15 Days Uganda Birding Safari and Primate Adventure
Experience Uganda’s Ultimate Birding and Primate Safari
Discover Uganda on this unforgettable 15 Days Uganda Birding Safari, combining exceptional bird watching with thrilling gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, wildlife game drives, and cultural encounters. This carefully designed safari takes you through Uganda’s most rewarding birding destinations, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Mabira Forest, and Mabamba Wetland.
Throughout your journey, you’ll search for hundreds of bird species across forests, wetlands, rivers, and savannahs while also enjoying unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and Uganda’s incredible wildlife.
Arrival Day – Welcome to Uganda
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide before being transferred to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.
Relax and prepare for your exciting birding and wildlife adventure across Uganda.
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, begin your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Along the way, stop at the Uganda Equator for photographs before continuing through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda. You may also enjoy wildlife sightings as you pass near Lake Mburo National Park before arriving at your lodge in Buhoma.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Bird Watching in Bwindi
Following breakfast, report to the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters for a briefing before beginning your unforgettable gorilla trekking experience.
Spend one magical hour observing a habituated gorilla family in its natural habitat before returning to the lodge.
Later, enjoy bird watching around Bwindi Forest, one of Africa’s richest birding destinations, famous for numerous Albertine Rift endemic bird species.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, depart Bwindi for Queen Elizabeth National Park through the famous Ishasha Sector, well known for its unique tree-climbing lions.
After lunch at your lodge, enjoy an afternoon game drive while searching for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and many bird species found throughout the park.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Start the day with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Keep an eye out for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, lions, hyenas, waterbucks, and a wide variety of birds that thrive in the park’s diverse habitats.
After lunch, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Uganda’s top wildlife experiences. The channel is famous for its large populations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and more than 600 bird species, making it a paradise for bird lovers and photographers alike.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Following breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive to Kibale Forest National Park, widely regarded as the best destination for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.
Along the journey, pass through the beautiful town of Fort Portal, surrounded by tea plantations, crater lakes, and the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch before spending the rest of the afternoon relaxing and preparing for the next day’s forest adventure.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Wake up early for breakfast before heading to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.
Enter Kibale Forest in search of wild chimpanzees while also spotting other primates, butterflies, and forest birds along the trails. Once the chimpanzees are located, spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat.
After lunch, continue to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, one of Uganda’s finest community-managed birding sites. The wetland is home to numerous bird species, monkeys, and beautiful swamp vegetation, making it an excellent addition to your birding experience.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, begin the scenic journey to Murchison Falls National Park.
The drive takes you through Uganda’s beautiful countryside, rural communities, and rolling landscapes before arriving at the country’s largest national park later in the day.
After checking into your lodge, relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise
Rise early for another exciting wildlife experience with a morning game drive through the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park.
Look out for Rothschild giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, hartebeests, Uganda kobs, lions, leopards, and numerous bird species that inhabit the savannah.
In the afternoon, enjoy a memorable boat cruise on the River Nile to the base of the spectacular Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, expect to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, waterbirds, kingfishers, fish eagles, and many other remarkable species.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls National Park and travel northeast to the spectacular Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Africa’s most remote and unspoiled wilderness areas.
Along the journey, enjoy beautiful scenery, rural villages, and changing landscapes before arriving at your lodge in the evening.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Full-Day Game Drive and Bird Watching
Begin the day with an early breakfast before exploring Kidepo Valley National Park, famous for its untouched wilderness, exceptional wildlife, and outstanding birding opportunities.
Look out for ostriches, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and numerous birds found only in northeastern Uganda.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Morning Game Drive and Karamoja Cultural Experience
Enjoy another morning game drive while searching for wildlife that may have been missed the previous day.
After lunch, visit the Karamoja community, where you will learn about the traditional lifestyle, customs, dances, and culture of one of Uganda’s most fascinating indigenous communities.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Transfer to Jinja via Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Following breakfast, begin your journey towards Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital.
Travel through the scenic Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, passing spectacular views of Mount Elgon and the beautiful Sipi Falls before continuing to Jinja.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 13: Source of the Nile Boat Cruise and Transfer to Mabira Forest
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise to the Source of the Nile, one of Uganda’s most famous landmarks where the world’s longest river begins its incredible journey to the Mediterranean Sea.
Later, transfer to Mabira Forest, one of Uganda’s largest tropical forests and an excellent destination for bird watching and nature walks.
Dinner and overnight at Griffin Falls Camp.
Day 14: Mabira Forest Bird Watching and Return to Kampala
Wake up early for a guided birding and nature walk through Mabira Forest.
The forest is home to numerous forest bird species, butterflies, monkeys, and unique plant life, making it one of Uganda’s favourite birding destinations.
After lunch, return to Kampala for your overnight stay.
Day 15: Bird Watching at Mabamba Wetland
On your final safari day, enjoy an early breakfast before travelling to Mabamba Wetland, internationally recognised as one of the best places in Africa to see the rare Shoebill Stork.
Besides the Shoebill, the wetland hosts numerous water birds, making it an ideal conclusion to your Uganda Birding Safari.
Later, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, bringing your unforgettable Uganda adventure to an end.
Safari Includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Accommodation throughout the safari
- Full-board meals
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Park entrance fees
- Game drives
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Nile boat cruise
- Source of the Nile boat cruise
- Bird watching activities
- Bottled drinking water
- Airport transfers
Safari Excludes
- International flights
- Uganda visa
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Important Information
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits should be secured well in advance due to limited availability.
- The best time for this Uganda Birding Safari is June to September and December to February, although birding is rewarding throughout the year.
- Uganda is home to more than 1,090 bird species, making it one of Africa’s leading birding destinations.
- All wildlife activities are conducted under the guidance of experienced ranger guides to ensure safety and support conservation.
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Ready to explore Uganda’s incredible birds, wildlife, and primates?
Request your free quote today and start planning your unforgettable Uganda Birding Safari with Let’s Go Gorilla.