21 Days Uganda exclusive Birding and Photographic Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

• Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport. You will be welcomed by your driver/guide who will brief you about the itinerary.

• Transfer: Drive to your lodge around Entebbe for check-in.

• Rest: Take the afternoon to rest and recover from your flight, with an option to explore the surroundings depending on your arrival time.

• Evening: Dinner at the lodge.

Day 2: Birding at Entebbe Botanical Gardens & Mabamba Swamp

• Morning: After breakfast, visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, which is home to various species of birds such as the African Fish Eagle, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, and a variety of kingfishers.

• Midday: Enjoy lunch in Entebbe, followed by a short break.

• Afternoon: Head to Mabamba Swamp for birdwatching. This wetland area is known for the endangered shoebill stork as well as birds like the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Malachite Kingfisher, and various wetland species.

• Evening: Return to your lodge in Entebbe for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3-4: Birding in Lake Mburo National Park

• Day 3 – Morning: After breakfast, embark on a 4-5 hour drive to Lake Mburo National Park, passing through scenic countryside with views of small villages, farms, and hills.

• Afternoon: Arrive at the park and enjoy lunch at the lodge.

• Evening: Go on a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, looking for bird species like the African Fish Eagle, White-winged Tern, Papyrus Gonolek, and the Red-headed Lovebird.

• Day 4 – Morning: After breakfast, take a guided birding walk along the park’s designated trails, where you may encounter birds such as the Crested Crane, Hornbills, and various raptors.

• Afternoon: Enjoy a relaxing lunch at the lodge.

• Evening: Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 5-6: Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

• Day 5 – Morning: After breakfast, check out and begin the 7-8 hour drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. En route, enjoy scenic views of plantations, mountain slopes, and busy towns.

• Afternoon: Stop for lunch along the way, then continue to Bwindi, arriving in the evening.

• Evening: Check-in to your lodge and relax. Dinner will be served at the lodge.

• Day 6 – Morning: Start the day early with breakfast, then head into the forest for a guided birding walk. Bwindi is home to a range of forest species, including the Blue-headed Sunbird, Great Blue Turaco, and various warblers.

• Afternoon: Lunch at the lodge, followed by an afternoon of more birding along the forest trails.

• Evening: Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7-9: Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Day 7 – Morning: After breakfast, leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second-largest park. The drive will take approximately 5-6 hours.

• Afternoon: Upon arrival, check-in to the lodge and have lunch.

• Evening: Go on an evening game drive to explore the park’s wildlife and spot various birds, including the Marabou Stork, African Skimmer, and several species of raptors.

• Day 8 – Morning: Enjoy an early morning birding walk to see species like the White-winged Tern, African Fish Eagle, and Black-headed Heron.

• Afternoon: After lunch, continue birding around the park’s diverse ecosystems, from savannah to wetlands.

• Day 9 – Full Day: Full-day birding in the park, focusing on species unique to Queen Elizabeth, including White-tailed Lark, Woolly-necked Stork, and Papyrus Gonolek.

• Evening: Dinner at the lodge and overnight stay.

Day 10-11: Birding in Kibale Forest National Park

• Day 10 – Morning: After breakfast, depart for Kibale Forest National Park, a 4-5 hour drive. Stop at crater lakes along the way for sightseeing and photos.

• Afternoon: Arrive at Kibale and check-in at your lodge. Enjoy lunch before heading out for an afternoon of birding.

• Day 11 – Morning: Begin the day with an early breakfast and head into the forest for a guided birding walk. Kibale is home to over 300 bird species, such as the African Pitta, White-tailed Ant Thrush, and Great Blue Turaco.

• Afternoon: Take a walk through the Bigodi Swamp for more birding opportunities, with species like the Yellow-spotted Barbet and Red-faced Lovebird.

• Evening: Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 12-13: Birding in Semiliki National Park

• Day 12 – Morning: After breakfast, drive for 3-4 hours to Semiliki National Park, known for its exceptional biodiversity and bird species. Upon arrival, check-in to your lodge.

• Afternoon: Enjoy lunch and then start birding in the park. Semiliki is famous for its large number of bird species, including the Piping Hornbill, White-cheeked Turaco, and Nkulengu Rail.

• Day 13 – Morning: Continue birding after breakfast, spotting unique species and enjoying the forest’s biodiversity.

• Afternoon: Visit the hot springs and explore the forest’s rich flora and fauna.

• Evening: Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 14-17: Birding in Murchison Falls National Park

• Day 14 – Morning: Depart Semiliki for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest national park. The drive will take 7-8 hours with scenic stopovers.

• Afternoon: Arrive and check-in at the lodge, followed by lunch.

• Day 15 – Morning: After breakfast, take a boat cruise on the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls. Look for bird species such as the African Fish Eagle, Grey Crowned Crane, and Shoebill Stork.

• Afternoon: Explore the park’s savannah and woodland habitats to spot species like Secretary Birds, Northern Red Bishop, and various raptors.

• Day 16 – Morning: Birding walk through Budongo Forest, where you’ll encounter species like the Yellow-footed Bush-shrike, Black-casqued Hornbill, and various species of babblers.

• Day 17 – Full Day: Continue birding in different areas of the park, with a game drive and further boat cruise exploration.

• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 18-20: Birding at Kidepo Valley National Park

• Day 18 – Morning: After breakfast, travel to Kidepo Valley National Park in northern Uganda. The journey will be long, but the landscapes will be breathtaking, passing through Karamoja settlements and dry savannah.

• Afternoon: Arrive in the park and check-in at the lodge.

• Day 19 & 20 – Full Days: Spend two full days birding in the park’s diverse habitats, including desert birds like the Ostrich, Sunbirds, and Mountain Yellow Warbler. A cultural tour of the Karamojong people adds a unique cultural experience to the trip.

• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 21: Departure

• Morning: After breakfast, begin your drive back to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. A stop for lunch will be made along the way.

• Afternoon: Arrive at the airport, marking the end of your 21-day birding safari in Uganda.

End of Safari