Explore Uganda's top birding spots and trek the mountain gorillas on this 11-day safari adventure trip.
11 DAYS
USD $$$$
Type
Tailor-made
Activity
Physical
Overview
- Explore the Mabamba mashes on the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe to find the prehistoric giant bird, the shoebill, riding a local canoe. Several others find living spaces around the swamp.
- Take a boat ride or Lake Mburo or a game drive on the savannah tracks to catch sight of the rare birds around the tiny but endowed national park. Acacia-dwelling birds, papyrus residents like the papyrus gonolek and the blue-headed coucal, and the black-collared barbet are some of the specials you could see on a guided walking safari in the park.
- In the southwest, you'll explore the place of many birds known as Lake Bunyonyi for sightings of more than 200 bird species recorded here.
- Explore the Bwindi region and the forest canopy to catch some Albertine endemics, and go on a gorilla trekking.
- Sleep in specifically selected safari lodges that will bring joy to your adventure experience.
Price includes/excludes
- Accommodation in mid-range-priced lodges and meals as indicated in itinerary
- 1 gorilla trekking permit ($800)
- Park entrance fees
- All excursions and activities as indicated in the itinerary under the supervision of a professional English-speaking birding guide.
- Ground transport and transfers in a 4x4 Custom Safari Landcruiser
- AMREF Evacuation Insurance cover
- Government taxes
- Travel insurance
- International flights
- Visa fees and processing
- Extra activities and meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Extra luggage on domestic flights
- Service tips, gratuities, souvenirs, and snacks
- Accommodation after the end of the trip
Detailed Itinerary
Explore Uganda's top birding spots with an expert birdwatching guide and trek the impenetrable forest of Bwindi to find a family of mountain gorillas on this adventurous 11-day safari.
Uganda ranks high among the top birding destinations, with a winding checklist of more than 1050 bird species recorded in easy-to-reach habitats across the country. You will visit some bird-rich habitats on this birding expedition, including the mashes around Lake Victoria in Entebbe, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi, and the impenetrable forest of Bwindi.
Let's take a look at how the detailed itinerary would look.
Day 1: Entebbe — Shoebill tracking
Our driver will pick you up from Entebbe International Airport (15 minutes) and check you in at your hotel within Entebbe. You'll meet with your trip specialist for a briefing just before dinner.
You'll visit the Lake shores around the peninsula and wetlands searching the ?mystical shoebill and many other birds such as for Blue Monarch, Brown Twin Spots, Fain tailed Widow bird, Moustached Warbler, White headed Barbets, Black headed Gonolek, Striped Kingfisher, African Pied hornbill, Diederik’s Cuckoo, Black Bishop, among others. After lunch, visit the Uganda Wildlife Education centre where you will see different birds such as Ostriches, African grey parrots, the Peacock, crested cranes, Egyptian goose among others.
Staying at:Papyrus Guesthouse (Comfortable)
Meals: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Drive Entebbe - Lake Mburo (5 hours)
With a sunrise start, you will set off to Mabamba Wetland, a canoe boat ride on the shores of Lake Victoria. It is the best bird habitat to see the rare Shoebill birds in Uganda. Other birds you may see include the Lesser Jacana, Black-Shouldered Nightjar, Blue Swallow, Blue Breasted Bee-Eater, White Winged Warbler, and Papyrus Gonolek, among others.
After a late breakfast, hit the highway west of Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park, having lunch en route.
Staying at: Rwakobo Rock Lodgebr> Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Explore Lake Mburo National Park
Take an early game drive through the misty tracks of Lake Mburo National Park to catch the early risers on the park's savanna plains. Lucky birders may catch sight of the elusive leopard and some exotic wild animals. Still, you must take advantage of rare bird sightings in the early hours of the drive.
Punctuated with many lakes surrounded by swamps, Lake Mburo National Park has various water-loving bird species, such as the Pelican, Black crake, Heron, cormorant, and fish eagle. The mysterious shoebill is sometimes sighted in the fringes; look out for its big shoe-like head.
You'll also take a boat ride on the calm waters to get closer to some riparian birds, including crocodiles and hippos.
