17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari

Embark on a remarkable 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari is a transformative journey through some of East Africa’s richest natural ecosystems. Carefully curated by Deks Safaris & Tours, this expedition combines the thrill of birdwatching, intimate encounters with wildlife, and immersive cultural exploration across Uganda’s diverse landscapes. From the tranquil wetlands of Mabamba Swamp to the towering escarpments of Murchison Falls and the mist-shrouded jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari captures the soul of Uganda’s wilderness.

Uganda is a birder’s paradise, home to over 1,090 bird species, making it one of the richest birding destinations in Africa. Across this 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari, travelers will traverse lush lowland forests, open savannah plains, papyrus swamps, and mountain habitats each hosting rare and endemic birdlife. Among the highlights are encounters with the elusive Shoebill Stork, the Grauer’s Broadbill, the Green-breasted Pitta, and countless Albertine Rift endemics. Along the way, you will also experience thrilling gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, offering an unforgettable chance to observe one of the world’s last remaining mountain gorilla populations in their natural habitat.

The Ultimate Uganda Birding and Gorilla Trekking Experience

Beyond birds, this 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari itinerary encompasses Uganda’s “Big Five” lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos plus a wealth of primate species including chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. Every destination has been chosen for its ecological significance and diversity: the wetlands of Mabamba, the acacia-dotted plains of Lake Mburo National Park, the forested slopes of Bwindi, and the mighty Murchison Falls National Park. These locations are globally recognized Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and vital sanctuaries for both migratory and resident species.

This 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari follows a logical circuit from central to southern and northern Uganda, ensuring travelers gain an in-depth appreciation of the country’s ecological gradients and scenic diversity. Each day blends guided birding walks, game drives, nature cruises, and cultural insights. You will travel in comfortable 4×4 safari vehicles with open sides and pop-up roofs for optimal viewing and photography.

Enjoy Company from the Professional Birding Experts

The 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari is guided by professional birding experts and local naturalists whose deep knowledge enhances every moment in the field. Whether identifying forest warblers by song, tracking gorillas through dense undergrowth, or observing raptors over the Nile, your guides ensure that every sighting contributes to a deeper understanding of Uganda’s interconnected habitats.

This 17-Day Uganda Birding, Wildlife & Gorilla Trekking Safari is not only about sightings it’s an educational immersion into the ecological wonders of the Pearl of Africa. Designed for birding enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, and conservation-minded travelers, it combines accessibility, comfort, and authentic adventure. By the end of the trip, you’ll have traversed nearly every major ecosystem in Uganda, recording hundreds of bird species, meeting the Big Five, and experiencing moments of awe that can only be found in the wild heart of East Africa.

Detailed 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport – Welcome to the Pearl of Africa

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a professional guide from Deks Safaris & Tours will warmly welcome you and facilitate your transfer to the nearby guesthouse or hotel. Entebbe, located on the shores of Lake Victoria, offers a calm and green introduction to Uganda’s tropical charm.

Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, one of Uganda’s most accessible birding sites. Here, species such as the Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, and Eastern Plantain-eater are frequently seen among the fig trees and palms. Alternatively, you can visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre for an introductory walk showcasing Uganda’s native fauna.

For keen birders, an optional boat excursion to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary offers both a scenic cruise across Lake Victoria and the opportunity to spot aquatic birds including African Fish Eagles, Long-tailed Cormorants, and various terns.

This first evening provides time to rest and prepare for your upcoming journey across Uganda’s birding hotspots. Your guide will brief you on the 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari itinerary, ensuring your binoculars, field guides, and expectations are all in order for the adventure ahead.

Accommodation: Lake Victoria Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Birding in Mabamba Swamp – Searching for the Legendary Shoebill Stork

After an early breakfast, depart Entebbe for Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar wetland and one of the best places in East Africa to observe the Shoebill Stork. This prehistoric-looking bird, with its massive shoe-shaped bill, is the crown jewel of Ugandan birding.

