Welcome to Uganda, one of Africa’s most rewarding birding destinations and home to more than 1,090 recorded bird species. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your private Deluxe Vacations Uganda guide and transferred to The Boma Hotel, a character-filled boutique property conveniently located near the shores of Lake Victoria. Depending on your arrival time, there may be an opportunity for relaxed introductory birding around the hotel gardens and nearby lakeshore habitats, where species such as Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Orange Weaver, and African Fish Eagle are often encountered. This evening provides time to unwind after your journey while receiving a briefing on the exciting birding adventure ahead.
The Boma Hotel Entebbe | Meal Plan: B
Your birding safari begins with an early departure to Mabamba Swamp, Uganda’s most celebrated birding site and one of Africa’s best locations for observing the remarkable Shoebill. Exploring the papyrus channels by traditional canoe offers a fascinating introduction to Uganda’s wetland ecosystems while searching for this iconic species, whose prehistoric appearance and elusive nature make it a highlight for birders from around the world. The extensive marshes are also home to an impressive variety of wetland specialists, including Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, and numerous herons and egrets. After lunch, continue north through Uganda’s countryside to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the country’s only protected area where wild rhinos roam freely. A guided rhino tracking experience on foot offers an exciting contrast to the morning’s birding before settling into the peaceful surroundings of the sanctuary for the night.
Ziwa Rhino Ranch | Meal Plan: B,L,D
The diverse mosaic of grassland, woodland, and wetland habitats within Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary supports a rich birdlife and provides another rewarding morning in the field. The sanctuary is one of Uganda’s most reliable locations for several sought-after species, and an early start offers excellent opportunities to continue building an impressive bird list while enjoying the tranquillity of the reserve before other visitors arrive. In addition to another chance of locating the Shoebill, birders may encounter African Wattled Lapwing, Double-toothed Barbet, Piapiac, Black-bellied Bustard, and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill among many others. After a leisurely lunch, continue to the historic town of Masindi, once an important administrative centre during the colonial era and today a convenient gateway to the forests and wildlife areas of northwestern Uganda.
Masindi Hotel | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Today is dedicated to Budongo Forest, one of East Africa’s most important rainforest birding destinations and a highlight for many experienced birders visiting Uganda. The renowned Royal Mile and Busingiro sectors offer exceptional forest birding within mature mahogany woodland that supports an impressive concentration of Guinea-Congo biome species. As you walk quietly beneath the towering forest canopy, your guide will search for some of Budongo’s most desirable birds, including Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, White-thighed Hornbill, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Forest Robin, Ituri Batis, Puvel’s Illadopsis, and the elusive Nahan’s Francolin. Beyond the remarkable birdlife, Budongo is simply a beautiful forest to explore, with towering trees, colourful butterflies, and occasional primate sightings adding to the experience. Later in the afternoon, continue to Murchison Falls National Park where the landscape gradually transitions from rainforest to open savannah and riverine habitats.
Bamboo Village Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Murchison Falls National Park offers one of the most diverse birding environments in Uganda, combining expansive savannah, Borassus palm woodland, riverine forest, wetlands, and the mighty Nile River. The day begins with an early game drive across the northern plains where both wildlife and birdlife are abundant. The park supports numerous savannah specialists, including Secretary Bird, Denham’s Bustard, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-headed Lapwing, and a variety of raptors. Later, a cruise through the Nile Delta provides one of Uganda’s finest birding experiences as the river widens into extensive wetlands that attract an exceptional concentration of waterbirds. The possibility of encountering the Shoebill adds further excitement to the excursion, while Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, African Fish Eagle, and African Skimmer are among the many species regularly observed. An evening game drive completes a rewarding day in one of East Africa’s most celebrated national parks.
Bamboo Village Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Before departing Murchison Falls National Park, visit the dramatic Top of the Falls where the Nile squeezes through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging into the river below. The viewpoints provide exceptional photographic opportunities and a chance to appreciate the immense power of the world’s longest river. Afterward, begin the scenic journey south toward Kibale Forest National Park, passing through changing landscapes that showcase Uganda’s remarkable geographical diversity. Upon arrival, enjoy birding in and around Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed conservation area that has earned an international reputation for its rich biodiversity. The wetland’s combination of swamp, grassland, and forest-edge habitats supports an impressive range of species and provides an excellent introduction to the birdlife of western Uganda.
Chimpanzee Capital Safari Lodge| Meal Plan: B,L,D
Kibale Forest National Park is widely regarded as one of Uganda’s finest rainforest birding destinations, with more than 375 recorded species occupying its extensive tracts of tropical forest. A full day is devoted to exploring this remarkable ecosystem, where dense vegetation, towering trees, and a rich diversity of habitats support an outstanding variety of birdlife. The forest is particularly renowned among birders for species such as Green-breasted Pitta, Black Bee-eater, Blue-headed Sunbird, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Brown-eared Woodpecker, and numerous forest specialists that are often difficult to locate elsewhere. Kibale is also famous for its primate populations, and encounters with monkeys and other wildlife frequently add to the experience. Throughout the day, your guide will carefully interpret the forest’s ecology while helping maximise opportunities for rewarding sightings.
Chimpanzee Capital Safari Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Today’s journey takes you to Semuliki National Park, one of Uganda’s most distinctive birding destinations and the country’s strongest representation of the Congo Basin ecosystem. Situated within the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, Semuliki protects a unique lowland forest environment that supports numerous species rarely encountered elsewhere in East Africa. Birding here can be particularly rewarding for those seeking specialised forest birds, and the diversity of species reflects the park’s strong ecological connection to the forests of Central Africa. Following your birding activities, continue south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where dramatically different landscapes await, including open savannah, crater lakes, wetlands, and the famous Kazinga Channel.
Elephant Hab Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Africa’s most biodiverse protected areas and offers exceptional opportunities for both birding and wildlife viewing. The day begins with birding across the Kasenyi Plains, where open grassland habitats attract a variety of raptors, lapwings, storks, and other savannah species. Beyond its impressive birdlife, the area is also known for its concentrations of wildlife, creating an enjoyable combination of birding and classic safari experiences. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway linking Lakes Edward and George. This remarkable channel supports one of the highest concentrations of waterbirds in East Africa, while hippos, buffaloes, elephants, and numerous other animals gather along its shores. The combination of scenery, wildlife, and birdlife makes this one of the highlights of the entire safari.
Elephant Hab Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
This morning, travel through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a region known for its picturesque fig trees, open plains, and famous tree-climbing lions. The drive provides further opportunities for birding as the landscape gradually transitions toward the forested highlands of southwestern Uganda. Arriving in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will immediately notice the dramatic change in environment as mist-covered mountains and ancient rainforest create one of Africa’s most spectacular natural settings. Birding around the lodge grounds and nearby forest edge often produces rewarding sightings and serves as an introduction to the Albertine Rift, one of the continent’s most important centres of avian endemism.
Mahogany Springs Lodge | Meal Plan: B,L,D
This morning is devoted to birding along Bwindi’s famous Waterfall Trail, one of the park’s most productive birding routes and an excellent location for many Albertine Rift endemics. The trail passes through dense montane forest, offering opportunities to search for species that attract birders from around the world. As the trail descends through the forest toward a picturesque waterfall, the diversity of habitats creates excellent birding opportunities while also showcasing the extraordinary beauty of Bwindi itself. Later, continue to the Ruhija sector, widely recognised as one of the finest birding locations anywhere in Africa.
Gorilla Mist Camp | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Ruhija represents the heart of Uganda’s Albertine Rift birding experience and is home to many of the region’s most sought-after endemic species. A full day is dedicated to exploring the area’s forest trails and the renowned Mubwindi Swamp, a location that regularly features on the itineraries of serious international birders. The combination of montane forest, bamboo zones, and wetland habitats creates ideal conditions for a remarkable diversity of species. Among the most sought-after are African Green Broadbill, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Regal Sunbird, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Batis, and Stripe-breasted Tit. Birding here is often both challenging and immensely rewarding, with every section of trail offering the possibility of exciting discoveries.
Gorilla Mist Camp | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Enjoy a final morning exploring the bird-rich forests of Ruhija before descending through the scenic highlands of southwestern Uganda to Lake Bunyonyi. Often regarded as Uganda’s most beautiful lake, Bunyonyi is surrounded by terraced hillsides and dotted with numerous islands that create a peaceful and picturesque setting. The change of scenery provides a welcome contrast after several days of forest birding, while the lake itself supports a variety of waterbirds and highland species. The afternoon is spent relaxing and enjoying the tranquillity of the lake, with opportunities for gentle birding around the property and along the shoreline.
Birdnest Resort Bunyonyi | Meal Plan: B,L,D
Begin the day with a leisurely boat excursion on Lake Bunyonyi, exploring some of the lake’s islands while enjoying the magnificent scenery that has made the area one of Uganda’s most loved destinations. Birding opportunities continue throughout the morning before departing for Lake Mburo National Park. Arriving in the afternoon, enjoy an introductory game drive through the park’s acacia-dotted landscapes. Lake Mburo offers a completely different ecosystem from the forests and mountains visited earlier in the safari and is particularly valued for species that are difficult to find elsewhere in Uganda.
Kigambira Safari Lodge. Meal Plan: B,L,D
Lake Mburo National Park provides a fitting finale to Uganda’s premier birding circuit. The park’s combination of acacia woodland, open grassland, lakes, and papyrus swamps supports a distinctive bird community that complements the species encountered throughout the rest of the journey. Guided nature walks, lakeside birding, and a boat cruise allow for comprehensive exploration of the park’s diverse habitats. Species such as African Finfoot, Red-faced Barbet, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Brown-chested Lapwing, Coqui Francolin, and numerous raptors are among the highlights that attract birders to this special corner of Uganda. Combined with excellent wildlife viewing and the comfort of one of Uganda’s finest lodges, the experience provides a memorable conclusion to the safari.
Kigambira Safari Lodge. Meal Plan: B,L,D
