13-Day Uganda Safari – Game & Birds

Mabamba Swamp Birding

Welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet your Ajokis Tours & Travel driver-guide.

First, drive to Mabamba Swamp, a wetland on the shores of Lake Victoria.

The main goal is to search for the rare Shoebill Stork.

Next, take a motorized canoe through the swamp waterways.

Possible birds include Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, African Jacana, Purple Heron, Squacco Heron and Malachite Kingfisher.

Journey to Masindi

After birding Mabamba, continue toward Masindi.

Depending on time, you may stop at Kakoge Swamp to search for Marsh Widowbird and Black Bishop.

Bwijanga Birding

After breakfast, begin birding around Bwijanga.

Here, you can look for Fan-tailed Grassbird, Brown Twinspot, Compact Weaver and Fawn-breasted Waxbill.

Royal Mile Forest Birding

Next, continue to Budongo Forest for birding along the famous Royal Mile.

The forest offers a good chance to find forest birds and species linked to West and Central Africa.

Possible birds include Crested Guinea Fowl, Nahan's Partridge, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Shining-blue Kingfisher and Yellow-throated Tinkerbird.

In addition, you may see Ituri Batis, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, African Forest Flycatcher, Little Green Sunbird, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird and Green Twinspot.

Morning Birding

Rise early and return to the Royal Mile.

First, search for species that were missed on Day 2.

Possible sightings include African Crowned Eagle, Nahan's Francolin, White-spotted Flufftail, Sabine's Spinetail and Cassin's Spinetail.

Next, look for Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, Piping Hornbill and White-thighed Hornbill.

Kaniyo Pabidi and Murchison Falls

Afterward, continue to Kaniyo Pabidi for more forest birding.

Possible targets include Puvel's Illadopsis, Thick-billed Honeyguide and White-rumped Seedeater.

Finally, enter Murchison Falls National Park and enjoy a game drive in the northern sector.

Murchison Falls Morning Drive

Enjoy an early breakfast before a morning game drive and birding experience in Murchison Falls National Park.

Possible birds include Secretary Bird, Malachite Kingfisher, African Pygmy Kingfisher, African Rock Martin, Lesser Striped Swallow and Ethiopian Swallow.

In addition, look for Pied Wheatear, Whinchat, Common Redstart, White-fronted Greenbul and Yellow-throated Greenbul.

Travel to Fort Portal

Later, cross toward the southern sector and begin the journey to Fort Portal.

Arrive in the evening and check in at your accommodation.

Kirumya Trail and Hot Springs

After breakfast, drive to Semuliki National Park.

First, focus on the Kirumya Trail, Hot Springs area and Red Monkey Trail.

Possible birds include Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Bates's Nightjar, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Buff-spotted Flufftail and Nkulengu Rail.

Forest Birding

Next, continue searching for White-crested Hornbill, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Zenker's Honeyguide and African Piculet.

In addition, you may find African Hobby, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Lowland Sooty Boubou, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Yellow-throated Nicator and Yellow-eyed Bristlebill.

Finally, return to your accommodation after a full day in the forest.

More Time in Semuliki

Spend another full day exploring Semuliki National Park.

This extra time allows you to search for species missed during the previous day.

Possible targets include Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Piping Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill and White-crested Hornbill.

Next, continue looking for Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, White-throated Blue Swallow and Yellow-throated Nicator.

Additional Forest Species

In addition, look for Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Maxwell's Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe and Red-bellied Malimbe.

Later, search for Blue-billed Malimbe, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch and Orange-cheeked Waxbill.

Kibale Forest

After breakfast, begin birding around Kibale Forest National Park.

Possible species include Afep Pigeon, Green-breasted Pitta, Masked Apalis, Pale-throated Greenbul and Narrow-tailed Starling.

Next, search for Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher, Little Green Sunbird and Blue-throated Brown Sunbird.

