26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari

26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari

The 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari will take you to various Safari destinations of Uganda where you will encounter exciting activities and discover the hidden treasures of Uganda through different activities. Our first birding point will be Mabamba swamp which offers an opportunity to see the Shoebill stork, you will then proceed to Lake Mburo National Park where you will see various impalas and zebras.

You will drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and also Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which is home to the Mountain Gorillas. Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will meet eye to eye with the Tree Climbing lions of Ishasha sector, trek the chimpanzees of Kibale National Park and later proceed to Semuliki National Park which is a True Birder’s Haven. Then  to Murchison falls National Park where you will see the World’s most powerful waterfall and end your Safari with a drive to The True African Wilderness.

Birding destinations

Lake Mburo National Park

Located in the Southern part of Uganda in Kiruhura district. The park is known for its large herds of zebras, Impalas, Elands, Topis, and buffaloes among other species. The park is home to over 68 mammal species like zebras, elands, impalas, buffalos, Defassa waterbuck, oribis, leopard, hippo, hyena, topi and reedbuck. Lake Mburo National Park is also home to about 350 bird species like mosque swallow, black bellied bustard, bare-faced-go away bird, Ruppell’s starling, African rattled lapwing, pied kingfisher, Malachite kingfisher, Saddle-billed stork, Red-faced barbet, Yellow-breasted apalis among other bird species.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

It is located in the Virunga ranges Kisoro district. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park boosts of being the only park in Uganda where one can trek the Golden monkeys and also the Silverback Gorillas. The park boosts of about 76 mammal species including  forest elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, black fronted duikers, giant forest hogs, golden cats, bush pigs, rodents, bats  and also it is a home to 180 bird species including the rift Albertine Endemics these include handsome spur fowl, dusky crimson-wing, red-throated Alethe, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batiks, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, collared apalis, mountain masked apalis, Archer’s ground robin, stripe-breasted tit, blue-headed sunbird, regal sunbird, strange weaver, montane nightjar, red-faced woodland warbler and Grauer’s swamp warbler.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

One of Uganda’s oldest rainforests with more than 25000 years of age. The park is home to almost half of the World’s population of Mountain Gorillas which gives a great opportunity for Gorilla Trekking and Habituation in the park’s sectors like Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga. The park harbors 120 mammal species like Elephants, duikers,  yellow-backed duiker,  buffaloes, golden cats, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, black-fronted Duiker, clawless otter, side-striped jackal, civet, numerous bats, rodents and 350 bird species like handsome francolin, purple sunbird, red headed blue bill, African blue cuckoo, regal sunbird, breasted sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, Shelley’s crimson among other bird species.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Known for having the Tree Climbing Lions at Ishasha sector of the park,  these lions are not found in any other National park in Uganda thus being “The Medley of Wonders”, the park is home to 95 mammal species including the 4 members of the Big 5 which are Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, Leopards and also Uganda kobs, bush bucks, oribis, bush pigs, forest hogs, hippos, sitatungas and over 600 Bird species like the African skimmer, rare saddle billed stork, grey headed kingfisher, African mourning dove, African crowned eagle, Nubian woodpecker, swamp flycatcher, grey capped warbler, little bee eater among other bird species.

Kibale national park

Located in Western Uganda in Kabarole district and it was established in 1993, the park is known for being “The primate capital of the World” having various Chimpanzees with a population of over 1500 individuals including habituated ones which are about 120 making it the park with the highest primate population. Among the primates include the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, olive baboons, Mantled guereza, Potto, Vervet monkey, White-eyelid mangabey, Galago among others. The park is also home to about 120 mammal species including African golden cats, bush pigs, warthogs, blue and red duiker, rare sitatunga, forest hogs, African elephant, forest cape buffaloes, among others and also more than 300 species of birds including olive long tailed cuckoo, western tinker bird, grey parrot, blue breasted king fisher, blue headed sunbird, red faced woodland, yellow spotted nicator, little greenbul among other bird species.

Semuliki National Park

Located in Western Uganda and known for being “The True Birder’s Haven” and it is home to the famous male and female hot springs. Semuliki National Park harbors about 53 mammal species including elephants, antelopes, bush babies, Uganda kobs, leopards, buffaloes, pygmy flying squirrel, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and also 441 bird species including yellow throated cuckoo, orange cheeked waxbill, rare shoebill stork, red throated bee eater, piping hornbill, kingfisher among other bird species.

