12 Days Uganda safari

Day 1 | Arrival in Uganda

You will arrive at Entebbe international airport today – the gateway into Uganda. You will be received by our representative and assisted through emigrations formalities. Afterwards, you will meet your safari guide with whom you will experience the best of Uganda. He will transfer you to your hotel for the night. You will receive a briefing about the safari where you will review and harmonize birding lists.

Accommodation | Standard: Airport Guest House | Midrange: The Boma | Luxury: Hotel No. 5 Entebbe

Day 2 | Birding in Mabamba swamps and Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Early morning, set off to the famous Mabamba Swamps. Here, you’ll meet Uganda’s most iconic bird the shoebill stork. Other birds include Grey Parrots, African Fish Eagles, and the Swamp Flycatcher. In the evening, you will have a birding session in Entebbe botanical gardens near Lake Victoria.

Accommodation | Standard: Airport Guest House | Midrange: The Boma | Luxury: Hotel No. 5 Entebbe

Day 3 | Kibale Forest National Park

Take a 6-hour long drive to Kibale Forest – the primates capital of Uganda. Your guide will decide stop points for birding along the way. Check in at your accommodation in the evening and relax. You may do some birding around the lodge with your guide this evening.

Accommodation | Standard: Kibale Forest Camp | Midrange: Kibale Tourist Safari Lodge | Luxury: Primate Lodge

Day 4 | Morning Chimpanzee Trekking

Chimpanzee tracking starts with briefing at 8am and lasts for 3-4 hours. You will walk with informative rangers and have an hour to observe and photograph the chimps as they forage in the jungle. In the evening, you will do birding in Bigodi swamp. Look out for the Papyrus Gonolek and Shining Blue Kingfisher.

Day 5 | Full day birding in Kibale Forest

The sunrise finds you inside Kibale Forest searching for specialties like Black-capped Apalis, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Green-breasted Pitta, and flocks of dazzling sunbirds. The forest is also famous for primates red colobus monkeys that may photobomb your bird pictures. You will return to the lodge in the evening.

Day 6 | Queen Elizabeth National Park

Check out from Kibale and drive for 2 hours to Queen Elizabeth national park. Upon arrival, have a game drive in search of the abundant wildlife and birds. In the afternoon, take a 2-hour boat ride on Kazinga channel. This is a birder’s favorite. Expect storks, skimmers, and some migratory birds.

Accommodation | Standard: Bush Lodge | Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge | Luxury: The River Station

Day 7 | Birding in Maramagambo Forest or Kyambura Gorge

Depending on your checklists, the guide will advise you choose between Kyambura Gorge and Maramagambo for birding on this day. You will have an entire day to search the woodlands and forests.

Day 8 | Bwindi impenetrable National Park

Today’s drive is a birder’s road trip through the Albertine Rift. Along the way, keep eyes peeled for Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, Black-billed Turaco, Western Tinkerbird, and the odd crowned hornbill posing on a roadside tree. Arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-Ruhija sector by evening.

Accommodation | Standard: Gorilla Mist Lodge | Midrange: Bakiga Lodge | Luxury: Asilia Erebero Lodge

Day 9 | Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park

Follow trails in the thick jungle of Bwindi with informative ranger guides until you find the Gorillas. You have an hour to observe, photograph and record the Gorillas. In the evening, engage in a community tour and experience the life of the natives.

Day 10 | Birding in Ruhija, Bwindi National Park

This is our chance to find the Grauer’s Broadbill, one of Africa’s rarest and most sought-after birds. Other notables include Dusky Crimsonwing, Regal Sunbird, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Handsome Francolin, and the endearing Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird. We shall bird through the Mubwindi Swamp Trail, where your list will grow fast. Be prepared for both steep trails and steep species lists.

Day 11 | Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

Drive through the beautiful Kigezi highlands to Lake Mburo – the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks. Upon arrival, take a boat ride on Lake Mburo to look out for hawks and other birds. Enjoy a night game drive in the park from 6 – 9pm where you will look out for nocturnal birds.

Accommodation | Standard: Eagle’s Nest Lodge | Midrange: Rwakobo Rock Lodge | Luxury: Mihingo Lodge

Day 12 | Return to Entebbe and Departure

This morning you will have another birding opportunity on a walking safari in the park. Walks begin at 7am and take two – three hours. You will return to the lodge to refresh and have breakfast. Thereafter, start your journey back to Entebbe airport. You will also have a stop at some birding spots. Arrive at Entebbe airport and check in for your flight back home.