Winged Wonders of Uganda: 20-Day Birding Adventure

• After enjoying breakfast at your lodge, you will visit Mabamba wetland, a Ramsar site and habitat for the elusive Shoebill Stork. Take a canoe ride through the wetland, spotting African Pygmy Goose, purple Swamphen, and other aquatic birds.
• Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and later on drive to Entebbe botanical gardens for more birds. Later on you will return back to your accommodation for relaxation, dinner and a beautiful night.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• After an early breakfast, you'll meet your tour leader for a briefing before setting off for Jinja along the Kampala-Jinja Highway (approximately 85 km). Along the way, you’ll make a stop at Mabira Forest, a stunning natural reserve teeming with diverse birdlife, primates, and unique tree species. Here, you'll embark on a guided nature walk through the forest, keeping an eye out for various birds, butterflies, and forest animals.
• After the forest walk, resume your journey to Jinja, passing extensive tea and sugarcane plantations en route. Upon arrival in Jinja, you'll have lunch at a local restaurant before heading out for an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile River for water birds. This tranquil cruise will take you to the Source of the Nile, with an opportunity to visit Samuka Island, a haven for bird watching.
• After the cruise, relax over dinner and settle into your accommodation for the night. Stay at 2Friends hotel for luxury, Brisk hotel for mid-range and Pacific cottages for budget.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• After enjoying an early morning breakfast at your lodge, you will explore the nearby wetlands and forests, targeting birds like African Pygmy Goose, Malachite Kingfisher, and Grey-headed sparrow. Return back to your lodge for lunch.
• After lunch you will begin your journey to Mount Elgon National Park in Eastern Uganda, a journey through scenic landscapes and rural villages. Stop at scenic view points and birding hotspots along the way. On arrival, you will check into your lodge for relaxation, dinner and the night. Stay at Mount Elgon hotel and spa for luxury, Sipi valley resort for mid-range and Rafiki lodge for budget.
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• After breakfast, you will explore the Park’s montane forests and moorlands, searching for Elgon Francolin, Jackson’s Francolin, and Bronze-naped Pigeon. Return to your lodge for lunch.
• After lunch you will explore the caves, cliffs, and endemic-rich areas, targeting species like Lammergeier, verreaux’s Eagle, and Cinnamon-chested Bee eater.
• Later on you will return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and the night.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

• After enjoying breakfast, you will set off for Kidepo Valley National Park, passing through Karamoja, Uganda’s northeast region. Along the way, visit local markets to see vibrant cultural displays of traditional craftsmanship. You will have lunch along the way at a local restaurant and after lunch you will drive up to Kidepo Valley National Park with stops at birding hotspots along the way.
• Arrive in the evening and check into the lodge for relaxation, dinner and the night. Stay at Apoka safari lodge for luxury, Kidepo savanna lodge for both mid-range and budget.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• After an early morning breakfast, you will explore Kidepo’s savannah and rocky outcrops, spotting species like Karamajong Apails, Fox’s Weaver, and White-bellied Go-away-bird. Enjoy lunch at your lodge.
• After lunch, explore Narus Valley and Apoka, targeting birds like Ostrich, Secretary bird, and Kori Bustard. After this rewarding experience, you will return back to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and the night.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

• Enjoy breakfast and bird in Namamukweny valley, searching for Red-cheeked Cordon-blue, Purple Grenadier, and Steelblue Whydah.
• After enjoying this wonderful experience, you will return back to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation.
• Later on you will delve into the local culture by visiting the Karamajong community. Learn about their traditional practices, vibrant customs and resilience.
• Engage with their friendly locals, sharing stories and laughter. Later on you will return back to your lodge for dinner and the beautiful night.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

• After breakfast, depart Kidepo and travel to Murchison Falls National Park via Gulu. Enjoy a scenic drive through Northern Uganda’s plains, stopping for lunch en route. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and rest in preparation for upcoming adventures in the park.
• Stay at Nile safari lodge for luxury, Fort Murchison lodge for mid-range and Murchison River lodge for budget.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

• You will embark on a nature walk, exploring the Park’s diverse habitats including grasslands, woodlands, and riverine forests. The guided walk offers an intimate encounter with the Park’s birdlife, allowing you to spot species that might be difficult to see from a vehicle.
• Expect sightings of birds like Black-Billed Wood Dove, Yellow-rumped Tinker bird, Grey Headed kingfisher, etc
• Return to your accommodation for a hearty breakfast, replenishing your energy for the day ahead. Later, embark on a scenic boat cruise along the Nile, providing a unique perspective to observe aquatic animals such as crocodiles and hippos basking along the riverbanks. Marvel at the diverse birdlife, including kingfishers, cormorants, saddle-bill storks, the rare shoebill stork, pelicans, bee-eaters, Egyptian geese, and the majestic Goliath heron, among others.
• After the boat cruise, return to your hotel for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a hike to the top of the falls for a breathtaking view and the opportunity to capture stunning photos, including the rainbow created by the cascading water. You will still have chances to spot more birds including, Augur Buzzard, Lizard buzzard, African Goshawk, etc
• Head back to your hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening, reminiscing about the day's adventures.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

