Discover Uganda's Premier Birding Destinations
Uganda is one of Africa's top birding destinations, boasting over 1,000 bird species. This 24-day specialized birding safari takes you to the country's most productive birding hotspots, from the iconic Shoebill of Mabamba Swamp to the Albertine Rift endemics of Bwindi, the forest specials of Budongo's Royal Mile, and the savanna birds of Kidepo Valley National Park.
This safari is led by professional bird guides from Mahogany Travel Expeditions with expert knowledge of Uganda's avifauna, bird calls, and the best birding locations.
Key Birding Highlights
- Shoebill: Prime location at Mabamba Swamp with high sighting chances
- Albertine Rift Endemics: 24 species in Bwindi including African Green Broadbill, Chapin's Flycatcher
- Budongo's Royal Mile: Premier forest birding with Nahan's Francolin, Cassin's Spinetail
- Kidepo Valley: Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Karamoja Apalis, and 14 endemic raptors
- Queen Elizabeth NP: 610 species including African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork
- Murchison Falls: Shoebill, Secretary Bird, Abyssinian Roller, Ground Hornbill
- Uganda's Only Endemic: Fox's Weaver in Pian Upe
Detailed Birding Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Transferred to the Hotel
Upon arrival, you will be met by one of our professional bird guides and transferred to your hotel of choice. Depending on the time of arrival, we may start our safari with bird watching around the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe.
Day 2: Bird Watching to Mabamba Bay and Afternoon Transfer to Lake Mburo
Early morning breakfast and visit Mabamba Village and its adjacent swamp, a labyrinth of channels and lagoons. The road winds through secondary forest and agricultural land attracting Red-headed Lovebird, African Crowned-Hornbills, and sunbirds including Green-headed, Green, Red-chested, Collared, Marico and Scarlet-chested. Stop at Mpigi Swamp for Papyrus Gonolek and White-winged Warbler. At Mabamba, explore by canoe for the majestic Shoebill. Other species include African Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, Carruthers' Cisticola, African Fish Eagle, Winding Cisticola, Fan-tailed Widowbird, and Blue-breasted Bee-eater. Proceed to Lake Mburo National Park.
Target Species:
Shoebill, Red-headed Lovebird, African Crowned-Hornbill, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, African Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, Blue-breasted Bee-eater
Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Cruise in Lake Mburo National Park
Birding on a game drive and boat ride on Lake Mburo. Birds include African Finfoot (very shy), White-backed Night Heron, Giant Kingfisher, Black Collard Barbet, Malachite Kingfisher. Explore open grassland north of camp along Zebra Track for Coqui Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck's Courser, African Wattled Plover, Rufous-Naped and Flappet Larks, Rufous-chested Swallow, Yellow-throated Longclaw and Southern Red Bishop. Nocturnal species include African Scops Owl, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, Fiery-necked, Pennant-winged, Swamp, and Black-shouldered Nightjars.
Target Species:
African Finfoot, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck's Courser, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, Pennant-winged Nightjar
Days 4–8: Birding to Bwindi (Ruhija and Buhoma) with Gorilla Tracking
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest holds 400 bird species, 24 Albertine Rift endemics, and 10 globally threatened species. Ruhija is a birding highlight with excellent birding in spectacular surroundings. Early starts offer best chances for Handsome Francolin, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Western Green Tinkerbird, Mountain and Yellow-streaked Greenbuls, Regal Sunbird, Black-headed Waxbill, Grauer's Warbler, Dusky Crimsonwing, White-starred Robin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Mountain Masked and Chestnut-throated Apalises, Rwenzori Batis, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher. Special species include African Green Broadbill, Chapin's Flycatcher, Shelley's Crimson-wing, and Purple-breasted Sunbird.
Albertine Rift Endemics (24 species):
Handsome Francolin, Grauer's Warbler, Dusky Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori Nightjar, Shelley's Crimson-wing, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Chapin's Flycatcher, African Green Broadbill
Days 9–10: Bird Watching to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park with birding stops. The park boasts an incredible 610 bird species—the highest in Africa! Birding includes African Morning Dove, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Black-headed Gonolek, Slender-billed, Yellow-backed and Lesser-masked Weavers, Pin-tailed Whydah, Black-winged Pratincole. Game drive on Kasenyi trail for Saddle-billed Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Bateleur, Grey Kestrel, Lappet-faced, Ruppell's Griffon, White-backed and Palm-nut Vultures, African Crake, Black Coucal, Red-necked Spurfowl. Afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise for African Skimmers, Great-white and Pink-backed Pelicans, Open-billed Stork, Malachite Kingfisher, African Jacana.
