Uganda Total Birding Safari - 19 Days

Day 1: Kampala - Mabamba Swamp

The wetland is newly discovered home for the most sought after bird the rare Shoebill.

Birding is done on the on the canoes in marsh channels. Special birds is including White winged Wabler, Papyrus Goneleck, Yellow backed Weaver, Blue headed coucal, Northern Brown throated Winding Cistocia, Goliath Heron and Black Cracke.

High end/luxurious accommodation: Serena Kampala Hotel | Sheraton Hotel | Emin Pasha Hotel | Imperial

Low budget/basic accommodation: Hotel Africana | Cassia Lodge | Capitol Palace Hotel | Imperial Royale Hotel | Metropole Hotel Kampala | Holiday Express Hotel | Namirembe Guest House | Makerere Guest House | Red Chili Hideaway

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 2: Murchison Fall National Park

Begin with a panoramic drive north-west through the famous Luwero Triangle to Masindi Town.  A stop over is made at Masindi for snacks at Masindi Hotel

Your trip continues to Budongo Forest and to the spectacular fall where you can see the Nile's perfected beauty, and marvel as it compresses and squeezes itself from over 1 kilometre wide down through a 7-meter canyon. The 150-meter drop of the falls creates a thunderous roar and a beautiful rainbow in a plume of spray. See, feel and photograph the beauty of the spot as you spot out a countless bird species around.

High class accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge | Nile Safari Camp | Sambiya River Lodge

Budget accommodation: Red Chilli Hostels and Campsite

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park

Take a boat along the Victoria Nile to delta at Lake Albert. This is a home to hippos and many other enormous crocodiles as well as special birds which include Shoebill, Secretary bird, Abysinian roller and ground horn bill, Red necked Falcon, Blue breasted Bee, vinaceous Dove and Grosbeak Weaver.

This afternoon cross for birding on the top of the falls. Look for White fronted black chat, Rock pranticoles, White crested Turaco, Grey woodpecker, Darter and Giant Kingfisher, Red Throated Bee eater, Red shouldered Cuckoo shrike, western Violent backed Sunbird, Black headed Gonoleck, Chestnut crowned Sparow weaver, Brown twinspot, Bar breasted firefinch, Red winged Pytillia and Red winged Grey wabler, Bruces pigeon and Ospery.

High class accommodation: Paara Safari Lodge | Nile Safari Camp | Sambiya River Lodge

Budget accommodation: Red Chilli Hostels and Campsite

Day 4: Murchison Fall National Park

Take an early morning game drive on the northern banks of the Victoria Nile.

Birds recorded here include the Egyptian plover, Shoebill, Red winged Grey wabler, Rock pranticole, Secretary bird, Bat hawk, Denhams blustered, Pelfishing Owl, White chrested Turaco, Vinaceous dove, Senegal thicknee, Chestnutsparrow weaver, Carmie bee eater, Night jars, peanut winged and the White winged Canary.

Afternoon drive to Budongo forest.

Dinner and overnight at Kaniyo Pabidi cabins/cottages

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Budongo Forest

Start early birding inside the Budongo Forest through the escarpment looking for Foxs Cisticola, White headed barbet, Northern crombec, Singing cisticola, Grey headed bush shrike, Black billed barbet, Grey headed Olive back, Black billed fire finch, Madagascar heron, Lesser masked weaver and Shikra.

Afternoon birding at Budongo may be very productive. The forest is one of the largest and the most beautiful forest in Uganda. It is a home for African dwarf Kingfisher, African crowned eagle, Olive camarpotera, Yellow and grey long bill, Chocolate backed kingfisher, Red tailed Ant thrush, Velvet mantled drongo, Rufous crowned Eremomera, Iturbi batis and Nathans francolin.

Dinner and overnight at Kaniyo Pabidi cabins/cottages

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Budongo Forest: Royal Mile and Busingiro

Whole day birding at the Royal Mile Busingiro.