• Begin your day early with a thrilling morning game drive, offering the best opportunity to observe wildlife and savanna species like the Abyssinian Roller and the Northern Carmine Bee-eater.
• Return to your accommodation for a hearty breakfast, replenishing your energy for the day ahead. Later, drive from Murchison falls national park to Kibale national park
• Have a stopover for lunch along the way at a local restaurant as you also stretch your legs before you proceed with your journey up to Kibale National Park.
• Upon your arrival at Kibale National, you will check into your lodge for relaxation, dinner and a night. Stay at Turaco Tree Tops for luxury, Isunga lodge for mid-range and Rwenzori view guest house for budget.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

• After enjoying breakfast, you will embark on forest walk to spot tropical species like the African Emerald Cuckoo and Red-headed Malimbe.
• After this rewarding forest walk experience, you will return back to your lodge for lunch and after lunch, you will explore Bigodi wetlands to spot Great Blue Turaco, Yellow-billed Barbet, and Black-billed Turaco.
• Return back to your lodge for dinner and the night.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• After enjoying breakfast, you will transfer to Semliki National Park renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Upon your arrival, you will check into your accommodation for relaxation and lunch. After enjoying lunch, you will embark on a thrilling game drive in Semliki National Park.
• This game drive will offer breathtaking views of the Park’s diverse wildlife, and an array of bird species after this rewarding experience, you will return back to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and the night. Stay at Semliki safari lodge for luxury and Mountain of the moon hotel for mid-range and budget.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• On this day, you will enjoy breakfast at your lodge, followed by a leisurely nature walk in the surrounding areas of Semliki National Park. This morning nature walk offers opportunities to spot local bird species like Congo Serpent Eagle, Black-casqued Hornbill, and Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill.
• After the nature walk, you will return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Later on you will embark on a community visit to explore the Bakonzo people, an indigenous tribe living near Semliki National Park. You will experience the rich cultural heritage of the Bakonzo, learning about their traditional practices, customs and way of life. Later, you will return back to your lodge for dinner and the night.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• After breakfast, you will depart from Semliki National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon your arrival, you will check into your lodge for lunch and later on our guide will transfer you to Kazinga channel for a boat cruise. The channel is collection point for most of the park animals and it is one of the best places to go for birding in Uganda, expect to spot birds like African fish Eagle, grey-headed sunbird, among others.
• Drive back to your lodge for dinner and a night. Stay at Ishasha wilderness camp for luxury, Enganzi game lodge for mid-range and Queen Elizabeth bush lodge for budget.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• After enjoying an early morning breakfast at your lodge, you will embark on a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through Ishasha area for tree climbing lions and wildlife viewing experiences, found in Queen Elizabeth national park.
• Tree climbing lions are only found in Uganda, Tanzania and Kruger national park in South Africa.
• The best place to see them is in Uganda. While looking out for the lions, expect to spot many other migrant species. After enough of the game drive, you will proceed with your journey up to Bwindi Impenetrable national park. Upon your arrival, you will check into your lodge for lunch and later on visit the Batwa community for cultural experience as they entertain you through cultural performances. They will show you how they used to hunt small animals for food, their gathering skills, among others.
• Return back to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and the night. Stay at Chameleon hill lodge for luxury, Mucha lodge for mid-range and Gorilla valley lodge for budget.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Enjoy an early morning breakfast, and embark on a nature walk that will offer you opportunities of spotting more bird species. Later on you will depart for Lake Bunyonyi which locally means the place for little birds.
• Arrive at Lake Bunyonyi and check into your lodge for relaxation and lunch.
• After lunch, have an enjoyable boat cruise and expect to see different bird species like red chested sun birds, the fly catchers, white tailed herons, wood peckers among others after the boat cruise, have dinner and the beautiful night at your lodge. Stay at Birds nest lodge.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• After breakfast, depart from Lake Bunyonyi and head to Nshenyi Cultural Village, located near Kitwe Town on the edge of Ntungamo District.
• Nshenyi Cultural Village offers a unique opportunity to experience the traditional lifestyle of the Banyankole people.
• Upon arrival, have lunch and immerse yourself in the community through various activities, including nature walks, visiting homesteads, and learning about farming tools and techniques passed down through generations. Accommodation will be in a homestay, providing an authentic and immersive cultural experience.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

• After enjoying a delicious breakfast, depart from Nshenyi Cultural Village and head to Lake Mburo National Park, where you'll begin to spot savannah species. Upon your arrival, you will check into your lodge for lunch and later on embark on a boat cruise on Lake Mburo.
• This two-hour cruise offers a different perspective of the park, allowing you to observe a variety of water birds.
• After the boat cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and a night.
• Stay at Kigarama wilderness lodge for luxury, Mpogo lodge for mid-range and Leopard rest camp for budget.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Begin your day early with a thrilling morning game drive, offering the best opportunity to observe wildlife when they are most active.
• Return to your accommodation for a hearty breakfast, replenishing your energy for the day ahead. After enjoying breakfast at your lodge, you will depart for Kampala, a journey that will take approximately 6 to 7 hours. Along the way, you will enjoy lunch en route and also make a stop at the equator for a unique experience of standing in two hemispheres at the same time. Take this opportunity to capture memorable photos and enjoy lunch at the equator stop.
• Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight back home or you will be dropped to the place of your own choice around Kampala or Entebbe.
• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
• End of the trip