same conservation landscape. Large mammals may include elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs and other savannah wildlife.

Depending on arrival time, enjoy an introductory game drive and begin searching the park’s open-country birdlife before proceeding to the lodge.

Queen Elizabeth Birding, Game Drive & Kazinga Channel

Begin early when birds and mammals are particularly active. Your guide will combine wildlife viewing with birding, scanning grassland, bushes, woodland and wetland edges for species associated with Queen Elizabeth’s diverse ecosystem.

Later, enjoy a Kazinga Channel boat safari. The channel connects Lakes George and Edward and provides an excellent opportunity to observe water-associated birds from close range.

The cruise is equally rewarding for general wildlife. Hippos are commonly associated with the channel, while buffaloes, elephants and other animals may appear along the banks. For photographers, the boat provides a different perspective from a vehicle-based game drive.

Queen Elizabeth via Ishasha to Bwindi

After breakfast, travel through the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park toward Bwindi. The Ishasha landscape provides another opportunity for birding and wildlife viewing.

Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, although sightings are never guaranteed. For birders, the drive is equally valuable because it connects different ecological zones and provides opportunities to stop when interesting species are encountered.

Continue into the increasingly mountainous and forested scenery surrounding Bwindi. Arrival here marks one of the most exciting transitions of the safari: from savannah ecosystems to one of Africa’s most important montane forests.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Today brings the signature primate experience of the safari: gorilla trekking in Uganda.

After breakfast, report to the designated Bwindi trekking centre for registration and a ranger briefing. You will then enter the forest with your ranger team to search for an assigned habituated mountain gorilla family.

The trek can vary considerably in length because gorillas move freely through the forest. Terrain may include steep slopes, forest trails and muddy sections, particularly following rainfall. Once your group reaches the gorillas, you normally receive up to one extraordinary hour observing them at close range while following the instructions of your ranger guides.

The experience can include watching adults feed, juveniles play, mothers care for their young and, depending on the family, the commanding presence of a mature silverback.

We strongly recommend hiring a porter for your gorilla trek. Porters can help with your daypack and provide valuable assistance on difficult sections of the trail while generating direct local employment.

Full-Day Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After yesterday’s gorilla trek, today reveals another side of Bwindi. The park forms part of the Albertine Rift and is internationally important for bird conservation.

With your birding guide, explore suitable forest trails and edges according to your allocated Bwindi sector and current birding conditions. Your guide will use calls, habitat knowledge and recent observations to decide where to concentrate the search.

Depending on the sector and luck, birders may search for Albertine Rift specialties and other forest species including Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher and numerous sunbirds, flycatchers, greenbuls and other forest birds.

Rare species should always be considered targets rather than guaranteed sightings. This is especially important for highly localised or difficult forest birds.

Travellers whose main objective is the highly sought-after African Green Broadbill should discuss this with us before booking because the itinerary, season and Bwindi sector may need to be planned specifically around specialist birding priorities.

Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park

Leave Bwindi after breakfast and travel toward Lake Mburo National Park.

Lake Mburo provides another major habitat change. Its acacia woodland, open grassland, rocky areas, wetlands and lakes complement the forest birding experienced earlier in the safari.

Wildlife may include zebras, impalas, buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes and other species. Birding opportunities continue during the drive, with your guide stopping where practical for interesting sightings.

Depending on arrival time and your interests, enjoy an evening game drive, birding session or another suitable activity before settling into your lodge.

Morning Lake Mburo Birding – Return to Entebbe

Begin your final day with an early birding session or game drive in Lake Mburo. Early morning is often rewarding because temperatures are cooler and wildlife activity can be higher.

After breakfast, begin the journey back toward Entebbe, with stops along the way as time permits. Your guide will coordinate the departure according to your international flight schedule or onward travel arrangements.

This concludes your 10 Days Birding Uganda and Gorilla Safari after exploring wetlands, tropical forest, savannah, lakes and the mountain forests of the Albertine Rift.