Target Species:
African Skimmer, Saddle-billed Stork, Bateleur, Palm-nut Vulture, Black-winged Pratincole, Malachite Kingfisher
Days 11–12: Birding to Kibale Forest
Kibale Forest National Park protects diverse primates and birds. Bird the main road or forest trails for African Emerald Cuckoo, Purple-headed Starling, Black-billed Turaco, Yellow-billed Barbet, Grey-throated Barbet, Blue-throated Roller, Narrow-tailed Starling, Western Black-headed Oriole, Yellow-throated and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds. Chimpanzee tracking takes 1–5 hours. Afternoon birding in Bigodi Wetland or forest trails for Green-breasted Pitta, Fire-crested Alethe, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis.
Target Species:
Green-breasted Pitta, African Emerald Cuckoo, Black-billed Turaco, Blue-throated Roller, Fire-crested Alethe
Days 13–15: Birding to Budongo Forest
Drive to Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda's largest natural forest. Day 14: Bird the famous Royal Mile—Uganda's premier forest birding locality. Species include Nahan's Francolin, Cassin's Spinetail, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Spotted, Xavier's, White-throated, Red-tailed & Honeyguide Greenbuls, Yellow-mantled Weaver, Rufous Thrush, Uganda Woodland-Warbler, Scaly-breasted, Brown & Pale-breasted Illadopses, Fire-crested Alethe, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Cassin's and Crowned Hawk-eagles, Sabine's Spinetail, White-throated Bee-eater.
Target Species:
Nahan's Francolin, Cassin's Spinetail, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Sabine's Spinetail, White-throated Bee-eater
Days 16–18: Birding to Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park—boat cruise for Shoebill, and exploration of broad-leaved woodland, dry grasslands, and forests. Special birds include Shoebill, Secretary Bird, Abyssinian Roller, Ground Hornbill, Pied Kingfishers, Red-throated Bee-eaters, Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Senegal Thick-knee, Water Thick-knee, Black-headed Lapwing, Long-toed Lapwing, Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Vinaceous Dove, Grosbeak Weaver, Pel's Fishing Owl, White Crested Turaco, Bruce's Green Pigeon, Carmine Bee-eater, Pennant-winged and Standard-winged Nightjars.
Target Species:
Shoebill, Abyssinian Roller, Ground Hornbill, Pel's Fishing Owl, Standard-winged Nightjar, Secretary Bird
Days 19–22: Birding to Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley contains one of Uganda's most exciting faunas with 400 bird species. Specialties include Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Karamoja Apalis, Abyssinian Roller, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Black-breasted Barbet, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, D'Arnaud's Barbet, Fox Kestrel, Golden Pipit, Jackson's Hornbill, Purple Grenadier, Pygmy Falcon, Red-throated Bee-eater, White-Bellied Go-away bird. Raptors: 56 species recorded including Verreaux's Eagle, Egyptian Vulture and Pygmy Falcon endemic to Kidepo-Karamoja region.
Target Species:
Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Karamoja Apalis, Pygmy Falcon, Jackson's Hornbill, Northern Carmine Bee-eater
Day 23: Birding to Mbale through Pian Upe
Birding to Mbale through Pian Upe for chances of Fox's Weaver, the only Uganda's endemic bird. Stone Partridges are also likely to be seen.
Target Species:
Fox's Weaver (Uganda's only endemic bird), Stone Partridge
Day 24: Travel to Kampala or Entebbe for Departure
Travel to Kampala for overnight stay or to Entebbe for evening departure.
Safari Package Includes
- Professional bird guide with expert knowledge
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Gorilla trekking permit (if included)
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Boat cruises on Lake Mburo, Kazinga Channel, Murchison Falls
- Game drives in all national parks
- All park entrance fees
- Full-board accommodation
- Bottled drinking water
Package Excludes
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, tips, alcoholic beverages)
- Optional activities not mentioned
Book Your Uganda Birding Safari
Join us on this comprehensive 24-day birding adventure across Uganda's premier birding destinations. From the iconic Shoebill to the Albertine Rift endemics, this safari is designed for serious birders seeking to maximize their Uganda bird list.
Book This Birding SafariContact our birding specialists for custom itineraries, group bookings, or birding checklists.