7 Days Birding Safari in Mabamba Swamp, Kibale National Park & Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to Mabamba Swamp for a morning canoe birding excursion through the wetland channels.

Mabamba Swamp is internationally known as one of the best places to search for the elusive Shoebill stork. The swamp is also home to numerous wetland bird species including papyrus gonolek, blue swallow, African jacana, malachite kingfisher, swamp flycatcher, and various egrets and herons.

The canoe experience allows quiet movement through the papyrus channels, creating excellent opportunities for bird photography and close observation.

After the birding excursion, return and begin the journey westward toward Kibale National Park. The drive passes through changing landscapes including rural villages, tea plantations, rolling hills, and scenic countryside.

Arrive in the evening and check into your lodge near the forest.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast, begin a guided birding walk in Kibale National Park, one of Uganda’s richest forest ecosystems.

Kibale is home to an impressive variety of forest birds including green breasted pitta, African pitta, yellow spotted barbet, little greenbul, black capped apalis, African grey parrot, crowned eagle, and numerous sunbird species.

The forest environment creates a completely different birding atmosphere compared to the wetlands of Mabamba. Dense vegetation, towering trees, and forest sounds make the experience immersive and rewarding.

Apart from birdlife, the forest is also known for primates, and sightings of red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and chimpanzees are possible during the walk.

After lunch and short relaxation at the lodge, continue to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for an afternoon birding experience.

Bigodi is well known for its rich biodiversity and offers opportunities to spot species such as the great blue turaco, white spotted flufftail, papyrus canary, and western nicator.

Return to the lodge in the evening.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast, depart Kibale and continue southward toward Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The journey offers scenic views of crater lakes, rolling hills, and open countryside as the landscape gradually transitions from forest to savannah.

En route birding opportunities are available throughout the drive, with chances of spotting roadside species, raptors, and wetland birds near water bodies.

Arrive in Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon and continue with a short birding game drive as you head toward the lodge.

The park hosts more than 600 bird species, making it one of the most diverse birding destinations in East Africa.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Begin the day with an early morning birding game drive through the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The open savannah habitat supports a variety of bird species including secretary birds, martial eagles, African wattled lapwings, black headed gonoleks, grey crowned cranes, and numerous weaver birds.

Wildlife sightings are also common during the drive, with opportunities to see elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, lions, and hyenas.

After lunch, proceed for an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.

The Kazinga Channel is one of Uganda’s most rewarding birding locations because of its concentration of waterbirds. During the cruise, possible sightings include African fish eagles, pink backed pelicans, pied kingfishers, saddle billed storks, yellow billed storks, cormorants, and African spoonbills.

The boat cruise also offers excellent photography opportunities as wildlife gathers along the shoreline to drink and cool off.

Return to the lodge in the evening. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast, spend the day exploring different birding areas within Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The day may include birding around crater lakes, open grasslands, woodland areas, and wetland sections depending on recent bird activity and seasonal conditions.

The diversity of habitats within the park allows opportunities to search for species such as flamingos, flamingo migrants during certain seasons, African skimmers, Verreaux’s eagle owls, bee eaters, hornbills, barbets, and various raptors.

Lunch may be enjoyed at the lodge or as a packed picnic depending on the birding schedule.

The relaxed pace of the day allows more time for observation, photography, and appreciation of the park’s landscapes and wildlife.

Return to the lodge in the evening for relaxation.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast, begin the return journey to Entebbe.

The drive passes through scenic countryside with opportunities for brief stops at viewpoints, local markets, or the Uganda Equator crossing for photography and relaxation.

Lunch will be enjoyed en route before continuing toward Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.

This marks the end of your birding safari