7-Day Uganda Birding Safari (Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Brief Overview | A focused birding itinerary targeting Uganda’s Albertine Rift endemics and forest specialists. Features three distinct habitats: lowland rainforest (Kibale), savannah/wetlands (Queen Elizabeth), and montane forest (Bwindi). Designed for serious birders with an expert guide. Uganda has over 1,000 bird species. |
DAY-BY-DAY BREAKDOWN
Day 1: Arrival & Transfer to Kibale
- Morning: Arrival Entebbe, meet specialist birding guide.
- Late Morning: Drive to Kibale NP (4-5 hours), birding en route:
- Stop at roadside wetlands for papyrus endemics
- Target: Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-headed Coucal
- Afternoon: Arrive Kibale lodge, settle in.
- Evening: Briefing, bird list review.
- Meals: Lunch en route, Dinner
- Accommodation: Kibale area lodge
Day 2: Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetland
- Early Morning (6:30 AM): Birding in Kibale Forest:
- Target forest specials:
- Green-breasted Pitta (elusive, but guide knows locations)
- African Grey Parrot
- Yellow-spotted Barbet
- Joyful Greenbul
- White-spotted Flufftail
- Blue-throated Roller
- Target forest specials:
- Mid-day: Return to lodge for breakfast/rest.
- Afternoon (2:30 PM): Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk (3-4 hours):
- Target wetland species:
- Great Blue Turaco (almost guaranteed)
- Papyrus Gonolek
- Carruthers’s Cisticola
- White-winged Warbler
- Numerous kingfishers
- Weavers and bishops
- Target wetland species:
- Evening: Bird list update.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Kibale lodge
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
- Early Morning (6:30 AM): Final birding in Kibale (2 hours).
- Late Morning: Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP (3 hours), birding en route.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Afternoon birding/game drive:
- Savannah species: Martial Eagle, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl
- Open country: Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser
- Evening: Dinner, bird list update.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth lodge
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth NP – Boat & Game Drive
- Early Morning (6:30 AM): Birding game drive (3-4 hours):
- Raptors: Bateleur, African Fish Eagle, vultures (White-backed, Lappet-faced)
- Savanna specials: Red-necked Falcon, Gabar Goshawk
- Mid-day: Rest.
- Afternoon (3:30 PM): Kazinga Channel boat cruise (2 hours):
- Water birds: African Skimmer, Pelicans (Great White, Pink-backed)
- Shoebill (rare but possible – guide will know recent sightings)
- Herons, egrets, cormorants, kingfishers
- African Jacana, Saddle-billed Stork
- Evening: Bird list update.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Queen Elizabeth lodge
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha
- Early Morning (6:30 AM): Early birding (2 hours).
- Late Morning: Drive to Bwindi via Ishasha sector (4-5 hours):
- Birding en route in Ishasha (savannah species)
- Target tree-climbing lions (secondary)
- Afternoon: Arrive Bwindi, settle in.
- Evening: Briefing for Bwindi birding.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch en route, Dinner
- Accommodation: Bwindi lodge
Day 6: Full Day Birding in Bwindi
- Very Early Morning (6:00 AM): Start birding in Bwindi (Ruhija or Buhoma sectors):
- Target Albertine Rift endemics (23 species):
- Shelley’s Crimsonwing (very elusive)
- Grauer’s Warbler
- Dusky Crimsonwing
- Handsome Francolin
- Archer’s Robin-Chat
- Rwenzori Turaco
- Rwenzori Batis
- Montane Masked Apalis
- Stripe-breasted Tit
- Blue-headed Sunbird
- Regal Sunbird
- Target Albertine Rift endemics (23 species):
- Mid-day: Picnic lunch in forest.
- Afternoon: Continue birding different trails (Mubwindi Swamp for Grauer’s Swamp Warbler).
- Evening: Return to lodge, bird list update.
- Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Same Bwindi lodge
Day 7: Bwindi to Entebbe/Departure
- Early Morning (6:00 AM): Final birding session (3 hours).
- Late Morning: Return to lodge for breakfast, check out.
- Mid-day: Transfer to Kihihi airstrip for flight to Entebbe (1.5 hours) OR drive to Entebbe (8-10 hours).
- Afternoon: Arrival Entebbe, transfer to airport for departure.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch en route
- Accommodation: None (departure)
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| Airport transfers | International airfare |
| Private 4×4 safari vehicle | Uganda visa ($50) |
| Specialist birding guide (ornithologist) | Travel insurance |
| Accommodation (6 nights full-board) | Personal expenses |
| Park entry fees (all parks) | Alcoholic drinks |
| Kazinga Channel boat cruise | Tips for guides, lodge staff |
| Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk | Laundry services |
| Bottled water throughout | Flights (if choosing fly option) |
| Bird checklist and species tally | |
| All applicable government taxes |
BEST TIME TO VISIT
| Season | Months | Birding Conditions | Target Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Birding | November – April | Migrants present, breeding plumage, lush green | Palearctic migrants + residents |
| Good | June – September | Dry trails, easier forest access, resident species | Albertine Rift endemics |
| Fair | October | Short rains, some mud | All species |
| Low | March – May | Heavy rains, difficult trails | Limited access |
WHAT TO PACK
| Category | Essential Items |
|---|---|
| Birding Gear | Quality binoculars (8×42 recommended), field guide (Birds of East Africa – Stevenson & Fanshawe), notebook, bird list template, camera with 400mm+ lens, voice recorder (for calls) |
| Clothing | Neutral colors, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, waterproof jacket, fleece (Bwindi mornings cold), wide-brimmed hat |
| Footwear | Waterproof hiking boots (Bwindi), comfortable walking shoes (savannah), gaiters (forest) |
| General | DEET repellent, sunscreen, personal medications, reusable water bottle, snacks, headlamp |
RECOMMENDED LODGES & CAMPS
| Category | Lodges/Camps | Features | Price Range (per person/night) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birder’s Budget | Kibale Forest Camp, Enganzi Lodge (QE), Broadbill Camp (Bwindi) | Basic but comfortable, birding-focused | $100-150 |
| Birder’s Mid-Range | Primate Lodge Kibale, Ihamba Lodge (QE), Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Bwindi) | Comfortable lodges, good birding locations | $200-300 |
| Birder’s Luxury | Kyaninga Lodge (Kibale), Kyambura Gorge Lodge (QE), Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Bwindi) | Premium accommodation, expert birding guides | $400-700 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How many birds can I see in 7 days?
A: 250-350 species possible with an expert guide. Uganda has over 1,000 species total.
Q: Is Bwindi good for birding?
A: One of Africa’s top birding spots with 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Shelley’s Crimsonwing is the ultimate target.
Q: Do I need to be fit?
A: Moderate fitness for forest trails; Bwindi slopes can be steep and muddy. Good mobility required.
Q: What’s the Shoebill chance in Queen Elizabeth?
A: Low but possible. Your guide will know recent sightings. The Kazinga Channel boat cruise offers best chance.
Q: What’s the Green-breasted Pitta chance?
A: With an expert guide who knows territories, 50-60% in Kibale. It’s elusive but regularly seen.