10 Days Uganda birding and gorilla safari tour Overview
Join our 10 day Uganda Birding and Gorilla Safari Tour for an immersive journey through Uganda’s diverse landscapes and captivating wildlife. Encounter endangered mountain gorillas, enjoy world-class bird watching, and explore stunning national parks. From Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s lush forests to Lake Mburo National Park’s savannahs, each day brings new adventures, showcasing Uganda’s rich biodiversity and culture. Join us for an unforgettable expedition and create cherished memories of Uganda’s natural wonders.
Safari Summary
- Day 1: Arrival and Visit Mabamba Swamp for Birding (Shoebill) Tour
- Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking and Birding in Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Birding
- Day 5: Ishasha Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
- Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with Birding En Route at Maramagambo
- Day 7: Gorilla Trekking and Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 8: Birding in Mubwindi Swamp and Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 9: Lake Mburo National Park – Game Drive, Nature Walk, and Boat Cruise
- Day 10: Birding in Rubanga Forest, Return to Kampala/Entebbe, and Departure
10 Days Uganda birding and gorilla safari tour itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Visit Mabamba Swamp for Birding (Shoebill) Tour
Your 10 days Uganda Birding and Gorilla Safari Tour begins at Entebbe International Airport, where our tour guide will assist with your arrival process, including immigration and customs.
After a brief stop at your Entebbe hotel, you’ll head to Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar site and Important Bird Area on the shores of Lake Victoria. This wetland is a birding paradise, known for the elusive shoebill storks, sought after by bird enthusiasts and photographers. A guided canoe tour through the swamp offers the opportunity to spot these iconic birds and other species like African jacanas, malachite kingfishers, African pygmy geese, and the elusive swamp-dwelling sitatunga. Returning to your Entebbe/Kampala accommodation, enjoy a relaxing overnight stay, savor Ugandan cuisine for dinner, and prepare for the upcoming adventures.
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Day two of your 10-day Uganda Birding and Gorilla Safari Tour includes a scenic drive from Entebbe/Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park, leaving urban surroundings behind for the rural beauty of Uganda. Your knowledgeable guide will share local insights along the way.
Upon arrival in Kibale Forest, check into your accommodation and take some time to relax. In the afternoon, explore the nearby Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, renowned for its birdlife and managed by the community. Led by an expert guide, follow well-maintained trails and boardwalks to encounter a variety of colorful birds, such as the Great Blue, White-spotted Flufftail, and African Grey Parrot, while also learning to identify and appreciate their unique behaviors and calls. The wetlands may also offer glimpses of primates like colobus monkeys. As the day concludes, return to your accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park, ready to rest and recharge for more birding adventures and wildlife encounters in the days ahead.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking and Birding in Kibale Forest National Park
On the third day of your 10-day Uganda Birding and Gorilla Safari Tour, enjoy breakfast at your lodge before a briefing at the Kanyachu Visitor Center. Your expert guide will provide insights into chimpanzee tracking and Kibale Forest’s conservation.
After the briefing, venture into Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its chimpanzee population. Guided by your expert, go on a thrilling chimpanzee tracking adventure, observing their social interactions, feeding habits, and playfulness. The forest is also a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with species like the African Green Broadbill, Grey Parrot, and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird. End the day back at your lodge in Kibale Forest National Park, sharing stories and cherishing unique moments with your fellow travelers.
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Birding
Day four begins with breakfast at your Kibale Forest lodge, followed by a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, showcasing Uganda’s diverse landscapes. Upon arrival, check in at your chosen accommodation within the park, known for its varied landscapes and diverse wildlife, including tree-climbing lions.
In the afternoon, start your birding adventure with over 600 species to discover. Guided by an expert, explore areas like the Mweya Peninsula, Ishasha sector, and the bird-rich Kazinga Channel shores. Look out for African fish eagles, martial eagles, black bee-eaters, and more. The Kazinga Channel is a hotspot for waterbirds and raptors. Return to your lodge, ready for upcoming wildlife encounters.
