20 Day Scheduled Uganda Birding Tour

($6658 pp/8pax)

Overview:

Join Our 8-Person Birding Tour – Departing 2nd April 2026

This exclusive birding adventure is designed for a small group of just eight participants, ensuring a personalized and immersive experience. The tour will be conducted using two specially modified, extended Land Cruisers, each accommodating four birders along with a professional bird guide who will accompany you throughout the journey.

During forest park excursions and nature walks, the group will be divided into two smaller teams of four participants, each led by the bird guide and accompanied by a park ranger. This setup allows for a more intimate birding experience and better wildlife viewing opportunities.

Bookings are currently open, with only two spaces remaining. Reserve your spot today to secure your place on this unforgettable birding expedition.

Day 1: 2/April/2026. Arrival at Entebbe International Airport.

Birding Tours in Uganda

Your journey begins with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where you are warmly welcomed by your dedicated birding guide. After a personal introduction and a short briefing about the days ahead, you transfer to your accommodation in Entebbe. On arrival at 2 Friends Beach Hotel, you settle into its comfortable, contemporary surroundings and take time to unwind after your flight. A light lunch is served, offering a moment to relax before the afternoon’s optional activity.

If time allows, the late afternoon is spent exploring the lush Botanical Gardens of Entebbe, a tranquil haven along the shores of Lake Victoria. These gardens, established in the late 19th century, are a favorite among birdwatchers for their rich diversity—over 115 bird species recorded here. As you stroll beneath towering fig and mahogany trees, your guide will help you identify species such as the black-headed gonolek, great blue turaco, and various sunbirds flitting between the blossoms, all while vervet monkeys chatter in the background.

As the sun dips toward the horizon, you return to your lodge. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy dinner, with the calm of Entebbe and the soft breeze from Lake Victoria setting a peaceful tone for the start of your Ugandan birding adventure.

Overnight at 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Entebbe
Basis: Full Board

Day 2: 3/April/2026. Birding in Mabamba Swamp for Shoebill

After an early breakfast, you set out with your packed lunch for a full day of birding at Mabamba Wetland Sanctuary, one of Uganda’s most celebrated birding destinations. Stretching along the northern shores of Lake Victoria, this protected Important Bird Area (IBA) is renowned for its population of the elusive shoebill stork, one of Africa’s most sought-after avian species. Gliding silently through the narrow channels in a local canoe, you’ll navigate a mosaic of papyrus swamps and open water, scanning for this prehistoric-looking bird as it stands motionless, waiting to strike at unsuspecting fish.

Beyond the shoebill, Mabamba is a haven for both resident and migratory species, serving as a vital passage route for blue swallows, terns, and gulls during their seasonal movements. Your guide will help you identify a vibrant array of other birds, from the colorful blue-breasted bee-eater and the charming red-headed lovebird to wetland specialists such as African marsh harrier, purple swamphen, black crake, and lesser jacana. The channels are also frequented by flashes of iridescent color from malachite kingfishers, while colonies of Weyn’s, Vieillot’s black, and orange weavers weave their intricate nests among the reeds.

By late afternoon, you return to Entebbe, where the calm shores of Lake Victoria and the relaxed setting of 2 Friends Beach Hotel await. Take time to unwind on the lakeside deck or simply enjoy the view as the sun sets over the water before gathering for dinner, the tranquil sounds of the lake bringing the day to a peaceful close.

Overnight at 2 Friends Beach Hotel – Entebbe
Basis: Full Board

Day 3: 4/April/2026. Birding towards Masindi.

After breakfast, you depart Entebbe and begin your journey toward Masindi, with the day unfolding as both a transfer and a rewarding birding experience. Your route takes you through the central Ugandan countryside, where a series of swamps and wetlands near Luwero provide ideal stopovers for observing a wealth of species. Here, your guide will help you spot elusive birds such as the African moustached and broad-tailed warblers, as well as striking wetland specialists like the fan-tailed and Hartlaub’s marsh widowbirds, whose bold displays are a delight to watch.

Midway through your drive, you pause at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s reintroduced population of southern white rhinos. While tracking these impressive creatures on foot with a ranger, you’ll also enjoy excellent birding opportunities. The sanctuary’s mosaic of savanna and woodland is known for species such as Holub’s golden weaver, compact weaver, and northern brown-throated weaver, along with the vibrant white-headed barbet and the unmistakable calls of white-crested turacos echoing through the trees. With luck, you may also encounter greater blue-eared starlings and the shimmering greens of Diederik and Klaas’s cuckoos.

By late afternoon, you arrive in Masindi and settle into Kolping Hotel Masindi, a comfortable base for the night. After a day of diverse sightings and travel, you can relax in the hotel’s gardens or simply enjoy a quiet evening before dinner, reflecting on the mix of birdlife and wildlife that has already set the tone for your Ugandan adventure.

Overnight at Kolping Hotel Masindi
Basis: Full Board

Day 4: 5/April/2026. Birding in Kanio-Pabidi, Budongo Forest.

