Contact

Enquire about booking a tour

Enquire

Enquire about booking a tour

Uganda Birding and Wildlife Safaris

15 Days of Uganda Birding and Photography, Remarkable West

Amazing birding and wildlife tours in uganda

Uganda Birding & Wildlife Photography Tour

Important bird areas on this tour

  • Entebbe Botanical Gardens
  • Mabamba Swamp
  • Murchison Falls National Park
  • Budongo Forest
  • Kibale Forest
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Lake Mburo National Park

Main Targets

  • Expert birding guides with extensive knowledge of Uganda’s avian species.
  • Stunning photography opportunities in diverse habitats.
  • Small group size for a personalized experience.
  • Combination of birding, wildlife viewing, and cultural encounters.

Tour Overview

15-day birding and wildlife photography adventure across Uganda’s top nature destinations. From the wetlands of Mabamba to the vast savannas of Murchison Falls, the dense forests of Bwindi, and the primate-rich Kibale Forest, this tour is designed for bird enthusiasts and nature photographers alike. Capture stunning images of Uganda’s diverse birdlife, experience breathtaking landscapes, and witness an array of wildlife including elephants, lions, and gorillas.

Main Target Birds

  • Shoebill
  • Green-breasted Pitta
  • Great Blue Turaco
  • African Fish Eagle
  • Papyrus Gonolek
  • Red-throated Bee-eater
  • African Green Broadbill
  • Secretarybird
  • Ruwenzori Batis
  • Black-bellied Bustard

Itinerary

Day 1: Spend a Day Birding at Mabamba Shoebill Swamp

You'll spend the day birding at Mbamba Swamp and the neighborhood community bush. Local communities protect one of the few remaining productive wetlands in Uganda. Extensive papyrus swamps with labyrinth channels and lagoons, classified as an important bird area (IBA), it’s a home of multiple shoebills-Uganda’s most famous avian resident and the only representative in its family, is the amongst most sought-after birds in the whole African continent! It is only traced by canoeing through the channels with a wooden boat. Other likes of Mabamba include; papyrus gonolek, blue-breasted bee-eater, lesser Jacana, African Jacana, white-winged black tern, grey-headed gull, African skimmers, little egret, long-toed lapwing, spur-winged lapwing and a few more.

Accommodation: Forest Cottages

Day 2: Birding at Mabamba Swamp & Mpanga Forest

This morning, we have an early breakfast, and go birding to Mabamba. One of a few remaining productive wetland in Uganda protected by the local communities. extensive papyrus swamps with labyrinth’s channels and lagoons, classified as an important bird area (IBA), it’s a home of multiple Shoebills-Uganda’s most famous avian resident and the only representative in its family, is the amongst most sought after birds in the whole African continent! Its only traced by canoeing through the channels by the wooden boat. other birds at Mabamba or Kamengo include; Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-Breasted Bee-Eater, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, White-Winged Black Tern, Grey-Headed Gull, African Skimmers, Little Egret, Long-Toed Lapwing, Spur-Winged Lapwing, African Fish-Eagle, Goliath Heron, Purple Heron, Common Squacco Heron, Striated Heron, Blue-Headed Coucal, Malachite Kingfisher, Black Crake, Hamerkop, African Marsh-Harrier, Yellow-Billed Duck, Hadada Ibis, White-Browed Scrub-Robin, Swamp Flycatcher, Vanga Flycatcher, Weyn’s Weaver, Eastern Grey Plantain-Eater, Sedge Warbler, Wood Sandpiper, Pied Kingfisher, Cape Wagtail, Rufous-Napped Lark, Green Backed Heron, African Snip, Croaking Cisticola, White-Faced Whistling Duck, Spur-Winged Goose, Black-Crowned Waxbill, Scarce Swift, Bern Swallow, African-Dusky Flycatcher, African Yellow Warbler, Collard-Sunbird.

DAY 3: BIRDING AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast we depart for Murchison falls national park stopping at Masindi town or kabalega dinners for lunch. Murchison falls national park is the largest and oldest game park of all the parks in Uganda. It lies at the northern end of the Albertine rift valley hosting 76 species of mammals and about 460 bird species, the park is famous of its worlds powerful falls which appear along an area just 6m wide! It is dominated by vast palm-dotted savanna and forest patches in the south. Special birds there include among others; Red-throated Bee-Eater, Northern carmine Bee-Eater, Crested Francolin, Black-faced Waxbill, Marsh Tchagra, Northern Red bishop, Black-winged Red Bishop, Namaqua Dove, Wire-tailed Swallow, White-browed-sparrow Weaver, Cliff Chart, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, , Senegal Coucal, Silverbird, Standard Winged Night-Jar, Yellow-billed Duck, Black-headed Lapwing, Golden-backed Weaver, Green-winged Pytilia, Shoebill, African Fish Eagle, Black Kite, Black-shouldered Kite, Buff-bellied Warbler, Abyssinian Roller, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, Pennat-winged Night-Jar, White-rumped Canary

DAY 4: WHOLE DAY BIRDING AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

We leave early with our packed lunch for morning game drive into the park birding towards the Nile ferry within the Borassus savanna where we will also encounter a variety of Antelopes, Elephants, Cape Buffalos, Giraffes, Lions and Leopards, Jackson’s Heart-beasts among others. In the afternoon we have a launch cruise to the bottom of the falls where a variety of water and special birds will be seen such as Rock Pratincole, Northern Carmine Bee-Eater, Red-Throated Bee-Eater, White-Crested Turaco, Vinaceous Dove, Beautiful Sunbird, Red-Winged Warbler, Senegal Thick-Knee, Grosbeak Weaver, Bruce’s Green-Pigeon, Chestnut-Crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Osprey, Bar-Breasted Firefinch, Black-Headed Gonolek, Pel’s Fishing-Owl, Yellow-Fronted Tinkerbird, Red-Necked Francolin, Little Bittern, Namaqua Dove, Little Sparrow-Hawk, Senegal Thick-Knee, Bat Hawk, Heugln’s Francolin, Blue Spotted Wood Dove, Black-Billed Wood Dove, Swallow Tailed Eee-Eater, Madagascar Bee-Eater, Siffling Cisticola, Singing Cisticola, Yellow-Mantled Widowbird, Olive-Bellied Sunbird, African Quailfinch, Cabanis Bunting

DAY 5: WHOLE DAY BIRDING IN THE ROYAL MILE – BUDONGO CENTRAL FOREST RESERVE 

Early after breakfast, carry our picnic lunch and drive a short distance from the hotel that take us to one of the best birding spots in Uganda the royal mile and busingiro forest. The name reveals the African historical leisure spot for the traditional king of Bunyoro.At the mile, the forest being a bit dense, the trail lining was cleared to make a perfect view with good light for the bird photographs. And later after our excellent birding we get back to the hotel for refreshment, dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: TRANSFER TO KIBALE FOREST

Morning after breakfast, with our packed lunch, we depart for Kibale national park. It will be quite a long distance with numbered stops for stretching and look at birds. Early arrivals will give a chance to do evening birding around the hotel. This primarily forest park is not only the best place to track chimpanzees, but also its greatest primate diversity and a thrilling variety of forest birds! 

DAY 7: BIRDING AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR KIBALE FOREST – OPTIONAL CHIMPANZEE TREKKING 

wake up early at 5:00am and prepare ourselves for the most sought bird the Green-breasted Pitta! Thereafter we continue normal birding getting out from the forest to our hotel for lunch break. In the afternoon proceed birding along the roadside from the hotel and add Bigodi sanctuary. Kibale is a home of 13 primates and about 375 bird species. Primates include; L’Hoest’s Monkey, Red Colobus Monkey, Bush Baby, Olive Baboon, Red-Tailed Monkey, Grey-Cheeked Mangabey, Black And White Colobus, Blue Monkey, Chimpanzee etc. and a long list of sought bird species like; Afep Pigeon, Red-Winged Francolin, Narina Trogon, Bar-Tailed Trogon, Black-Billed Turaco, Black Bee-Eater, White-Headed Wood-Hoopoe, Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird, African Pitta, Velvet Mantled Drongo, Petit’s Cukoo Shrike, African Broad Bill, Wilcock’s Honeyguide, White-Spotted Flufftail, Western Nicator, White-Tailed Anti-Thrush

DAY 8: BIRDING AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK.

Queen Elizabeth National Park “Medley of wonders” is the second largest national park after Murchison, it’s a home of over 600 species of birds! Therefore, it’s one of the reason why this park is ranked among the best birding destinations in Africa. The park name was after the Queen of England’s visit in 1954. Common Scimitarbill, Whinchat, Spurb, Bronzy, Olive-Bellied, Marico, Purple-Banded, Orange-Tufted, Scarlet-Chested, Beautiful, Red-Chested Sunbirds, Three-Banded Plover, Caspian Plover, Kittlitz’s Plover, Red-Caped Lark, Brown Babbler, Temminck’s Courser, Northern Wheatear, Black-Winged Pratincole, White-Tailed Lark, Mosque Swallow, Black-Bellied Bustard, Little Swift, Harliquin Quail, Button Quail, White-Winged Warbler, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Secretarybird, Caruther’s Cisticola, African Skimmers, Black-Headed Gonolek, Papyrus Gonolek, Red-Faced Cisticola, Red-Chested Cukoo, Northern Puffback, Tropica Boubou, Diederik, Klaas’s, African-Emerald Cukoos, Little Stint, Temminck’s Stint, African-Wood Owl, Black-Shouldered Night-Jar, Yellow-Throated Long-Claw, East-African Swee, Common Waxbill, Crimson-Rumped Waxbill, Fawn-Brested Waxbill, Zebra Waxbill, Village Indigobird

DAY 9: WHOLE DAY BIRDING AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

early after breakfast we leave the hotel for game drive. We’ll have a change to see a number of birds and mammals like Giant Forest Hog, Elephants, Bush Bucks, Water Bucks, Wart Hogs, Baboons, Uganda Cobs etc. early afternoon have our lunch and get ready for the afternoon launch cruise along the great Kazinga channel. Along this channel, you’ll have about 4 to 5KM boat ride that is rich in savanna and water birds as well as a plenty of mammals! On your ride, you’ll be guided by a well knowledgeable site guide and he/she will be in position to help you in all means concerning the wilderness of this park.

DAY 10: DEPART FOR BWINDI IMPENETRABLE GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

Early in the morning we depart for Bwindi through the southern sector of QENP-Ishasha where a chance may be granted for you to see the tree climbing lions. Bwindi is situated in southwestern Uganda, famous of its habitat of about 408 mountain gorilla’shalf of world’s population! Including several habituated groups which can be tracked and home of about 350 species of birds including 23 Albertine rift endemics! And at least 14 species recorded nowhere else in Uganda! Opportunities abound to discover the local Bakiga and Batwa pygmy cultures through performances, workshops and village walks. It lies at a relatively higher altitude and temperature here is cooler ranging from 10 to 18°C.23 Albertine rift endemics include; Red-Throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Yellow Eyed Flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Blue-Headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Rockeffeller’s Sunbird, Purple-Breasted Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimson-Wing, Red-Collard Mountain Babbler, Chapin’s Mountain Babbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Neumann’s’ Warbler, Prigogine’s Greenbul, Black-Faced Apalis, Collard Apalis, Stripe-Breasted Tit, Grauer’s Cukooshrike, Red-Billed Helmet Shrike, Ruwenzori Batis, African Green Broadbill, Dwarf Honeyguide, Prigogin’s Nght-Jar, Albertaine Owlet, Congo Bay-Owl, Ruwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin and other birds.

DAY 11: GORILLA TREKKING DAY (BUHOMA SECTOR) 

Morning after breakfast you report to park headquarters for briefing prior to gorilla tracking excursion. This activity may take anywhere between one to eight hours so a reasonable degree of fitness is required. Gorilla tracking is a remarkable experience to stare in the eyes of these gentle giants, watch them as they play, and go about their daily activities. Its indeed “once in lifetime” experience that you must never miss! Each encounter is different and has own rewards! But you’re likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters’ frolic and swing on the vines in a delightful display!

DAY 12: WHOLE DAY BIRDING PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE MAIN TRAIL

At the main trail we bird all the way to Mubwindi swamp and the specials to look at are; Chapin’s Flycatcher, Blue-Headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Rockeffeller’s Sunbird, Purple-Breasted Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimson-Wing, Red-Collard Mountain Babbler, Chapin’s Mountain Babbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Neumann’s’ Warbler, Prigogine’s Greenbul, Black-Faced Apalis, Collard Apalis, Stripe-Breasted Tit, Grauer’s Cukooshrike, Yellow-Crested Helmetshrike, Ruwenzori Batis, African Green Broadbill, Dwarf Honeyguide

DAY 13: BIRDING TO LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast we depart for lake Mburo national park, it’s on a distance of about 200KM from Kisoro-Bwindi therefore our drive takes more hours of our day having strategic stops to stretch our legs and look at birds. 

DAY 14: EARLY BIRDING AND AFTERNOON BOAT CRUISE IN LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK.

While in the park we shall look out for birds like; African-Grey Hornbill, Black-Loward Babbler, Red-Headed Weaver, Greater Blue-Eared Starling, Trilling Cisticola, Green-Wood Hoopoe, Brown-Chested Lapwing, Scaly-Throated Honeyguide, Lesser-Masked Weaver, White-Backed Vulture, Tabora Cisticola, Crestd-Spurfowl, Red-Faced Barbet, Little Bee-Eater Etc. And Mammals Like the Zebra, Eland, Topi, Impala, Cape Buffalo, Warthog etc. today we target the boat ride along lake Mburo where we hardly miss African Finfoot, White Backed and Black Crowned Night Heron, Giant Kingfisher. A night drive always produces good views of Black Shouldered, Northern Tanzania Fiery Necked Nightjar, Nocturnal Mammals and Bush Babies.

Day 15: Return to Entebbe & Departure

Enjoy one last birding session before transferring to Entebbe for your flight home.

Tour price includes

  • Park fees for non-residents
  • All activities listed
  • Accommodation
  • Professional birding guide
  • Transportation
  • Airport transfers
  • Meals (as per itinerary)
  • Drinking water

Tour Price Does Not Include

  • International flights
  • Additional accommodation before/after the tour
  • Tips
  • Personal items (souvenirs, insurance, visas)
  • Government-imposed tax/park fee increases

Packages

You may also like


'}}
7 Days Uganda Albertine Rift Endemics, Shoebill and Gorilla
'}}
25 Day Classic Uganda Birding and Wildlife Tour
'}}
8 Day Birding in Uganda

Where to go when on east africa birding tour

Rwanda


Kenya


Tanzania


Copyright © 2025 Wide Birding Eco Tours | Crafted by Robylinks Solutions