15 Day Forest Birding Safari in Uganda

Arrive in Uganda and begin your birding experience depending on your arrival time. For guests arriving early, we can head directly to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, an excellent introduction to Uganda’s birdlife.

The gardens and surrounding habitats can produce a rewarding selection of forest-edge, woodland and water-associated species such as; Bat Hawk, the Great Blue Turaco, African Grey Parrot, the range restricted Orange Weaver and many others

Today we explore Mabamba Wetland, one of Uganda’s most renowned destinations for the iconic Shoebill.

Travelling through the papyrus channels by traditional community canoe, we search for the Shoebill while enjoying the rich diversity of wetland birds. Particular targets include Shoebill, Lesser Jacana and other waterfowl and wetland specialists. The experience also provides an opportunity to see how local communities are involved in protecting this important wetland and its wildlife

After breakfast, we begin our journey north-west towards Masindi, travelling through changing landscapes and rural Uganda. Depending on time and conditions, there may be opportunities for roadside birding along the way.

A full day of birding in Budongo Forest, with a particular focus on the renowned Royal Mile.

This spectacular forest patch is regarded as one of Uganda’s premier birding locations and offers excellent opportunities for observing a wide variety of forest species. We spend the day birding at a relaxed pace, focusing on forest specialists, canopy species, understorey birds and other key targets. Highlights; Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Dwarf Kingfisher, Ituri Batis, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Nahan’s Patridge, Crested Guineafowl etc

We depart Masindi and travel west towards Bundibugyo, at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
The journey takes us through some of Uganda’s changing landscapes and provides opportunities to appreciate the transition towards the forests of the Albertine Rift.

Today is dedicated entirely to Semliki Forest, one of Uganda’s most distinctive birding destinations. Semiliki attracts has a number of Congo-Guinea biome species rarely encountered elsewhere in Uganda for example; Grant’s Bluebill, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, Long-tailed Hawk, at least 6 species of Hornbills, the tiny African Piculet.

We spend the full day exploring the forest and its trails, searching for specialist forest species and enjoying the extraordinary biodiversity of this unique ecosystem.

We travel towards Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s premier destinations for forest wildlife and birding.
In the afternoon, we explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where forest, wetland and cultivated habitats create an excellent mix of birding opportunities. The area is also well known for its primate diversity.

A full day exploring the bird-rich habitats of Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Wetlands.

Kibale's mature forest supports a remarkable diversity of birds alongside its famous primates. We focus on forest species and other key targets, with time to explore different habitats and maximise our opportunities for sightings. The birding this day will begin earlier than the usual days (5:30am) in the quest for the Green Breasted Pitta one of the most sought-after birds of Uganda. The Pitta has a small display window very early in the morning at dawn and thereafter will only be searched for in the leaf litter

Bigodi Wetland provides a complementary birding experience, particularly for species associated with riverine forest, wetlands, forest edges and open habitats such as; White-spotted Flufftail, Shining Blue Kingfisher, Brown-chested Alethe. We will have chances of Red Colobus monkeys.

Today we travel south towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, heading to the Buhoma sector.
The journey takes us through some of south-western Uganda’s most beautiful landscapes before reaching the forest.
Upon arrival, we settle into our accommodation on the edge of Bwindi and prepare for the intensive forest birding ahead

A full day of birding along the Main Trail in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Bwindi is one of Africa’s most important montane forest ecosystems and a key destination for birders seeking Albertine Rift endemics.

We take our time in the forest, listening for calls, scanning the canopy and understorey, and searching for some of the region’s most sought-after forest species. Highlights; Red-throated Alethe, Short-tailed Warbler, Many Coloured Bushshrike, Jameson’s Antpecker, Bocage’s Bushshrike, Brown-capped Weaver, Black-billed Weaver, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Wilcock’s Honeyguide, African Broadbill.

We leave Buhoma and travel to the Ruhija sector of Bwindi, another exceptional birding area within the forest as we traverse “the Neck”. In the Neck we have chances of Black Bee-eater, and the elusive African Black Duck.
Ruhija provides access to some of Bwindi’s most productive montane forest habitats and is particularly important for birders targeting Albertine Rift species.

Today we explore the renowned Mubwindi Swamp Trail, one of the highlights of the safari.
The trail descends into the forest towards Mubwindi Swamp, passing through rich montane forest habitat. The area is particularly rewarding for birders searching for Albertine Rift endemics and other high-altitude forest specialists.

We spend the day focused on birding, with plenty of time to listen for calls and work patiently through the forest. The purpose of the hike majorly to search for Albertine Rift endemics: Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Grauer’s Broadbill, Grauer’s Broadbill, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Stripe-breasted Tit, Evergreen Forest Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Purple-breasted Sunbird and etc. We will get back in the early evening at about 3-4pm

After breakfast, we travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s spectacular high-altitude forest park in the Virunga Mountains.

The landscape changes dramatically as we approach the volcanic mountains, creating a new range of habitats and birding possibilities.

Our final full day of birding takes us into the forest along the Gorge Trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The trail passes through beautiful montane forest and bamboo habitats, providing opportunities to search for high-altitude species and other forest specialists.

We spend the day birding at a relaxed pace, making the most of our final opportunities for key species and memorable forest encounters. Highlights; Rwenzori Turaco, Regal Sunbird, Olive Woodpecker, White-starred Robin, Kandht’s Waxbill, Cape Robin-chat, Augur Buzzard, Western Tinkerbird, Rwenzori Batis, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Strange Weaver, African Stonechat, Handsome Spurfowl, Archer’s Robin-chat, Red-faced Woodland Warbler and many others.

After breakfast, we begin the long journey back to Entebbe.
This is a full travel day, with opportunities for occasional birding stops along the way depending on time and road conditions.

EArrive in Entebbe in the evening, ready for your onward journey or departure the following day.