Staying at: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4: Drive Lake Mburo - Lake Bunyonyi
You'll have an early birding drive to tick off the list of some birds you still need to get as you leave the park to drive southwest to Lake Bunyonyi - the place of many birds.
You'll drive via Kabale, the last town, before you check in at a beach cottage. There's so much to marvel at, including the Virunga Mountains chain forming a curtain over the island-dotted lake and the hilly landscape.
Lake Bunyonyi is one of the richest bird habitats in Uganda; you won't stop turning your neck once you take an evening walk around your lodge.
Day 5: Birding Around Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is famous for its green and lush terraced hills punctuated by over 200 bird species, including water birds and some migratory birds, especially around Nyombi swamps. With the region's bird-watching expert, you'll explore the lake fringes in a fisherman's boat to islands dotted across the lake.
You'll visit the legendary Akampene Island, where historically, the Bakiga dumped unmarried pregnant girls. Besides the dark history behind many of the islands, it's an excellent Uganda birding spot.
Among the birds to expect are the grey crowned cranes, levillant cuckoo, white-tailed monad, slender-billed baglafetch, weavers, African harrier hawk, egrets, cardinal woodpecker, grey crowned cranes, African kingfisher, and herons.
Staying at: Bunyonyi Lake Resort
Meals: Brealfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Lake Bunyonyi - Bwindi Forest (BOat & Drive)
You will catch a motorized canoe from your beach lodge and cross Lake Bunyonyi to Muko Jetty, 2 hours away. Your guide will pick you up and drive through the hilly landscape, on a dirt road, for 2 hours to reach your cottage at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The journey introduces you to enchanting landscapes across the rift valley. For two hours, you'll drive around the Impenetrable forest with occasional glimpses of the misty jungle.
At the lodge, you can walk around the community for a few sightings of Bwindi's rare birds.
Staying at: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner.
Day 7: The Gorila Trek in Bwindi Forest
Your gorilla trekking adventure begins as the day breaks over Bwindi's lush rainforests. At 7:30 am, the excitement is palpable as you arrive at the trekking center, just a short distance from your lodge. The air crackles with anticipation during a briefing from park rangers. They'll outline the guidelines to ensure both your safety and the gorillas' well-being. You'll also be assigned to a specific gorilla family based on your fitness level and preferences, ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime.
With your small group and experienced guides, you set off into the depths of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The forest is a vibrant tapestry of towering trees, tangled vines, and a chorus of exotic bird calls. The gorilla trek can be challenging, navigating the dense undergrowth and undulating terrain, but the thrill of discovery propels you onwards. Your guides expertly track the gorilla family, sharing their knowledge of gorilla behavior and the park's rich ecosystem along the way.
Suddenly, your heart races as the guides signal the gorillas' proximity. Every rustle of leaves heightens your senses. And then, the moment arrives. Amidst the emerald foliage, a majestic silverback gorilla emerges, his family close behind. Time seems to stand still as you observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat; their playful antics, tender interactions, and powerful presence will leave you in awe. The hour you spend with them is an unforgettable reminder of our connection to the natural world, and the importance of protecting these incredible creatures.
Staying at: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner.
Day 8: Bird watching Along The Kashasha Trail in Bwindi Forest
You'll get on the trail at about 8:30 am after a short briefing with your walking safari guide at the lodge. You must hit the trails in the misty early morning hours so that the intense afternoon sunrays find you under the jungle canopy. You travel with a local guide and two gun-bearing rangers for security. Go light; just your backpack with lunch, a camera, and walking. It takes about 4-5 hours to walk the trail.
The trail offers some of Africa's best montane-forest (mountain-forest) bird watching. There are about 350 bird species, with 14 not recorded elsewhere in Uganda. On this trail, you could see some of the 23 birds unique to the Albertine Rift (90% of all Albertine Rift endemics), including Neumann's warbler and blue-headed sunbird. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Two trails meet somewhere in the rainforest and snake down to Buhoma town; you'll have to select one. The longer one takes about six hours and strays along the Kashasha river and over several ridges. The shorter one starts at Kashasha River, down Nteko valley, and wanders along Ivy River. You must drive about 15 kilometers to Nteko village to start the Ivy River Trail. However, both trails deliver the same jolt of adventure for avid birders.