Day 5: Ishasha Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After an early breakfast, embark on a game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions. This unique phenomenon offers fantastic photo opportunities as these lions often relax on fig tree branches. Along the way, keep an eye out for elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, and diverse bird species, enhancing your wildlife encounter.
In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. This scenic journey is a haven for birdwatchers, with African fish eagles, pied kingfishers, and waterbirds adorning the channel’s shores. While cruising, observe hippos, Nile crocodiles, and other aquatic life. Be on the lookout for larger mammals like buffalo and elephants that often come to drink along the channel’s edge. As the sun sets, return to your lodge, carrying the memories of a thrilling day filled with remarkable wildlife sightings and birding delights.
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with Birding En Route at Maramagambo
Today, your journey leads you from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to mountain gorillas. After an early breakfast, embark on a picturesque drive to Bwindi, witnessing the transition from savannah to lush forests while glimpsing Uganda’s rich culture and history along the way.
During your journey, make a birding stop at Maramagambo Forest, an ecologically diverse area on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Guided by an expert, explore this forest and spot species like the African Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Barbet, and White-naped Pigeon. The forest’s rich biodiversity, including primates like chimpanzees, as well as butterflies, reptiles, and towering trees, adds to its allure. Upon arrival in Bwindi, check in at your accommodation in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for gorilla encounters and exceptional birding opportunities, ensuring unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking and Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day seven begins with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, followed by rainforest birdwatching. After an early breakfast, get briefed at the park headquarters on gorilla trekking etiquette, safety, and your gorilla family details.
With your group and guides, enter the dense forest to find a habituated gorilla family. The trek can range from 30 minutes to 7 hours, offering unique insights into gorilla life. Afterward, enjoy more birdwatching in this UNESCO World Heritage Site known for gorillas and diverse bird species, including the Black-faced Rufous Warbler, African Green Broadbill, and Shelley’s Crimsonwing. Your birding guide will help you identify these birds, adding to your memorable day. Return to your lodge, cherishing gorilla and bird encounters in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 8: Birding in Mubwindi Swamp and Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Day eight begins with an early breakfast, followed by exciting birding in Mubwindi Swamp, home to Albert Rift region endemics and sought-after bird species. With your guide, explore this unique ecosystem in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, looking for birds like the African Green Broadbill, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, and Grauer’s Swamp Warbler. Afterward, take a scenic drive to Lake Mburo National Park, known for diverse landscapes and wildlife. Check in at your accommodation, where rolling hills and acacia woodlands provide a contrasting backdrop to your previous experiences.
Day 9: Lake Mburo National Park - Game Drive, Nature Walk, and Boat Cruise
Your ninth day begins with a thrilling morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. The park’s compact size makes it ideal for wildlife spotting, and you may encounter zebras, impalas, topis, and buffalo against the picturesque savannah backdrop.
Following the game drive, enjoy a guided nature walk, led by an experienced ranger. Explore the park’s diverse ecosystems, including woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands. In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise on Lake Mburo. This tranquil experience combines birdwatching with the chance to observe hippos and other wildlife along the lake’s shores. Keep your binoculars handy for sightings of African fish eagles, kingfishers, and the elusive shoebill stork.
Day 10: Birding in Rubanga Forest, Return to Kampala/Entebbe, and Departure
Start your final day with a birding adventure in Rubanga Forest, Lake Mburo National Park. An expert guide will help you spot species like the African finfoot, grey-backed camaroptera, and African green broadbill. Enjoy the serene forest ambiance and vibrant birdlife, concluding your safari beautifully.
Say goodbye to Lake Mburo National Park and head back to Kampala or Entebbe, savoring the memorable moments. Then, get transferred to the airport or your departure point. Depart with cherished memories of your 10-day adventure, carrying Uganda’s unique beauty and biodiversity with you. Your journey has been a discovery of Uganda’s wild heart.
