5-Day Uganda Birdwatching Safari

The 5-Day Uganda birdwatching safari offers a chance to explore amazing birding locations near Kampala. You will visit Entebbe, known for forest and water birds, Mabamba Wetland, home to the rare Shoebill, and Lake Mburo National Park, which features various savannah and water birds. The safari begins at Entebbe Botanical Gardens and the Uganda Wildlife Education Center along Lake Victoria. Unique birds like the Black-necked Weaver and the African Pied Hornbill can be spotted in the Entebbe area. The trip also includes birdwatching at Mabamba Wetland and Lake Mburo National Park with over 350 bird species.

5-Day Uganda Birdwatching Safari Highlights

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe and transfer to UWEC along the shores of Lake Victoria and Botanical Gardens.

Day 2: Bird Mabamba swamp

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Day 4: Full day birding in Lake Mburo National Park.

Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala.

A detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe and transfer to UWEC along the shores of Lake Victoria and Botanical Gardens.

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our company representative will warmly welcome you and after transfer you to your booked hotel to refresh. You will get briefed about your 5-day Uganda birdwatching safari and if time allows you will visit Entebbe Botanical Gardens to see over 170 bird species and after transfer to Uganda Wildlife Education Centre to see bird species such as the Northern Brown-throated and Black-headed Weaver, African Jacana, Northern Masked Weaver African Paradise, African Pied Hornbill, Gull-billed Tern, Baglafect Grosbeak, Golden Backed and Malachite Kingfisher, Striated Heron, White-winged Tern, Great Blue Turaco, flycatchers include Red-bellied, Pied Kingfisher, swamp, Lead Colored, and Crested Shrike Flycatchers, raptors include African Goshawk, African Hobby, Gabar Goshawk, Shikra, small Banded Snake Eagle, African Fish Eagle, among others. Retire for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Day 2: Birds At Mabamba Swamp

Wake up early, have breakfast, and then transfer to Mabamba swamp for an unforgettable birding encounter. The canoe ride on Mabamba water-logged area will expose you to the eye-catching flora and counts of birds that enjoy the natural surroundings’ food, which comprises of insects, snails, and other water organisms. The rare shoebill stork is the top spot of the day. Other species include Squacco, Long Toed Plover, African Water Rail, Purple Pygmy Goose, Allen’s Gallinule, Goliath Herons, White Faced Whistling Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, Grey, and Black Headed Heron, Moorhen, African Jacana, and Black Crake may be spotted in the area. You may also spot the elusive Sitatunga antelope and other wildlife species. The en-route stop overs along the swamps near the road might expose you to species like Yellow Crowned Bishop, White winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, and Weyns Weaver, among other species.

Accommodation:  Protea Hotel (Luxury), 2-friends Hotel (Mid-range), Jet Villas (Budget)

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Your day 3 of 5-Day Uganda Birdwatching Safari will start early breakfast and start a trip of 240 kilometres from Kampala to southwest Uganda that takes three to four hours. Along the way, you can spot various birds, like the Rufous-bellied Heron, Lilac-breasted Roller, and Wolly-Necked Stork. There will be a stop at the equator to see water experiments demonstrating the separation of the northern and southern hemispheres, and there will be opportunities to take pictures. After this, you will head to Lake Mburo National Park, arriving in time for lunch and some relaxation. In the evening, you will begin birdwatching in the Rwonyo area and spend the night at your lodge.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Arcadia Cottages (Midrange), and Eagles Nest (Budget).

Day 4: Encounter Birds in Lake Mburo National Park

After an early morning breakfast, embark on a full-day lookout for 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 for safety reasons, especially saving you from attacks of wild animals. Explore the Warukiri and Miriti and swamps, the Rubanga forest, and the salt lick, among others. You will have a chance to see bird species like Bateleur, Grey Crowned Crane, Brown-chested Lapwing, Coqui Francolin, Black-bellied Bustard, Ross’s Turaco, Rufous-bellied Heron, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Red-headed Lovebird, Brown Parrot, White-headed Barbet, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Nubian Woodpecker, Green Wood-hoopoe, Red-faced Barbet, Yellow-breasted Apalis,  Common Scimitarbill, White-winged Tit, Long-tailed Cisticola, African Finfoot, and the Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, among other birds. The afternoon boat ride on Lake Mburo will expose you to counts of Kingfishers, herons, pelicans, and the elegant African Fish Eagle.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Arcadia Cottages (Midrange), and Eagles Nest (Budget).

Day 5: Transfer Back to Kampala

After an early morning breakfast, take a bird walking safari in the park to search for some of the birds that you might have missed on the previous search or have another encounter with the birds that were spotted on the previous encounters. After this short walk, you will transfer back to Entebbe and conclude your 5-Day Uganda Birdwatching Safari with Caracal Explorers

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Inclusions:

Includes:

• All ground transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel for 5 days
• Accommodation for 4 days as specified in the itinerary
• Lunch and bottled drinking water for 5 days
• A Private experienced English-speaking Tour driver/guide
• Park entrance fees
• All airport transfers, including pick-ups and drop-offs
• Park Ranger and guiding fees

Exclusions:

• Personal insurance
• Travel ticket
• Visa Ticket
• Domestic and international flights
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks such as wine, juice, soda, etc.
• Personal expenses such as tips, gifts, laundry services, souvenirs, etc