After breakfast, with your packed lunch in hand, you journey to the Kaniyo-Pabidi sector of Budongo Forest, part of the vast Murchison Falls National Park ecosystem. As you step beneath the towering mahoganies and ironwoods, some over a century old, the dense canopy filters the sunlight into soft green hues, and the air is alive with a symphony of bird calls, distant primate chatter, and the hum of forest life. The sense of stillness here is punctuated only by movement—flashes of color and sudden bursts of song guiding your search for some of East Africa’s most sought-after forest species.

Budongo is one of the few places where you can find the elusive Puvel’s illadopsis, a skulking bird whose soft, repetitive notes often reveal its presence before your eyes do. The forest also hosts the African broadbill, whose mechanical trills echo through the understory as males perform their display flights, spinning like tiny pendulums in open glades. Along the trails, you watch for the vibrant flashes of blue-breasted, chocolate-backed, and dwarf kingfishers, often perched silently before darting off in a blur of color. More challenging treasures, such as the yellow-footed flycatcher, rufous-sided broadbill, or the rarely seen Woodhouse’s antpecker, may also reveal themselves with the guidance of your expert bird guide.

Throughout the day, the towering trees offer sightings of raptors like the commanding African crowned eagle soaring silently above, or even a Cassin’s hawk-eagle, patrolling the canopy. In sunlit patches, the shimmering hues of the western violet-backed sunbird and the intricate movements of greenbuls bring the forest to life. By late afternoon, you make your way along the main road, continuing to watch for new species as you exit the forest.

As evening approaches, you arrive at Pakuba Safaris Lodge, where the open savanna meets the Albert Nile. Dinner is served under the wide African sky, the stillness of the forest replaced by the calls of nightjars and the distant grumble of hippos along the river.

Overnight at Pakuba Safaris Lodge
Basis: Full Board

Day 5: 6/April/2026. Murchison Falls National Park Birding tour.

Tourists group in the field, Queen Elizabeth NP.

Your day begins in the cool stillness of early morning, with breakfast and a packed lunch prepared for a full day of birding. You set out toward the Delta area of Murchison Falls National Park, where the Albert Nile begins its long journey northward, carving through papyrus wetlands and open savanna. The shifting landscapes here—rippling grasslands, tangled papyrus channels, and sandy riverbanks—create a dynamic environment that draws a remarkable range of birdlife, making it one of Uganda’s most productive birding regions.

Along the open tracks, flashes of vivid color catch your eye as red-throated, northern carmine, and swallow-tailed bee-eaters dart effortlessly through the air, while the metallic hues of beautiful sunbirds glint in the morning light. The sandy riverbanks are alive with the swift movements of wire-tailed swallows, and the reeds sway with colonies of speckle-fronted and Vitelline’s weavers, their nests swinging gently in the breeze. In the dense papyrus, your guide will help you listen for the distinctive calls of the secretive papyrus gonolek, and with luck, you may spot the iconic shoebill stork, patiently stalking its prey along the shallows.

As the day warms, the skies above and the plains around the Delta reveal a different array of species. Denham’s bustards stride through the open grasslands, while red-necked falcons patrol overhead. Shrikes, cisticolas, and sparrow-weavers bring subtle movement and sound to the acacia-dotted plains, while raptors like the dark chanting-goshawk survey the landscape from lofty perches. The varied habitats mean each bend in the track holds new surprises, from the bold venecious and namaqua doves to the understated beauty of quail-finches and white-fronted black-chats.

By late afternoon, as the light softens and the Delta quiets, you return to Pakuba Safaris Lodge. Here, with the Albert Nile flowing gently below and the sounds of the wild rising around you, dinner is served under the stars—an ideal close to a day spent tracing the lifeblood of the park through its bird-rich landscapes.

Overnight at Fort Murchison Lodge
Basis: Full Board

Day 6: 7/April/2026. Birding the South of Murchison Falls.

After breakfast, with your packed lunch in tow, you set out for a day exploring the southern reaches of Murchison Falls National Park, tracing the Honeymoon Track as it winds toward the top of the falls. The morning is alive with sound—the trill of larks rising with the warming air, the chatter of francolins in the brush, and the distant rush of the Nile as it narrows and surges toward its famous plunge. These varied habitats, from acacia woodlands to rocky outcrops, provide ideal conditions for both wildlife and a dazzling range of bird species.

Your guide helps you seek out treasures such as the colorful red-winged pytilia, the secretive red-shouldered cuckoo-shrike, and the charismatic white-crested turaco, whose call echoes through the canopy. Raptors and aerial hunters also feature prominently here: the elusive bat hawk patrolling the skies, common and grasshopper buzzards gliding over open ground, and the distinctive rock pratincole resting along the Nile’s rocky edges. Among the scrub and savanna, you may catch sight of the vibrant plumage of northern red, black-winged red, and black bishops, flashes of scarlet against the gold of the grasses, while striped and grey-headed kingfishers perch motionless, scanning for prey.

By early afternoon, you reach the jetty and enjoy a picnic lunch before boarding a boat for a Nile River cruise, one of the park’s most memorable experiences. As the vessel drifts along the wide waters, you watch as elephants and buffalo descend to the banks, hippos wallow in the shallows, and Nile crocodiles bask in the sun. The river itself is alive with birdlife: giant kingfishers plunge for fish, while white-winged and gull-billed terns skim gracefully above the surface. Along the papyrus edges, you may spot Pel’s fishing owl in its shadowed roost, or hear the soft whistles of white-faced and fulvous whistling ducks carried on the breeze.

As the sun begins to dip, painting the river in gold and crimson, you return to Pakuba Safari Lodge. Dinner is served beneath the open African sky, the sounds of the Nile and the distant calls of nightjars marking the close of another remarkable day.

Overnight at Fort Murchison Lodge
Basis: Full Board

Day 7: 8/April/2026. Birding Busingiro/Budongo forest – Masindi.

After breakfast, with your packed lunch prepared, you depart Fort Murchison and begin your day’s journey along the dramatic landscapes of Buliisa and the Albertine Rift Valley escarpment. The route offers breathtaking vistas where sweeping savanna drops away into forested valleys, and your drive doubles as a morning birding expedition. Each stop along the way brings new opportunities to explore the park’s transition zones, from open woodlands to riverine thickets, alive with movement and song.

Your morning focuses on the Busigiro sector of Budongo Forest, where towering trees and filtered light provide a refuge for a dazzling array of species. Here, the canopy shimmers with the colors of little-green, grey-headed, blue-throated, copper, orange-tufted, superb, and beautiful sunbirds, their iridescent feathers catching the sun as they dart between blossoms. Above, the skies reveal the sweeping silhouettes of Sabine’s and mottled spinetails, while the soft, repetitive notes of Emerald, Diederik, and Klaas’s Cuckoos drift through the trees. Along clearings and forest edges, you may spot raptors such as the Great Sparrowhawk, or the dark shape of a Cliff Chat perched on sunlit rocks.

As the day unfolds, you’ll also encounter species typical of the drier scrublands and open grasslands along the escarpment: Lesser Blue-eared and Purple Starlings, a chorus of Whistling, Siffling, and Foxy Cisticolas, the earthy tones of Brown-backed Scrub-robins, and the more elusive Cabanis’ Bunting hiding among the grasses. Keen eyes may also catch glimpses of the secretive Scaly Francolin, the delicate patterns of Brown Twinspot, or the striking contrasts of Cut-throat Finches and Marsh Tchagras.

By late afternoon, you reach Masindi, where you check in to Kolping Hotel, a simple yet comfortable retreat after a day of travel and birding. As evening falls, enjoy a hearty dinner and a moment to reflect on the variety of landscapes and avian wonders experienced along this stretch of Uganda’s western frontier.

Overnight at Masindi Kolping Hotel
Basis: Full Board

Day 8: 9/April/2026. birding in the Royal Mile, Budongo Forest.

Your morning begins early with breakfast and a packed lunch before heading into the heart of Budongo Forest to explore the legendary Royal Mile. Once a tranquil hunting ground reserved for the King of Bunyoro, this shaded avenue of towering mahoganies and ironwoods is now one of Uganda’s most celebrated birding hotspots. Its name is as regal as its setting—broad trails trimmed back to allow uninterrupted views, shafts of sunlight filtering through the high canopy, and a chorus of birdsong that echoes along the path as you walk.

This stretch of forest offers exceptional opportunities to spot species that are often hidden deep within the shadows of denser jungle. The melodic notes of Yellow-footed and Chestnut-capped Flycatchers mingle with the calls of Blue-headed Crested and Sooty Flycatchers, while the striking Jameson’s Wattle-eye flits between low branches. The undergrowth comes alive with movements of Yellow-browed Camaropteras and Spotted Greenbuls, while bursts of color reveal Red-headed Bluebills, Brown Twinspots, and Grey-headed Olive-backs. Overhead, the commanding silhouette of the African Crowned Eagle sometimes glides through the treetops, a reminder of the wild majesty of this forest.

Your guide will also help you locate some of Budongo’s most dazzling species: the Ituri Batis with its subtle beauty, the jewel-like Western Violet-backed Sunbird, and the trio of vibrant kingfishers—Blue-breasted, African Dwarf, and Chocolate-backed—perched silently over clearings before flashing away in a blur of color. The Royal Mile is not just a birding haven; it’s a sensory experience, where every step reveals another layer of this ancient ecosystem’s vibrancy.

By late afternoon, you return to Kolping Hotel in Masindi to rest and enjoy dinner. The day’s sightings—paired with the forest’s serene, almost otherworldly ambiance—make this one of the most memorable chapters of your birding journey before tomorrow’s transition toward the crater lakes and tea plantations of the Tooro Kingdom en route to Kibale.

