This professional 12-day itinerary is designed to stir the soul of any birder (photographer), combining Uganda’s legendary big game, primate expeditions with the most sought-after avian treasures on the continent. Prepare for a journey where every rustle in the leaves promises a “lifer”, while driven and guided by the local birding specialist.
- You’ll be collected from the airport.
- Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Shoebill quest at Mabamba Swamp and journey to Masindi town
Your expedition begins with a prompt pickup from your Entebbe hotel, followed by a transfer to Nakiwogo landing site. From here, a motorized canoe navigates the narrow channels of the Mabamba Shoebill Wetland, a Ramsar site famed for the prehistoric Shoebill.As you glide through the miscanthus and papyrus, look for the African Jacana, Lesser Jacana, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Goliath Heron, Malachite Kingfisher, African Marsh Harrier, Squacco Heron, Yellow-billed Duck etc.
Mammals are elusive here, but the Sitatunga antelope (rare) and Spotted-necked Otter (rare) are occasional highlights. After the boat session, you will begin a 4 to 5-hour drive (approximately 250 km) North to the historic Masindi town and stay at Masindi Hotel, which offers a charming colonial atmosphere and served as a base for Ernest Hemingway during his Ugandan travels.
Day 2
The Royal Mile and Nyabyeeya Tall Grasses Birding whole morning and afternoon
Today is dedicated to the legendary Royal Mile within the Budongo Central Forest Reserve, arguably the best forest birding track in East Africa. This wide, flat trail under a magnificent mahogany canopy allows for superb visibility. Key avian targets include the endemic Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, White-thighed Hornbill, Ituri Batis, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Nahan’s Partridge, Cassin’s Spinetail, Blue-throated Roller, Fire-crested Alethe etc.
In the afternoon, the focus shifts to the Nyabyeya Agricultural farmlands, where the open habitat attracts different species such as the Heuglin’s Francolin, Cabanis’s Bunting, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Brown Twinspot, Bar-breasted and African Firefinch, Zebra, Common and Yellow-bellied Waxbills, Grey-headed Oliveback and various Sunbirds.
Day 3
Butiaba Escarpment Vistas and the mighty Muchison falls national park
Leaving Masindi, the journey takes you toward Uganda’s largest conservation area: Murchison Falls National Park. The drive (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours) descends the Butiaba Escarpment, offering breathtaking views of Lake Albert and the Blue Mountainsof Congo. Along the escarpment and during the “Top of the Falls” visit, we search for specialized species like the Foxy Cisticola, Cliff Chat, Spotted Morning-Thrush, Silverbird, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Rock Pratincole, White-crested Turaco, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, and Pygmy Sunbird.
Standing at the crest of the falls, you will witness the Nile squeezing through a 7-meter gorge—a sensory marvel. Savannah wildlife sightings often begin here with Olive Baboons, Elephants, Warthogs, and Rock Hyrax. Depending on availability, you will check in for two nights at either the Pakuba Safari Lodge, located on the scenic Eastern bank of the Albert Nile, or the eco-friendly Bamboo Village Lodge.
Day 4
Savana majesty and victoria Nile Cruise
This day offers a comprehensive immersion into the wildlife of the northern savannah. A morning game drive across the Buligi tracks targets the “Big Four” and a wealth of birds. Look for the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Secretary Bird (rarely spotted on lucky days), Denham’s Bustard, Black-headed Lapwing, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Northern Carmine and Red-throated Bee-eater, Piapiac, Martial Eagle, Saddle-billed Stork, Long-toed Lapwing and more. The plains are teeming with Rothschild’s Giraffes, African Elephants, Cape Buffalos, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Uganda Kobs, and Oribis, with predators like Lions and Leopards often spotted during early hours.
In the afternoon, a three-hour boat trip to the base of the falls provides close-up views of Hippopotamus and massive Nile Crocodiles. You will be delighted in the water-associated species lining the banks, including the Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, African Skimmers, African Fish Eagle and a bunch more.
Day 5
Transfer to Kibale Forest and Evening at Bigodi Swamp
You will undertake a longer scenic drive south (approximately 6 to 7 hours birding en-route) towards the lush foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. Upon arrival at the edge of Kibale, you will visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-led conservation project. This swamp is a “primate capital,” often harboring 8 species including Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, and Blue Monkeys.
The birding is spectacular, headlined by the iconic Great Blue Turaco. Among other species include the Papyrus Canary (rarely spotted), Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Western Nicator, Grey-winged Robin-chat, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Superb Sunbird, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher.
Day 6
Kibale forest birding and PM chimpanzee Tour
Birding in Kibale offers a chance at the ultimate prize: The African Green-breasted Pitta. The thrill of the chase in this emerald forest is unparalleled, as the morning light breaks through to reveal the Black-billed Turaco, Narina Trogon, Black Bee-eater, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Brown-chested Alethe, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Black-capped Apalis, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Double-toothed Barbet to mention but a few. Afternoon Chimpanzee Tracking.
Day 7
The congo basin outlier – Semuliki valley National Park
A full day is dedicated to the Kirumia Trail in Semuliki, the only lowland tropical forest in East Africa that mimics the Congo Basin’s biodiversity. This is a birder’s cathedral, where the ancient trees hum with the echoes of the Great Blue Turaco and the bizarre Nkulengu Rail (a rare nocturnal bird).
Target species include the Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied and Blue-billed Malimbe, Yellow-throated Nicator, Swamp Palm Bulbul and other more on the list. In the canopy, look for Central African Red Colobus and the Grey-cheeked Mangabey. The drive from Kibale to Semuliki takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, crossing the breathtaking Rwenzori foothills.
Day 8
Savannah Birding and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After a 2.5-hour drive, arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park. There is a profound sense of freedom as you scan the vast savannah, where every golden blade of grass seems to hide a jewel.
Morning birding on the Kasenyi plains targets the African Crake, Martial Eagle, Ruppell’s Vulture, Bateleur, Red-throated Bee-eater, Flappet Lark, Croaking Cisticola, Grey-capped Warbler and more.
The afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel provides an effortless birding spectacle, with African Skimmers, Pink-backed Pelicans, Goliath Herons, Pied Kingfishers, African Spoonbill, Black Heron and other water dwellers flying alongside massive schools of Hippopotamus and African Elephants.
Day 9
Tree climing lions and Albertine high forest birding
Transit through the Ishasha Sector, a wild landscape where the legendary Tree-climbing Lions rest in fig trees—a sight that will take your breath away.
Birding along the way, look for the Lappet-faced Vulture, Palm-nut Vulture, Broad-billed Roller, Ross’s Turaco, Double-toothed Barbet, Greater Honeyguide, Grey Woodpecker, White-browed Robin-chatt, Sooty Chat, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Crested Barbet, Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike, Southern Red Bishop etc.
The drive continues to the high-altitude Ruhija section of Bwindi (approx. 5-6 hours total), where the crisp mountain air and the call of the Dusky Crimsonwing welcome you to the clouds.
Day 10
Bwindi – the jewel of Albertine rift endemics (reasonable fitness is required)
Today is a pilgrimage into the heart of the “Impenetrable” forest. The forest is alive with a symphony of endemics, and the reward of seeing the African Green Broadbill is a moment that stays with a birder forever.
Seek out the Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Strange Weaver, Blue-headed Sunbird, Archer’s Robin-chat, Grauer’s Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Strip-breasted Tit, Handsome Francolin and other Albertine skulkers.
Between sightings, you may feel the gaze of a Mountain Gorilla (activity need prepaid tickets) or see a Black-fronted Duiker darting through the undergrowth—a true testament to the raw beauty of this prehistoric wilderness.
Day 11
Gorilla tracking in the morning and transition to Mburo’s acacia in the afternoon
Morning you will Join other trekkers to the Gorillas. Transit from Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park (approx. 4-5 hours). As the forest gives way to rolling acacia hills, the landscape feels like an African dream.
Upon arrival, the park offers the Red-faced Barbet (seasonal & sometimes rare), Tabora Cisticola, Green-capped Eremomela, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Spot-flanked Barbet, African Finfoot (on the lake), White-backed Night Heron, Brown-chested Lapwing, Bared-faced Go-away-bird, Emerald-spotted Wood-dove etc… The evening light bathes the Plains Zebra and Impala in gold, creating a serene atmosphere for your final game drive.
Day 12
Acacia Specialist and departure
Awake to the sweet, melodic whistles of the acacia specialists—the perfect soundtrack for your final morning. Focus on the Crested and Coqui Francolin, Common Scimitarbill, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Greater Blue-eared Starling, African Wattled Lapwing, Red-headed Lovebird, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Red-necked Spurfowl to mention but a few.
Keep an eye out for Rothschild’s Giraffes silhouetted against the sky. Following lunch, depart for the 4-hour drive back to Entebbe, leaving with a full memory and a heart forever captivated by the Pearl of Africa.
Accommodation:No accommodation (End of tour)Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
End of tour
- Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
- You’ll be dropped off at the airport.
Important to Know
- Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
- This tour is not available to groups larger than 2 people.
- This tour is unavailable for children.
Rates Per Person
Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026
Per person
Solo traveler (1 room)
$7,189
2 people (1 room)
$5,548
3+ people
Included
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- Gorilla permits(One per person, non-resident)
- Chimp permits(One per person, non-resident)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water (On all days)
Excluded
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees