9 Day Uganda Birding Safari

Start your birding trip from Entebbe with an early morning drive to Mabamba Swamp, located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. Explore the wetland by canoe through narrow papyrus channels, where you can enjoy rich birdlife in a quiet natural setting. The main highlight is searching for the Shoebill, one of Africa’s most famous birds. You also have chances to see other species such as the Papyrus, Gonolek, African Pygmy Goose, Black Crake, Black Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, and African Fish Eagle. After the canoe birding, have lunch at Nkima lodge and continue exploring nearby areas for more bird species. In the afternoon, return to The Boma Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, leave Entebbe and travel north toward Murchison Falls National Park. On the way, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a birding walk in its woodland and savannah habitats. Here you may see birds such as the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, White-crested Turaco, African Wattled Lapwing, Piapiac, Black-headed Batis, and Double-toothed Barbet. Wetland areas also attract different water birds and seasonal migrants. After lunch, continue the journey while birding along the road, watching for more savannah species. Arrive at Sambiya River Lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Start the day with an early morning birding game drive in Murchison falls national park. The park’s savannah plains, woodlands, and river areas are home to many bird species. Look out for birds such as the secretary bird, red-throated bee-eater, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black-headed lapwing, and different birds of prey. After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise on the Nile river to the base of Murchison falls. Along the river, you may see the African fish eagle, goliath heron, pied kingfisher, saddle-billed stork, and other water birds. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Have an early breakfast and check out of the lodge. Start your scenic drive to Kibale National Park, one of Uganda’s best forest birding areas, known for its rich wildlife and many bird species. On arrival, check in at Kibale Forest lodge and enjoy lunch while listening to the sounds of the forest. In the afternoon, go birding around the lodge and forest edges. You may see birds like turacos, hornbills, sunbirds, and forest weavers. Later, explore the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is famous for many bird species. Here you can see the Great Blue Turaco, African Grey Parrot, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, and many colorful forest birds. In the evening, return to the lodge, relax, and prepare for the next day’s birding activities.

After breakfast, leave Kibale National Park and drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s best birding destinations, especially around the Kazinga Channel. On arrival, check in at Aardvark Safari Lodge, have lunch, and rest briefly. In the afternoon, go for birding along the Kazinga Channel, a waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This area has many waterbirds and raptors. You may see birds such as the African Skimmer, Pink-backed Pelican, African Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron, and Pied Kingfisher. You will also see many cormorants, storks, and herons along the shore. This is one of the best birding areas in Africa because of the large number and variety of birds in one place. In the evening, return to the lodge, relax, and enjoy the park views.

After breakfast, set off for a morning birding game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a unique savannah woodland area famous for its wildlife and excellent bird diversity. While exploring the open plains and fig tree habitats, keep an eye out for both tree-climbing lions and a variety of savannah bird species. Birding here is especially rewarding for raptors and open-country species, with frequent sightings of vultures, eagles, and a wide range of cisticolas, along with species such as the African Crowned Eagle and Ross’s Turaco in the surrounding forested edges. After the morning birding session, continue your journey southward through scenic landscapes toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the evening for check in at Ichumbi gorilla lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, head into the misty rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a full day guided birding experience in one of Africa’s richest montane forest ecosystems. Begin your birding walk through different forest trails in search of highly sought after species such as the Rwenzori Batis, Red-throated Alethe, African Green Broadbill, Bar-tailed Trogon, and various turacos and sunbirds that thrive in this rich habitat. With a packed lunch, continue birding throughout the afternoon, exploring deeper sections of the forest where mixed species flocks are commonly encountered. The constant calls of forest birds, shifting light through the canopy, and high chances of rare sightings make this one of the most rewarding birding days of the itinerary. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight rest.

After an early breakfast, begin your return journey from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park back to Entebbe or Kampala. Enjoy scenic views along the way as you travel. Lunch en route. Arrive in the evening, marking the end of your 9-day birding safari in Uganda.