Murchison Falls National Park

Located in North Western part of Uganda covering areas like Masindi, Buliisa, Amuru, Pakwach etc. The park is the largest National park in Uganda with an area of 3840sq.kms. Through a game drive and a boat cruise on the Nile River, you will encounter the Big 5 mammal species like elephants, leopards, lions, buffaloes and the rhinos, you will also get an opportunity to view the Nile crocodiles, Hippos, bush bucks  Giraffes, Uganda kobs, Bushbucks, Elephants, Hartebeests, Oribis, waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas and various bird species like black bee eater, rare shoebill stork, weavers, grey crowned cranes, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Black-headed lapwing, Senegal thick-knee among others.

Nested in the extreme boarder point of Uganda and South Sudan, Kidepo valley National park is a true gem with abundance of Wildlife in their Natural habitat. This virgin park was established in 1962 and it boosts of about 75 mammal species for example Cheetahs, Lions, Zebras, Kudus Buffaloes, African Elephants, hartebeests, giraffes, pygmy crocodiles, rock hyraxes, Leopards, water bucks, Oryx, Roan antelopes, elands, Uganda kobs, duikers. The park also has various bird species like the Nubian woodpecker, the Egyptian vulture, ostriches, Jackson’s hornbill, Karamoja Apalis, Red-and-yellow barbet, Dark chanting goshawk, chestnut weaver, black breasted sunbird, red throated bee eater, white-bellied go-away bird, Northern carmine bee eater among other bird species.

 

Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe International Airport – Transfer to your Hotel

Day 1 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari will start with a pick up from Entebbe International Airport where our Professional driver guide from Paradise Adventure Vacations will meet and greet you, he will then brief you about the entire journey and thereafter he will drive you to your Hotel where you will have a delightful rest from your long flight and also dinner and an overnight.

Location: Entebbe International Airport

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Papyrus Guest House or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 2: Visit Mabamba Wetland – Search for the Shoebill Stork – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

You will wake up on day 2 of your 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari and have a delicious breakfast and thereafter drive to Mabamba swamp to search for the rare Shoebill. Mabamba Swamp is located west of Entebbe on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, covering 2,424 ha with thick marshes of papyrus, water lilies and other wetland grasses. You will also encounter some bird species like African Fish Eagle, Purple Swamp hen, African Green Pigeon, African Jacana, African Pigmy Goose, African Marsh Harrier, Black Crake, Black Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Black-crowned Waxbill, Black-headed Heron, , Blue Swallow, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Black-winged Stilt, Cattle Egret among other bird species. You will then continue with your journey to Lake Mburo National Park where you will have your dinner and an overnight.

Location: Lake Mburo National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Rwakobo Rock or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 3: Lake Mburo National Park – Morning Game Drive – Boat Ride

Upon waking up, you will have your hearty breakfast and then embark on a game drive which will give you a variety of mammals to look out for like impalas, zebras, hyenas, Topis, hippos, leopards and bird species like the black bellied bustard, bare-faced-go away bird, Ruppell’s starling, African wattled lapwing, pied kingfisher, Malachite kingfisher, Saddle-billed stork, Red-faced barbet and also Yellow-breasted apalis among the 350 bird species offered by this park. You will have your lunch at the lodge before setting off for an interesting boat ride on Lake Mburo, here you will see a variety of water birds including Egyptian goose, African Fin foot, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle and others like brown chested lapwing, white-headed barbet, red-headed lovebird, red-shouldered cuckoo-shrike, bare-faced go-away bird, Nubian woodpecker among other birds.

Location: Lake Mburo National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Rwakobo Rock or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 4: Drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Relaxation

After your deliciously prepared breakfast, you will embark on a 4 hours’ drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is Uganda’s smallest National park, it is located in the extreme boarder between Uganda and Rwanda. Upon reaching you will check into your accommodation for a hearty lunch and you may spend the rest of your afternoon watching and hearing the beautiful sounds of the birds singing where “Gold meets Silver.” Later you will have dinner and an overnight.

