12-day Uganda Birding And Gorilla Safari Adventure
About this tour
Uganda is a paradise for wildlife and birding enthusiasts, home to over 1,070 bird species and some of Africa’s most diverse ecosystems. This 12-day safari with Nandi Adventures takes you on an unforgettable journey through the country’s most breathtaking landscapes, offering incredible encounters with rare birds, iconic primates, and abundant wildlife. Your adventure begins at Mabamba Wetlands, where you’ll glide through tranquil waters in search of the elusive Shoebill, one of Africa’s most sought-after birds. From there, venture into the lush forests of Kibale National Park, home to Chimpanzees and a dazzling array of bird species. In Semuliki National Park, marvel at bubbling hot springs and spot rare Central African birds found nowhere else in East Africa.
Experience the thrill of game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where Lions, Elephants, and hundreds of bird species roam freely. A boat safari on the Kazinga Channel brings you face-to-face with Hippos, Crocodiles, and colorful waterbirds. The journey continues into the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you’ll trek through dense jungle for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Mountain Gorillas. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to Albertine Rift endemics, making it a birder’s dream.
With an incredible diversity of wildlife and bird species, this safari is perfect for birders, photographers, and nature lovers seeking an unforgettable African experience. Whether you're tracking rare birds, marveling at Uganda’s majestic wildlife, or simply soaking in the breathtaking scenery, this journey promises adventure at every turn.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe International Airport, Entebbe, Uganda to Entebbe, Uganda
On your arrival your guide for this safari will meet your at the Entebbe International Airport. You will then be transferred to your accommodation for the night. For those who had earlier arrivals, there is an option to go birding in the Entebbe Botanical Gardens and Uganda Wildlife Education Center.
Day 2: Mabamba Swamp, Uganda to Fort Portal, Uganda
In the early morning, we leave for the Mabamba Wetland along your transfer route. The majority of the birding in the swamp is done in a canoe by our local site guides. Mabamba Wetlands is a fantastic introduction to Uganda's rich birdlife. We will embark on a memorable canoe trip through the swamp's channels, our primary target being the impressive Shoebill. Keep your eyes peeled for other avian delights such as Pink-backed Pelican, Long-tailed Cormorant, Yellow-billed Duck, Malachite Kingfisher, Long-toed Plover, Blue-headed Coucal, and the vibrant Blue-breasted Bee-eater, among many others.. Transfer to Fort Portal City on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. Depending on the time of arrival, you have the option to go out birding and exploring in the neighborhood or simply stay and prepare for the next day's activities.
Day 3: Semuliki National Park, Yenga, Uganda
After an early breakfast, we will set off for Semuliki National Park, a true haven for birdwatchers. Home to an astonishing 441 recorded bird species, the park hosts 40% of Uganda’s total bird species and 66% of its forest birds. Today, we hope to spot some of its most sought-after species, including the elusive Nkulengu Rail, the striking Yellow-throated Cuckoo, the distinctive Piping Hornbill and Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, the vibrant Red-rumped Tinkerbird, the tiny African Piculet, and the elegant White-throated Blue Swallow. Other highlights may include the Yellow-throated Nicator, Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul, and many more fascinating forest birds. Beyond birding, we will visit the Sempaya hot springs, a unique geological wonder within the park. Nestled along the Albertine Rift Valley and bordering the Congo Basin, Semuliki’s rich biodiversity and remarkable birdlife make it an unmissable destination for both dedicated and casual birding enthusiasts.
