16 Days Uganda Birding & Gorillas Circuit

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Botanical Gardens Birding

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport on your 16 Days Uganda Birding Safari, your birding guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in and some rest, you’ll visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens for your first birding session. This lush garden by Lake Victoria is a hotspot for both forest and lakeside birds. Look out for the Orange Weaver, Great Blue Turaco, and African Grey Parrot as well as the Palm-nut Vulture soaring above.

This relaxing introduction sets the pace for your birding circuit, allowing you to adjust after your flight while already ticking off some key species. Enjoy a welcome dinner and overnight stay at your lodge in Entebbe.

Day 2: Entebbe to Mabamba Swamp – Shoebill Search & Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Today, you’ll venture early to Mabamba Swamp, one of Uganda’s best birding sites and famous for the elusive Shoebill Stork. You’ll explore the papyrus channels by canoe, giving you excellent chances to spot this prehistoric-looking bird, alongside African Jacanas, Papyrus Gonoleks, and Malachite Kingfishers.

After your morning birding, continue your journey northwards to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda to see rhinos in the wild. Here, you can enjoy an afternoon birding walk, spotting species like the White-crested Turaco and Bruce’s Green Pigeon. Dinner and overnight at a lodge inside the sanctuary.

Day 3: Ziwa to Murchison Falls National Park – Top of the Falls Birding

Begin the day with an early rhino tracking on foot, an added bonus to your birding adventure. Afterward, drive to Murchison Falls National Park, birding en route. You’ll stop at the Top of the Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge. The rocky cliffs here are home to Rock Pratincoles, while Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters and Pied Kingfishers hover nearby.

Murchison Falls is a birding paradise with over 450 recorded species. Settle in at your lodge overlooking the Nile and prepare for an exciting day of game and bird watching.

Day 4: Game Drive & Birding on the Nile Delta

Your morning game drive in the park’s northern sector offers both mammals and birds. Expect to see Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, and Black-headed Lapwings alongside giraffes, elephants, and lions.

In the afternoon, you’ll cruise along the Victoria Nile to the delta, prime habitat for the Shoebill, Goliath Heron, and African Skimmers. This boat safari is a highlight for birders and nature lovers alike, offering great photography opportunities.

Day 5: Murchison Falls to Budongo Forest – Royal Mile Birding

Depart Murchison for Budongo Forest Reserve, home to the famous Royal Mile, one of Uganda’s premier birding trails. Spend the afternoon birding in this dense forest, searching for specialties like the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Nahan’s Francolin, and Yellow-footed Flycatcher.

The Royal Mile is also excellent for primate viewing, with Black-and-white Colobus, Red-tailed Monkeys, and chimpanzees often seen. Overnight at Budongo Eco Lodge or a nearby guesthouse.

Day 6: Full Day Birding in Royal Mile & Busingiro

Spend a full day birding the Royal Mile and nearby Busingiro sector. Key species to target include the Ituri Batis, Cassins Hawk Eagle, Puvell’s Illadopsis, and the rare Uganda Woodland Warbler. This is a must-visit site for any serious Uganda birding circuit.

With over 350 species recorded, Budongo is among the richest birding forests in East Africa. Break for lunch in the forest clearing, then continue birding until late afternoon before retiring to your lodge.

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale National Park – Birding En Route

Today’s drive takes you southwest to Kibale National Park, birding along the Albertine Rift escarpments. Look out for Black Bishop, Western Citril, and African Golden Oriole as you pass through farmlands and riverine habitats.

Upon arrival at Kibale, you’ll check into your lodge nestled near the rainforest. Late afternoon birding around the lodge may yield sightings of the Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo and Joyful Greenbul.

Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Birding

Start the morning with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale’s dense forest. While the focus is on tracking these lively primates, the trail is excellent for spotting forest birds such as the African Pitta, Green-breasted Pitta, and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird.

In the afternoon, explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run birding haven. Expect Papyrus Gonoleks, White-winged Warblers, and flocks of Grey-crowned Cranes. The swamp walk also offers a chance to see Sitatunga antelopes.

Day 9: Transfer to Semuliki National Park – Birding in Toro-Semliki

After breakfast, transfer to Semuliki National Park, famous for its Congo biome bird species found nowhere else in East Africa. Bird along the way, searching for species like Black-casqued Wattled Hornbills and Western Nicator.

In the afternoon, explore the Sempaya Hot Springs and surrounding forests. Semuliki’s specialties include the Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, White-crested Hornbill, and Hartlaub’s Duck. Overnight at a lodge near the park.

Day 10: Full Day Birding in Semuliki

Devote today to full-day birding along the Kirumia Trail in Semuliki’s lowland rainforest. Target species include Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Congo Serpent Eagle, and African Piculet. This park offers some of Uganda’s most sought-after rarities for hardcore birders.

Semuliki is also rich in butterflies and primates, making it a biodiverse hotspot worth exploring thoroughly. After a packed lunch in the forest, continue birding until evening before returning to your lodge.

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kazinga Channel

Drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a mosaic of savannah, wetlands, and crater lakes that boasts over 600 bird species—making it Uganda’s most diverse birding destination. En route, enjoy birding through the Rwenzori foothills.

In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, where you’ll spot African Skimmers, Great White Pelicans, Water Thick-knees, and Yellow-billed Storks. The riverbanks teem with hippos, crocodiles, and large buffalo herds.

Day 12: Game Drive & Maramagambo Forest Birding

Start the day with a game drive in the Kasenyi plains, keeping an eye out for Temminck’s Courser, Harlequin Quail, and Brown-chested Lapwing. The mix of birding and big game like lions and elephants makes this a memorable experience.

In the afternoon, head to Maramagambo Forest for forest birding. Look for Forest Flycatchers, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, and African Broadbill. The bat cave area may also yield Bat Hawks and Palm-nut Vultures.

Day 13: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Ishasha Birding

Drive through the Ishasha sector en route to Bwindi, famous for its tree-climbing lions but also rich in birdlife. Spot Compact Weavers, Grey Kestrels, and White-headed Barbet along the way.

Arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the crown jewel of Uganda birding and home to over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Settle into your lodge in preparation for gorilla trekking and forest birding.

Day 14: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Afternoon Birding

Today is the highlight of your trip: gorilla trekking in Bwindi. After an early briefing, hike through the dense rainforest to meet a habituated family of mountain gorillas. Spending an hour observing these majestic primates in their natural habitat is an unmatched wildlife experience.

In the afternoon, you’ll go birding along the Buhoma Waterfall Trail, targeting specialties like the African Green Broadbill, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, and Kivu Ground Thrush. Bwindi offers some of the best birding in Africa.

Day 15: Full Day Birding in Bwindi’s Ruhija Sector

Travel to Bwindi’s Ruhija sector, one of the top birding sites in Africa. Spend the day birding along the Mubwindi Swamp trail, targeting elusive species like the Grauer’s Rush Warbler, African Green Broadbill, and Shelley’s Crimsonwing.

This area is a must for anyone on a Uganda birding circuit, offering multiple Albertine Rift endemics and a serene forest environment teeming with bird calls. Return to your lodge for a final celebration dinner.

Day 16: End Of Your 16 Days Uganda Birding Safari

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Entebbe, passing through the beautiful Kigezi Highlands and making birding stops along papyrus swamps and forest patches. Depending on your flight schedule, you might have time for last-minute birding around Entebbe or souvenir shopping before your evening departure flight.

This marks the end of your incredible16 Days Uganda Birding Safari where you’ve explored Uganda’s best birding sites and walked alongside the gentle giants of Bwindi.