12 Day Self-Drive Uganda Safari Itinerary
June 10, 2025
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Uganda?
June 11, 2025
Uganda Safari for Birders
Embark on an unforgettable 10-day birding adventure through Uganda’s diverse and vibrant ecosystems. From the papyrus-lined wetlands of Mabamba Swamp—home to the elusive Shoebill Stork—to the misty jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this itinerary offers an exceptional opportunity to explore some of Africa’s most rewarding birding hotspots.
Tailored for both seasoned and novice birders, the journey spans wetlands, tropical forests, savannahs, and montane habitats, revealing a wealth of birdlife alongside breathtaking landscapes. You’ll also enjoy game drives, scenic boat cruises, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to trek mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Destinations include Mabamba Swamp, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
While gorilla trekking is restricted to those 15 years and older, children aged 6 and above can enjoy alternative nature-based activities. This safari can be customized for luxury, mid-range, or budget travelers, making it a perfect option for anyone eager to explore Uganda’s extraordinary avian diversity.
10 Days Uganda Safari for Birders Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Visit Mabamba swamp for birding
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 3: Birding nature walk in Kibale Forest & Bigodi wetland
Day 4: Transfer from Kibale Forest National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5: Morning game drive and evening boat cruise at Kazinga Channel
Day 6: Game drive then transfer to Ishasha sector in search of the tree-climbing lions and bird watching.
Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 8: Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Day 10: End of 10 Days Uganda birding safari return drive to Kampala/Entebbe
10 Days Uganda Birding Safari – Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Birding at Mabamba Swamp
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your Uganda Safari for Birders begins with a drive to Mabamba Swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria. This Important Bird Area (IBA) is famously known for the elusive Shoebill Stork. A canoe ride through the swamp channels gives you opportunities to spot the Shoebill along with other species such as the African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, and Papyrus Gonolek. In the evening, return to your accommodation in Entebbe for dinner and overnight rest.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House / Boma Hotel Entebbe
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, depart for Kibale Forest National Park, driving through the picturesque countryside dotted with tea plantations and crater lakes. En route, enjoy occasional birding stops. Arrive in Fort Portal in time for lunch, then proceed to your lodge near Kibale Forest.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops / Isunga Lodge / Primate Lodge
Day 3: Birding Walk in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetland
Begin your day with an early morning birding walk in Kibale Forest, a prime birding destination with over 375 bird species. Look out for the African Pitta, Green-breasted Pitta, Yellow-spotted Barbet, and the African Grey Parrot. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for more birding—here, you may encounter the Great Blue Turaco, White-spotted Flufftail, and Shining-blue Kingfisher, among others.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops / Isunga Lodge / Primate Lodge
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route, birding opportunities abound in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and the scenic countryside. Arrive in the park and take an optional birding walk around the lodge premises or along the Kazinga Channel.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge / Enganzi Game Lodge
Day 5: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Start the day with a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains, known for lions and Uganda Kobs, but also rich in birdlife such as the Martial Eagle, Black-bellied Bustard, and Red-necked Spurfowl. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Look out for African Skimmers, Pied Kingfishers, and a variety of herons, storks, and terns.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge / Enganzi Game Lodge
Day 6: Game Drive & Transfer to Ishasha Sector
This morning, enjoy a game drive through the southern part of Queen Elizabeth, heading toward Ishasha—the famed region for tree-climbing lions. Birding en route may include sightings of the African Wattled Lapwing, Bateleur, and various vulture species. Optional sundowner birding around the Ishasha plains.
Accommodation: Ishasha Jungle Lodge / Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Depart Ishasha for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, you may stop to bird through forest edge zones and farmland. Upon arrival in Buhoma (or Ruhija, depending on your trekking permit), relax and enjoy the high-altitude forest environment rich in Albertine Rift Endemics.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp / Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse
Day 8: Bird Watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Spend the full day birding in Bwindi, home to 350+ bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift Endemics. Key species to watch for include the African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Regal Sunbird, and the Handsome Francolin. The steep trails can be physically demanding, but the birding rewards are unmatched.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp / Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking Experience
Today offers a life-changing experience—tracking mountain gorillas through the dense forest of Bwindi. After a briefing at the park headquarters, set off with rangers to locate one of the habituated gorilla families. Spend one unforgettable hour in their presence. The forest trek also allows for incidental bird sightings along the way.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp / Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse
Day 10: Return to Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, begin your return drive to Kampala or Entebbe with stopovers for birding and lunch. Optionally, visit the equator crossing at Kayabwe for photos and souvenirs. Arrive in the evening and transfer to your hotel or the airport for your departure.
End of the 10 Days Uganda birding Itinerary
Safari inclusions
- Park entrance fees and taxes
- Activity fees as indicated
- Accommodation & meals as indicated
- 4×4 safari vehicle
- A professional English speaking knowledgeable driver guide
- Bottled drinking water on board
Safari Exclusions
- International flights & Visas
- Tips
- Drinks
- Any changes to the itinerary
- Laundry