Location: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Travellers Rest Hotel or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 5: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Birding – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early hot breakfast on Day 5 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari, drive to Ntebeko Camp from where we shall start our birding as we trek to one of the most scenic areas in Uganda. We take the gorge trail that loops half way up Mt. Sabinyo, through a variety of montane habitats harboring the Dusky Turtle Dove, Rwenzori Turaco, Cape Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, White-eyed Slaty and White Tailed Blue Flycatcher, Olive Wood-pecker, White-starred Robin, Mountain Yellow Warbler, White-napped Raven, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Yellow-crowned Canary, Streaky and Thick Billed Seedeater on our birding today we shall have a bigger focus on the shy Shelly’s Crimson-wing among other birds, later you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable forest where you will have your dinner and overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Gorilla Mist Camp or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Optional Gorilla Trekking – Birding in Ruhija

Upon waking up by the beautiful sounds of the birds singing in the sky, you will start your day 6 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari with an early morning breakfast. If you opt for the trek, you will then wear appropriate clothing for the day like a long sleeved shirt, a pair of karky or jean trousers, a round cap, water proof boots to protect you against the falling tree branches of the Impenetrable forest and also in case of bad weather.

Optional Gorilla Trekking

Pack some snacks and water to help in keeping you hydrated during the trek. Proceed to the park’s headquarters for a briefing on the Do’s and the Don’ts while you are with the mountain gorillas, you will also be assigned a park ranger who will guide you during the trek and also a gorilla family to look out for and then start the search for the mountain gorillas which will take about 1 to 5 hours depending on their location.

During your trek, you will encounter various primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey mangabeys, and blue monkeys and also bird species like handsome francolin, red headed blue bill, regal sunbird, breasted sunbird, African blue cuckoo, Rwenzori turaco, Shelley’s crimson, purple sunbird among other bird species. On finding the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend only one hour with them as you learn about their ways of life, how they feed and take care of their young ones, how they communicate among others. Feel free to ask as many questions as possible about these gorillas and take memorable pictures and then you will return back to your accommodation for lunch.

Birding in Ruhija

If you opt for birding in Buhoma, you will proceed with the activity along the Buhoma Waterfall Trail which is a must – visit for bird lovers as you can spot the White-tailed Ant Thrush, splendid Black Bee-eater, dapper francolin, Yellow-eyed Black, and African Sooty Flycatchers along the green bamboo zone.  You will later return to your accommodation for lunch and later await dinner and an overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Gorilla Mist Camp or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 7:  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Full day bird watching

Wake up early in the morning for a heavy breakfast on Day 7 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari and then embark on your full day adventurous bird watching through the park to search for the different bird species such as Jameson’s Antpecker, Pink-footed Puff back, Crested guinea fowl, Waller’s Starling, White headed saw-wing, yellow-rumped, tinker bird, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, have a delicious lunch break and later continue with your day activity. You will then return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and an overnight

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Gorilla Mist Camp or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Ruhija to Buhoma

After a delicious breakfast on Day 8 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari, we go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s lower-lying Buhoma area in the west. We will go through “The Neck” along the route, a brief section of forest that links the park’s southern and northern halves. This forest system is made up of a few Albertine Rift species with limited ranges and the eastern extension of the enormous Congo forests.

This location is ideal for birders to observe a variety of species like Cassin’s Flycatcher, Black Bee-eater, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Pettit’s Cuckoo shrike, Tiny Sunbird, and a large number of indistinguishable greenbul etc. We will arrive at Buhoma in the evening for an overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Engagi Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Full day birding in Buhoma.

Wake up early morning for a hot breakfast and start your Day 9 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari, then you will proceed to the national park’s mid-elevation portion that has a significantly different feel from the upper Ruhija area. One of the best places to see the newly described Willard’s Sooty Boubou, which differs from the more widespread and frequently seen Mountain Sooty Boubou in having pale blue eyes. The Bar-tailed Trogon, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Willcock’s Honey guide, Black-billed Weaver, African broadbill, Sooty Flycatcher, and several kinds of starlings, sunbirds, and greenbul are some of the species we want to see throughout our full day of birding on the park’s trail system. You will later have your dinner and Overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Engagi Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 10: Buhoma – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

As we travel north on day 10 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari, the landscape rapidly changes from montane forest to a more open savanna. This savanna is different from the one in Lake Mburo National Park in that it resembles the flat-topped tree savannas of Kenya and Tanzania and is dominated by candaleras, which are euphorbias that resemble cacti. Seeing cactus-like trees surrounded by luxuriant meadows is an odd sight.

