28 days hardcore birding tour in Uganda

Arrival in Uganda, meet your bird guide and transfer to Nkima Forest Lodge in Nkima Forest which is a small patch of forest on a hill overlooking Mabamba wetlands. Depending on your flight you may do some afternoon birding in Nkima Forest. The Nkima Forest provides good chances at the White-spotted Flufftail that has become its special. The Green Sunbird is a resident seen in flowering plants near the main house of the lodge.

Accommodation: Nkima Forest Lodge (midrange)

Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner

Have early breakfast and go birding in the Mabamba wetlands which are situated a few minutes’ drive from Nkima Forest Lodge. Up to 260 birds species have been recorded in Mabamba, and these include a number of Lake Victoria biome restricted species and several swamp specials. Taking a local motorized boat, you shall explore the papyrus wetlands to record many water birds. Top on the list is the famous Shoebill.

After about 4 hours of birding in Mabamba wetland you shall leave for Mabira forest, have lunch and continue birding in Mabira forest for the rest of the afternoon. Mabira forest is the biggest forest in the central region of Uganda. It has a bird list of about 316 species and offers may forest specials, including 74 out of the 144 Guinea – Congo Forests biome species recorded in Uganda.

Overnight in the heart of the forest at the Rainforest Lodge Mabira.

Accommodation: Rainforest Lodge Mabira (midrange)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early rise and birding in Mabira Forest that will provide a number of forest species. Some of the Mabira forest specials include Narina Trogon, Forest Woodhoopoe, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Forest Robin, Brown-chested Alethe, Green-tailed Bristlebill, etc…

In the afternoon you shall continue to Mt. Elgon National Park in eastern Uganda.

Accommodation: Uganda Wildlife Authority Bandas (budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you shall spend the day birding in Mount Elgon National Park. About 300 species have been recorded in Mountain Elgon National Park which includes 56 out of the 87 Afrotropical highland biome species and 40 restricted range species. Some of the key species to look out for in Mount Elgon include Alpine Chat, Moustached Green Tinkerbird, Jackson’s Francolin, Black-collared Apalis, Black-shouldered Kite, Lammergeyer etc…

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and kickstart your birding in the sem-arid Karamoja region (north eastern Uganda). North-eastern Uganda shares a bit of the Somali – Masai biome and has many species not found in other parts of Uganda.

Accommodation: Pian Upe Hunter’s Lodge (budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will continue birding through Pian Upe wildlife reserve and Matheniko Wildlife Reserve both of which are undiscovered birding hotspots in Uganda, as you proceed to the crown of this region; Kidepo valley national park.

Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you shall have a full day of birding in Kidepo Valley National Park. Kidepo is tucked away in the remote northeastern corner of Uganda where it is receives very view visits compared to other parks in Uganda. Kidepo and the north eastern semi-arid region provides Somali – Masai biome species that you do not find in the rest of in Uganda. It is especially outstanding for birds of prey. The park is home to about 475 species. The Karamoja Apalis is top on the list, but some of the other specialities to look out for include Kori Bustard, Egyptian Vulture, Pygmy Falcon, etc…

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you shall travel to Murchison Falls National Park.

Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge (midrange)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will set out for early morning birding in Murchison Falls National Park. You will explore the savannah plains on the northern bank of the Nile that will provide a number of savannah birds and great animal sightings.

After lunch you shall go for the 2 hour boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the Murchison Falls. You will spot water birds and animals. When you get to the base of the Murchison Falls you shall disembark and go on a guided hike to the top of the Murchison falls. The Nile squeezes through a small gap about 7 meters wide and explodes with such a roar! The Murchison Falls is the most powerful waterfall in the world and it is such a spectacle. Getting to the top of the falls you will join your driver and transfer back to the lodge.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you shall transfer to Masindi/Budongo forest while birding through the escarpment.

