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16-Day Wildlife & Birding Tour of Uganda

Uganda
Not Rated
Duration

16 days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

___

Overview

This expertly curated journey reveals Uganda’s rich diversity of wildlife and birdlife. Cruise through Mabamba Swamp in search of the rare shoebill, witness the thunder of Murchison Falls, and spot savannah species on game drives and boat safaris. Track chimpanzees in Kibale, seek tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth, and meet mountain gorillas in Bwindi’s misty forests. From forest canopies to riverbanks, this is a deeply rewarding adventure for passionate birders and wildlife lovers alike.

Highlights

  • Uganda
  • Start Entebbe (Day 1)
  • Day 2-3 Mabamba Swamp
  • Day 4-6 Murchison Falls NP
  • Day 7-8 Toro NP
  • Day 9-10 Kibale NP (Chimps)
  • Day 11 Queen Elizabeth NP
  • Day 12-14 Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas)
  • Day 15 Lake Mburo NP
  • End Entebbe (Day 16)

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Entebbe
Day 1 Arrival in Entebbe

Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport, a private chauffeur will escort you on a brief five-minute transfer to the Boma Guesthouse. This boutique 1940s-style retreat seamlessly blends colonial heritage with African design, overlooking lush tropical gardens and the vast expanse of Lake Victoria. Depending on your arrival time, you can spend the afternoon exploring Entebbe on a complimentary bicycle, strolling through the nearby Botanical Gardens, or joining your guide for an introductory bird-watching session to kick off your Ugandan adventure.

Main Destination:
Entebbe (City)
Accommodation:
The Boma Hotel
Mid-range guest house located in Entebbe (City)

Meals & Drinks:
Meals at own expense
Drinks not included

Day 2 Mabamba Swamp
Day 2 Mabamba Swamp

Today, take a brief 1.5-hour drive from Entebbe to the Mabamba Swamp. After settling in, you can explore the lodge's nature trails, which are home to a variety of resident birds and monkeys. This tranquil retreat is a birdwatcher's paradise and the perfect base from which to discover the surrounding wetlands, all while enjoying a spectacular sunset over the water.

Main Destination:
Mabamba Swamp

Accommodation:
Nkima Forest Lodge
Mid-range lodge located near Mabamba Swamp

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3 Birding at Mabamba Swamp
Day 3 Birding at Mabamba Swamp

Today is dedicated to seeking the elusive shoebill stork within the tranquil channels of the Mabamba Swamp. Embarking on both early morning and late afternoon boat excursions, you’ll maximize your chances of encountering the area's resident breeding pairs while silently gliding through the wetlands. Beyond the iconic shoebill, keep an eye out for a vibrant array of birdlife, including the malachite kingfisher and blue-breasted bee-eater, making for a truly immersive and rewarding bird-watching experience.

Main Destination:
Mabamba Swamp
Accommodation:

Nkima Forest Lodge
Mid-range lodge located near Mabamba Swamp

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4 Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 4 Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Journey north to Murchison Falls National Park, a diverse wilderness of forests, savannahs, and wetlands that serves as a premier destination for bird-watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. This afternoon, enjoy an introductory game drive to explore the park's expansive landscapes before settling into your lodge situated on the scenic banks of the Nile. Whether navigating the open plains or the river's edge, you'll be immersed in one of Uganda’s most vibrant and varied ecosystems.

Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation:
Murchison River Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5 Birding the Golden Mile
Day 5 Birding the Golden Mile

Today, you will explore the Budongo Forest Reserve with a visit to the famous Royal Mile, widely regarded as one of Uganda's premier birding destinations. Located on the escarpment northeast of Lake Albert, this gentle forest walk offers a serene environment... Read more

Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation:
Murchison River Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6 Morning Cruise and Game Drive
Day 6 Morning Cruise and Game Drive

Today invites a slower pace as you navigate the Nile with a morning boat ride to the delta, followed by an evening game drive to further explore the park's diverse terrain. This dual approach offers the chance to see elephants, hippos, and giraffes from both water and land, while keeping a keen eye out for elusive predators like lions and leopards as the sun begins to set.

Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation:
Murchison River Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7 Drive to Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve
Day 7 Drive to Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve

Journey to Semliki National Park, a premier destination for birders nestled against the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is defined by the eastern reach of the Ituri Forest, a prehistoric and highly biodiverse extension of the Congo Basin that survived the last ice age nearly 18,000 years ago. This ancient landscape offers an unparalleled experience for nature enthusiasts, providing a sanctuary for rare species within one of Africa’s oldest and most significant forest ecosystems.

