23 Days Uganda Birding & Wildlife Safari
Enjoy the 23-day Uganda birding and wildlife safari guided by Engagi safaris. The 23-day safari allows you to discover various bird species in the Pearl of Africa. In natural habitats, you will also encounter big primates such as chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, Savanah animals, and Golden moneys among others. The 23-day Uganda safari also entails Rhino tracking at Ziwa and white water rafting on River Nile. We shall start and end in Kampala
Trip Summary
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to the hotel
Day 2: Birding at Mabamba Wetland & Botanical Gardens
Day 3: Ziwa Rhino Tracking & Bird Watching
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
Day 5: Game viewing and optional cultural tour
Day 6: Bird watching and optional activities
Day 7: Transfer to Murchison falls National park
Day 8: Game viewing & optional boat cruise
Day 9: Day 4: Birding expedition
Day 10: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 11: Birding in Bigodi & afternoon chimpanzee trekking
Day 12: Birding in Semliki Valley National Park
Day 13: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park – Evening game drive
Day 14: Birding & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Day 15: Ishasha &Transfer to Lake Bunyony
Day 16: Birding in Nyombe Swamp & Island Tour
Day 17: Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest
Day18: Birding in Ruhija
Day 19: Golden Monkey trekking in Golden monkeys in Mgahinga
Day 20: Transfer to Lake Mburo – Afternoon Boat cruise
Day 21: Birding and evening Game viewing experience
Day22: Cultural Experience & Transfer to Kampala
Day 23: White water rafting in Jinja and Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to the hotel
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by the experienced driver guide from Engagi Safaris. You will then transfer to Victoria Rock Resort for refreshments, dinner, and overnight
Day 2: Birding at Mabamba Wetland & Botanical Gardens
Following morning breakfast, transfer to Mabamba wetland for a bird-watching experience. The wetland is home to the famous shoebill stork which you will see. A canoe ride through the swamp offers you close views of the iconic shoebill and other birds such as the Black Egret, Black crake, Goliath Heron, range Weaver, and Lesser Jacana among others that reside there. From there, you will transfer to Entebbe Botanical Gardens for a more birding experience to see birds such as Orange Weaver, Black Headed Weaver, and white-faced whistling duck among others. Later on transfer to Victoria Rock resort for dinner and overnight
Day 3: Ziwa Rhino Tracking & Bird Watching
Rise up early, have breakfast, and depart to Ziwa Sanctuary for a rhino-tracking experience. Enjoy a trek to see to see these critically endangered primates which are only seen at this sanctuary in the whole of Uganda. You will also explore different bird species such as the African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, Egrets, African Grey Hornbill, Grey Crowned Crane, Marabou Stork, African Pygmy Kingfisher, and African Black Crake among others. Dinner and overnight at Amuka Lodge
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
Have a well-spiced morning breakfast, check out, and embark on a drive north eastwards to Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda’s most remote National park. The transfer drive offers you great scenic views, cultural encounters and route stopovers for refreshments and photographs. Arrive in Kidepo in the evening for dinner and overnight at Adere Safari Lodge
Day 5: Game viewing and optional cultural tour
Very early today, go for a guided game drive in the open savannahs of the Narus Valley. Expect to see numerous wild animals such as Giraffes Uganda kobs, Elephants, Cheetahs Leopards, hyenas, Waterbucks, Warthogs Oribis, Topis, serval cats, and Buffalos among other Kidepo Valley National Park. Morning is the best time to see wild animals actively hunting before sunrise. Return to the lodge for late breakfast and wait for lunch. In the afternoon go for an optional cultural tour of the IK people who share their traditions, norms, customs, and briefs. Dinner and overnight at Adere Safari Lodge
Day 6: Bird watching and optional activities
Following breakfast, go for bird watching to explore the 470 bird species registered in this Park. Kidepo Valley Park has the second-highest number of birds in Uganda which makes it a best bird-watching spot. Expect to see notable birds such as Dark Chanting Goshawk, Red and Yellow billed barbet, Ostrich, Rose Ringed palakit, Kori Bustard, Pygmy Flacon, and Golden Pit among others. In the afternoon, you can chill at your lodge or do optional activities such as nature walking and community tours among others. Dinner and overnight at Adere Safari Lodge
Day 7: Transfer to Murchison falls National park
Rise on tasty breakfast checkout and drive out of Kidepo Valley National Park headed to Murchison Falls National Park in North Eastern Uganda. The transfer drive offers you spectacular views of the beautiful local communities and farms giving you a chance to meet and interact with local people. Arrive in the evening, check-in and refresh at Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 8: Game viewing & optional boat cruise
Very early today, go for guided game drives in the northern part of Murchison Falls National Park. The park is home to animals such as Giraffes, lions, elephants, Uganda kobs, Topis, Oribis, Elands, Uganda kobs, Hyenas, Waterbucks, Warthogs, and Dik Dik among others. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon, go for an optional boat cruise to the bottom of the Mighty Falls or just chill at your lodge. Dinner and overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 9: Day 4: Birding expedition
Start your birding journey via the Northern section of Murchison Falls National Park as early as 6:30 am in a 4×4 vehicle. Over 451 bird species dwell within Murchison Falls NP diverse habitats and they include shoebill storks, silver bird, piapiac, speckle-fronted weaver, giant kingfisher, blue-headed coucal, black-headed gonolek, black-billed barbet, swamp-flycatchers, red-throated bee-eaters, swamp flycatcher, white-browed sparrow weaver, palm nut vulture, etc.
In the afternoon after lunch, you will be spotting diverse aquatic birds on a boat cruise along Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. These include the francolins, cuckoo, malachite kingfishers, woodpeckers, African darter, bee-eaters, hamerkops and more. Dinner and overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 10: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Have a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, check out, and embark on a drive headed to Kibale Forest National Park located in western Uganda. The 6 hours to Kibale Forest Park takes you through different districts, towns, and local communities giving you a chance to meet and interact with local people. You will have various stopovers for refreshments and photography. Enjoy scenic drives via tea plantations, farms, and rolling hills which together offer you a fresh feeling. Arrive in the afternoon, check-in, and spend the rest of the evening chilling at your lodge. Dinner and overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 11: Birding in Bigodi & afternoon chimpanzee trekking
Wake up early and go for early morning bird watching experience in Bigodi wetland sanctuary. The swamp is home to amazing birds such as Yellow Billed Barbet, Double toothed barbet, African grey parrots, Great Blu Turaco, Black Bishop, Western Nicator, Grey Crowned Cranes, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, and Blur Throated Roller among others. Return to the lodge for breakfast and early lunch. In the afternoon, go for a chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. The rain forest is also known as the “primates capital of Africa” sheltering the highest number of chimpanzees. The trek offers you a chance to closely encounter chimpanzees and other primates such as Red-tailed monkeys, Grey monkeys Vervet monkeys, and Black and white Colobus Monkeys that live there. Dinner and overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 12: Birding in Semliki Valley National Park
Have an early morning breakfast and depart to Semliki Valley National Park for a full-day bird-watching experience. The Park is home to over 441 bird species and it is one of the Important Birding Areas in Uganda. Expect to see a variety of birds such as red-billed dwarf hornbill, lyre-tailed honeyguide, blue-billed malimbe, spot-breasted ibis, lowland akalat, red-rumped tinkerbird, Gabon woodpecker, black-wattled hornbill, Sassi’s olive greenbul. In addition to birds, Semliki Valley National Park is home to wild animals such as Uganda kobs, African Buffalos, Elephants, Push pigs, Civets, Hippos, Mona Monkeys, and Leopards among others. You can also visit the Sempaya female and hot springs which are believed to have healing waters. Yu will later return to Kibale Forest for dinner and overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 13: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park – Evening game drive
Early today, have breakfast and setoff headed to Queen Elizabeth National Park the second largest and popular park in Uganda. Arrive in the afternoon, check-in and refresh. You will then embark on the evening game drives to catch up with wild animals feeding before retiring for a night. Dinner and overnight at Enganzi Lodge
Day 14: Birding & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Spend this day discovering all the birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Over 610 bird species have been recorded in this park making it one of the best birding places in Uganda. Expect to see notable birds such as Great White Pelican, Black Headed Gonolek, Long Crested Eagle, Yellow Throated Long Crawl, Grey Crowned Crane, African Finfoot, Spotted red Shank, Caspian Plover, Papyrus Canary, Yellow Billed Stork, Great White Pelican, Crab Plover, White Winded Tern, and Broad Billed Roller among others. A drive to Lake Munyanyange is an opportunity to see lesser and greater flamingos which are extremely beautiful. The banks of Kazinga channel also shelter numerous birds best seen during the launch cruise. During your birding tour, you will meet other wild animals such as Elephants Lions, Leopards, Hippos, Buffalos, and Uganda kobs among others grazing, hunting, and chilling. In the afternoon, go for a boat cruise at Kazinga channel for a bird-watching experience. The banks of the river shelter various bird species which include Hemerkop, White Egrets. Pied Kingfishefrican fish eagle, Ibises, Yellow-billed stork, African Jacana, Black Bee-eater, Lesser flamingo, Shoebill, Malachite Kingfisher, Great white pelican and Pink-backed pelican among others. Dinner and Overnight at Enganzi Lodge
Day 15: Ishasha &Transfer to Lake Bunyony
Following a tasty cup of coffee, drive out of Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha sector, the home to the famous tree-climbing lions. The drive through Ishasha offer you chance to see various wild animals such as Lions, Elephants, Buffalos, Leopards, Hyenas, Uganda kobs, Waterbucks, Warthogs, and wild pigs among others. Have lunch en route and proceed to Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second-deepest lake. Check-in at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort and refresh.
Day 16: Birding in Nyombe Swamp & Island Tour
Following a relaxed sunrise breakfast, transfer to Nyombe Swamp for the best bird-watching experience. The area is believed to have over 200 bird species after which it derived its name “Bunyonyi”. Flaychater, Malachite flycatcher, Black Heron, Pied wagtail, Bronze sunbird, Pied Kingfisher, Hadada ibis, and Golden back weaver among others. In the evening, go for an island tour to explore different islands on this Lake. Visit the Punishment Island where the traditional pregnant unmarried Bakiga girls were taken and left to die in isolation, The Bucuraniko Island which means upside down, Akampene Island, Bushara, and Bwama Islands among others. The cruise also offers you great views of Kigezi rolling hills, terraces, and local communities best for photography. Dinner and overnight at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Day 17: Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest
Rise up very early, have breakfast get your packed lunch and transfer to Ruhija in the eastern part of Bwindi Forest National park for mountain gorilla trekking. The day starts with registration and briefing at the park headquarters. Mountain gorilla trekking begins at 8:00am lasting for between 2-7 hours depending on where gorillas will be located. The allowed time with gorillas is strictly an hour counted from the time you meet them. Bwindi Forest is home to over 500 mountain gorillas and it’s the prime gorilla destination in Africa. In the evening, drive back to Lake Bunyonyi for Dinner and Overnight at lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Day 18: Birding in Ruhija
You will have an early morning cup of coffee and with a packed lunch head back to Bwindi Forest for bird watching in Ruhija sector home to over 400 bird species. Expect to see birds such as Slender Billed Greenbul, White Starred Robin, strange weaver, Brown Chested Alethe, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, African Paradise Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, African Olive Pigeon, Blue Headed Sunbird, Great Blue Turaco, Dusky Twin Spot, Kivu Ground Thrush, African Pygmy, Dwarf Honeyguide and mountain masked Apalis among others. A binocular is highly recommended for birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. Dinner and overnight at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Day 19: Golden Monkey trekking in Golden monkeys in Mgahinga
Very early today, have breakfast and with your packed lunch and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National park where “Silver Meets Gold”. Report at Ntebeko Visitor Information Centre where briefing and registration take place. At 8:00am start the hike into the forest searching for the endangered golden monkeys. You will be amused by the lively and playful characters of the se primates as they jump continually over your head. In addition to the golden monkeys, Mgahinga forest is home to mountain gorillas, Forest Elephants and Colobus monkeys among others. The rain forest also shelters over 180 bird species 12 of which are endemic to the region. Some of the notable bird species to see in Mgahinga Gorilla Park include African Paradise Flycatcher, Black Kite, Speckled Mousebird, Pin tailed Whyda and Cape Robi Chat among others. Dinner and overnight at Travelers Rest Hotel
Day 20: Transfer to Lake Mburo – Afternoon Boat cruise
Have breakfast, check out, and depart to Lake Mburo National Park in Kiruhura district. The drive via kigezi rolling hills and Ankole cattle and banana plantation farms makes this trip more exciting. Arrive in the afternoon and go go a boat cruise at Lake Mburo. The cruise offers you with scenic views of the park, wild animals and fishing villages. Dinner and overnight at Mpogo Lodge
Day 21: Birding and evening Game viewing experience
Early today, go for a birding excursion to explore birds in Lake Mburo National Park. The small park hosts over 310 bird species and its the best place to see Acacia Dwellers. Expect to see notable birds such as African Finfoot, African Watted Lapwing, Black Bellied Bustard, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Shoebill, White-winged Swamp Wabler, and Mosque Swallow among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and refreshments. In the evening, go for a guided game-viewing experience to see animals such as Giraffes Zebras, Uganda kobs Waterbucks, and Warthogs among others. Dinner and overnight at your lodge Mpogo Lodge
Day22: Cultural Experience & Transfer to Kampala
Early today, go for a cultural tour to witness and be part of the thrilling experience. You will be guided on how different products such as Yogurt, Ghee, and Butter are processed from Milk. If you want, take part in milking which make you part of the community. Traditional dances and songs are performed to welcome and entertain you. Later on, check out the lodge, and embark on a drive headed to Kampala for dinner and overnight at Victoria Rock Resort
Day 23: White water rafting in Jinja and Departure
After an early morning breakfast embark on a drive to Jinja for white water rafting on the River Nile. The experience is one of the best water sports activities rewarding you with a true feeling of Nile waters. The cruise also offers you scenic views of the calm Nile waters and neighboring communities. From there, drive back to Kampala and connect with your departure flight at Entebbe International Airport
Inclusions:
- Gorilla permits
- Chimp permits
- Golden monkey permits
- Birding excursions
- Park entrance fees
- Boat cruises
- All activities included in
- the itinerary
- Fulltime guide
- Meals and accommodation
Exclusions:
- Tips
- Souvenirs
- Laundry
- Beverages
- Optional Activities
Day 12: Departure
After having a relaxed sunset breakfast on the shores of the deepest Lake. Thereafter, check out and transfer to Kampala airport to catchup with your connecting flight
Inclusions
Mountain gorilla permits
Chimpanzee permits
Golden Monkey permits
Park entrance fees
Boat cruise
All activities included in the itinerary
Accommodation and emails
Full time English speaking guide
Bottled drinking water
Miscellaneous’
Exclusions
Alcoholic beverages
Tips
Potters fee
Visa fees
Extra activities not included in the Itine
