13 Days Idyllic Uganda Birding
Tour Description
The Great Uganda Birding Continuum is a thoughtfully paced 13 Days Idyllic Uganda Birding designed for serious birders seeking depth rather than haste. Beginning on the shores of Lake Victoria and unfolding north through wetlands, savannah, rivers, and ancient forests, the route mirrors Uganda’s ecological layers. Each destination builds naturally upon the last, allowing species lists to grow without exhaustion. With small groups of two to six, experienced guides, and a rhythm that favours early mornings and restorative afternoons, the program balances intensity with comfort. Flagship sites including Ziwa, Murchison Falls, Kibale, and Semuliki ensure maximum biome coverage and exceptional diversity, from wetland specialists to Congo Basin forest endemics.
Birding sessions emphasize quality encounters over forced marches, using established trails, open habitats, and water-based excursions to access key species. Highlights include Shoebill possibilities, Albertine Rift endemics, mixed forest flocks, and prolific river systems like the Nile and Kazinga Channel. Evenings are reserved for checklist reviews, reflection, and recovery, reinforcing the continuum’s sustainable pace. This is a journey for birders who value progression, context, and quiet moments where landscapes shift, forests deepen, and Uganda reveals herself gradually, species by species across seasons, habitats, and subtle transitions.
Tour Highlights
Ziwa Wetland Specialties
Shoebill chances and papyrus species.
Murchison River Systems
Delta birding and savannah raptors.
Nile Boat Birding
Skimmers kingfishers pelagic encounters.
Kibale Forest Canopies
Greenbuls turacos forest specialists.
Semuliki Lowland Forests
Congo Basin endemic species.
Queen Elizabeth Waterways
Channel cruises with prolific birds
Includes & Excludes
- All parks entry fees
- Conservations fees
- All transits
- All accommodations on full board (3meals per days)
- Government taxes
- Unlimited drinking water , Beer on jeep, Non- alcoholic drinks.
- International flights.
- Travel insurance.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Personal expenses.
- Anything not stated in the above itinerary or written as ‘optional’.
Tour Details
Day 1: Arrival By The Lake
Entebbe | Gentle Beginnings (Drive Time: 10–15 minutes)
Morning / Afternoon
- Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
- Private transfer to a lakeside hotel on Lake Victoria (Nalubaale)
- Light afternoon birding in hotel gardens and shoreline
Expect: Pied Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, Great Blue Turaco
Uganda introduces herself softly—on still water and long legs.
Overnight: Entebbe / Lake Victoria
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Wetlands Before The Road
Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (Drive Time: 3 hours)
06:00 – 10:30
- Early breakfast
- Transfer north with roadside birding stops
11:00 – 16:00
- Guided wetland birding at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Key Species: Shoebill (possibility), African Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, Papyrus Gonolek
Terrain: Flat, open, accessible
The checklist begins without effort.
Overnight: Ziwa area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Into The Nile System
Ziwa to Murchison Falls National Park (Drive Time: 4 hours)
Morning
- Dawn birding around Ziwa grasslands
- Transfer into Murchison Falls National Park
Afternoon
- Birding en route through savannah and riverine habitats
Expect: Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, raptors, bustards
The land widens. The species count accelerates.
Overnight: Murchison Falls NP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: River, Delta, Sky
Murchison Falls National Park
06:00 – 10:00
- Morning savannah birding drive
14:00 – 17:00
- Nile Delta boat cruise
Highlights: African Skimmer, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Shoebill (delta) kingfishers Here, the river teaches patience—and flight.
Overnight: Same lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Southward, Into Forest Country
Murchison → Kibale Forest Area (Drive: 6 hours (scenic)
Morning
- Final birding near the Nile
- Transfer south through changing vegetation zones
Late Afternoon
- Arrival in Fort Portal / Kibale region
- Lodge garden birding
Savannah yields to trees.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: The Forest Opens Its Doors
Kibale Forest National Park
06:00 – 11:00
- Guided forest birding on established trails
Targets: Green-breasted Pitta (seasonal), forest greenbuls, turacos
Afternoon
- Rest or optional chimpanzee trek
- The forest no longer overwhelms—it invites.
