The safari overview

Semliki is also home to a range of very special West African forest birds found in Uganda. The last national park will be Lake Mburo which is home to special unique bird species within the southern savannahs with our main targets at Mburo being the Red-Faced Barbet, Tabora Cisticola, Coqui Francolin, African Finfoot, and the White Backed night heron. At the end of this birding safari tour, you shall have reached all of Uganda’s most blessed birding sights as you get the best out of the safari. Primates that you will encounter include De Brazza’s Monkey, Red Tailed, Blue, Vervet, Red Colobus, Tantalus, Black and White Colobus, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Bush Babies, Grey-Cheeked Mangabey, Olive Baboon, Patas Monkey, Chimpanzee, and Gorilla. The wildlife animals to be seen during the tour include Giraffes, Elephants, Banded Mongoose, Zebra, Hippopotamus, Warthog, Eland, Impala, Uganda Kob, Lion, and Leopard among others.

16 days safari tour summary

Day 1: Arrival at the airport followed by a transfer to the hotel
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison falls national park
Day 3: Birding at Murchison Falls
Day 4: Transfer to Budongo Kaniyo Pabid
Day 5: Birding in Budongo forest
Day 6: Transfer to Kibale forest national park
Day 7: Birding and chimp tracking in Kibale national park
Day 8: Transfer to Semliki for Birding.
Day 9: Birding in Semliki followed by a transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
Day 10: Birding at Queen Elizabeth National Park and a boat cruise on Kazinga channel
Day 11: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 12: Gorilla trekking and birding within Bwindi’s impenetrable national park
Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for birding
Day 14: Game drive in Lake Mburo National Park and a transfer to Mabamba islands
Day 15: Birding in Mabamba island and a transfer to Mabira forest
Day 16: Transfer to the airport for departure

Detailed itinerary of the safari tour

DAY 1: Arrival at the airport followed by a transfer to the hotel

Depending on your time of arrival at the airport, our guide will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in, then you’ll spend the rest of the day at leisure as you await dinner and overnight rest.
Meal plan; Dinner

DAY 2: Transfer to Murchison falls national park

You will wake up, have a delicious breakfast, and embark on a 4-5 hours drive to Murchison falls national park for a breathtaking birding experience because its home to a variety of bird species like White Headed Barbet, Cardinal, and Nubian Woodpecker, Lesser, and Greater Honeyguide, Saddle Billed Stork in the swamps after Luwero, we have also had chances of seeing the Rufous Bellied Heron, Banded Snake Eagle, Eastern Chanting Goshawk and White-crested Turaco, Bronze-tailed Starling, lesser Blue and Great Blue Eared Starlings, Black, Yellow Mantled and Black Winged Bishops many more. Along the journey, you’ll be driven through the undulating grasslands and mosaic woodlands until you arrive at the final destination where you shall check in to the lodge, and have some relaxation as you await dinner and rest.
Meal plan; All meals included

DAY 3: Birding at Murchison Falls

On day 3 of this tour, you shall wake up, have a delicious breakfast and undoubtedly head in for a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls around the delta area. During the cruise, expect to view various superb bird species like Saddle-billed, Yellow Billed and African Open Billed Stork, African Finfoot, Heuglin’s Falcon, Senegal Thick-knee, Rock Pratincole, Giant, Woodland, Grey Headed, Malachite, Pygmy and striped Kingfishers, Shoebill, Red-throated and Northern Carmine Bee-eater including mammals like Rothschild’s Giraffe, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Waterbuck and many others. You shall return to the lodge for lunch and again head back to the park for a birding game drive experience where you will be on the lookout for birds like Heuglin’s Francolins Black Billed Barbet, Northern and Red-Faced Barbet, Swallow-tailed and Blue-breasted and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, Abyssinian Rollers, the giant Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Black Winged, Northern Red Bishops and some other primates like Monkeys. After enjoying your time at the park, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal plan; All meals included

DAY 4: Transfer to Budongo Kaniyo Pabid

Wake up, have a leisurely breakfast and you’ll be driven through the northern sector of Murchison falls national park up to Budongo Kaniyo Pabid. Upon arrival the lodge, you will check in, have lunch and spend the day at leisure as you await dinner and overnight rest.
Meal plan; All meals included

 