Main Destination:
Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve

Accommodation:
Semliki Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Toro NP

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8 Birding in Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve
Day 8 Birding in Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve

Today, immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity of Semuliki, a true birding haven home to over 350 avian species and 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Beyond the canopy, this ancient forest shelters 120 mammal species, including chimpanzees and forest elephants. In the afternoon, visit the Sempaya Male hot springs, where boiling geysers serve as a visceral reminder of the subterranean forces that have shaped the Rift Valley for over 14 million years, offering a fascinating intersection of geological history and raw natural beauty.

Main Destination:
Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve
Accommodation:
Semliki Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Toro NP

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9 Transfer to Kibale National Park
Day 9 Transfer to Kibale National Park

After a final morning game drive in Semliki, you’ll journey to Kibale Forest National Park to stay at the enchanting Turaco Treetops. Nestled deep in the heart of the rainforest, this lodge offers a perfect blend of luxury and nature. Enjoy a gourmet four-course dinner before retreating to your private balcony, where you can end the day listening to the atmospheric calls of wood owls echoing through the jungle canopy.

Main Destination:
Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:
Turaco Treetops Lodge
Mid-range lodge bordering Kibale NP (Chimps) without fences

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10 Chimp Trekking and Bird-watching in Kibale National Park
Day 10 Chimp Trekking and Bird-watching in Kibale National Park

Explore the vibrant ecosystem of Kanyanchu in Kibale Forest, starting with a bird-watching adventure to spot species like greenbuls, whinchats, and the western banded snake eagle. Afterward, trek through the dense canopy to track resident chimpanzee troops, keeping a keen eye out for other primates like colobus and red-tailed monkeys. This immersive rainforest experience perfectly combines the search for diverse avian life with a thrilling encounter with our closest living relatives in their natural habitat.

Main Destination:
Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:
Turaco Treetops Lodge
Mid-range lodge bordering Kibale NP (Chimps) without fences

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 11 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Move to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives seeking elephants, lions, and leopards, staying at the centrally located Mweya Safari Lodge with its iconic Kazinga Channel views and infinity pool. This afternoon, explore the channel’s vibrant life via a boat safari to see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife, including yellow-billed storks and pelicans. For a different perspective, you can opt for a hot air balloon ride to gain a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the park’s diverse and sprawling ecosystem.

Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation:
Mweya Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Queen Elizabeth NP


Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 12 Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Your journey continues to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the only destination in Africa where both gorillas and chimpanzees coexist. You’ll stay at Buhoma Haven Lodge, an elevated retreat built with local materials that offers spectacular views over the forest and Buhoma village. This scenic and sustainably crafted lodge provides a breathtaking vantage point and the perfect base from which to immerse yourself in the wonders of this ancient rainforest.

Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:
Haven Lodge Buhoma Community
Budget lodge located just outside Buhoma (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 13 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today marks the pinnacle of your adventure as you set out for an unforgettable gorilla trek within the renowned Bwindi forest. In a small group of no more than eight people, you will journey through the dense foliage for anywhere from one to six hours, depending on where the gorillas nested the previous night. While the search for these magnificent mountain gorillas is the primary focus, the trek also offers a wealth of bird-watching opportunities and sightings of other resident primates, making your journey through this ancient canopy a truly immersive wildlife experience.

Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:
Haven Lodge Buhoma Community
Budget lodge located just outside Buhoma (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 14 Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 14 Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today, you’ll focus on Bwindi’s bird-watching opportunities. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to around 360 bird species, including cuckoo shrikes, the fork-tailed drongo, the martial eagle, pink-footed puffbacks, white-headed wood-hoopoes and tinkerbirds.

Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:
Haven Lodge Buhoma Community
Budget lodge located just outside Buhoma (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 15 Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 15 Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Transition to Lake Mburo National Park for a more active safari experience, featuring game drives, immersive bush walks, and scenic mountain bike tours. You will be hosted at the eco-conscious Rwakobo Rock Lodge, which sits atop a dramatic rocky outcrop at the park's edge. This picturesque location offers the perfect spot to unwind while watching resident wildlife like zebra and impala visit the watering hole just below the lodge.

Main Destination:
Lake Mburo National Park

Accommodation:
Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Lake Mburo NP

Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 16 Return to Entebbe
Day 16 Return to Entebbe

Today, you will depart for Entebbe to connect with your onward international flight. En route, time permitting, you can pause at the Equator for a memorable photo opportunity at the center of the world. You’ll arrive at the airport in good time for check-in,... Read more

Main Destination:
No major destination visited

Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included

End of tour

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
You'll be dropped off at the airport.

Included/Excluded

  • Park fees
  • (For non-residents)
  • Gorilla permits
  • (One per person, non-resident)
  • Chimp permits
  • (One per person, non-resident)
  • All activities
  • (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation
  • (Unless listed as upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation
  • (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Roundtrip airport transfer
  • Meals
  • (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks
  • (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • International flights
  • (From/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips
  • (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items
  • (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Some meals
  • (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Tour's Location

Uganda

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