Overnight: Same lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Into The Congo Basin
Kibale to Semuliki National Park
Drive Time: 1-1.5 hours
Early Morning
- Transfer to Semuliki National Park
06:30 – 11:00
- Lowland forest birding
Late Afternoon
- Secondary birding session as temperatures drop
Targets: African Piculet, Yellow-throated Nicator, White-crested Hornbill.
The forest speaks differently here.
Overnight: Chimpundu lodge near Fort Portal & Semuliki area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Forest To Rift Valley
Chimpundu lodge, kibale forest → Queen Elizabeth National Park (Drive: 1.5hrs)
Morning
- Dawn birding in nearby habitats
Midday
- Scenic transfer through crater lakes and escarpments
- Forests fall away into open space.
Overnight: Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Water And Wings
Queen Elizabeth National Park
06:00 – 10:00
- Savannah birding game drive
14:00 – 17:00
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Highlights: African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork, pelicans, kingfishers
The body rests. The list grows.
Overnight: Same lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Ishasha & The Southern Reach
Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Foothills (Drive Time: 4–5 hours)
Morning
- Transfer through Ishasha sector
- En-route birding
Afternoon
- Arrival Bwindi foothills
Overnight: Bwindi eco-lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Albertine Endemics
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
06:00 – 11:00
- Intensive forest birding in Bwindi
Targets: Grauer’s Broadbill, Rwenzori Batis, Regal Sunbird.
Every step carries weight.
Overnight: Same lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Forest Depths & Mixed Flocks
Bwindi Continued
Morning
- Alternative trails and mixed-species flocks
Afternoon
- Optional Batwa cultural experience
Birds and people share ancient ground.
Overnight: Same lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Return To The Lake
Bwindi → Entebbe / Lake Victoria (Drive Time: 7–8 hours)
Morning
- Departure with en-route birding and lunch
Evening
- Arrival Lake Victoria
Checklists complete. Echoes remain.
Overnight: Entebbe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Day 14 Extension
Option A – Lake Mburo National Park
Birding: Acacia woodland, wetlands
Species: Red-faced Barbet, African Finfoot, Go-away-bird
The circuit exhales.
Option B – Source Of The Nile By Water
Entebbe → Jinja via Lake Victoria
- Private boat birding on the upper Nile
- African Skimmer, Fish Eagle, river specialists
The journey ends where another river begins.
Indicative Costing (Usd Per Person, Sharing)
| Cost Component | Budget | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation & Meals (12 Nights) | 3,200 | 4,585 | 6,545 |
| Transport (4×4, Fuel, Driver) | 850 | 1,050 | 2,200 |
| Specialist Birding Guide | 500 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Park Fees, Activities, Levies & Conservation Fees | 500 | 580 | 750 |
| Estimated Total | 5,050 | 6,915 | 10,495 |
Optional Add-Ons (Per Person | Usd)
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Single Room Supplement | +1,350 |
| Domestic Flight (Murchison → Kibale / Kibale → Bwindi) | +300 per route |
| Extra Birding Day (Bwindi or Semuliki) | +100 |
| Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi | +800 |
| Chimpanzee Trek – Kibale | +250 |
| Batwa Cultural Experience | +40 |
| Bigodi Wetlands Community Birding | +1000 |
Tour Map
Book Your Tour Now
Discover East Africa’s Iconic Birding Safaris
Discover East Africa’s iconic birding safaris, exploring diverse habitats, spotting rare endemics and migratory birds, guided by experts for unforgettable wildlife and birdwatching experiences.
Safari Itinerary
Tour Gallery
Browse our tour gallery showcasing stunning wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and memorable safari moments, giving a glimpse into the extraordinary experiences awaiting your African adventure.
Hear what our past guests have to say