We will go through Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha sector, which is renowned for its tree-climbing lions. While here, our eyes will also be fed by a variety of bird species including the Blue-throated Roller, the Black-and-white Shrike Flycatcher, the Red-necked Francolin, and many more. We will get to our opulent lodge, which is situated on a peninsula between Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel by late afternoon. Birds like the Northern Black Flycatcher, Black-headed Gonolek, Red-chested Sunbird, and Slender-billed Weaver are abundant in the lodge gardens.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Twin Lake Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 11: Queen Elizabeth National Park – birding with Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

You will wake up on day 11 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari and have a hot breakfast. You will go on an extended game drive through the park’s euphorbia-studded savanna to see birds like African crake, Flappet lark, African wattled lapwing, Temminck’s courser, martial eagle, moustached grass warbler among others. We shall have lunch at the lodge and then later proceed for a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel which is a 32km long natural channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George. This cruise will give us an opportunity to see the Nile crocodiles, hippos and also elephants. We shall encounter a variety of bird species including the African Fish Eagle, the yellow-billed stork, and the African skimmer.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Twin Lake Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 12: Drive to Kibale National Park – Bigodi Wetland and Community Visit

On waking up by the beautiful sounds of the birds, we shall have our delicious breakfast and then drive to Kibale National park which is the Primate Capital of the World. This drive will take about 3 hours as you will be welcomed by a variety of Vervet monkeys, black and white colobuses. You will check in for lunch and later head to Bigodi wetland for a swamp walk and during this walk you will spot some butterfly species and birds like the Black-crowned Waxbill, White-spotted Fluff tail, White-breasted Negrofinch, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Black Bishop, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Black & white Shrike-flycatcher, Western Nicator, Superb Sunbird, among others. You will then proceed for a community walk where you will taste the Gins brewed from bananas, craft making, coffee processing, among others and return for dinner and overnight.

Location: Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Kibale Forest Camp or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 13: Kibale Forest National Park – Optional Chimpanzee Tracking – Birding

We shall wake up for breakfast and embark on a fun filled Chimpanzee trekking activity. This activity will start with a briefing on the dos and Don’ts’s when you are with the chimpanzees. Upon finding them you will spend a full hour with them while learning their behaviors, how they feed and carry out their daily activity. You will also encounter primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Olive baboons, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Red colobuses, and Mantled guereza.

For those who won’t go chimp trekking, you will be amazed on hearing the haunting wails and screams in the forest, you will encounter bird species like black-bellied seed cracker, black collard apalis, various vermilions and black malimbes among others.

Location: Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-Range

Kibale Forest Camp or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 14: Drive to Semuliki National Park – Birding with Nature walk

On waking up, you will have a delicious breakfast and thereafter you will proceed for about 3 hours drive to Semuliki National Park, during the drive you will pass through the beautiful rolling plains and the lush green forests in Uganda’s countryside giving you a breathtaking moment. Upon reaching you will check into your accommodation for a delicious lunch and then later you will stretch your legs with a smooth nature walk along the Sempaya nature trail. This trail will take you up to Semuliki’s male and female hot springs and it will give you great opportunities of spotting several bird species like red throated bee eater, piping hornbill, yellow throated cuckoo as well as some primates like red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys among others.

Location: Semuliki National Park

Accommodation Option:

Luxury

Semuliki Safari Lodge

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 15: Semuliki National Park – Birding

Today, you will bird the Semuliki forest which is the only connection to the great Ituri forest from Democratic Republic of Congo making it the spot where over 35 restricted-range specialists exist in East Africa. We shall spot birds like Spot-breasted Ibis, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, White-bellied Kingfisher, Nkulengu Rail, Piping Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, Black-Casqued wattled Hornbill, Black-throated Coucal, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, African Piculet, Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-thighed Hornbill, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Red-rumped Tinker bird, Long-tailed Hawk, Gabon Woodpecker, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Northern Bearded Scrub Robin, Lyre-tailed Honey Guide, Icterine Greenbul, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Xavier’s Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Blue-headed Crested-flycatcher, Red-bellied Malimbe, Swamp palm Bulbul, Orange-Cheeked Waxbill, Leaf-love, Blue-billed Malimbe, Grant’s Bluebill, Yellow-throated Nicator among others since the bird checklist in this park is over 400.

Location: Semuliki National Park

Accommodation Option:

Luxury

Semuliki Safari Lodge

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 16: Transfer to Fort Portal – Crater Lakes Exploration

You will wake up for a hearty breakfast and then transfer to Fort Portal the Tourism City where you will have a delicious lunch. Later you will go and explore the Crater lakes of Kibale which are just outside the park. While here, you will encounter some bird species like olive long-tailed cuckoo, western tinker bird, pittas, grey parrot, among other bird species, you will also be amazed by the charming scenic views of the surrounding. You will have your dinner and overnight in the Tourism City.

Location: Fort Portal

Accommodation Option:

Luxury

Maintain of the Moon Hotel

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 17: Drive to Murchison falls National Park with a stopover at Butiaba Escarpment

You will wake up for breakfast on day 17 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari and thereafter drive to Murchison falls national park. We shall make a stopover at Butiaba Escarpment which holds completely different arid savannah landscapes and species like foxy cisticola, mocking cliff chart, and brown warbler. We shall then continue inside the park and be welcomed by the Abyssinian ground hornbill, white-rumped seedeater, weird piapiac, and the Senegal lapwing.

Location: Murchison falls National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Pakuba Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 18: Murchison falls National Park – Morning Game drive – Afternoon Boat Cruise to Bottom of the falls

You will wake up early morning for your morning breakfast and then embark on a game drive to the different trails of the park, you will see not only bird species but also abundance of mammal species like warthogs, elephants, lions, giraffes, Bufaloes, among others as the mammal checklist in this park reaches 76.

You will return back for your delicious lunch and then later in the Afternoon, you will embark on an afternoon boat cruise upstream to the bottom of the falls and it will take about 3 hours, while on the cruise, you will see the Nile crocodiles resting under the shade, herds of hippos while in water, elephants swimming and drinking water at the water banks and also be on the lookout for the different bird species like the shoebill, the black bee eater, grey crowned crane, marabou stork, Malachite kingfisher, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Long-tailed nightjar, Senegal thick-knee, Black-headed lapwing, Long-toed lapwing , Black-billed barbet,  and many others, you will have a view of the magnificent Murchison falls as it roars and pours its waters through an 8m narrow gorge.

Location: Murchison falls National Park

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Pakuba Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 19: Birding to Budongo Forest via Kaniyo-Pabidi

Upon waking up, you will have a hot delicious breakfast and then bird to Budongo forest through Kaniyo-pabidi Eco-tourism site. This forest is found in the southern part of Murchison Falls conservation area, it is also a habitant for quite a number of species of birds like the yellow-footed flycatcher, the Ituri batis, the white thighed hornbill, puvel’s illadopsis, chocolate backed kingfishers to mention but a few. While here, you will also be able to view the blue mountains of Congo and the Rift Valley Escarpment.

Location: Budongo Forest

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Budongo Eco Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 20: Budongo Forest – Birding the Royal Mile

On day 20 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari, you will have a lovely breakfast and then explore the delights of the impressive Budongo forest. We shall spend time at the amazing Royal mile which is a public but lightly used road, your eyes will be fed by the Nahan’s francolin, Cassin’s spin tail, chestnut-capped flycatcher, and we shall also search for the chocolate-backed and African dwarf kingfisher. There are also plenty of colorful species like white-thighed hornbill and black bee-eater.

Location: Budongo Forest

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Budongo Eco Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 21: Drive to Lake Bisina – Relaxation

On this day, you will wake up for a heavy breakfast and then drive to Lake Bisina which is located in Eastern Uganda, this drive will take about 6 hours. Lake Bisina falls outside the Karamoja protected area system. The shallow Lake Bisina covers a total area of about 192 sqkm, it is 32 km long and also 6 km wide with a thin strip of fringing papyrus swamp. This lake has a major river entering it called the Apedura which flows from the north. Upon reaching, you will check in for your lunch and spend the rest of the day enjoying the views of the surrounding.

Location: Lake Bisina

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Hotel Africana Moroto or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 22: Full day birding in Lake Bisina

After your delicious breakfast, you will go birding on the shallow Lake Bisina which harbors various endemic species including the fox weaver. We will also search for other species like Shoe-billed Stork, White-backed Duck, Karamoja Apalis, Cormorants, and Green-backed Heron.

Location: Lake Bisina

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Mbale Resort Hotel or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 23: Drive to Jinja and Discover the Source of the Nile

Wake up early in the morning for your delicious breakfast and start your day 23 of the 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari with a drive to Jinja to visit the source of the Nile. Upon arrival you will enjoy a mind blowing boat cruise to the source of the Nile. You will have your lunch and dinner in your Hotel in Jinja where you will spend your night.

Location: Jinja City

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

The Haven Eco River Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 24: Jinja – White Water Rafting

Day 24 of your 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari starts with an early morning breakfast and thereafter prepare for a thrilling White water rafting experience. This interesting activity will take the whole day giving you an adrenaline rush, you will have your lunch in Jinja City and later drive back to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight.

Location: Jinja City

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

The Haven Eco River Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 25: Drive to Mabira Forest – Birding

On waking up, you will have a delicious breakfast specifically made for you and thereafter you will drive to Mabira Forest which is the biggest forest reserve closest to the City centre. The forest boosts of about 315 bird species, upon reaching you will search for Reed cormorant, Black headed heron, Marabou stork, Hadada ibis, Yellow-billed kite, Black-shouldered Kite, Hooded vulture, European Honey-Buzzer, African Harrier-Hawk, Ayres’s Hawk Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Crowned eagle,  Helmeted Guinea fowl, Crested Guineafowl, White-spotted Fluff tail, Red eyed dove, African Green-pigeon, Ring-necked Dove, Grey Parrot, Great Blue Turaco, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Diederik Cuckoo, Klaas`s Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo among others.

Location: Kampala City

Accommodation Option:

Mid-range

Latitude 0 Degrees or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

Day 26: Drive to Entebbe International Airport or your Hotel

Upon waking up on your final day, you will have a hearty delicious breakfast and thereafter you will drive to Entebbe International Airport to catch your flight or drive to your hotel for another night in the Pearl of Africa. This 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari offers a unique blend of adventure, wildlife encounters, and breathtaking natural beauty. Whether you are a seasoned safari-goer or a first-time visitor, this itinerary is sure to leave you with lasting memories of your time in Uganda. Thank you so much for choosing Paradise Adventure Vacations on your 26 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari and we hope to see you again!!!

Location: Entebbe International Airport

Accommodation Option: No

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch 

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

The Safari Package  Includes:

• Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
• Private transport for 26 days in a well-modified safari Extended land-cruiser (4WD,air-conditioned and pop-up roof)
• Rhino Tracking in Ziwa rhino Sanctuary
• Fuel for 26 days
• English safari driver guide for 26 days
• Mid-range accommodation for 25 nights on full board (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
• All en-route meals and bottled mineral water throughout your tour
• All park entrance and activities feel and all applicable government taxes
• Morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park
• Boat ride in Lake Mburo National Park
• Bigodi sanctuary swamp and community safari
• 1 Chimpanzee Trekking permit per person (Kibale forest national park)
• 1 Mountain gorilla trekking permit per person in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park (Buhoma sector )
• A visit to the Equator land mark
• Batwa Community Encounter
• Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

 

The Safari Pacakge Excludes:

• International and domestic flights
• Country entry visa
• Personal travel insurance
• Items of personal nature/laundry/telephone charges
• Souvenirs and gifts, Tips
• Alcoholic and other soft drinks (sodas, special juice order at the lodge and wines)

Special Deals on African Safari 2024-2025 (Rates Per Person in USD)

Mid-range Safari	2 People 1 room	4 People 2 rooms	6 People 3 rooms	7 People+
Price Per Person	$13,086	$9,816	$8,726	GET A QUOTE