13-Day Uganda Birding and Gorilla Trekking Safari

Price: Midrange $6,500 / Luxury $7,700

Your adventure starts at Mabamba Swamp, a wetland mecca for bird enthusiasts, with hopes of sighting the magnificent Shoebill Stork. Moving to Kibale Forest, enjoy more than 375 bird species such as the Beautiful Sunbird, Green-breasted Pitta, and Red-faced Cisticola, coupled with chimpanzee trekking amid the thriving canopy.

Next, traverse the savannah plains and panoramic landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its bird-rich waters and abundance of wildlife. A boat trip on Kazinga Channel offers enthralling close-up encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife including the African Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron, and Greater Painted-snipe.

The crown jewel of this safari is the gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where standing in the presence of gentle giants paired with bird sightings of Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Black Bee-eater, and Mountain Masked Apalis provides a profound wilderness experience.

Cross into the lesser-visited but stunning northern landscapes of Kidepo Valley, where over 475 bird species flourish, including the rare East African endemic Karamoja Apalis, the striking Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, and the elusive Pygmy Falcon. Birding in this semi-arid savannah-forests environment is rewarding year-round, with migratory birds arriving November through April, and many endemic species thriving here.

Accommodations:

·       Midrange: Papyrus Guesthouse, Gorilla Mist Camp, Arcadia Lodge, Murchison River Lodge

·       Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge (Kidepo)

Daily Activities:

·       Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, meet your guide, and transfer to your hotel for rest and briefing on the exciting adventure ahead.

·       Day 2: Mabamba Swamp Birding
Drive to Mabamba Swamp, one of East Africa’s premier wetland birding sites. Glide through papyrus channels by canoe, targeting the elusive Shoebill Stork, Papyrus Gonoleks, African Jacanas, and Malachite Kingfishers. The swamp’s stillness and rich biodiversity make it a perfect introduction.

·       Day 3: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Travel north with a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking and birding. Continue to Murchison Falls NP, Uganda’s largest park known for its spectacular waterfalls and abundant wildlife.

·       Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Nile Boat Cruise
Drive on a morning game drive across Murchison’s woodlands and savannahs for birds such as the Martial Eagle, Sooty Chat, and Black-bellied Bustard. Cruise along the Nile river in the afternoon, observing pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, African Fish Eagle, and Goliath Heron.

·       Day 5: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Journey to Kibale Forest with an optional stopover at Maramagambo Forest for birding. Afternoon guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary where mixed forest birds like the Great Blue Turaco and White-spotted Flufftail abound.

·       Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Forest Birding in Kibale
Trek into the forest to spot habituated chimpanzees alongside a spectacular array of over 375 bird species, including Green-breasted Pitta, Dusky Crimsonwing, and Blue-headed Bee-eater.

·       Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive to Queen Elizabeth, settling into lodge accommodation with scenic views and abundant birdlife.

·       Day 8: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Enjoy morning and afternoon safari drives spotting Kori Bustards, Secretarybirds and a variety of other savannah birds alongside classic African wildlife. Midday relax during a boat cruise on Kazinga Channel witnessing hippos, crocodiles, and myriad waterbirds.

·       Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Travel to Bwindi through Ishasha sector, known for tree-climbing lions and unique bird species. Evening birding introduces Albertine Rift endemics.

·       Day 10: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Spend the day trekking mountain gorillas, surrounded by lush forest alive with birds such as the Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Black Bee-eater, and Mountain Masked Apalis.

·       Day 11: Birding in Mubwindi Swamp
Explore the nearby swamp and forest edge habitats to find specialty birds including African Emerald Cuckoo and Yellow-throated Tinkerbird along with beautiful sunbirds.

·       Day 12: Birding through Bwindi’s “The Neck” Trail to Buhoma
Walk birding through this key corridor connecting forest patches featuring Albertine Rift species like Black-throated Apalis and the endemic Rwenzori Turaco.

·       Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Drive to Lake Mburo, Uganda’s savannah park with diverse birds like African Finfoot, Ross’s Turaco, and Southern Ground Hornbill. Engage in an afternoon walk and boat cruise before returning to Kampala or Entebbe.

This itinerary delivers an extensive immersion in Uganda’s rich bird and wildlife diversity across multiple habitats, coupled with cultural and nature experiences.