Key species include: African dwarf, and Chorcolate backed kingfisher, Green sunbird both Negrofinches, Wester black headed oriole, African emerald Cuckoo, Red tailed ant trush, Yellow long bill, Gray long bill, forest robin, Scaly breasted illadopsis, Rufous crowned eremomela, the elusive lemon bellied crombec, Yellow mated weaver, Yellow browned camropetera, Green crombec, Creasted malimbe and Red headed blue bill.

Dinner and overnight stay at your preferred hotel/lodge.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: Kibale Forest National Park

Leave very early for Kibale National Park.

Kibale Forest birds include Grey winged robin, Blue shouldered robin chat, Yellow spotted barbet, Black billed Turaco, White napped pigeon, green breasted pitta, Red chested fluff taill, African pitta, Joyful green bul cabanis green bull, Grey throated fly catcher, White bellied crested flycatcher, masked a pail, Nathans francolin, Tinny sunbird, white collard Olive back among others also this forest is home to the 13 primate species.

Luxury accommodation: Ndali Safari Lodge | Primate Lodge

Budget accommodation: The Tree House at Kanyankyu Ecological Centre | Chimp’s Nest | Nature lodges

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Kibale Forest - Semuliki National Park

Half day birding in Kibale, this is incorporated with a chimp walk.

Among other bird species to spot includes: White tailed anti thrushes, purple headed, Glossy starling, Brown illadopsis, Masked Apalis, Green breasted pitta, white Napped pigeon, Toro Olive Green  bull, Black billed Turaco, Buff spotted woodpecker and Green cromber.

Afternoon drive to Semiliki National Park.

Luxury accommodation: Semiliki Safari Lodge

Budget accommodation: Semiliki Bandas and Campsite

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9: Semuliki National Park

Whole day birding in the forest.

Semiliki in known for it is most sought after rarities and these include: Congo serpent eagle, Black throated coucal, Grey throated rail, Nkulengu rail, Long tailed hawk, Spot breasted ibis, Capuchin babber, Yellow throated nicater, Nothern beareded scrub robin, Red chested owlet, Western bronz napped pigeon, Black collared lovebird, White beilled kingfisher, red rumped thinker bird, Lyre tailed honey guide, Zenker honey guide, White throated blue swallow, Bates nighters, Yellow throated cuckoo, Orange tufted sunbird, Black winged oriole, Red billed crombic, Rufous sided broadbill, Icterine green bul, Swamp palm bulbul, Cresasted malimbe, ferry breasted bush shrinke, pale fronted negrofinch and piping, Red billed, Black dwarf, White created, Black casqued wattled and White thghed hornbill.

Luxury accommodation: Semuliki Safari Lodge

Budget accommodation: Semuliki Bandas and Campsite

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10: Semuliki National Park

Whole day birding in the forest. Kirumira trails have become the most popular trail for its richness in diversity of bird species.

Luxury accommodation: Semuliki Safari Lodge

Budget accommodation: Semuliki Bandas and Campsite

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11: Semuliki - Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning drive southwards to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is the second largest park in Uganda.

Serious birders may be interested to know that the one day record of Queen Elizabeth National Park is 296 species out of 610 recorded in the parks. An excellent variety of birds can be seen and these include pelicans, Skimmers, Kingfishers, Thick Knees, Storks, Martins, Swallow, Weavers, canaries, Kites, and many grassland specialties. Evening birding is very productive.

High class accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge | Jacana Safari Lodge

Budget: Mweya Hostel | Institute of Ecology | Simba Safari Camp

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Whole day birding in the park. An early game drive in an open savannah is an ideal for spotting savannah birds.

The afternoon launch cruise is much rewarding along the Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake George and Edward, is among the best know in the region for its high diversity of bird species include: African Skimmer, green wood and common sandpiper, grey headed gull, plain martin lesser swamp warbler and yellow billed Oxpecker.