On the other side, you'll meet up with your driver, who will drive you through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth and check you into a bush camp for overnight. In the dying light, look out for the tree-climbing lions lounging in fig trees or leopard lacking in the bushes.
Staying at: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner.
Day 9: Birds & Wildlife of Queen Elizabeth NP
From the arduous mountains and rainforests, this day calms down the Uganda birding expedition with another savanna wilderness expedition on < a href="https://www.nkuringosafaris.com/queen-elizabeth-national-park/">the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You'll start the day with a sunrise safari game drive through the southern tracks of the park from Ishasha Sector northbound.
You can see numerous bird species accentuated with wild game. Look out for the Martial Eagle, Lesser Flamingoes, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African Skimmer, Ovampo Sparrow hawk, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, White-tailed Lark, Saddle-billed Storks, Red Footed Falcon, Papyrus Gonolek, and Papyrus Canary among others.
Tree-climbing lions are a specialty of the Ishasha sector. You'll also see giant forest hogs; buffalo are beautiful as they are often reddish brown due to interbreeding with forest buffalo from the rainforests. Many interesting antelope species, such as Uganda kob, topi, and bushbuck, will definitely cross your tracks.
In the evening, you'll visit the Katwe salt works to catch some salt-lake birds like flamingos, Pelicans, plovers, and stilts. Check-in at another camp in the northern section of the park.
Staying at: Katara Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner.
Day 10: More of Queen Elizabeth NP Wilderness
You'll have an early bird-watching expedition in the Maramagambo Forest. From this tropical moist forest, you will see different forest birds such as Hornbills, Kingfishers, and Sunbirds. Other highlights are Bat Cave, where thousands of Egyptian Fruit Bats stay, a small bluish transparent Blue Lake, and Hunter's Cave.
You'll then proceed to Mweya Jetty, reaching in time for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
There is prolific birdlife around the Kazinga Channel to keep your eyes in action for more than two hours on a boat safari. Prominent birds on the channel include the African Shoebill, Yellow Billed Stork, Great White & Pink-Backed Pelicans, Open-Billed Stork, Saddle Bill Stork, Great and Long Tailed Cormorants, Darters, Black Crake, and Jacana.
Hippos, elephants, and crocodiles are common sightings on the banks of the Kazinga Channel.
Staying at: Katara Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner.
Day 11: Drive Queen to Entebbe - End of Trip
Early morning game drive or birding in the Kyambura gorge and there after transfer to Entebbe via Mbarara with lunch stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre.
Optional Accommodation Papyrus Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Packed), Dinner
Moreen
Diana
Trip experts
Wanna plan the ultimate birdwatching trip to Uganda? You need someone who knows the lay of the land and where to find those awesome rare birds. Moreen and Diana are your go-to, and they'll set you up with one of the best birding guides for a seriously epic experience.
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EXCELLENT
255 reviewsPosted on Tripadvisor
Gabriel B3 unforgettable Weeks in Uganda We spent three weeks travelling around Uganda. It was a wonderful trip with so many incredible moments. A big shout-out to our fantastic driver and guide, Emanuell. We laughed, discussed, learned and enjoyed ourselves so much. Thank you so much, Emanuell, it was a real pleasure. We highly recommend Nkuringo. The people there take great care of their guests. We felt we were in the best of hands at all times and can highly recommend the company.Posted on Tripadvisor
Mary Carol WExceeded our expectations! We just returned from a customized fly-in safari and primate-trekking trip with Nkuringo Safaris. This trip was an A++ experience!! Our travel manager, Catherine, did a fantastic job of planning every detail. Our guide, Patrick Yiga, was superb. His knowledge, driving abilities (not easy roads!), and communication skills were all excellent. He paid attention to every detail. We already miss him a lot! Our experiences, accommodations, and food were all exceptional. Nkuringo Safaris showed us why Uganda is truly the Pearl of Africa.Posted on Tripadvisor
