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8 Days Uganda Birding & Wildlife Safari

📅 8 Days 🇺🇬 Uganda ✓ Tailor-made

Overview

This 8 Days Uganda Birding & Wildlife Safari is specially designed for bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts looking to explore some of Uganda's richest birding habitats. From tracking the elusive Shoebill in Mabamba Swamp to birding in Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest, Kibale Forest, and Queen Elizabeth National Park, this safari offers incredible opportunities to spot hundreds of bird species while also enjoying game drives and boat cruises. Expect unforgettable wildlife encounters, scenic landscapes, and exceptional bird photography opportunities throughout the journey.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1

Shoebill Tracking in Mabamba and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, your guide will pick you up from Entebbe or Kampala and transfer you to Mabamba Swamp, one of Uganda's most important birding sites. Accompanied by a local guide, enjoy a canoe excursion through the papyrus channels in search of the legendary Shoebill Stork. Other species commonly spotted include African Jacanas, Malachite Kingfishers, Papyrus Gonoleks, and herons. After lunch, begin your journey northwards to Murchison Falls National Park where you will arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Location:

Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge

Meal Plan:

Lunch and Dinner

2

Birding Game Drive and Top of the Falls Experience

Rise early for a birding-focused game drive across the northern plains of Murchison Falls National Park. Search for species such as Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Secretary Bird, Black-bellied Bustard, and Denham's Bustard while also encountering giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, and lions. Return to the lodge for lunch before visiting the Top of Murchison Falls where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge. The afternoon offers additional birding opportunities around the falls area before returning to the lodge.

Location:

Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge

Meal Plan:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

3

Nile Boat Cruise and Budongo Forest Birding

After breakfast, enjoy a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. This excursion offers excellent sightings of African Fish Eagles, Goliath Herons, Pied Kingfishers, cormorants, and numerous water birds. Following lunch, proceed to Budongo Forest for an afternoon birding walk. Look out for forest species such as Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, White-thighed Hornbill, and Yellow-footed Flycatcher. Return to your lodge in the evening.

Location:

Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge

Meal Plan:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

4

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls and travel to Kibale Forest National Park. The scenic drive passes tea plantations, rural villages, and rolling hills of western Uganda. Arrive in Fort Portal in the afternoon and enjoy birding around the crater lakes region before checking into your lodge. The area is home to numerous forest and wetland bird species, making it an excellent introduction to Kibale's rich biodiversity.

Location:

Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge

Mid-Range: Turaco Treetops Lodge

Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Meal Plan:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

5

Kibale Forest Birding and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Spend the day exploring Kibale Forest and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Search for Green-breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Black Bee-eater, Blue-headed Sunbird, and many other forest specialists. Along the trails, you may also encounter primates including red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and chimpanzees. After lunch, continue birding in Bigodi Wetland where over 200 bird species have been recorded.

Location:

Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge

Mid-Range: Turaco Treetops Lodge

Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Meal Plan:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

6

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park while enjoying birding opportunities along the route. Arrive in time for lunch before heading out on an evening game drive through the Kasenyi Plains. Besides wildlife sightings, search for birds such as Grey Crowned Crane, Martial Eagle, and African Wattled Lapwing. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Location:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge

Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages

Meal Plan:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

7

Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise and Birding Safari

Begin the day with a morning birding game drive before returning for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa's richest birding hotspots. Expect sightings of African Skimmers, Pink-backed Pelicans, Saddle-billed Storks, African Spoonbills, and numerous kingfisher species. Large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, and elephants are often seen along the shoreline.

Location:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge

Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages

Meal Plan:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

8

Transfer Back to Entebbe International Airport

After breakfast, check out and begin your return journey to Entebbe. Enjoy lunch en route and make a stop at the Equator crossing for photographs and souvenir shopping. Continue to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight or drop-off at your hotel.

Meal Plan:

Breakfast and Lunch

What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Transportation in a 4x4 Safari Vehicle
  • Professional English-Speaking Driver Guide
  • Mabamba Shoebill Excursion
  • Birding Walks
  • Game Drives
  • Victoria Nile Boat Cruise
  • Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • All Meals as Specified
  • Bottled Drinking Water

What's Excluded

  • International Flights
  • Domestic Flights
  • Visa Fees
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Alcoholic Drinks
  • Laundry Services
  • Tips and Gratuities
  • Any Activity Not Mentioned in the Itinerary

Request This Safari

African Sacred Ibis Adventures is not liable for any expenses or losses incurred from clients purchasing flight tickets or making individual travel arrangements prior to receiving official confirmation of the trip and verified flight details from our team.

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