Overnight at Masindi Kolping Hotel
Basis: Full Board

Day 9: 10/April/2026. Birding transfer to Kibale National Park.

After breakfast, with your packed lunch ready, you depart Masindi and travel south toward Kibale National Park, tracing a route that winds through some of western Uganda’s most striking landscapes. The journey follows the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, where sweeping escarpments overlook patchwork farmlands and distant crater lakes, remnants of ancient volcanic activity. Each stop along the way provides opportunities to explore pockets of bird-rich habitat, from open wetlands to cultivated edges and riversides.

Your birding highlights along this route are as varied as the scenery itself. The roadside thickets often reveal flurries of activity from Yellow-mantled, Vieillot’s Black, Black-headed, and Compact Weavers, weaving intricate nests among reeds and shrubs. Over the wooded patches, you may glimpse the agile movements of Cassin’s Grey and Spotted Flycatchers, while riverbanks and backwaters are prime spots for the elusive Black Duck and the dazzling flashes of the Shining-blue and Giant kingfishers. Further along, the grasslands and acacia edges host the bright Golden-breasted Bunting, while raptors such as Lizard Buzzards, Shikras, and the rarely seen Cuckoo Hawk can be watched from the tree-line.

As you near Fort Portal, the landscape softens into a tapestry of rolling hills blanketed by the emerald rows of tea plantations. This region lies within the historic Tooro Kingdom, where the grandeur of the Rwenzori Mountains—often shrouded in mist—forms a dramatic backdrop. Small crater lakes, ringed by papyrus and forest, reflect the changing sky, creating idyllic birding stops before the final leg of the day’s journey.

By evening, you arrive at Kibale Forest Lodge, tucked near the edge of one of Africa’s richest primate and birding habitats. After settling in, you can relax amidst the cool forest air before enjoying dinner, with the distant calls of tree frogs and nocturnal birds signaling your arrival in Kibale’s lush, green world.

Overnight at Kibale Forest Lodge
Basis: Full Board

 Day 10: 11/April/2026. Birding Kibale Forest and Bigodi swamp.

Tourists at Kibale national park

Your day begins in the soft light of early morning with breakfast before venturing into the emerald depths of Kibale Forest, one of East Africa’s oldest rainforests and home to over 330 bird species and 13 primate species. The forest feels alive from the moment you enter—shafts of light pierce the towering canopy, the air hums with distant calls, and each step on the leaf-strewn path reveals a new layer of life. Your morning blends birding with the chance to encounter some of Kibale’s most famous residents: its wild chimpanzees. Guided by expert trackers, you follow the sounds of hoots and the cracking of branches until you come upon a troop, observing their playful young, foraging females, and watchful males moving fluidly through the trees.

Between these encounters, the forest offers its own dazzling display. High in the canopy, the African Crowned Eagle circles silently, while the drumming of Yellow-crested, Brown-eared, and Buff-spotted Woodpeckers echoes like a heartbeat through the trees. The trails reward patient birders with sightings of Honeyguides, Barbets, and Greenbuls, while flashes of color announce the presence of Pink-footed Puffbacks, Black-billed Turacos, and Narina Trogons. With luck, you may even hear the soft, fluting call of the elusive Green-breasted Pitta, a coveted highlight for those visiting Kibale.

After returning to your lodge for lunch and a brief rest, your afternoon takes you to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed reserve bordering the forest. Elevated boardwalks wind through papyrus and swamp forest, offering a quieter pace and fresh birding opportunities. Here, the vibrant Great Blue Turaco glides between trees, the Shining-blue Kingfisher perches along shaded channels, and secretive species such as the White-spotted Flufftail and White-collared Oliveback may emerge for careful observers. The soft chorus of frogs and warblers accompanies you as you explore this peaceful habitat.

By evening, you return to Kibale Forest Lodge, where dinner is served beneath a blanket of stars, the forest’s nocturnal sounds rising around you as you reflect on a day alive with movement, sound, and color.

Overnight at Kibale Forest Lodge
Basis: Full Board

Day 11: 12/April/2026. Birding & transfer to Queen Elizabeth N.P.

After breakfast, you leave the dense forests of Kibale behind and begin your journey south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, tracing a route along the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains—the legendary “Mountains of the Moon.” Rising sharply from the plains, their mist-covered peaks form a dramatic backdrop to your day, while the rolling farmlands and crater lakes below reflect the cultural and natural richness of this region, home to the historic Tooro Kingdom. Along the way, your birding stops reveal a gradual transformation in species as lush forest gives way to open savanna and agricultural landscapes.

In these shifting habitats, your guide helps you locate small, colorful flocks of Yellow-bellied, Crimson-rumped, Fawn-breasted, and Common Waxbills, often seen foraging in the grasses along village edges. Overhead, the graceful shapes of Bateleurs and multiple vulture species—including African white-backed, Rüppell’s Griffon, Lappet-faced, and Palm-nut Vultures—circle high on thermals. On the open plains, you may encounter the understated elegance of Temminck’s Courser, the rhythmic flight displays of Rufous-naped and Flappet Larks, and the quick drumming of Nubian, Speckle-breasted, and Cardinal Woodpeckers in scattered acacias.

