7-day best of Uganda Birding Safari

Uganda is a top bird-watching destination in Africa, offering a 7-day ‘Best of Uganda Birding and Wildlife safari’. This tour highlights over 1,061 bird species, many of which are found only in Uganda’s tropical forests. Some rare birds are even referred to as “mythical,” and there may be undiscovered species in remote areas. The tour includes visits to Entebbe, Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Fort Portal rainforests, starting and ending in Kampala.

7-day best of Uganda Birding Safari Highlights

• Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport-Birding in Entebbe Environs
• Day 2: Entebbe – Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
• Day 3: Birding Lake Mburo – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 4: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 5: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park-transfer to Kibale Forest
• Day 6: Birding Bigodi Wetland
• Day 7: Departure via Fort Portal – Kampala

A detailed itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport-Birding Entebbe Environs

Our safari guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Entebbe to search for birds around Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. You will see various species like the Blue Monarch, blue-breasted bee-eater, and more. Lunch will be provided in Entebbe town before connecting to the Uganda Wildlife Education center, which houses over 250 species of birds, including rare shoebill storks, parrots, ostriches, and seven weavers like Northern Masked Weaver and Orange Weaver. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

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

Day 2: Entebbe – Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

On the 7-day best of Uganda Birding Safari, you will drive to Mpanga Forest, 37 kilometers west of Kampala, known for its abundant birdlife and impressive tree species. You will see various birds like the blue breasted kingfisher, African pied hornbill, spotted greenbul, black and white casqued hornbill, great blue Turaco, African grey parrot, and Uganda woodland warblers. You’ll also drive to Masaka and visit Lake Nabugabo, a lagoon lake surrounded by Lake Victoria, home to water birds like Herons and Lesser jacana. Lunch is provided before heading to Lake Mburo National Park in southern Uganda. Dinner and overnight stay at your booked Lodge

Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Luxury), Rwakobo Rock (mid-range), and Eagles Nest (Budget)

Day 3: Birding Lake Mburo – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

The itinerary includes an early morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park-savannah Grassland Park, where you can observe various birds, animals, and wetland birds. You can also take a boat ride on Lake Mburo, where you can see wetland birds and hippos. After lunch, you drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through the beautiful countryside. In the evening, you will enjoy an evening game drive through the park before connecting to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Park View Safari Lodge (Mid-range), Pumba Cottages (Budget)

Day 4: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, embark on an early morning game drive through the park, observing various bird species such as the Saddle-billed stork, White and Abdims Stork, Brown Snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Bateleur, African harrier-hawk, Marsha Eagle, and Grey Kestrel. Return to the lodge for lunch and relax. In the afternoon, take a launch cruise to the Kazinga channel, observing hundreds of hippos, elephants, and migratory bird species like Grey-headed Gulls, White winged black Terns, African skimmers, Mourning Dove, Water Dikkops, Great white and Pink-Backed Pelicans, and Great and Long-tailed Cormorants. Return for dinner and overnight at your Lodge.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Park View Safari Lodge (Mid-range), Pumba Cottages (Budget)

Day 5: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park-transfer to Kibale Forest

On day 5 of your 7-day best of Uganda Birding Safari, have your breakfast and after take on a morning game drive through the northern part of the park for the missed-out species, especially in Kasenyi plains. After lunch, transfer to Fort Portal town beautiful town overlooking the legendary mountains of the moon. Visit the Kasenda crater lakes and later check in at your booked accommodation for dinner and an overnight at Ndali Lodge/Crater Valley Kibale.

Day 6: Birding Bigodi Wetland

After breakfast, drive to Bigodi swamp to enjoy a nature walk and see various birds like the Great Blue Turaco and Papyrus Canary. Then, take a short walk in the forest to spot primates and forest birds. After lunch, visit the Crater Lakes region to see more birds. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Luxury), Kibale Forest Lodge (Mid-range), Kibale Forest Camp (Budget)

Day 7: Departure via Fort Portal – Kampala

Wake up at leisure and prepare, after breakfast, check out of the lodge and embark on your journey back to Kampala via the beautiful Fort portal town. You will have a stopover at Mubende for lunch and later proceed with your journey to Kampala/ Entebbe at your hotel or to meet your return flight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

End of your 7-day best of Uganda Birding Safari

Inclusions:

• All ground transport in an air-conditioned 4X4 vehicle with a pop-up roof
• All Airport transfers both pick-ups and drop offs
• A private English-speaking guide
• Lunch and bottled drinking water throughout the tour
• All park entrance fees
• Fuel for 7 days
• All airport transfers, including pickups and drop-offs
• All activities mentioned in the itinerary
• All accommodation for 6 nights
• All Government taxes

Excludes

• Travel ticket
• Visa Ticket
• Tips
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and cigarettes
• Medical Insurance
• Accommodation the night before the safari and after the tour.