lisvelasco2001Amazing Custom Ugandan Trip How do I rate our 12 day trip through Uganda? AMAZING. My travel consultant who I use to put together our Africa trips worked in conjunction with Nkuringo to put together an amazing trip for us. There were 8 of us - my husband (active 72 year old) and I (62 years old), 4 travel friends (56-72) and our 2 nephews (30 years old). It was an active adventure with a primate focus. We took two internal flights to minimize our time on the bumpy roads. In putting the trip together, I had the opportunity to review all the accommodations and suggested activities. We did two hikes, two mountain bike rides, Chimp/Gorilla/Golden Monkey Tracking and some boating.It’s hard to say what the best/favorite thing was. Each was special in it’s own way. The unexpected PRIVATE boat ride on the Kazinga Channel was amazing in itself? Having a great guide for the Chimp tracking? Hike through the Bwindi Forest on the Ivy Trail?Accommodations were incredible - all staffed by very special people. None of us will ever forget Innocent (our butler) at the Primate Lodge. I will never forget Issac’s (Nkuringo Lodge) attention to our nephews who wanted to visit a local bar - who willingly took them and then hike to the Top of the World with them. It was really nice to have our laundry done and boots cleaned at some of the lodges.But the best part of the entire trip (besides traveling with friends and family) was our guides: Jack and Oscar. The two of them worked hand in hand for a seamless trip seeing to our every want and teaching us all about the country. My husband and I travel extensively and these two men rank up there as two of the best guides ever. I will never forget Oscar mountain biking with me as I slowly went downhill, gripping the brakes while my husband and nephews ripped ahead with the bike guide. For that I will be forever grateful. Or the day that the nephews wanted to go into town/Kisoro and see a bar and walk around. Jack and Oscar took them while Jack walked around with them. My husband and I never had to worry about their safety.The Land Cruisers were in top notch condition and spotless at the beginning of the trip. They were cleaned again when Jack and Oscar had a break from us. When available they even provided WIFI in the vehicles as well as water.Kudos to Lydia, the owner of the company, for running a top notch organization.Posted on Tripadvisor
Simone CGreat Uganda experience with a perfect guide! We had an amazing vacation full of everything you can dream about: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Leopard, Rhinos,…and some hiking. We had the best guide you can have, driving perfectly through every terrain, always flexible, perfectly organised and always a smile on his face: Bob Magezi! We felt safe and in great hands all the time! Uganda is a very diversified country that exceeded our expectations, with awesome people, green nature and lots of animals.Posted on Tripadvisor
MLAn unforgettable Uganda Experience with Bob and Nkuringo Two weeks of an amazing Uganda experience are behind us. From Entebbe over Ziwa Rhino to Murchison Falls, Kibale (Chimps), Ruwenzori, QE National Park, Bwindi and Lake Mutanda.The trip was extremely well organized and full of great experiences.We thank our great Guide Bob for a tremendous job and guidance through beautiful Uganda.Thank you Bob and Nkuringo, Iris&MarvinPosted on Tripadvisor
Laura PAmazing tour Everything about this 5 day experience was top notch. Remmy was an incredible guide - great energy, good vibes, helpful, knowledgeable, & always kept us feeling safe. Lodges were beautiful with great service & of course the animals/wild life did not disappoint. Added some optional hikes/walks to keep us active. Incredible trip - definitely recommend Remmy & Nkuringo!!Posted on Tripadvisor
Devon GIncredible trip to Uganda The trip was unbelievable. The itinerary was thoughtfully packed with amazing activities and beautiful scenic drives that made travel time enjoyable. The gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experiences were truly once-in-a-lifetime moments that we will never forget. Our guide Remmy was the best tour guide we could have asked for during our trip to Uganda. He was always prompt, incredibly knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. He truly made the entire experience special. We felt comfortable with him right away, and by the end of the trip, it honestly felt like we were traveling with family. We can’t recommend Remmy highly enough!Posted on Tripadvisor
Joanna WA Memorable Safari Marked by Care, Presence, and Expertise This was an exceptional safari experience from start to finish, beautifully designed and flawlessly delivered. As a solo traveler, I felt supported, well looked after, and genuinely welcomed throughout the entire journey.Diana was a joy to work with from the very beginning. She was warm, friendly, and highly responsive, while at the same time extremely attentive to my individual needs. Her advice on the different elements of the safari was thoughtful and well-balanced, helping shape an itinerary that felt both exciting and perfectly suited to me. I truly appreciated her guidance, flexibility, and care at every stage of the planning process.Patrick is an outstanding guide and professional. His competence, calm presence, and deep knowledge made the journey feel effortless and safe at all times. He has a rare ability to read situations and respond intuitively, creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere while remaining discreet and respectful. His attentiveness, sense of humor, and genuine care made long days on the road and in the parks deeply enjoyable and memorable, adding a very special quality to this trip.I was fortunate to do my gorilla trek on my birthday, which made this already extraordinary experience even more meaningful. I was lucky to trek solo and spend precious time with a gorilla family — an unforgettable and deeply moving encounter. The guide Emos, together with the rangers and trackers, were kind, supportive, and incredibly professional, and most importantly made me feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire half-day experience.The game drives and the Kazinga Channel boat safari were exceptional. I was lucky to see the Big Four, with unforgettable sightings of elephants, lions, and a leopard I had especially hoped to observe. I was deeply impressed by Patrick’s knowledge of wildlife, nature, and local culture, and by his thoughtful responses to all my questions, which enriched every experience.At one point I felt uncomfortable with the initially booked boat experience, and both Patrick and Diana addressed this immediately by moving me to a larger, more comfortable boat. I truly appreciated this level of flexibility, responsiveness, and seamless logistics management.The chimpanzee trek in Kibale and the local community activities were equally rewarding. I was guided by Leo, whose warmth, hospitality, and excellent knowledge of local nature and culture helped me connect more deeply with the environment and the people, adding meaningful depth to the journey.The accommodations were impeccable. Nkuringo, Elephant Plains, and Turaco Treetops lodges were all very different in style, yet equally excellent in design, hospitality, quality of service, and delicious food. I was especially touched when Nkuringo Lodge organized a small birthday celebration with a cake — a thoughtful gesture that made me feel truly welcome.Overall, this safari exceeded my expectations in every way. My sincere thanks to Diana, Patrick, and the entire team for creating such a beautifully curated, professional, and memorable experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend this journey to anyone seeking something truly special.Posted on Tripadvisor
Clare NDream trip to Uganda! I cannot recommend Nkuringo Safari’s highly enough. From start to finish, my trip to Uganda exceeded every expectation - especially as I was a solo woman travelling on my first safari. Massively made by Moreen, who organised everything, and Remmy, my guide! From the beginning, Moreen was my first point of contact, and she was so great. Started with an enquiry about the 12 day safari & she helped turn it into an 18 day dream trip! She handled endless emails, questions, and changes — from where I wanted to stay, to adding extra nights and fine-tuning every detail. She made everything so easy & gave me complete confidence from the start and made the planning process stress-free. Each destination and lodge were so special. The settings were stunning, the accommodation perfect, and the hospitality at each place was so welcoming. Falling asleep to the sounds of nature, a lot of the time grumbling hippos and waking up to stunning sunrises & beautiful scenery doesn’t get old.Remmy - my guide, what a guy! Not just an outstanding safari guide — he is someone truly special. He has such a vast knowledge of wildlife, the land, and the Ugandan culture, I learnt so much from him. He knew spots where we could get great sightings of wildlife. He really looked after me, he was kind, caring and attentive. He made me feel completely safe & comfortable. By the end of the trip, Remmy felt more like a friend than a guide. And always making sure I had a cold beer in my hand after an activity. An absolute LEGEND!If you’re considering a safari in Uganda Nkuringo are the company to book with — and if you’re lucky enough to have Remmy as your guide, you’re in for a treat!Thank you Remmy, and thank you Moreen and Nkuringo Safaris for an unforgettable trip of a lifetime! Already thinking about my next adventure to Uganda.Posted on Tripadvisor
Alexandra GMountaingorillas and luxury It was a wonderful and amazing experience to see the mountaingorillas and everything went well, especially because my guide Remmy gave me good advices and answered to all my questions. I would highly recommend his guidance.Apart from that the stay in the Lodge near the Nationalpark was very luxurious.Load more