The route is also excellent for raptors and grassland specialists, with chances to see fan-tailed and Red-collared Widowbirds displaying over the fields and a variety of harriers—including African Marsh, Eurasian Marsh, Pallid, and Montagu’s Harriers—quartering low across the grasslands. Between birding stops, the journey offers a glimpse of local life: women tending tea fields, roadside markets bustling with fresh produce, and children waving as your vehicle passes through the villages along the Rift Valley.

By late afternoon, you arrive at Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, a tranquil property set along the Kazinga Channel, where the calls of hippos and distant birds create the perfect soundtrack for your evening. After a day of travel and sightings, you can unwind before dinner, as the sun sets over the park’s sweeping savanna.

Overnight at Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge
Basis: Full Board

Day 12: 13/April/2026. Birding Kasenyi area – Boat Cruise QENP.

The day begins with breakfast before setting out, packed lunch in hand, for a full day exploring the Kasenyi Plains and the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Africa’s richest birding destinations. The park is home to over 600 recorded species, and the Kasenyi area, with its open savannas and seasonal wetlands, is especially rewarding for both birds and large mammals. As the early morning light spills across the plains, your guide helps you track not only herds of Ugandan kob, buffalo, and elephants, but also the many bird species that thrive in these grassland habitats.

In the open expanses, you may spot the striking Temminck’s Courser darting across sandy ground, or the subtle movements of Common Button-quail concealed among the grasses. The air comes alive with the songs and displays of Winding, Wing-snapping, Stout, Croaking, and Zitting Cisticolas, while White-tailed and Red-capped Larks and Plain-backed and Grassland Pipits add their calls to the chorus. Wetland edges bring chances for elusive species such as the Papyrus Gonolek and a variety of reed and swamp warblers, including White-winged, Greater Swamp, Lesser Swamp, and African Reed Warblers, their calls carrying softly from the reeds.

By early afternoon, you shift to the water for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural link between Lakes Edward and George that attracts spectacular concentrations of wildlife. Hippos and crocodiles dominate the shoreline, while the waters and sandbanks come alive with birds. Here, you may see elegant African Skimmers gliding low over the surface, Collared Pratincoles along the sandy edges, and gatherings of Grey-headed and Common Black-headed Gulls. Keen eyes may also catch sight of Verreaux’s Eagle-owl roosting in the riverside trees, or the fluttering movements of African Moustached and Broad-tailed Warblers in the papyrus.

As the sun dips and the channel glows in soft golden light, you return to Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, where dinner awaits and the sounds of the savanna at dusk—hippos grumbling, frogs calling, and distant nightjars—mark the end of another day immersed in Uganda’s natural richness.

Overnight at Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge
Basis: Full Board

Day 13: 14/April/2026. Birding in Ishasha – QENP. Transfer to Bwindi.

After breakfast, with your packed lunch ready, you depart for the Ishasha Sector in the remote southern reaches of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where open savanna, riverine woodlands, and the shimmering shores of Lake Edward create a landscape unlike any other in the park. Ishasha is best known for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior seen in only a handful of places in Africa, where the big cats rest on the broad branches of fig trees, scanning the plains for prey. As you travel deeper into this untamed corner, your guide keeps watch not only for these iconic lions but also for a variety of birds that thrive in Ishasha’s mosaic of habitats.

The sector offers excellent chances to encounter striking species such as the Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, whose bold calls carry through the acacia woodlands, and the understated charm of the Black-throated Seed-eater flitting among scrubby edges. Open plains and lake margins often reveal colorful finches like the Red-billed and African Firefinch, while the trees and skies may produce flashes of gold and purple from the African golden oriole and flocks of Violet-backed and Wattled Starlings. Along the wetlands and grassy clearings, keep an eye out for Brown-chested and Senegal Lapwings, while higher perches may hold raptors such as the Western-banded and Brown Snake-eagles, as well as the imposing Long-crested and Martial eagles scanning for movement below.

Throughout the day, the shifting scenery—dappled woodlands, open grasslands, and the glittering expanse of Lake Edward—provides both birding rewards and a sense of Ishasha’s isolation, a true wilderness far from the busier northern sections of the park. By evening, you continue toward the misty hills of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, arriving at Buhoma Gorilla Friends Camp. Dinner is served against a backdrop of cool mountain air and the quiet hum of the forest, as you prepare for the final and most iconic chapter of your journey: meeting Bwindi’s mountain gorillas.

Overnight at Buhoma Gorilla Friends Camp
Basis: Full Board

Day 14: 15/April/2026. Birding towards Water fall trail, Buhoma.

Your day begins with breakfast as the cool mountain mist lifts from the dense slopes of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in Africa. With a packed lunch, you set off along the Waterfall Trail in the Buhoma sector, a path that winds beneath towering hardwoods draped with lianas and moss, their canopies alive with the calls of birds and the distant, haunting hoots of primates. The air is rich and damp, carrying the scent of earth and leaves, while the steady trickle of streams and the distant rush of the falls create a soundtrack for your exploration.

This ancient rainforest is a birder’s paradise, often ranked as Africa’s top birding destination, with more than 350 species recorded. As you make your way deeper into the forest, your guide helps you locate some of Bwindi’s rare and sought-after specialties: the melodic Red-throated Alethe, the fluttering movements of Petit’s and Grey Cuckoo-shrikes, and the soft, piping calls of Rwenzori Hill-babblers echoing through the understory. Along the forest edges and clearings, you may glimpse the subtle beauty of Blue-shouldered and White-bellied Robin-chats, the metallic sheens of Narrow-tailed, Stuhlmann’s, and Waller’s Starlings, and the distinctive songs of Neumann’s and Grauer’s Warblers from the thickets.

The deeper you go, the more treasures the forest reveals. The drumming of Pale-breasted and Mountain Illadopsis carries faintly in the shadows, while the forest canopy may yield a flash of the striking bar-tailed trogon or the commanding silhouette of an Ayre’s Hawk-eagle gliding above. Keen observers may also spot Oriole Finches, Brown-capped, Black-billed, and Strange Weavers, or hear the calls of the elusive Red-chested Owlet in the dim light beneath the trees. The vibrant notes of Lagden’s, Doherty’s, and Bocage’s bush-shrikes punctuate the stillness, each sighting adding to the sense of wonder this forest inspires.

Whether you focus on birding or choose to join an optional gorilla tracking and spending a profound hour with one of the park’s habituated mountain gorilla families—the day offers an immersion into Bwindi’s living heart. As evening falls, you return to Buhoma Gorilla Friends Camp, where dinner is served under the cool forest night, the distant calls of nightjars and tree frogs marking the end of an unforgettable day.

Overnight at Buhoma Gorilla Friends Camp
Basis: Full Board

Day 15: 16/April/2026. Birding the neck – transfer to Ruhija.

After breakfast, with your packed lunch ready, you bid farewell to Buhoma Sector and begin your journey toward Ruhija Sector, birding along the winding roads that skirt the dense neck of Bwindi’s montane forest. The drive feels like a final, lingering embrace from Uganda’s wild landscapes—mist curling over the treetops, valleys carpeted in emerald, and the distant calls of turacos echoing through the hills. Each stop along the way offers opportunities to savor some of the Albertine Rift’s most treasured species one last time, adding to the crescendo of your birding adventure.

This high-altitude stretch of forest holds a wealth of specialties. Your guide helps you seek out agile Dusky-blue, Cassin’s Grey, Chapin’s, White-bellied Crested, and Ashy Flycatchers, often active along the forest edges. The clear mountain streams provide chances to spot the graceful mountain wagtail, while the canopies and midstory hum with the calls of Buff-throated, Mountain-masked, and Grey Apalises. The soft, rhythmic wingbeats of the Mountain Buzzard and the fluttering movement of the Red-faced Woodland Warbler draw your attention to the higher branches, where the Red-tailed, Yellow-throated, Shelley’s, and Ansorge’s Greenbuls stir the foliage in search of food.

Even as the journey nears its end, the richness of the region continues to reveal itself—elusive Dusky Tits, the sharp notes of the African Shrike-flycatcher, the dark glide of a Black Cuckoo-shrike, and the busy activity of the Honeyguide Greenbul all adding to your final checklist. Beyond the species themselves, there is time to reflect: on the rushing Nile and its shoebills, the vibrant bee-eaters along the Albert Delta, the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, the haunting stillness of the gorilla forests, and the countless songs and flashes of color that have defined your Ugandan journey.

By evening, you arrive at Trekkers’ Tavern Cottages in Ruhija, where the cool mountain air and sweeping forest views provide a tranquil backdrop to your final night. Over dinner, the sounds of the highland forest—soft insect hums, distant owl calls—offer a fitting farewell to a safari that has been as much about listening and observing as it has been about exploring.

Overnight at Trekkers’ Tavern Cottages – Ruhija
Basis: Full Board

Day 16: 17/April/2026. Birding to Mubwindi Swamp, Ruhija/Bwindi

After an early breakfast, with a packed lunch to carry along, you set out for a full day of birding along the renowned Mubwindi Swamp Trail in Ruhija, one of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s most celebrated routes. The trail descends nearly 1,000 feet over its four-kilometer length, dropping from 2,350 meters to 2,050 meters, as it winds through dense montane forest toward the open expanse of Mubwindi Swamp. Along the way, there are points where the canopy parts, revealing sweeping views across the mist-shrouded swamp and the surrounding hills—a landscape as dramatic as it is rich in birdlife.

This is prime habitat for some of the most sought-after Albertine Rift endemics, many of which are rarely encountered outside this region. With your guide’s expertise, you will search for species such as the elusive Grauer’s Rush Warbler, the jewel-like Grauer’s Broadbill, and forest treasures like Rwenzori Apalis, Rwenzori Hill-babbler, and Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher. The dense forest and swamp edges also hold Rwenzori Batis, Archer’s Robin-chat, and the dazzling array of Sunbirds, including Purple-breasted, Blue-headed, Northern Double-collared, and Regal Sunbirds, their iridescent feathers flashing in the dappled light.

The trail continues to reveal Bwindi’s avian diversity with every bend. The haunting calls of the Yellow-streaked and Eastern mountain Greenbuls echo from the midstory, while the shy Handsome Francolin may be glimpsed along the forest floor. Keen eyes may also locate the Stripe-breasted tit, Strange Weaver, and Grey-headed Bush-shrike, or spot the vibrant plumage of the Bar-tailed Trogon and the movements of Narrow-tailed, Stuhlmann’s, and Waller’s Starlings flitting between the canopies. These sightings, combined with the trail’s immersive atmosphere, make the Mubwindi Swamp excursion one of the most rewarding birding days in Uganda.

By late afternoon, you ascend back to Ruhija and return to your lodge, where dinner awaits. The cool mountain air and the sounds of the highland forest—nightjars calling, leaves rustling in the breeze—provide a tranquil close to a day spent tracing the Albertine Rift’s most extraordinary species.

Overnight at Trekkers’ Tavern Cottages – Ruhija
Basis: Full Board

Day 17: 18/April/2026.  Birding on the way to Lake Bunyonyi.

After breakfast, with a packed lunch prepared, you begin your journey toward Lake Bunyonyi, birding along the main road as you travel through the rolling highlands of southwestern Uganda. The route, lined with terraced hillsides and scattered woodlands, offers excellent opportunities to spot both forest and montane species, each adding new variety to your growing list.

As you make your way, your guide helps you seek out species such as the soft-voiced Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, the active White-browed Crombec, and the vibrant White-starred and Forest Robins moving in the understory. Open edges and farmlands bring chances to encounter the bright Yellow Bishop, Streaky Seedeater, and the elegant Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, while the shy Handsome Francolin and the distinctive White-naped Raven may also be seen along the hillsides.

The drive also rewards with an array of striking and sometimes elusive species. Look for the Black-headed Waxbill flitting through bushy patches, the striking forms of the White-headed Wood-hoopoe, and the soaring silhouettes of Mountain and Augur Buzzards gliding above the ridges. The grasslands and thickets hum with the songs of Winding and Chubb’s Cisticolas, while keen eyes may locate raptors such as the commanding African Crowned Eagle or the subtle movements of a Dwarf Honeyguide. Overhead, Rock Martins trace lazy circles, while the calls of the Grey-throated Barbet and the bold notes of Lühder’s Bush-shrike echo through the trees.

By afternoon, you arrive at the serene shores of Lake Bunyonyi, a jewel-like lake dotted with 29 small islands and ringed by verdant hills. After checking in at Bunyonyi Overland Camp, the remainder of the day is yours to relax—whether taking in the panoramic views, strolling along the water’s edge, or simply enjoying the tranquil atmosphere before dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.

Overnight at Bunyonyi Overland Camp
Basis: Full Board

Day 18: 19/April/2026. Lake Bunyonyi – birding to Lake Mburo NP.

After breakfast, you set off toward Lake Mburo National Park, birding along the way as the route winds through the picturesque Kigezi Highlands. The rolling hills, terraced slopes, and patchwork of farms provide a scenic backdrop to the day’s journey, with a variety of habitats offering excellent birding opportunities. Along the roadside wetlands and papyrus stands, your guide helps you search for some of the region’s most distinctive species, each stop adding to the richness of your experience.

This stretch is especially productive for wetland and papyrus specialists. Look for the striking White-winged, Little Rush, and Papyrus Gonoleks, their calls ringing from deep within the reeds. At Omungyenyi Bridge, where the papyrus stretches into the distance, you may also encounter elusive species such as the Buff-spotted Flufftail, the melodic Papyrus Yellow Warbler, and the Papyrus Canary, all of which thrive in this unique ecosystem. These moments of quiet observation along the journey bring a contrasting pace to the day, balancing travel with rewarding sightings.

Around midday, you stop for lunch at Agip Motel in Mbarara, a convenient rest point before continuing westward toward Lake Mburo. The landscapes gradually shift as you near the park, with the highlands giving way to acacia woodlands and open savanna. By late afternoon, you arrive at Mburo Arcadia Cottages, perched on a hillside overlooking Lake Mburo’s rolling plains. After checking in, you can relax and take in the sweeping views before dinner, the sounds of the bush—nightjars, distant calls of zebras, and rustling leaves—marking your first night in this more arid, savanna-rich region.

Overnight at Mburo Arcadia Cottages
Basis: Full Board

 Day 19: 20/April/2026. Birding Lake Mburo National park.

After breakfast, with your packed lunch prepared, you set out for a full day of exploration in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savanna reserve and one of its most rewarding birding destinations. The park’s mosaic of acacia woodlands, rolling grasslands, and papyrus-fringed lakes provides a stunning backdrop as you combine birding with game drives, each track revealing a blend of species and landscapes that feel far removed from the rainforest and wetlands you’ve left behind.

Throughout the day, your guide helps you locate an array of sought-after species that call this unique habitat home. On the open plains and woodland edges, you may encounter the understated beauty of the Emerald-spotted Wood-dove, the graceful Brown-chested Lapwing, and a quartet of vibrant Barbets—white-headed, Red-faced, Spot-flanked, and Crested—whose calls echo from the trees. The park’s grasslands and scrub host the trilling songs of Tabora and Trilling Cisticolas, the shy movements of the Coqui Francolin, and flashes of color from species like the Chin-spot Batis, Lead-colored Flycatcher, and the distinctive Scaly-throated Honeyguide.

In the afternoon, a boat cruise on Lake Mburo offers a different perspective, as you glide along its calm waters in search of aquatic and papyrus-dwelling species. Here, you may spot the secretive White-backed Night-heron, the elegant Rufous-bellied and Striated Herons, or the elusive African Finfoot, slipping quietly along the reeds. The papyrus margins bring further chances to see Papyrus Gonolek and Papyrus Yellow Warbler, while overhead, Red-rumped Swallows skim gracefully across the surface. The lake’s woodlands also shelter Yellow-breasted Apalis, Golden-tailed and Bearded Woodpeckers, the delicate Scaly-breasted Honeyguide, and the striking Red-headed Weaver, adding to the day’s checklist.

As the sun sets, painting the park in warm tones, you return to Mburo Arcadia Cottages, where dinner awaits. The distant calls of nocturnal birds and the rustle of the savanna at night provide a tranquil backdrop to your final evening immersed in Uganda’s wild spaces.

Overnight at Mburo Arcadia Cottages
Basis: Full Board

 Day 20: 21/April/2026. Nature Walk and transfer to Entebbe.

The day begins in the soft light of dawn with a guided birding and nature walk through Lake Mburo National Park, often considered one of the most rewarding walking experiences in Uganda’s savanna reserves. Moving quietly on foot allows for a closer connection to the landscape, as your guide helps you seek out species and sightings that may have eluded you the previous day. The early hours, when the park is at its most active, provide opportunities to encounter a final flourish of birdlife and perhaps even some of the park’s more elusive mammals.

After the walk, you return to the lodge for a leisurely breakfast, taking in the sweeping views of the acacia-dotted hills one last time. With your bags packed, you bid farewell to Lake Mburo and begin your transfer back to Entebbe, a journey through the rolling Ugandan countryside that gives time to reflect on the extraordinary diversity of landscapes, birdlife, and wildlife you have experienced throughout your safari. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you continue to the airport for your onward international flight, carrying with you not only a rich checklist of sightings but memories of Uganda’s wild beauty that will linger long after your journey home.

Highlights of this 20 Day Scheduled Uganda Birding Tour:

Top Birds To Expect:
Shoebill, Black-billed, Strange, Orange & Weyn’s Weaver, Lesser Jacana, White-crested, Black-billed & Rwenzori Turaco & Puvel’s Illadopsis. Plus the Carruther’s, Tabora & Foxy Cisticola, White-crested Helmet-shrike, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Swallow-tailed & Red-throated Bee-Eater. And also Sabine’s & Mottled Spinetail, Brown Twinspot, Yellow-footed, Blue-crested, Chestnut-capped and Yellow-eyed Black. As well as the Forest & Sooty Flycatchers, Ituri Batis, African Crowned Eagle, Forest Robin, Spotted & Joyful Greenbul. And the African Dwarf & Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Vereaux’s Eagle-Owl and Collard Pratincole.

We also expect the Papyrus Gonolek, Yellow-billed, Hairy-breasted & Yellow-spotted Barbet and Pink-footed Puffback. Plus the Bar-tailed & Narina Trogon, Yellow-crested, Brown-eared & Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Mountain-masked, Chestnut-throated & Rwenzori Apalis. Also the African & Grauer’s Broadbill, Rwenzori Double-collared, Northern Double-collared, Purple-breasted & Regal Sunbird. As well as the Narrow-tailed, Chestnut-winged, Stuhlmann’s, Waller’s & Sharp’s Starling, Black-faced Rufous, Grauer’s Rush and Neumann’s Warbler. The Ayre’s Hawk-Eagles, Equatorial Akalat, Lagden’s, Dohert’s & Bocage’s Bush-shrike are also among the possibilities.

Safari Summary:

Tour Duration: 20 Days & 19 Nights

Departure / Return Location: Entebbe, Uganda

Destinations on Tour:

Entebbe
Mabamba Wetland Sanctuary
Budongo Forest
Murchison Falls National Park
Kibale Forest National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP.
Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Mburo National Park
Entebbe

Quotation: $6658 per person on this tour.

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