Day 4: Kibale National Park, Uganda
Tracking Chimpanzees and Forest Birds in Kibale National Park An early start today will see us venturing into the lush forest of Kibale National Park with our expert local guide. The park is home to 325 bird species. Our primary focus will be birding, with hopes of spotting the spectacular Green-breasted Pitta along with other notable species such as the Yellow-billed Barbet, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, African Emerald Cuckoo, Black-billed Turaco, the vibrant Narina Trogon, Sabine’s Spinetail, Chestnut Wattle-eye, and the Narrow-tailed Starling. Kibale is more than just birds; it's a primate paradise, hosting 13 species! This makes it arguably the most important protected area for primates in Africa. Among these are Chimpanzees, Red Colobus, Black and White Colobus, Red-tailed Monkey, and Grey-cheeked Mangabey. Chimpanzee tracking is a major highlight of Kibale. We will track the chimpanzees on foot with an experienced tracker/ranger, navigating relatively flat terrain or gentle hills, depending on their recent movements.
Day 5: Bigodi, Uganda to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
We will visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for an enriching nature walk and a fantastic opportunity to see more unique birds and perhaps even some primates. Bigodi Wetland is a community managed sanctuary. Later, we will continue our journey towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our drive will take us along the scenic foothills of the majestic Rwenzori Mountains and across the Equator, where we will pause for memorable photographs. Queen Elizabeth National Park, is Uganda's second-largest national park and boasts exceptional biodiversity, with over 600 bird species recorded. The park features a diverse mosaic of habitats, from forest to vast savannah plains, home to a variety of wildlife including four of Africa's Big 5 - lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the numerous herons, raptors, kingfishers, larks, pipits, babblers, swallows, cisticolas, shrikes, starlings, widowbirds, and many other wonderful avian species.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
After breakfast, we will embark on a full day of wildlife exploration. Our morning will be dedicated to a game drive, seeking out the park's diverse mammals and birds. Photographic opportunities will be abundant throughout the day. We also anticipate seeing mammals like Uganda Kob, Bushbuck, Defassa Waterbuck, Buffalo, Elephant, Warthog, and with a bit of luck, perhaps even a Leopard, Spotted Hyena, or Lion. In the afternoon, prepare for a treat as we embark on a two-hour boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. This is a wildlife spectacle you won't forget. This waterway is teeming with wildlife, offering fantastic opportunities to observe hundreds of hippos, large Nile crocodiles, and an array of superb wetland birds such as pelicans, Green-backed Heron, various storks, African Spoonbill, Martial Eagle, plovers, lapwings, larks, Yellow-throated Longclaw, babblers, sunbirds, weavers, and widowbirds.
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Today, after breakfast, we'll begin our drive to the renowned Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Our journey will be filled with opportunities for birding as we travel through the changing landscapes. We'll make several stops, hoping to spot colorful bee-eaters, various kingfishers, and a host of other fascinating birds like barbets, tinkerbirds, woodpeckers, and the elusive Honeyguide Greenbul. Keep an eye out for larger game too, such as elephants and buffalo. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to about half of the world's endangered mountain gorillas. But it is more than just the gorillas. This large reserve is home to 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift endemic bird species and provides possibly the most fruitful montane forest birding in all of Africa. Bwindi is ranked as Uganda’s greatest place for forest birdwatching. At least 23 species found nowhere else on Earth are found in the Albertine Rift.
Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
The Unforgettable Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Today is one of the special moments in this birding tour. It likely the day you've been dreaming of! Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a pristine wilderness in southwestern Uganda covering 331 square kilometers, is home to roughly half of the world's remaining Mountain Gorillas. Remarkably, it is the only protected area in the world where Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees coexist. Today, we will embark on our gorilla trek, starting around 8:00 a.m. The trek typically lasts between 2 to 4 hours or more. However, the reward is immeasurable – the thrill of encountering these incredibly rare primates in their natural habitat is truly an unparalleled wildlife experience. Witnessing these magnificent wild apes is undoubtedly one of the planet's greatest wildlife encounters. The one hour you spend with a family of gorillas is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. In the afternoon, you will have time to relax or opt for a local birding excursion.
Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Birding in Bwindi A Paradise for Albertine Rift Endemics Bwindi isn’t just a haven for gorillas—it’s a paradise for bird lovers too. Today, we focus on exploring its extraordinary birdlife, particularly the Albertine Rift Endemics, a group of rare birds found only in this region. As we walk we’ll be on the lookout for remarkable species including the Handsome Francolin, the elusive Dwarf Honeyguide, and the vibrant Red-faced Woodland Warbler, the Black Bee-Eater, African Broadbill, and greenbuls. Bwindi’s rich biodiversity offers a chance to see more than half of the Albertine Rift Endemics in a single day, from the Red-throated Alethe and Archer’s Robin-Chat to the Short-tailed Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Collared Apalis, and Rwenzori Batis. Along the way, the forest may surprise us with the sight of the Regal Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, and the unique Strange Weaver. We’ll also keep an eye out for primates like Blue Monkeys, Black and White Colobus, and the playful Red-tailed Monkey, adding to the magic of this birdwatching adventure.
Day 10: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda
After breakfast, we'll bid farewell to the misty forests of Bwindi and begin our journey towards Lake Mburo National Park. But the adventure continues with birding stops along the way! Even though the park is just 260 square kilometres in size, the different landscapes are alive with intrigue and colour on even a short trip. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic Bateleur soaring overhead, the colorful Handsome Francolin strutting on the ground, and the charming Blue-napped Mousebird flitting through the trees. Lake Mburo offers a different landscape – open savannah dotted with acacia trees – and promises new wildlife encounters.
Day 11: Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda
Lake Mburo National Park, although one of Uganda's smaller national parks covering 260 square kilometers, is a truly special place. It is home to over 320 bird species and 68 mammal species. Some of the park's special avian residents include the elusive African Finfoot, Brown-chested Plover, Red-faced Barbet, and Long-tailed Cisticola. We will dedicate a full day to birding in the park, which will include a relaxing boat ride on the lake in the afternoon. We will be searching for species such as the Bateleur, Crested Francolin, Black-bellied Bustard, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Blue-napped Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Spot-flanked Barbet, Long-tailed Cisticola, and Yellow-breasted Apalis, among others. The lake itself is home to Hippos, while the surrounding wooded savanna supports a variety of mammals, including the elegant Eland, Burchell's Zebra, Impala, Buffalo, Reedbuck, Topi, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Oribi, and Bush-duiker.
Day 12: Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda to Entebbe International Airport, Entebbe, Uganda
Homebound – A Look at Uganda's Amazing Birdlife As You Transfer to Entebbe After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll begin our journey back to Entebbe, making a few strategic stops along the way to spot any last bird species we may have missed. Arriving in the late afternoon, you’ll have time to relax before we transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure. As you head home, we hope you carry cherished memories of Uganda’s incredible birdlife and landscapes. Thank you for exploring with us—we look forward to welcoming you back to Uganda someday!
What's included
1. All park entrance and conservation fees 2. Transport in a safari-equipped 4x4 vehicle (private not shared) 3. All meals as specified in the itinerary 4. All Accommodation (mid-range based on 2 sharing) 5. Shoebill tour in Mabamba Wetland 6. Chimpanzee tracking and Birding in Kibale National Park ($250 permit included) 7. Birding in Semuliki National Park 8. Guided walk in Bigodi Wetland 9. Game Drive and Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park 10. Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park 11. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park ($800 permit included) 12. Birding in Bwindi National Park 13. Birding in Lake Mburo National Park 14. Drinking water in the vehicle 15. Private English-speaking driver-guide
1. International Flights to and from Entebbe International Airport 2. Pre- and post-tour arrangements in Entebbe/Kampala or onward 3. Visas (apply for Uganda tourist visa: https://visas.immigration.go.ug at $50) 4. All extra meals, premium drinks, spirits, whiskies, private cellar wines, and champagne 5. Additional activities 6. Gratuities & tips and items of a personal nature. 7. Porters on gorilla and wildlife treks 8. Laundry
What to know
This tour can be customized. Accommodation is based on midrange facilities but can be customized to upgrade or other facilities. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Entebbe International Airport, Entebbe, Uganda to Entebbe, Uganda