High class accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge | Jacana Safari Lodge

Budget: Mweya Hostel | Institute of Ecology | Simba Safari Camp

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The great home for the endangered mountain gorillas.

Species of birds include: Black rufous warbler, Grauers wabler, Band prina, Black faced apalis, Black throated apalis, Mountain masked apalis, Red throated alethe, Yellow eyed black flycatcher, Ashy flycatcher, Dusky blue flycatcher, Neumanns Warbler and Red faced woodland warber.

High end/luxurious accommodation: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp | Bwindi Resort | Volcanoes

Medium class accommodation: Buhoma Lodge | Engagi Lodge | Lake Kitandara Tents | Silverback Lodge

Low budget/basic accommodation: Buhoma local community Bandas

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14: Bwindi

With an early morning breakfast ready for trekking which begins at 8:00 a.m with a briefing from the UWA staff guide on the rule and regulations regarding trekking the endangered mountain Gorillas.

Ensure to carry along with you rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, jungle boots etc. The guides will lead you inside the  beautiful ecosystem to see the shy primates for a group you have been booked for.

Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare mountain gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. The tracking may take between 2 and 6 hours but it’s well worth the effort.

High end/luxurious accommodation: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp | Bwindi Resort | Volcanoes

Medium class accommodation: Buhoma Lodge | Engagi Lodge | Lake Kitandara Tents | Silverback Lodge

Low budget/basic accommodation: Buhoma local community Bandas

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15: Ruhija Mumbwindi Swamp

The 4 km trail to Mumwindi Swamp drops from 2,350m to 2,050m and is the best place for some of the most difficult to find of all Rift endemics including Graucer, African green , Broadbill Regal Sunbird and Arcers Robin Chart.

Mumwindi Swamp at an elevation of 2,050/6,725 ft holds dwarf honey guide, stripe breasted tit, Strange weaver, Black headed waxbill, Bartailed trogon, white headed Woodhoope, wallers and Stuhlmanns starling and the Handsome froncolin, Montana nightjar.

High end/luxurious accommodation: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp | Bwindi Resort | Volcanoes

Medium class accommodation: Buhoma Lodge | Engagi Lodge | Lake Kitandara Tents | Silverback Lodge

Low budget/basic accommodation: Buhoma local community Bandas

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 16: Bwindi - Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is a very special place every part of it is alive with a variety of interest and colour. The park contains an extensive area of wetland. The park harbours several species of mammals including zebras, Impala, elands, topi and buffaloes.

The bird population include, Gree backed woodpecker, Yellow billed oxpecker and Northen brown throated weaver.

High class accommodation: Mhingo Safari Lodge | Acadia Cottages | Mantana Tented Camp

Budget end accommodation: Rwonyo Rest Camp and Bandas | Mburo Tents

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 17: Mburo Kampala

Begin your day with an early morning cup of African tea followed by morning bush walk, return to Kampala/Entebbe via Crocodile Farm with a picnic lunch.

High end/luxurious accommodation: Serena Kampala Hotel | Sheraton Hotel | Emin Pasha Hotel | Imperial

Low budget/basic accommodation: Hotel Africana | Cassia Lodge | Capitol Palace Hotel | Imperial Royale Hotel | Metropole Hotel Kampala | Holiday Express Hotel | Namirembe Guest House | Makerere Guest House | Red Chili Hideaway

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 18: Kampala - Mabira Forest

Whole day birding Mabira.

Lying astride highway to Eastern Uganda less than an hours’ drive from Kampala Mabira Forest supports over 300 bird species, many of which are difficult to see elsewhere in Uganda. An excellent trail network allows access.

Flowering trees are inviting to the sunbirds like the superb sunbirds, Blue Throated Brown, Green Throated and Olive bellied. Other forest species include Forest Robin, Grey crowned Nerofinch, African Blue Flycatcher and Speckle breasted Woodpecker.

Return to Kampala for dinner and overnight stay.