DAY 5: Birding in Budongo forest
On day 5, wake up, have breakfast, and depart for another birding experience in Budongo Forest. With a good system of trails and forest canopy towering far overhead, expect to see skulking birds like the excessively noisy White-thighed Hornbill, graceful Cassin’s and Sabine’s Spine tail, Blue-throated Roller, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Forest Flycatcher, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, Lemon Bellied Crombec, Tit Hylia, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Forest Robin, Yellow Billed, Grey Throated, Hairy Breasted, and Yellow Spotted Barbet, Great Blue & Black Billed Turaco, Dusy Long Tailed Cuckoo, Spotted, Plain, Slender Billed, White Throated, Little Grey and Little Greenbul, Red Tailed Bristle bill and Black-capped Apalis. Views of primates like Blue, Red Tailed, and black and white Colobus monkeys and chimpanzees shall also be gained during the birding activity. You shall return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and rest.
Meal plan; All meals included

DAY 6: Transfer to Kibale forest national park

You will wake up, have a leisurely breakfast, and check out the lodge. Our driver will then transfer you on a pleasant journey to Kibale National Park for another marvelous birding experience. During the 180-kilometer drive, you will enjoy breathtaking views of forests, lakes, rivers, and other scenic natures along the way. Upon reaching Kibale national park, you’ll check in to your lodge, relax as you await dinner and a night’s rest.
Meal plan; All meals included

 

DAY 7: Birding and chimp tracking in Kibale national park
After having breakfast, you will proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing and thereafter head into the forest in the company of a game ranger. As you follow the trails within the forest, expect to gain rewarding views of birds like White-napped Pigeon, African Gray Parrots, Black Bee-eater, Hairy-breasted, Yellow Spotted and Yellow Billed Barbet, Chestnut-winged and Purple-headed, Waller’s and Narrow Tailed Starlings, Blue-throated Brown and Superb Sunbirds, White-collared Olive back and others. You will also encounter chimpanzees and other primates since Kibale national park is home to 13 species of primates. Return to the hotel for lunch and some relaxation.
Meal plan; All meals included.

DAY 8: Transfer to Semliki for Birding.

After breakfast, embark on a drive of about 1 and half hours for the 100km journey to Semliki Forest. Semliki Forest is among the best birding places in East Africa as you will encounter some of the Guinea Congo Biome endemics that are not easily seen in other East African destinations. Upon arrival at the Semliki, you shall head in for birding activity where you shall gain views of bird species like Congo Serpent Eagle, Bate’s Nightjar, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Orange-tufted Sunbird, Black-winged, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Icterine Greenbul, Black-throated Coucal, Nkulengu Rail, Long-tailed Hawk, Spot-breasted Ibis, Capuchin Babbler, Yellow-throated and Western Nicator, Northern Bearded Scrub Robin, Red-chested Owlet, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, White-bellied Kingfisher, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Lyre-tailed and Zenker’s Honeyguides, White-throated Blue Swallow, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Crested Malimbe, Blue-billed Malimbe, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, Pale-fronted and Chestnut Bellied Negrofinch, Black Dwarf, Piping, Red-billed Dwarf, Black-casqued Wattled, White Crested, and White-thighed Hornbills African Piculet among others. In the evening, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan; All meals included.

 

DAY 9: Birding in Semliki followed by a transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
On day 9, you will wake up, have a leisurely breakfast and proceed for birding along the Sempaya trail as we try out on the bird species missed the previous day. Palm Swamp Bulbul and the Leaf Love, Rufous Bellied Negrofinch, and Black Bellied Seed Cracker are the bird species that will be easily seen in this area. You will then be transferred on a 140-kilometer journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park located around the shores of Lake Edward. You shall arrive at the park, check in to the lodge and have relaxation as you await a delicious dinner and overnight rest.
Meal plan; All meals included.

 

DAY 10: Birding at Queen Elizabeth National Park and a boat cruise on Kazinga channel

After morning breakfast, you will head to Queen Elizabeth National to immensely explore the numerous bird species that live within the park. while in the park, expect to see birds like Wahlberg’s, Brown Snake, Short Toed Snake and Martial Eagle, Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-rumped and Common Buttonquails, African Crake, Holub’s Golden and Lesser Masked Weavers, Black Coucal, Black Lored and Arrow Marked Babbler, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl Copper, Scarlet Chested and Red-chested, Broad Tailed and African Mustached Warbler. After the experience, you shall return to the hotel for lunch and later proceed to Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise on the lookout for water birds that roost between the Edward and George lakes. You shall also see other animals like Hippos and crocodiles during your boat launch. After the cruise, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight rest.
Meal plan; All meals included.

