Detailed Itinerary for the 18 Days Uganda birding and Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe for the Uganda Birding Safari

Arrive at Entebbe international airport for the Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safari off the beated path. Meet with a Valiant Safaris Driver-guide with top birding experience in the country, greet and transfer to the hotel in Entebbe where we spend an overnight.

Day 2: Birding at Mabira Forest enroute to Jinja

Start your Birding trip with a transfer to Mabira Forest Via Kampala the Capital City of Uganda. At Mabira Forest, you will spend the entire day exploring its diverse bird species.

This is the only forest reserve  located in the central Uganda area, chances to encounter rare forest forest Species like the Shinning Blue Kingfisher, the Tit Hylia and many others. After the experience we will continue the journey crossing the bridge to Jinja for an overnight.

Day 3: Transfer to Mbale Mountain Elgon

After breakfast, you may check out the source of the Majestic River Nile, before driving to Mbale. Check -in at your hotel lunch and then go fora hike on mountain Elgon, this an extinct volcanic mountain with  the largest caldera in the world.

As we go for the afternoon birding, we expect to spot various species including the Abyssinian Ground Thrush in the forest cover on the slopes of this mountain.

Day 4: Whole Day Birding Mount Elgon

We shall take a morning hike through the forest, searching for the Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, White-bellied Tit and many other bird species which inhabit the slopes of this mountain.

Fox’s Weaver in Pian Upe Wildlife reserve

Day 5: Pian Upe Wilderness

Transfer from Mbale to Pian Upe’s open grasslands, enjoying breathtaking views. Explore the largest Wildlife Reserve in Uganda, searching for the country’s endemic Fox’s Weaver and other fascinating species like Rufous Chatterer, Stone Partridge and many other species. Drive to Moroto town for an overnight.

Day 8: Birding in Moroto

Today you will go birding through the Matheniko-Bokora Wildlife Reserve in Moroto Karomaja region. Search for the White-headed weaver, Red-billed weaver, White-billed Buffalo Weavers, and many other savannah species.

Day 9: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park for a game drive

Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park, Check in at the lodge for Lunch and take an afternoon game drive searching for various animal and bird species in the park, later return to the lodge for an overnight.

Day 10 and 11: Unveiling Kidepo’s Beauty; The True African Wilderness

We shall take a extended time to explore both Narus valley and Kidepo Valley. Explore unique bird species such as the Ostrich, Secretary bird, Hartlaub’s Bustard, Fox Kestrel, and many other species. Discovering the beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park will be on both game drives and birding walks.

Clapperton’s Francolin_Kidepo VNP

Day 12: Kidepo to Murchison Falls National Park

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, the largest of all national parks in Uganda. Today the 18 days Uganda birding and wildlife safari off the beaten path, takes you through the Northern Uganda to the Western region, arriving Murchison falls for lunch and an afternoon birding to the top of falls.

Day 15: Birding in Budongo Forest and the Royal Mile

Early morning, we are birding the famous Royal mile, with its historic buildings and cobblestone streets, a wide forested track, is considered by many to be the country’s premier forest birding locality .

The Royal Mile hence offers a unique backdrop and one of the best birding places for observing a variety of bird species. This is the best place in Uganda for Nahan’s Francolin, Cassin’s Spinetail, and Chestnut-capped Flycatcher.

In this area, we can find a variety of forest greenbuls that may be challenging to identify, such as Spotted Xavier’s, White-throated, Red-tailed & Honeyguide Greenbuls. The upper part of the forest is home to groups of Yellow-mantled Weaver, Rufous Thrush and Uganda Woodland-Warbler.

The lower part of the forest path is a habitat for a number of secretive birds, including Scaly-breasted, Brown & Pale-breasted Illadopses, Fire-crested Alethe, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Yellow Longbill and Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher.

We will watch for any breaks in the forest canopy as we may spot Cassin’s and Crowned Hawk-eagles, Cassin’s and Sabine’s spinetails, and White-throated Bee-eater. We shall head to Masindi Hotel for an overnight a a hotel where Hemingway spent a night on his visit to Murchison falls.

Day 16:  Bird walk and Rhino walk in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Having had an Early morning breakfast, we leave Masindi for Nakasongola where we will embark on a birding walk at Ziwa Rhino and wildlife ranch. It is a habitant to over 300 bird species including the crested crane, Shoebill, weavers, parrots with 4 different birding trail which gives a chance of observing diverse species in their natural habitat.

You can then embark on a thrilling Rhino walk to get up close and personal with the impressive creatures. We will spend an overnight at Amuka Lodge in Ziwa Ranch.

Shoebill in Mabamba; Photo by Katja

Day 17: Birding the Mabamba Wetlands for the elusive shoebill

Mabamba Swamp is located only about 50 km west of Kampala Capital of Uganda. Birdwatching here will be on a dugout canoe ride with a local birding guide. Birding  is a Highlight on any Uganda birdwatching safari experience, It offers a chance to spot the elusive shoebill in its natural habitat.
We will start the day with a morning breakfast and drive to Mabamba swamp. In addition to searching for the Shoebill stork, we also anticipate other several sightings like the Lesser Jacana, the Yellow-billed Duck, the Blue-chested Bee-eaters, the Papyrus gonolek, the Malachite kingfisher, the Greater Swamp-Warblers and Swamp Flycatchers.

Overnight in Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Day 18: End of the Birding Safari and Departure

Today you will take a relaxed morning at the lodge with chances of birding the environs, depending on the time for your departure flight, we may take an excursion to the Entebbe botanical gardens and bird the Entebbe environs. Transfer to the airport in time to check in for your departure flight to the next destination.

Request a quote for a safari trip

In order for us to provide you with the best suitable itinerary or advise, please fill in the form below;