5-Day Uganda Birding & Avian Wilderness Safari

Embark on an early morning motorized wooden canoe expedition through the papyrus channels of Mabamba Swamp on Lake Victoria, world-renowned as the premier site to spot the prehistoric Shoebill Stork. Look out for papyrus endemics before continuing your scenic journey west toward the ancient canopies of Kibale Forest.

• 06:00 AM: Pick-up from Entebbe/Kampala and transfer to Mabamba Swamp
• 07:00–10:30 AM: Guided swamp canoe expedition targeting the Shoebill, Lesser Jacana, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue Swallow, and Malachite Kingfisher
• 11:00 AM: Transfer west toward Fort Portal with en-route lunch (approx. 5 hrs)
• 05:30 PM: Arrival in the Kibale Forest sector, check-in, and evening lodge birding

Enter Kibale Forest at dawn with specialist birding rangers to search for the elusive Green-breasted Pitta during its early morning display. Spend the afternoon exploring the community-protected Bigodi Wetland boardwalk, rich in canopy turacos, babblers, and primates.

• 05:30 AM: Early morning forest entry at Kanyanchu for the Green-breasted Pitta display
• 06:30–11:30 AM: Rainforest birding for African Broadbill, Afep Pigeon, Red-chested Owlet, Joyful Greenbul, and Black Bee-eater
• 12:30 PM: Lodge lunch and brief midday rest
• 02:30–05:30 PM: Guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for Great Blue Turaco, White-spotted Flufftail, and Yellow-spotted Barbet

Drive south past the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to over 600 confirmed bird species. Enjoy an afternoon savannah game and bird drive across the Kasenyi plains targeting large raptors, bustards, and plovers alongside big game herds.

• 07:30 AM: Leisurely birding drive south along the Rwenzori escarpment
• 11:30 AM: Arrival, check-in, and lunch overlooking the park savannahs
• 03:30–06:30 PM: Kasenyi plains birding drive for Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Palm-nut Vulture, Temminck’s Courser, and Senegal Lapwing

Start the morning with a deep woodland birding excursion into Maramagambo Forest, followed by a dedicated birding boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, offering exceptional close-range photography of shoreline waterbirds, skimmers, and storks.

• 06:30 AM: Morning bird walk along Maramagambo Forest edges for forest flycatchers, cuckoos, and bat cave viewpoints
• 12:00 PM: Lunch at the lodge
• 02:00–04:30 PM: Waterbird boat cruise along Kazinga Channel to spot African Skimmers, Pink-backed Pelicans, Saddle-billed Storks, and African Fish Eagles
• 05:00 PM: Sunset birding stop at the Katwe Salt Crater lakes for migratory waders and flamingos

Depart early toward Lake Mburo National Park to explore its distinct acacia woodland biomes for localized savannah species, followed by an afternoon transfer back across the Equator to Entebbe or Kampala.

• 06:30 AM: Morning departure toward Lake Mburo National Park
• 09:00–11:30 AM: Acacia scrub birding drive for Red-faced Barbet, Tabora Cisticola, Crested Francolin, and Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
• 12:30 PM: En-route lunch at the Uganda Equator monument with brief curio shopping
• 05:00–06:30 PM: Drop-off at Entebbe International Airport (EBB) or Kampala Hotel