At Mabamba, local canoe guides lead you through winding channels of papyrus and lily-covered lagoons. As you glide silently over the water, you may spot Malachite Kingfishers, African Jacanas, Purple Herons, and White-faced Whistling Ducks. The Shoebill often stands motionless in shallow waters, hunting for lungfish its primary prey.

Other specialties include the Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Papyrus Gonolek, Goliath Heron, and African Pygmy Goose. The wetland’s tranquility and biodiversity make it an unforgettable introduction to Uganda’s birdlife.

After several rewarding hours on the swamp, enjoy a picnic-style lunch before returning to Entebbe in the late afternoon, birding along the way. Expect sightings of weavers, sunbirds, and herons perched along the lake’s edges.

Accommodation: Lake Victoria Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari

Bird Watching Mabamba Swamp

Day 3: Entebbe to Lake Mburo National Park – Birding En Route via the Equator

Depart after breakfast for Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park but one of the richest in bird diversity. The scenic drive includes a stop at the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe, where travelers can capture photographs and enjoy a brief geographical experience.

En route, birders often stop at Kaku Swamp, home to numerous waterfowl including Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Black Kites, Grey Crowned Cranes, and Saddle-billed Storks. This area also attracts various kingfishers, herons, and bee-eaters.

Continue through Uganda’s countryside, observing rural life, rolling hills, and banana plantations. Arrive at Lake Mburo in the afternoon and take a relaxed birding walk near your lodge. The park is a mosaic of open savannah, woodlands, and lakes, supporting species such as the Crested Francolin, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, and Emerald-spotted Wood Dove.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Midrange)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4: Birding and Boat Cruise on Lake Mburo – Exploring Uganda’s Savannah Birdlife

Start early with a guided birding drive through Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda’s most accessible birding destinations. The park’s diverse habitats host over 350 bird species, including acacia and wetland specialists.

Among the birds frequently sighted here are the Spot-franked Barbet, Lilac-breasted Roller, Brown-chested Lapwing, Tabora Cisticola, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, and Crested Barbet. Raptors such as the Bateleur and Brown Snake Eagle also patrol the skies.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, a rewarding way to observe aquatic birds at close range. Expect sightings of African Finfoots, African Darters, Papyrus Gonoleks, White-backed Night Herons, and the African Fish Eagle. Hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife add excitement to the cruise.

The day concludes with a serene sunset over the acacia hills a perfect setting to reflect on Uganda’s biodiversity.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Birding Through the Highlands

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive southwest toward the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity and the rare Mountain Gorillas.

The 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari traverses picturesque landscapes of rolling hills, tea plantations, and terraced farmlands. Several en-route stops provide opportunities to spot birds such as the Black-headed Gonolek, African Harrier Hawk, and Grey-crowned Crane, Uganda’s national bird.

Arrive at the northern sector of Bwindi (Buhoma) in the evening, where dense rainforest slopes and misty valleys welcome you. This is one of Africa’s premier birding destinations, home to over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.

Accommodation: Buhoma Haven Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Encounter with the Gentle Giants

Today marks one of the highlights of your 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for briefing and group allocation.

Led by experienced rangers, you’ll trek through dense forest terrain, following signs of recent gorilla activity. The trek can take from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. Once you find them, you’ll spend up to one magical hour in their presence observing their behaviors, feeding patterns, and social interactions.

The experience is deeply humbling, offering rare photographic opportunities and an emotional connection to one of the planet’s most endangered primates. After the trek, receive your gorilla trekking certificate and later transfer to Ruhija sector for overnight stay.

Accommodation: Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 7: Mubwindi Swamp Birding – Exploring the Albertine Rift Endemics

After breakfast at Ruhija, your day is dedicated to birding the Mubwindi Swamp, one of Uganda’s most exceptional birding sites. This high-altitude wetland lies within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s northern sector and provides access to some of the rarest species in the Albertine Rift, making it a hotspot for both local and visiting ornithologists.