High end/luxurious accommodation: Serena Kampala Hotel | Sheraton Hotel | Emin Pasha Hotel

Low budget/basic accommodation: Hotel Africana | Cassia Lodge | Capitol Palace Hotel | Metropole Hotel Kampala | Holiday Express Hotel | Namirembe Guest House | Makerere Guest House | Red Chili Hideaway

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 19: Kampala Birding - Departure

Half day birding around Kampala.

Uganda’s large and modern capital lies on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Its well wooded outskirts offers greater opportunities supporting a wide variety of birds. In fact, the city of Kampala may provide your best chance of seeing certain species such as Bat Hawk and African Hobby. Both breed regularly in tall trees in the urban area and are commonly observed overhead at  dusk in the city centre for example around Makerere University and the Sheraton Hotel.

Another good spot for these spectacular birds is near Backpackers Hostel, African Hobby has rested in the campsite and Bat Hawk is regularly seen nearby. Take the second left after the turn off to the Backpackers Hostel on the Road to Natete and walk down the road to the last big house at the end. A Bat Hawk often perches in the massive tree here at dust.

After your afternoon lunch prepare to drive to the airport for your evening flight back home.

Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch

Paraa Safari Lodge

Paraa Safari Lodge is situated on the bank of the the Nile River opposite the launch jetty.

Architecturally, the lodge falls in the category of a 'hotel in bush' type of lodges - a double storey monolith that in most respects wouldn't look out of place on a beach or in a city - but the extensive use of natural materials and African interior decor give it a definite organic feel. The large and luxurious decorated rooms all have private balconies facing the river, walk-in mosquito netting and a specious bath or shower.

The three-course meals cost about $15 and have a strong international flavour, plus a daily choice for vegetarians, and there is also a good, inexpensive snack menu for a casual passer-by.

The grounds are dominated by a curvaceous swimming pool, reportedly the largest in the country, and offer a good view of the Nile.

Logistically, it is the most conveniently located of the upmarket lodges for game drives in the north and the launch trip to the base of Murchison Falls.

The rooms are big and beautiful, and bathroom amenities are great, lobby/lounge is large with a marvelous welcoming atmosphere. The front desk folks make you feel immediately welcome.

The lodge is located on a slightly elevated point alongside the Nile and affords a great view of the river. Accommodation is either in tents or rooms, we stayed in the rooms and they are fairly well laid out.

Red Chilli Rest Camp

Red Chilli Rest Camp is a budget campsite which is situated inside Murchison Falls National Park, on the south-bank of the river. The camp is suitable for the budget travellers.

Red Chilli Rest Camp is just 500 metres from the Paraa ferry, where all vehicles cross the Nile for game drives around the Nile Delta, and where boats can be hired for game viewing.

Red Chilli Rest Camp, overlooking the Nile in the heart of Murchison Falls National Park, offers great value camping and accommodation in safari tents and bandas amid some spectacular scenery.

Ndali Lodge

No words can fully do the location justice as it needs to be seen to be believed.Yes,it is that visually stunning. It is without a doubt one of Africa's most beautiful locations. It is also close to the Kibale National Park making it ideal for chimp trekking.

Ndali Lodge is set stunningly amidst the Bunyaruguru crater lake region of Western Uganda, 24 kilometres south of Fort Portal lies at the centre of 1000 acres of privately owned fertile farmland still cultivated in a traditional style.

There are eight cottages provided for travelers with hot and cold water and beautiful views before you. Ndali Lodge cottages are tastefully furnished, once again showing that Ndali Lodge is one of the premier accommodations around Kibale Forest. The cottages were built with local stones and thatch giving them a most welcoming appearance after a long drive here or day in the KIbale Rainforest. Each cottage has a private verandah that allows you beautiful views of the Mountains of the Moon and Lake Nyiambuga.

At night the dining room is festooned with candles - the lodge has no electricity or generators to destroy the tranquility and atmosphere although there are solar lights in the cottages. The sitting room, reception and dining room open out onto Lake Nyinambuga and are connected by two open passageways or breezeways: fruit bats, owls and frogs like to use them as a highway to the crater lake. Breakfast is on the verandah overlooking the lake: freshly squeezed passion fruit juice (from Ndali's vines when in season) and homemade bread with wild honey go down well with a full English breakfast.

Primate Lodge

Primate Lodge Kibale is located at the Kanyanchu Visitors Centre in Kibale Forest National Park. From Fort Portal follow the road to Kamwenge for 36 kms and branch off at the sign post directing to Primate Lodge Kibale.

Primate Lodge Safari Tents are self contained with lovely bathrooms at the rear of the tents - it fits almost seamlessly. The rooms are raised tents with porches overlooking the forest all located on a circular trail that runs behind the dining/reception area and bar. The rooms are fine - comfortable and spacious, you can get a good night's rest and wake up somewhere totally wild to the chorus of birds and monkeys!

Chimps Nest

Chimps Nest Kibale is situated near Nyabubale, a small village between Nkingo and Bigodi. It's only a 15-minute drive from Kanyanchu, the starting point of UWA chimp-tracking and other activities in Kibale Forest. Chimps' Nest also borders the Bigodi Swamps.

Visitors can choose cottages, family cottage, tree house inside the forest, backpacker rooms, or our campsite.

Backpackers and campers have sufficient access to flushing toilets, washbasins and warm showers.

The beautifully finished cottage with its space and fantastic open bathroom or the adventurous tree house inside the rainforest with monkeys at eye-level. Both have a great though totally different setting.

Chimps Nest Kibale cottages are all situated on a hill facing the forest and the Rwenzori mountains (that we missed to see because the sky was not clear).

The treehouse is about 50 feet up high in the middle of the rain forest. It also has a bathroom with hot water (!) and flush toilet.

Mweya Safari Lodge

Mweya Safari Lodge is fabulously located on a peninsula within the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park overlooking the Kazinga Channel and surrounded by the magical, three spiked otherworldly Rwenzori Mountains aptly described as the ‘mountains of the moon’.

The location provides stunning views from most if not all rooms, as well as the bar, lunch area and pool. Relaxing in the middle of the day by the pool and seeing elephant, buffalo, hippos and crocodiles around the Kazinga Channel was a highlight. Staying here, you are also minutes away from the launch point for the Kazinga Channel boat rides, which are a real highlight of Queen Elizabeth National Park (get to the boat early and sit on the left to be sure of the best views)

The lodge consists of 50 rooms (standard, deluxe and presidential) and also consists of a pool, bar and dining area, outdoor lounge as well as a conferencing facility.

The rooms have a nice view of the Queen Elizabeth National Park and during the mornings it is easy to shoot wonderful pictures.

The ‘safari luxurious’ interior décor meets colonial design with much of the original infrastructure having been carefully preserved. The spa at Mweya provides massages and other body treatments. A complete gym and steam room is also available.

Jacana Lodge

Jacana Lodge is fabulously along the edge of the largest crater lake in Uganda, Lake Nyamunsingira in the centre of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

It's a fifteen minute drive from the main road, but the scenery is nice. The lodge is on a beautiful lake in the forest. Many monkeys, some hippo-sounds at night.

When travelling with kids this place is a good choice.  

Nice pool, restaurant with atmosphere ( there is a huge fireplace to have your aperitif) and the rooms/houses are spacious enough. Certainly they have the best shower in east-Africa. Hot and powerful. If you want to have a great, relaxing retreat in the Queen Elizabeth NP this certainly one of those places to be.

Breakfast is served out on the lake shore, a magical and  wonderful way to experience the tranquility that surrounds Jacana Safari Lodge. The morning wake up call with freshly brewed coffee makes waking up all at much easier.

