Safari Highlights

✔ Shoebill Tracking at Mabamba Swamp

✔ Traditional Canoe Birding Safari

✔ Lake Mburo National Park Birding

✔ Morning & Evening Game Drives

✔ Bwindi Gorilla Trekking

✔ Albertine Rift Endemic Birding

✔ Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions

✔ Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

✔ Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari

✔ Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking

✔ Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Bird Walk

✔ Professional Birding & Wildlife Guide

✔ Private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser

✔ Outstanding Wildlife Photography Opportunities

Accommodation

Mid-range

Papyrus Guest House, Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Enganzi Game Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp

Luxury

No.5 Boutique Hotel, Mihingo Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional Invictus Safaris guide and transferred to your hotel overlooking the shores of Lake Victoria.

Depending on your arrival time, relax after your international flight or enjoy a leisurely walk around the hotel gardens before attending a comprehensive safari briefing introducing Uganda's remarkable wildlife, birdlife and conservation efforts.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Birding & Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After an early breakfast, travel to Mabamba Swamp, Uganda's premier Shoebill habitat.

Board a traditional motorized canoe and quietly explore narrow papyrus channels while searching for one of Africa's most iconic birds.

Other species frequently recorded include Papyrus Gonolek, African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Lesser Jacana, Purple Heron, African Pygmy Goose, White-faced Whistling Duck, Long-toed Lapwing and numerous egrets and herons.

Following lunch, continue south-west through Uganda's scenic countryside, stopping at the Equator Monument before arriving at Lake Mburo National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Lake Mburo Birding, Game Drive & Boat Cruise

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across Lake Mburo's rolling savannahs.

Observe zebras, impalas, buffaloes, giraffes, elands, topis and warthogs while recording numerous bird species including Red-faced Barbet, African Finfoot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Crested Francolin, Brown-chested Lapwing and Coqui Francolin.

Following lunch, enjoy a relaxing afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo where hippos, crocodiles and African Fish Eagles dominate the shoreline alongside kingfishers, cormorants and herons.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, journey towards Bwindi through spectacular highland scenery.

As you ascend into the Albertine Rift, enjoy regular birding stops while searching for sunbirds, turacos, bee-eaters, raptors and mountain forest specialists.

Arrive at your lodge overlooking Bwindi's ancient rainforest where an evening bird walk around the lodge grounds introduces the region's extraordinary biodiversity.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking & Albertine Rift Birding

Following an early breakfast, transfer to the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters for registration and briefing.

Accompanied by experienced rangers, trek through dense rainforest searching for one of Bwindi's habituated mountain gorilla families.

Once located, spend one unforgettable hour observing these magnificent primates as they feed, groom and interact naturally.

Bird enthusiasts may encounter several Albertine Rift endemics including African Green Broadbill, Bar-tailed Trogon, Archer's Robin-chat, Shelley's Crimsonwing, Mountain Masked Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Regal Sunbird and Black-faced Rufous Warbler.

Return to your lodge for relaxation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Ishasha Sector Game Drive & Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart Bwindi after breakfast and travel through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Famous for its tree-climbing lions, this unique ecosystem also provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching with Secretarybirds, Grey Crowned Cranes, Martial Eagles, Bateleurs and Abyssinian Ground Hornbills frequently observed.

Continue to your lodge overlooking the Kazinga Channel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Kasenyi Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Rise before sunrise for an exciting morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains.

Search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, hyenas, leopards (with luck), giant forest hogs and numerous antelope species.

Following lunch, embark on an unforgettable boat safari along the Kazinga Channel.

This remarkable waterway supports one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos together with crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and exceptional waterbird diversity including African Spoonbill, Pink-backed Pelican, Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, African Skimmer and Pied Kingfisher.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Transfer to Kibale National Park & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Following breakfast, travel north through the spectacular Crater Lake region towards Kibale National Park.

After lunch, enjoy guided birding within Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

This internationally recognized community conservation project is home to Great Blue Turaco, White-spotted Flufftail, and Blue-throated Roller, Yellow-billed Barbet, Papyrus Gonolek and numerous forest-edge species.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking & Kibale Forest Birding

Begin the day with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest.

Observe one of East Africa's largest populations of habituated chimpanzees while also encountering black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

Continue birding through the forest where notable species include Green-breasted Pitta, Nahan's Francolin, African Pitta, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Yellow-spotted Barbet and White-naped Pigeon.

Return to the lodge for your final evening in Uganda's rainforest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Return to Entebbe & Departure

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before beginning the scenic drive back to Entebbe.

Travel through tea plantations, fertile farmlands and vibrant trading centres, arriving at Entebbe International Airport in time for your onward flight.

Depart Uganda with unforgettable memories of extraordinary birdlife, mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and classic African wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

What's Included

·         Gorilla Trekking Permit

·         Chimpanzee Tracking Permit

·         Mabamba Canoe Excursion

·         Bigodi Wetland Guided Walk

·         Lake Mburo Boat Cruise

·         Lake Mburo Game Drive

·         Queen Elizabeth Game Drives

·         Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

·         Park Entrance Fees

·         Accommodation Throughout Safari

·         Meals as Specified

·         Private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser

·         Professional English-speaking Driver Guide

·         Specialist Birding Guide

·         Bottled Drinking Water

·         Airport Transfers

·         Government Taxes

What's Excluded

·         International Flights

·         Uganda Visa

·         Travel Insurance

·         Alcoholic & Premium Beverages

·         Laundry Services

·         Personal Expenses

·         Optional Activities

·         Tips & Gratuities

Best Time to Visit

This safari is available throughout the year, with the dry seasons offering the most favorable conditions for trekking, bird watching and wildlife viewing.

Recommended travel periods:

·         June to September

·         December to February

Why This Experience Is Special

This carefully designed safari combines Uganda's most celebrated birding destinations with its iconic primate experiences and classic savannah wildlife. From paddling through the serene papyrus wetlands of Mabamba in search of the elusive Shoebill to standing face-to-face with mountain gorillas in Bwindi, tracking wild chimpanzees in Kibale, and cruising the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel, every day introduces a new landscape and an extraordinary diversity of species. Led by experienced guides and supported by comfortable accommodation, this journey offers an exceptional introduction to Uganda's natural heritage.

Community Impact Promise

Every safari booked with Invictus Safaris directly supports wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, community tourism enterprises, local birding guides, conservation education initiatives and sustainable livelihoods for families living around Uganda's national parks and protected areas. Your journey helps preserve Uganda's extraordinary biodiversity while creating meaningful benefits for local communities.