A 4 km trail leads through the swamp and adjacent montane forest. Here, the dense canopy and swamp edges host species such as Grauer’s Broadbill, one of the most coveted Albertine Rift endemics, alongside the Regal Sunbird and Archer’s Robin-Chat. Mubwindi is also home to the elusive Dwarf Honeyguide, Ruwenzori Apalis, African Hill Babbler, and the rarely observed Grauer’s Scrub-Warbler.

Beyond birds, the forest teems with biodiversity: small mammals, butterflies, and unique amphibians inhabit the marshy floor, while monkeys, including black-and-white colobus, may be observed leaping between the branches. The dense vegetation challenges birders to hone their skills, relying on sound cues and careful observation.

The day-long exploration emphasizes both species identification and habitat appreciation, offering insight into Uganda’s intricate forest ecosystems. The experience is not only a visual delight but also an educational immersion in rainforest ecology, wetland conservation, and the interdependence of flora and fauna.

Accommodation: Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner

Day 8: Birding Through “The Neck” – Forest Specialties and Rift Endemics

Today, we journey southward through “The Neck”, the narrow corridor connecting Bwindi’s northern and southern sectors. This area is renowned for forest birding, offering sightings of species often missed in other forest areas.

Birding along this trail introduces travelers to a rich mix of Albertine Rift endemics, including Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, African Green Broadbill, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, and the rare Dusky Crimsonwing. Forest edges and tree canopies provide vantage points to observe raptors such as Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle and colorful sunbirds including the Blue-headed and Regal Sunbird.

The Neck’s mosaic of secondary and primary forest habitats enhances birding opportunities while offering scenic vistas of rolling hills and terraced farmland. The area also fosters encounters with primates and small forest mammals. Naturalists discuss the ecological importance of forest corridors in maintaining gene flow and habitat connectivity for both birds and mammals, emphasizing conservation strategies.

By late afternoon, you arrive at Buhoma sector for overnight, reflecting on a day rich in both education and visual marvels.

Accommodation: Buhoma Havens Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Uganda Birding Safaris

Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Savannah Wildlife and Birding En Route

Departing early from Buhoma, you traverse southern Uganda toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Africa’s most biodiverse savannah ecosystems. The route is scenic, passing rolling hills, banana plantations, and traditional homesteads. Along the way, birders may spot species like the African Green Pigeon, Black-headed Gonolek, and raptors soaring above the plains.

Arriving in the afternoon, you enjoy lunch at your lodge before heading out for a game drive in the Kasenyi plains. This open savannah is home to herds of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbuck, and warthogs. Birdlife here is equally impressive, with sightings including Red-chested, Diederik, and Klaas’s Cuckoos, Short-toed Snake Eagle, and African White-backed Vultures. Predators such as lions and leopards may also be observed resting under acacia trees, blending seamlessly into the ecosystem.

Queen Elizabeth’s diversity exemplifies the interaction between wetland and savannah habitats, showcasing how species adapt to varied ecological niches.

Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 10: Birding and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise – Avian and Aquatic Wonders

Start the day with a birding/game drive in the Kasenyi plains, targeting species that inhabit open savannahs and wetlands. Highlights include Rüppell’s Griffon Vultures, Lappet-faced Vultures, Martial Eagles, and smaller species like Winding Cisticolas, Temminck’s Courser, and Collared Pratincole.

After a picnic lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32 km waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. This aquatic corridor hosts abundant birdlife including African Jacanas, Papyrus Gonoleks, African Fish Eagles, and Malachite Kingfishers, as well as Nile hippos and crocodiles. Observing the interplay between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems provides a deeper understanding of the park’s ecological complexity.

The cruise emphasizes the importance of wetlands for migratory and resident bird species while allowing for relaxed photography and wildlife observation in an open, accessible environment.

Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 11: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – Birding Maramagambo Forest

Depart Queen Elizabeth after breakfast for Kibale Forest National Park, a region renowned for its primate diversity and lush forests. En route, you will stop at Maramagambo Forest for a guided birding and nature walk.

Maramagambo protects species such as the Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Chestnut Wattle-eye, African Dusky Flycatcher, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, and the Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher. The forest also supports primates including black-and-white colobus monkeys, adding a dynamic element to birding excursions.

The walk combines observational skills, ecological education, and photography opportunities, allowing travelers to appreciate Uganda’s rainforest bird diversity while learning about forest conservation, endemic species, and habitat dynamics. Arrival at Kibale in the afternoon allows time to settle in and reflect on the day’s discoveries.

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

27 Days Uganda Rwanda Kenya Tanzania Safari

Day 12: Birding in Kibale Forest and Bigodi Wetlands – Forest Specialists and Swamp Birds

Spend the day in Kibale Forest and Bigodi Wetlands, focusing on both forest interior species and wetland specialists. Kibale hosts over 300 species, including Green-breasted Pitta, Red-chested Owlet, Fire-crested Alethe, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Red-winged Francolin, and Black-billed Turaco.

In the afternoon, venture to Bigodi Wetlands, a papyrus-dominated swamp and key IBA. Here, birders may encounter Great Blue Turaco, White-naped Pigeon, White-tailed Antthrush, and Slender-billed Flufftail. The wetlands also support amphibians, primates, and a variety of invertebrates, providing a comprehensive view of the interdependent wetland ecosystem.

This day emphasizes ecological education, including species-habitat relationships, wetland conservation challenges, and the role of local communities in preserving biodiversity.

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 13: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – Savannah Transition and Birding

After breakfast, drive north toward Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area. The route passes tea plantations, rolling hills, and rural villages. En route, stop to observe roadside birds, including African Blue Flycatchers, Pied Kingfishers, and Abdim’s Storks.

Arrive in the evening at your lodge near the Nile, resting for the following day’s birding and game drive. The 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari offers an immersive experience of Uganda’s ecological gradients, moving from highland forest to lowland savannah and riverine habitats.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 14: Birding Northern Sector – Nile Delta and Savanna Birds

After an early breakfast, cross the Nile by ferry and explore the northern sector of Murchison Falls. Targeted birding species include Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Sooty Chat, White-fronted Black Chat, and rare papyrus specialists like the Papyrus Gonolek and White-winged Warbler.

The park’s open savannah, wetlands, and riverine areas attract elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and lions, offering unparalleled opportunities for observing the interaction between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 15: Murchison Falls – Nile Delta Boat Trip and Top of the Falls

Enjoy a full-day boat trip along the Nile Delta, viewing waterbirds, wetland specialists, and aquatic wildlife. Species include Carmine Bee-eater, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Goliath Heron, and Shoebill Stork in rare sightings.

After lunch, drive to the top of Murchison Falls, witnessing the Nile’s tremendous force and observing raptors, hippos, crocodiles, and savannah species on the riverbanks. This provides both spectacular photographic opportunities and insights into riverine ecology and energy flow in ecosystems.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Birding in Budongo Forest

Day 16: Budongo Forest Birding – Rainforest Specialists

Depart for Budongo Forest, engaging in a half-day nature walk at Kaniyo-Pabidi, one of the forest’s best birding spots. Target species include Puvel’s Illadopsis, Sooty Flycatcher, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, and White-crested Turaco. The walk highlights rainforest ecology, canopy layers, and species interactions.

Return to the lodge for lunch, reflecting on the biodiversity encountered during the 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 17: Transfer to Entebbe via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Rhino Tracking and Final Birding

On your final day, drive south toward Entebbe, stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for white rhino tracking. Here, travelers observe rhinos in semi-wild conditions and spot birds such as Abdim’s Stork, Shoebill Stork, Booted Eagle, African Black Crake, Broad-billed Roller, and Bronze Mannikin.

The drive continues back to Entebbe, where your 17-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari concludes with airport drop-off. Additional accommodation in Entebbe can be arranged for travelers wishing to relax before flights.

Drive time: 5–6 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch