Affordable Birding Tour Uganda
20 Days Affordable Birding Tour Uganda
This 20 Days Affordable Birding Tour Uganda targeting the greatest birding spots that have the highest diversity of bird life and Important bird life, bird Areas and one of the most important conservation units in the world. If you were to choose THE best birding trip, this must surely be one of the candidates for the winner. The beauty of this trip is the variety of habitats visited ranging from tropical rainforests, savanna grasslands to wetlands that are home to rare Shoebill Stork! The jungles of Bwindi not only host birds but also the rare mountain gorillas and many other primates species.
20 Days Affordable Birding Tour Uganda Highlights
Day 1; Transfer to Mabira Birding and Nature waiks in Forest.
Day 2: Full Day Nature Walk in the Forest. Picnic lunch in the forest.
Day 3: Leave Mabira Forest for Busingiro to Budongo forest reserve in Masindi.
Day 4: Full day Bird watching in Budongo Forest.
Day 5: Transfer to Kaniyo Pabidi, for chimpanzee tracking. Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
Day 6: Birding in Murchison Falls National Park. Boat cruise on the Nile to the bottom of the falls.
Day 7: More Excellent Bird watching experience.
Day 8: Transfer to Albert Rift Valley Escarpments. Bird along Lake Albert and the escarpments of the Albert rift valley.
Day 9: Connect to Kibale Forest home to 13 Primates and 350 Birds species. Go birding at the entrance of the forest in the late afternoon.
Day 10: Excellent Guided Birding Tour in Kibale Forest, Bigodi wetland sanctuary and Magombe swamp.
Day 11: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 12: Game drives and birding along Lake Kikorongo and the Kasenyi track.
Day 13: Connect to Bwindi Forest with enroute game drives via the Ishasha.
Day 14: Birding Excursion in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest following the waterfall trail.
Day 15: Birding along the Mubwindi Swamp.
Day 16: Mubwindi Swamp and Ruhija.
Day 17: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, home to Acacia – associated bird species.
Day 18: Bird watching excursions along the lake side track and Kigambira loop towards Kampala.
Day 19: Bird watching in Entebbe, Lake Vicitoria Shores, Botanical Gardens Entebbe.
Day 20: Transfer to the Airport for your departure flight
20 Days Birding Tour Uganda Details
Day 1 of 20 Days Affordable Birding Tour Uganda; Mabira Forest
Early in the morning after breakfast you will be picked from the hotel by Ikiya Primate safari tour guide to head towards eastern Uganda. Travel through Mabira forest via Jinja road for a forest walk in search for birds. The forest ranks as one of the top ornithological sites in Uganda with over 300 species recorded with birds like the Great Blue Turaco, African Pitta, and Nathan’s Francolin, African Grey parrot, Hornbill species and a variety of sunbirds. The forest is one of the two places in East Africa where the pretty Tit hylia has been recorded and this rare bird is seen here with surprising regularity. Have a picnic lunch in the forest. Take dinner and spend the night at Mabira forest Lodge
Day 2 of 20 Days Birding Tour Uganda, Nature Walk in the Forest
In the morning after breakfast go for a full day walk through the forest to search for more and new birds that you did not spot the previous day. Have a picnic lunch in the forest and then proceed with birding. This birding offers you an opportunity to see animals like monkeys and antelopes. Retire from birding for dinner and over night at Mabira forest lodge
Day 3: Mabira Forest – Budongo Forest
After breakfast, early in the morning, drive west through Busingiro to Budongo forest reserve in Masindi. The journey offers you a panoramic view of sugarcane plantations, lush vegetation and traditional homesteads. Budongo forest also has a grand ornithological significance with over 366 bird species recorded. You will reach late in the evening. Take dinner and spend night at Nyabyeya Forestry College
Day 4 of 20 Days Affordable Birding Tour Uganda, Full day Bird watching in Budongo Forest
Very early in the morning after breakfast go for a full day birding in the forest to begin with the Royal mile area of the forest. There’s no better place for you to view birdlife like the Royal mile which is referred to as the country’s premier forest birding locality that harbors a number of species of which some include, Banded Snake eagle, crowned and African pied hornbill, and Bat hawk seen at dusk, the chocolate backed blue breasted and African dwarf kingfisher, white-tithed hornbills, yellow-billed barbets, western black –headed Oriole and purple-headed starling, Green buls such as Cameroon sombe. You will have picnic lunch in the forest as you bird. Have dinner and over night at Nyabyeya Forestry College
Day 5 of 20 Days Affordable Birding Tour Uganda, Transfer to Kaniyo Pabidi – Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast drive to the Kaniyo Pabidi sector of the forest for more birding. This area also offers an opportunity to see chimpanzees, as you proceed to Murchison Falls NP. In this area of the forest you should watch out for birds like Puvel’s Illadopsis, a bird that has been recently discovered, rare green breasted Pitta, African wood and African scops owls en route. You will drive towards the top of the falls as where the Nile perfects its beauty.- here the wide, languid Nile is transformed into an explosive foam of thunderous wide water as it funnels through a narrow cleft in the Rift valley escarpment offering the most inspiring sight of its type in east Africa. Here you will be able to see birds like the Red-winged grey warbler, chest-nut crowned and Pel’s fishing Owl. You will then be transferred on the Ferry to Paraa Safari Lodge/ R Nile Safari Lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Day 6 of 20 Days Affordable Birding Tour Uganda; Murchison Falls Birding Excursion
Early in the morning after breakfast go for a boat cruise on the Nile to the bottom of the falls. It takes off at 9:00 am and it is advisable to sit on the left side of the boat because it offers a good view of the birds and the other animals since most of them bank on the left side. Animals to be seen include crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes and others. These are surrounded by birds like Goliath heron, African Darter weavers, Fulvous Ducks, Egyptian geese, African skimmer and pied King fishers. After lunch embark on birding around the hotel. Dinner and spend the night at Paraa Safari Lodge/ Red Chili Camp/ Nile Safari Lodge.
Day 7 of 20 Days Affordable Birding Tour Uganda, More Excellent Bird watching experience
Early in the morning after breakfast you will be transferred to the northern circuit for a game drive through the whistling thorn acacia where you will see birds like speckle-fronted weaver. Then proceed across the airstrip and the Victoria Nile track that leads down the edge of the Victoria Nile delta. On reaching the Nile, scan the papyrus edges for the resident shoebills, blue breasted bee-eater and swamp flycatchers. You will then head towards the Albert Nile track to watch out for black scimitarbill(black woodhoopoe) and white billed barbet. Descend to Paraa safari lodge / Red Chili Camp/ Nile Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Transfer to Albert Rift Valley Escarpments
After breakfast, with packed lunch drive towards Masindi to bird on Lake Albert and the escarpments of the Albert rift valley. You then have dinner and overnight at Masindi Hotel/ Court view hotel
Day 9: Connect to Kibale Forest; Home to 13 Primates and 350 Birds species
Take a cup of tea then head to Kibale forest national park and reach in the early afternoon. Go birding at the entrance of the forest in the late afternoon. Have dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge/ Crater Valley Hotel/ Primates Lodge.
Day 10 of 20 Days Birding Tour Uganda; Excellent Birding Tour in Kibale Forest
In the morning, after breakfast, go for guided birding in the Kayankyu area where you will watch out for birds like the African Goshawk, the majestic crowned eagle, masked apalis, grey parrots and many more. Take a picnic lunch in the forest and in the afternoon head to the Bigodi wetland sanctuary through the Magombe swamp to see birds such as papyrus Gonolek, papyrus canary, mosque swallow and brown headed Tchagra. Have dinner and overnight at Ndali lodge/ Kayankyu/ Crater Valley Hotel/ Primates Lodge.
Day 11: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early in the morning head to Queen Elizabeth National park through the Magombe swamp to bird enroute. After your lunch at the lodge, go for an afternoon birding in the crater area and Mweya peninsula to look out for wide spread grassland species such as Marsh Tshagra, croaking Cisticola, migrant harriers such as Pallid and montagu’s and many others. Take dinner and overnight at Mweya safari lodge/ Hippo Hill/ Jacana Safari Lodge.
Day 12 of 20 Days Birding Tour Uganda; Game drive
After breakfast drive towards Lake Kikorongo and the Kasenyi track for more birding in the park. Watch out for birds like Common Squacco Heron, Glossy and sacred Ibises in the Kikorongo Area. The Kasenyi track has much to offer for birders. It passes through grass plains which support large numbers of stork in seasons as well as raptors such as brown snaked eagle and martial eagle. Retire for lunch and in the afternoon embark on a launch cruise on the Kazinga channel to watch out for both resident and non resident species such as the African morning dove and Eurasian Honey buzzard respectively. The birds surround animal species such as hippopotami and buffaloes. Dinner and spend the night at Mweya Safari Lodge/ Hippo Hill/ Jacana Safari Lodge.
Day 14: Waterfall Trail Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After an early breakfast, venture into the dense rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a guided birding excursion along the scenic Waterfall Trail. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Africa’s premier birding destinations, especially renowned for its Albertine Rift endemics. As you hike through lush vegetation, listen for the calls of the Kivu ground thrush, white-bellied robin-chat, and slender-billed starling. The trail also offers opportunities to spot forest mammals, butterflies, and breathtaking waterfalls hidden within the jungle. In the afternoon, continue birdwatching along the main forest track as you descend back to camp. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Resort, Gorilla Forest Camp, or Buhoma Rest Camp.
Day 15: Mubwindi Swamp Short Trail Birding Experience
Today, explore the famous Mubwindi Swamp via the short trail—one of Uganda’s top birdwatching hotspots. This high-altitude forest habitat is ideal for spotting rare and elusive species such as the African green broadbill, Montane oriole, and several colorful turacos. Return for dinner and overnight at the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC).
Day 16: Mubwindi Swamp Long Trail and Rihija Birding
Set out on the longer Mubwindi Swamp trail for a deeper birding adventure in Bwindi’s pristine montane forest. In the afternoon, continue birding around the Rihija area, known for its exceptional biodiversity. Dinner and overnight at ITFC
Day 17: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – Scenic Birding En Route
After breakfast, depart for Lake Mburo National Park, enjoying a scenic drive through the rolling hills of southwestern Uganda toward Kabale. Arrive in the afternoon and begin birding along the entrance road to Rwonyo, one of the park’s prime wildlife and birdwatching areas. This savannah park is known for its acacia woodlands, wetlands, and open grasslands that attract a wide variety of species. Look out for acacia-associated birds such as the mosque swallow, black-bellied bustard, and Rüppell’s long-tailed starling, among many others. Lake Mburo is also home to zebras, impalas, elands, and buffalo, offering excellent photographic opportunities. Dinner and overnight at Rwonyo Rest Camp, Mantana Tented Camp, or Arcadia Cottages.
Day 18: Bird Watching in Lake Mburo – Transfer to Kampala
Begin the day with a rewarding birdwatching excursion along the lakeside track and Kigambira Loop. This area provides excellent sightings of species such as the green-capped eremomela, black cuckoo-shrike, African hawk-eagle, and the impressive bateleur eagle. After your morning birding safari, transfer to Kampala, Uganda’s vibrant capital city. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight at Hotel Africana, Sheraton Hotel, or Cassia Lodge.
Day 19: Birding in Entebbe – Lake Victoria Shores
Early in the morning, proceed to Entebbe for birdwatching at the renowned Entebbe Botanical Gardens along the shores of Lake Victoria. This lush habitat is ideal for spotting species such as Vieillot’s black weaver, golden-backed weaver, black-headed gonolek, red-chested sunbird, and even Verreaux’s eagle. Enjoy a picnic lunch before dinner and overnight at Botanical Beach Hotel or Imperial Resort Beach.
Day 20: Departure – Transfer to Entebbe International Airport
Enjoy your final morning in Uganda with a cup of freshly brewed Ugandan tea before transferring to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight.
End of your unforgettable Uganda birding safari adventure
20 Days Birding Includes and Excludes
Includes;
Excludes;
Laundry
alcoholic Drinks
Insurance
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