The Lodge has 10 luxury en-suite chalets, and a family cottage. The rooms are spacious and well designed to provide maximum comfort, including an enclosed verandah with large panoramic windows offering picture-perfect views of Lake Nyamusingire.

The lower deck together with the Sundowner Bar hangs over Lake Nyamusingire’s edge and leads to the jetty nestled on the water’s edge and the Captain’s Table, a floating pontoon for meals and exploration of the Lake.

Simba Safari Camp

Simba Safari Camp is situated at the border of Queen Elizabeth National Park, only 2 km from the equator. It is the closest accommodation for Kasenyi game drives with high chance of spotting lions.

The rooms are modest, but very clean and comfortable. Beds were very comfortable. Each room has a private front porch and lovely landscaping featuring some of Africa's finest flowers.

Buhoma Lodge

Buhoma Lodge commands spectacular and uninterrupted views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park home to the rare and elusive Mountain Gorilla.

Probably the most incredible place you can stay for your gorilla trek tour in Bwindi!

All of the rooms (as well as the lounge/bar/restaurant area) have porches with great views over the swirling mist of the thick forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The rooms are extremely spacious with a king size beds, complete with mosquito net, an adjoining lounge with a fire that the staff lit each evening while we were eating (it gets quite cold at night) and a nice bathroom with both a shower and a free-standing bathtub

All meals were really delicious, including the packed breakfasts and lunches that we took on the days we were gorilla tracking; dinner was four courses and was very welcome after a long day out with the gorillas. The staff are superb and it is the little touches that really make this place - free massages after gorilla tracking, good quality walking sticks to hike with (rather than having to hire them at the visitor centre), hot water bottles tucked under the covers each evening to keep out the cold...

Eight, comfortable cottages have been carefully built, each with its own private verandah, allowing wonderful views of the forest canopy of the National Park. Inside the spacious cottages you will find comfortable beds, a well appointed en suite bathroom with flushing toilet and a hot shower and also some rooms with bath tubs. An elevated lounge area, complete with bar and dining facilities, offers a cosy, comfortable environment, to discuss the day’s activities around the fireplaces which add atmosphere and warmth in the cool evenings.

As part of our commitment as an organization with a responsible tourism policy we have designed the lodge using sustainable local materials where possible, with the emphasis being on natural products, which has, in turn, given support to the local communities and businesses. Supplies are obtained, as far as possible from local sources and staff are also generally recruited locally and trained on site. The water supply is gravity fed and solar power is used for lighting with power points limited to a central area allocated for recharging cameras and videos.

Lake Kitandara Tented Camp

The camp is a great location in the centre of the village ext to the park gate in Buhoma side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the tents were in good order and immaculately clean. The unique camp welcomes you with the breath taking scenery of the forest.It's a home away from home, very quiet environment, you are only entertained by different melodies of birds. The atmosphere is very charming and friendly. If you are lucky you will get a surprise visit by the mountain gorillas!

The food is amazing and the staff were just brilliant so kind and caring and welcoming they really make this place memorable.

Silverback Lodge

The lodge is located just minutes from the gate to the National Park where the gorilla tracking starts, and has stunning views over the forest.

The food was good and plentiful. Buffet breakfast of cereal, fruit, eggs, bacon, grilled tomato etc.

The rooms are clean with functional mosquito nets and all have views over the forest with fantastic hot showers. There is also small gift shop in the lodge.

Includes

• Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
• Private safari 4WD fuelled safari vehicle
• Services of English speaking driver/guide
• Park and designated birding sites entrance fees
• Boat trips for birding
• Ferry crossing fees
• Game drives
• Chimp permits
• Gorilla permit fees
• Guided nature walks
• Birding Kampala
• Bush walk
• Applicable taxes

Excludes

• Airfares
• Visas
• Tips to local guides
• Porterage or laundry
• Personal insurance cover
• Soft or alcoholic drinks
• Items of a personal nature
• Any meals not indicated above
• Any tours not mentioned from the itinerary above