Accommodation: Budongo Eco Lodge (midrange)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you shall have a whole day birding in Budongo Forest which is the biggest forest in Uganda and East Africa. Budongo is home to about 360 bird species, of which 2 species are not found anywhere else in East Africa. You will take on the “Royal Mile” the main birding trail in Budongo forest. Key birds include Ituri Batis, Puvel’s illadopsis, African Paradise Flycatcher, White-thighed Hornbill, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, etc…

Later you shall transfer to Hoima for the overnight.

Accommodation: Lake Albert Lodge (midrange)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you shall travel to Semuliki National Park.

Accommodation: Uganda Wildlife Authority bandas (budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will set out for birding in Semuliki National Park. Situated on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Semuliki National Park protects the Ituri forest of central Africa which brings central African species into East Africa. You bird along the Kirumia trail which is the most popular trail in Semuliki. Top of on the list of birds to spot in Semuliki is the African Piculet and other species of the central Africa which cannot be found anywhere else in East Africa.

Later you shall drive to Kibale Forest National Park.

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (midrange)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will have an early morning set off into Kibale Forest national Park. Kibale forest is home to about 375 birds species that have been recorded so far. One of the highlights of Kibale is the Green-breasted Pitta.

You will return from Kibale National Park in the afternoon.

After lunch you shall go for a walk in Bigodi wetlands which is quite productive as well.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you shall transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, check into the lodge for some relaxation.

In the evening you shall go for birding and safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation: Kasenyi Safari Camp (midrange)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early rise and go for birding and safari in the savanna plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth N.P. boasts of the biggest bird list of all the parks in Uganda with more than 600 species recorded. This is attributed to the park’s diversity of habitats. After close to 4 hours in the park you shall return to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch you shall go for the boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The Kazinga Channel is 32km stream of water connecting two lakes, Edward and George. The channel is an oasis of birds hosting hundreds of bird species.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you shall transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and after checking into the lodge you shall go birding and look for the Tree climbing lions which are unique to this area.

Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge (midrange)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you shall transfer to Bwindi National Park/ Buhoma sector

Accommodation: Buhoma Haven Lodge (midrange)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you shall commence your birding Bwindi National park. Bwindi National Park is ranked by the African Bird Club as the number one birding destination in Africa. Bwindi is home to 23 of the 24 Albertine rift endemics found in Uganda. Today you will bird in the Buhoma sector and top on the list of the Albertine rift endemics is the Short-tailed Warbler

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you shall go for the gorilla tracking adventure in Bwindi National Park. Bwindi accounts for close to half of the remaining Mountain Gorilla population in the world. You will report to the park office at 7am to meet the park guides for briefing and assigning of the gorilla group and thereafter head off into the forest for the unforgettable gorilla encounter.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you shall transfer to the Ruhija sector of Bwindi National Park while birding through the neck.

Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp (budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today shall go birding in the Mubwindi Swamp which is known to offer the highest chances of recording the elusive African Green Broadbill, one of the most sought after Albertine rift endemics.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you shall transfer to Kisoro (Mgahinga Gorilla National Park).

Accommodation: Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro (budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you shall go hiking and birding in Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga national park protects Uganda’s part of the Virunga mountains range. The park has about 180 bird species recorded. Top on the list is the Rwenzori Turaco, the only Albertine rift endemic not Bwindi National Park.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you transfer to Lake Bunyonyi to relax. You will do a canoe ride on the lake to explore the beautiful scenery.

Accommodation: Birdnest Resort (midrange)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you shall check out and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Lake Mburo National park is the small savanna park in Uganda. The park will breakdown your journey back to Kampala/Entebbe but also offer a rewarding birding and safari experience.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock (midrange)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will set out for early morning and safari in lake Mburo national Park. Lake Mburo national park has an impressive bird list of about 350 species and many mammals.

In the afternoon you shall go for the a boat cruise on Lake Mburo to spot some birds species. The African Finfoot is the most sought after bird on the lake.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you shall transfer to the airport for your flight.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch