Uganda, often called the “Pearl of Africa,” is a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting over 1,100 recorded bird species, including the rare shoebill, the African finfoot, the elusive Great Blue Turaco, and the striking Nahan’s Francolin. This 15-day birding safari takes you through Uganda’s most iconic birding spots, from the papyrus swamps of Murchison Falls and the wetlands of Queen Elizabeth National Park to the montane forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the highlands of Mgahinga. Along the way, you’ll explore savannahs, lakeshores, and tropical forests, giving you the chance to spot a dazzling array of endemic and migratory species in their natural habitats.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to a hotel. Depending on arrival time, short birding in hotel gardens and nearby wetlands. . Overnight in Entebbe.
Day 2: Mabamba Swamp – Shoebill Spotting
Take a quiet boat ride through the papyrus channels and lagoons, scanning for the legendary shoebill, a prehistoric-looking bird that can stand motionless for hours. Alongside the shoebill, look for Papyrus Gonolek, African Marsh Harrier, Malachite Kingfisher, African Swamphen, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Papyrus Canary, and Swamp Flycatcher. Keep an eye out for Black Crake, African Jacana, White-winged Swamp Warbler, and Long-toed Lapwing along the water edges.
Day 3: Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park
Drive to Murchison Falls National Park with en route stops for savannah and forest edge birds. Look out for Yellow-throated Leaflove, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern Black Flycatcher, and Woodland Kingfisher. Evening birding near the lodge for African Fish Eagle, African Hoopoe, and Black-crowned Tchagra.
Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park Birding
Full-day birding in the park’s diverse habitats. Target: African Fish Eagle, Saddle-billed Stork, Palm-nut Vulture, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Woodland Kingfisher, and Red-throated Bee-eater. Optional nature walks in forest edges to spot Shining-blue Kingfisher, Brown-chested Lapwing, and Red-necked Spurfowl.
Day 5: Nile River Boat Cruise & Budongo Forest
Morning boat cruise along the Nile to see Goliath Heron, African Jacana, White-breasted Cormorant, Malachite Kingfisher, and Little Egret. Afternoon drive to Budongo Forest. Look for Little Greenbul, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, White-browed Crombec
Day 6: Budongo Forest Birding
Full-day birding in Budongo Forest, one of Uganda’s richest forest birding areas. Species highlights: African Green Broadbill, Grey Parrot, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Red-tailed Ant Thrush, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Blue-headed Coucal, African Shrike-Flycatcher, and African Emerald Cuckoo. Overnight in Fort Portal.
Day 7: Kibale Forest National Park Birding
Morning birding in Kibale Forest, a hotspot for mixed-species flocks. Key species: Great Blue Turaco, African Olive Pigeon, Green-breasted Pitta, Rwenzori Batis, African Black Duck, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Black-throated Apalis, and Chestnut-throated Apalis. Optional afternoon walk to the Bigodi Wetlands for Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Marsh Tchagra, and Brown Firefinch. Overnight in Fort Portal.
Day 8: Semuliki National Park Birding
Drive northwest to Semuliki National Park, known for its lowland forests and rich Albertine Rift endemics. Full-day birding in forest trails, riverine areas, and swamps. Target species include Ross’s Turaco, Red-throated Alethe, White-crested Hornbill, Shelley’s Sunbird, African Green Pigeon, Black Bee-eater, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, and Grauer’s Broadbill. Overnight near Semuliki.
Day 9: Semuliki National Park – Full-Day Birding
Spend a full day exploring Semuliki for additional rare species: Blue-headed Coucal, Black-crowned Waxbill, Red-fronted Antpecker, Congo Serpent Eagle, Western Oriole, Cassin’s Honeybird, and Brown-capped Weaver. Optional visit to local communities in the afternoon for cultural immersion. Overnight near Semuliki.
Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park with stops in savannah and wetland habitats. Afternoon birding along the Kazinga Channel. Key sightings: African Darter, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Carmine Bee-eater, African Jacana, and Rufous-bellied Heron.
Day 11: Queen Elizabeth National Park Birding
Full-day birding in QENP across crater lakes, wetlands, and savannahs. Target species: Shoebill (at nearby swamps), Black Crake, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Red-throated Wryneck, Senegal Lapwing, African Openbill, African Pygmy Goose, and Lesser Jacana. Optional boat cruise for waterbirds.
Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with stops at farmland and forest edges. Birding en route: Mountain Wagtail, Mountain Oriole, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, and White-starred Robin. Evening birding near the lodge.
Day 13: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Birding
Full-day birding in Bwindi’s montane forest. Target species: African Green Broadbill, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Black-billed Turaco, Regal Sunbird, Handsome Francolin, Red-faced Crimsonwing, and Dusky Crimsonwing. Optional short hikes to mixed-species flocks.
Day 14: Lake Mburo National Park Birding
Drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Afternoon birding around lakeshores, woodland, and papyrus wetlands. Key species: African Finfoot, Black Crake, Southern Ground Hornbill, Great Blue Turaco, Meyer’s Parrot, Giant Kingfisher, and Malachite Kingfisher. Evening sundowner birding at the lodge.
Day 15: Morning Birding at Lake Mburo – Departure
Early morning birding for species missed the previous day. Possible sightings: Red-faced Cisticola, Black-headed Gonolek, Yellow-throated Greenbul, and Marsh Widowbird. Drive back to Entebbe International Airport for departure.