8-Day Birding Safari in Uganda

Begin your journey with an early transfer to Mabamba Swamp, located 50 km west of Kampala. This area is renowned for its abundance of bird species, particularly the rare Shoebill Stork. Explore the marsh for sightings of not only the Shoebill Stork but also other bird species such as the Swamp Flycatcher, African Purple Swamphen, African Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, African Pygmy Goose, White-faced Whistling-duck, Squacco Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, and Purple Heron.

Additionally, you might spot a variety of other bird species including the Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Winding Cisticola, Goliath Heron, Black Crake, African Marsh Harrier, Hammerkop, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Common Waxbill, Yellow-billed Duck, Blue-headed Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Intermediate Egret, Osprey, Long-toed Lapwing, African Pied Wagtail, and Red-billed Firefinch. After lunch, proceed to the Botanical Gardens where you can keep an eye out for the Grey Kestrel, Golden-backed Weaver, Slender-billed Weaver, and various forest birds including the resplendent Ross’s Turaco, the majestic Great Blue Turaco, Palm-nut Vulture, African Grey Parrot, and even the elusive Bat Hawk.

Meals and overnight at Hotel No 5

Following breakfast, embark on a journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, making a brief stop at the Uganda Equator for a demonstration of water flow illustrating the division between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Afterward, continue to Mbarara town for lunch before proceeding to the park. Upon arrival in the evening, take time to unwind and relax.

Renowned as an Important Birding Area (IBA) by Birding International, Queen Elizabeth boasts an impressive array of habitats, providing a haven for over 600 bird species. This diversity is unparalleled among East African national parks, especially considering the park’s relatively compact size. The convergence of savanna and forest landscapes, coupled with its connection to the vast forests of the DR Congo, offers visitors the opportunity to observe avian species from both East and Central Africa.

Dinner and overnight at Katara Lodge

Wake up early and embark on a dawn safari, venturing towards the Uganda Kobs’ mating grounds. As the sun rises, explore the wilderness in search of majestic creatures like lions, elephants, and buffaloes thriving in their natural habitat.Look out for many avian species, including the African Wattled Lapwing, Temminck’s Courser, Martial Eagle, African Crake, Flappet Lark, and the elusive Moustached Grass Warbler. After lunch, indulge in a leisurely yet captivating boat cruise along the picturesque Kazinga Channel. Delight in the symphony of bird calls echoing through the air as you spot an array of avifauna, such as the African Skimmer, Gull-billed Tern, Gray-headed, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Along the banks, observe the graceful presence of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and buffaloes basking in the sun, with occasional glimpses of elephants adding to the spectacle.

Meals and overnight at Katara Lodge

Following a leisurely breakfast, you’ll set off for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the habitat of endangered mountain gorillas. You’ll arrive in time for a late lunch and some relaxation at your accommodation, the Mahogany Springs. Bwindi is renowned for its exceptional montane forest bird watching, making it a must-visit for birders in Uganda. The park boasts around 350 bird species, including 23 endemics to the Albertine Rift and 14 exclusive to Uganda. Among these are globally threatened species like the African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimsonwing.

Additionally, you can spot various other birds such as the Handsome Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, African Broadbill, Black and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Western Green Tinkerbird, Purple-breasted, and Blue-headed. Other bird species include Regal Sunbirds, Short-tailed and Black-faced Rufous Warblers, Mountain-masked and Collared Apalis, Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls, and Many-colored Bush-Shrike, among others.

Meals and overnight at Mahogany Springs

After breakfast, head out for a birding session along the 4km Mubwindi Swamp. This is the best place for Albertine rift endemics including Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill, the beautiful Regal Sunbird, the Great Blue Turaco, and the skulking Doherty’s Bushshrike. Along the forest roadsides and trails, we expect to find endemics such as Ruwenzori (Collared) Apalis, skulking Red-crested Alethe, and Archer’s Robin-Chat,  White-headed Wood Hoopoes.

Some common bird species in Bwindi include Purple-breasted, Blue-headed, and Regal Sunbirds, Sooty Boubou, Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher, Ruwenzori Hill Babbler, Red-faced Woodland, Neumann’s, and Grauer’s Warblers, Black-faced Apalis, White-tailed Blue-Flycatcher,  Stripe-breasted Tit, Dusky Crimsonwing, and Strange Weaver. We hope to see rare gems including Kivu Ground-Thrush, White-bellied Robin-Chat, and Dusky Twinspot. Many primates roam the canopy including chimpanzees, Guereza Colobus, and Blue and L’Hoests Monkeys.

Meals and overnight at Mahogany Springs

After a delightful breakfast, we bid farewell to the mystical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and embark on our journey back to Entebbe. Savor a delicious lunch at a charming local restaurant before continuing onward to Entebbe, where we’ll arrive by evening. Rest and rejuvenate in the elegant comfort of Hotel No. 5.

Overnight at Hotel No 5

Soaked with a wealth of experiences and creating unforgettable memories, it’s time to bid farewell to the captivating Pearl of Africa. Depending on your flight arrangements, you have the option to partake in a city tour with our guide before heading to Entebbe Airport for your international departure.