 

DAY 11: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

You will wake up, have a morning delicious breakfast, and embark on a 250-kilometer journey to Bwindi’s impenetrable National Park. Along the journey, you will pass via the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park which is home to the tree-climbing lions including grassland birds like Pipits, Larks, African Cuckoo Hawk, Black Cuckoo, White Winged Black Tit, Ovambo Sparrow Hawk and other. You’ll then reach Bwindi impenetrable national park, check in to your lodge, have dinner and an overnight rest
Meal plan; All meals included.

 

DAY 12: Gorilla trekking and birding within Bwindi’s impenetrable national park

After your morning breakfast, you will head in for a briefing at the park headquarters about the gorilla trekking activity. You will be assigned a trained game ranger who will escort you to the forest in search for the amazing creatures. During this trek, you will also spot bird species like the Black-billed and Rwenzori Turaco, Western Green Tinkerbird, Olive, Elliot’s and Fine-banded Woodpecker, African Green-Broadbill, Mountain, Yellow whiskered and Yellow-streaked Greenbul, African Hill Babbler, Mountain illadopsis, Grey Cuckoo Shrike Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Montane Sooty Boubou, Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird. After the breathtaking activity, you shall return to your lodge for a delicious dinner and an overnight rest.
Meal plan; All meals included.

 

DAY 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for birding

After an early morning breakfast, you shall check out of the lodge and embark on a 4 to 5 hours drive to Lake Mburo national park. Upon arriving at the park, you’ll proceed for a boat cruise on the fresh waters of Lake Mburo where you could get views of water bird species like African Finfoot, White Backed and Black Crowned Night Heron, Giant Kingfisher, bare-faced go-away-bird, red faced barbet, black-bellied bustard, and others. Not only shall you get views of birds but also other mammals like Zebra, Eland, Topi, Impala, Cape Buffalo, and Warthog among others. After the engaging day, you will return to the lodge, have dinner and have an overnight rest.
Meal plan: All meals included

 

DAY 14: Game drive in Lake Mburo National Park and a transfer to Mabamba islands

After having a relaxed breakfast, you shall be taken for a game drive around Lake Mburo national park on the search for special savannah birds like the Yellow Bellied Apalis, Green Capped Eremomela, Buff Bellied Warbler, White Winged Tit, Red Billed Wood Hoopoe, Tabora Cisticola, Red Faced Barbet, and Coqui Francolin. Brubru, Sulpher Breasted Bush Shrike, Red Headed Weaver, Green Backed, Uganda Spotted Woodpecker, African Black Headed Oriole among others. During the drive, you will also encounter other wildlife animals like impalas and zebras. After this activity, you will be transferred to the Mabamba islands on a 220-kilometer drive journey. You’ll then arrive at Mabamba Islands, check in to the lodge and have a delicious dinner including an overnight stay
Meal plan: All meals included

 

DAY 15: Birding in Mabamba island and a transfer to Mabira forest

After an early breakfast, you will proceed to Mabamba swamp which sits on the Victoria basin for a birding safari on the lookout for a shoebill which is the main bird that attracts tourists. Other birds that you will be able to see include billed gull, pied kingfisher papyrus gonolek, white-shouldered tit, red cap, western banded snake eagle, grey horns, blue swallow, red kites, darters, tawny eagle, house sparrow, olive ceous, toed lapwing among others. You will also spot other water species and rare plants like sandboxes. After the bird safari at Mabamba, you will be driven to Mabira forest for another birding experience with bird species like Weyn’s Weaver, Olive Green Camaroptera, Tit Hylia, African Pied Hornbill Grey and Yellow Long Bill, Forest Wood-Hoopoe, Blue-breasted, White-bellied, Dwarf and Shining-blue Kingfishers, Sooty Flycatcher, Yellow-throated, Yellow-Rumped and Speckled Tinkerbird, Yellow Crested Woodpecker, Toro Olive Greenbul and Green-tailed Bristle bill, Fire-crested Alethe, Forest Robin and Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat. Return to your lodge for dinner and a night’s stay.
Meal plan: All meals included

DAY 16: Transfer to the airport for departure

After an early morning breakfast, you will end your birding Safari experience by setting off to Entebbe airport depending on the time of your scheduled flight. Your amazing birding and primates Safari tour end here.
Meal plan: Breakfast.