Bigodi Wetland

Afterward, continue to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Possible sightings include Shining-blue Kingfisher, White-winged Swamp Warbler and Compact Weaver.

Journey to Bwindi

Later, begin the long drive toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Arrive in the Buhoma area in the evening and check in.

Buhoma Forest Birding

Spend the day birding in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

First, search for Crested Guinea Fowl, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo and Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo.

Next, look for Cassin's Hawk-Eagle, Willcock's Honeyguide, Willard's Sooty Boubou and Velvet-mantled Drongo.

Albertine Rift Species

In addition, possible species include Narrow-tailed Starling, Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher, Chapin's Flycatcher and Little Green Sunbird.

Later, search for Blue-headed Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Jameson's Antpecker and Western Citril.

Buhoma Morning Birding

Continue your morning birding activities in the Buhoma sector.

First, search for species missed on the previous day.

The Neck and Ruhija

Later, travel toward Ruhija and bird along The Neck.

This forest area provides more chances to search for Albertine Rift species.

Possible birds include Mountain Wagtail, Pink-footed Puffback, Cassin's Grey Flycatcher, Chapin's Flycatcher and Western Bronze-naped Pigeon.

In addition, look for Black Bee-eater, Toro Olive Greenbul and Cassin's Hawk-Eagle.

Mubwindi Swamp Trail

Today is dedicated to birding in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi.

In particular, focus on the Mubwindi Swamp Trail.

Possible species include Handsome Francolin, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cassin's Hawk-Eagle, Dwarf Honeyguide and Thick-billed Honeyguide.

Forest Bird Species

Next, search for Grauer's Broadbill, Rwenzori Batis, Lagden's Bushshrike, Albertine Sooty Boubou, Doherty's Bushshrike and Stripe-breasted Tit.

In addition, look for Grauer's Warbler, Masked Apalis, Grauer's Swamp Warbler and Evergreen Forest Warbler.

Later, search for Slender-billed Starling, Archer's Robin-Chat, Grey-chested Kakamega and Blue-headed Sunbird.

Finally, possible targets include Purple-breasted Sunbird, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing and Western Citril.

Ruhija Morning Birding

Enjoy early morning birding around the Ruhija sector.

First, explore the bamboo zone and search for Handsome Francolin and Rwenzori Nightjar.

Journey to Lake Mburo

Later, depart Ruhija and drive toward Lake Mburo National Park.

Along the way, search for Papyrus Canary, White-winged Swamp Warbler, White-winged Black Tit and Papyrus Gonolek.

Lake Mburo is known for zebra, impala, eland and many bird species.

Optional Lake Cruise

Depending on time and availability, enjoy an optional boat cruise on Lake Mburo.

During the cruise, you may see hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, antelopes and waterbirds.

Lake Mburo Birding

Rise early for a final birding session in Lake Mburo National Park.

Possible targets include Black-shouldered Nightjar, Red-faced Barbet, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Swamp Warbler and Brown-backed Scrub-Robin.

Equator Crossing

After birding, depart Lake Mburo and drive toward Kampala.

Next, stop at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe.

Here, you can take photographs, buy souvenirs and enjoy lunch.

Kampala or Entebbe

Finally, continue to Kampala or Entebbe and check in at your hotel.

Mabira Forest Birding

On your final day, enjoy birding at Mabira Forest, an important forest area between Kampala and Jinja.

Possible targets include Nahan's Francolin, Afep Pigeon, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Cassin's Hawk-Eagle and Shining-blue Kingfisher.

Next, search for Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Lowland Sooty Boubou, Velvet-mantled Drongo and Yellow-eyed Bristlebill.

In addition, look for Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Forest Robin, Grey-headed Sunbird and Little Green Sunbird.

Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Afterward, continue to Entebbe Botanical Gardens for additional birding.

Possible targets include African Hobby and other garden and wetland species.

Departure

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for more birding around Entebbe or Mabamba.

Finally, your Ajokis Tours & Travel guide will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure.