14-Day Uganda Birding Safari Itinerary

Arrival in Entebbe – Gateway to the Pearl of Africa

Your Uganda Birding Safari begins upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by a professional representative from Butterfly and Birding Safaris. After a short transfer to your hotel, you’ll receive a briefing on the 14-day journey ahead. Depending on your arrival time, the afternoon offers an introductory birding session at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a tranquil site known for its impressive diversity of birds, butterflies, and primates.

The gardens, set on the shores of Lake Victoria, provide excellent sightings of the African Fish Eagle, Ross’s Turaco, Malachite Kingfisher, and Black-headed Gonolek. The lush canopy shelters numerous butterfly species, marking a graceful start to your combined Butterfly & Birding Safari experience.

If time permits, an excursion to Mabamba Swamp, one of Uganda’s most important wetlands, can be arranged. Mabamba is internationally renowned for its thriving population of Shoebill Storks, as well as other wetland specialists such as the Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, and Lesser Jacana. Canoe rides through papyrus channels offer close-up photographic opportunities of both birds and butterflies fluttering across the reeds.

In the evening, return to Entebbe for relaxation and a welcome dinner. The serene lakeside atmosphere provides a fitting backdrop as you prepare for the exciting days ahead exploring Uganda’s premier birding sites.

• Overnight: Airport Guest House
• Meal Plan: Dinner

Birding in Mabamba Swamp and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

An early breakfast marks the start of your first full day of birding with Butterfly and Birding Safaris. You will depart once again for Mabamba Swamp, this time dedicating a full morning to exploring the wetland’s extensive birdlife. Guided by local canoe experts, glide silently through the papyrus channels as you search for the elusive Shoebill, Uganda’s most iconic bird. The wetland teems with African Jacanas, Purple Swamphens, Pied Kingfishers, African Marsh Harriers, and Papyrus Canary, among others.

While Mabamba is primarily known for its avian diversity, it also offers fascinating opportunities for Butterfly Watching Safari enthusiasts. Species such as Acraea petraea, Graphium policenes, and Charaxes varanes are frequently observed near flowering plants along the swamp’s fringes.

After the morning session, begin the scenic drive westward toward Kibale Forest National Park, approximately six hours away. The journey passes through lush countryside, tea plantations, and traditional villages, providing glimpses of everyday Ugandan life. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge near the forest.

Kibale, often referred to as the “Primate Capital of the World,” is also a premier destination for Butterfly & Birding Tours due to its exceptional biodiversity. Over 370 bird species have been recorded here, including forest gems such as the Black Bee-eater and White-naped Pigeon.

• Overnight: Turaco Treetops Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Birding and Nature Walks in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetland

Over the next two days, explore the extraordinary diversity of Kibale Forest National Park and its adjacent Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Early morning walks in the forest, accompanied by experienced guides, reveal a spectacle of both birds and butterflies emerging with the dawn light.

Kibale’s dense canopy is home to forest specialists including the Green-breasted Pitta, White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow-billed Barbet, Afep Pigeon, and African Grey Parrot. The melodic calls of Great Blue Turacos echo through the forest, while under the shade of giant trees, hundreds of butterfly species thrive. Among them are Euphaedra eberti, Bebearia sophus, and the brilliant Charaxes varanes.

The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed conservation area, complements the forest experience with its blend of swamp and woodland ecosystems. Here, birders can find Speckled Tinkerbird, White-winged Warbler, and Snowy-headed Robin-Chat. The area also supports eight primate species, including red-tailed and colobus monkeys, which add to the forest’s vibrant energy.

The combination of forest trails and wetland boardwalks ensures that birders and butterfly enthusiasts alike enjoy diverse and rewarding sightings. Evening relaxation at your lodge provides time for data recording and checklist reviews an essential part of a professional Butterfly & Birding Safari.

• Overnight: Turaco Treetops Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Semuliki National Park – The Forest of Diversity

After breakfast, drive north to Semuliki National Park, Uganda’s lowland tropical forest known for its distinctly Central African avifauna. The park shares many species with the Congo Basin, making it a must-visit destination for serious birders on a Butterfly & Birding Tour.

Semuliki is a unique blend of birding and natural wonder. Its dense forest trails host sought-after species such as the Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Long-tailed Hawk, and Nkulengu Rail. The melodic calls and vibrant plumage of these birds create an atmosphere that’s both captivating and rewarding for field observers.

The park’s famous Sempaya Hot Springs offer geological intrigue and serve as a resting area where colorful butterflies gather around mineral-rich waters. Observers often spot swarms of Graphium, Papilio, and Euphaedra species, making it a prime location for Butterfly Watching Safaris.

Semuliki’s riverside trails and forest clearings also provide opportunities to view primates like De Brazza’s monkeys, while its tranquil atmosphere allows for relaxed, extended birding sessions. Evenings at your lodge are filled with the sounds of nightjars and frogs, completing the immersive forest experience.

• Overnight: Semuliki Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Savannah Birding and Kazinga Channel Cruise

Leaving the forests behind, travel south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular and scenic safari destination. The park offers a striking contrast of open savannah, crater lakes, and riverine habitats ideal for both big game viewing and birding.

The birding diversity here is unparalleled, with over 600 species recorded. Early morning game drives across Kasenyi Plains and Mweya Peninsula yield sightings of Grey Crowned Crane, Saddle-billed Stork, Martial Eagle, Black-bellied Bustard, and African Skimmer. The area also provides opportunities to observe lions, elephants, buffaloes, and hippos, complementing the Butterfly & Birding Safari experience with classical wildlife encounters.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. The cruise provides close views of Pied Kingfishers, African Fish Eagles, Pink-backed Pelicans, and Great Cormorants. Along the riverbanks, butterflies flutter over the water’s edge, while crocodiles and monitor lizards bask in the sun.

Queen Elizabeth’s diverse habitats ensure that every outing reveals something new a rare raptor, a butterfly species yet to be photographed, or an unforgettable sunset over the Rwenzori Mountains.

• Overnight: Elephant Hub Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma Sector) – Albertine Rift Endemics

The next leg of your journey takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its mountain gorillas and exceptional birdlife. The park is one of Africa’s most important birding destinations, with over 350 species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.

During your two days in the Buhoma Sector, your focus will be on forest birding along the main trail and nearby waterfalls. Key species include African Green Broadbill, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Bar-tailed Trogon, Ruwenzori Batis, and Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher. The forest canopy also supports vibrant butterfly populations such as Charaxes brutus and Papilio dardanus, which add an artistic touch to the trails.

For those wishing to enhance their wildlife experience, Butterfly and Birding Safaris offers an optional Gorilla Trekking activity on one of these days. Accompanied by armed rangers and guides, you will hike through the mist-covered forest in search of a habituated gorilla family a once-in-a-lifetime encounter that complements the ecological significance of your Butterfly & Birding Tour.

Evenings in Bwindi are serene, with the sounds of night insects and forest birds echoing through the hills.

• Overnight: Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Ruhija (Eastern Bwindi) – The Heart of Albertine Endemism

After a scenic transfer to the Ruhija Sector of Bwindi, spend two full days birding along the famous Mubwindi Swamp Trail and the bamboo zone. Ruhija’s elevation and vegetation diversity make it the prime location for encountering rare Albertine Rift endemics such as Grauer’s Broadbill, Handsome Francolin, Ruwenzori Nightjar, and Shelley’s Crimsonwing.

The Mubwindi trail descends through dense montane forest alive with mixed flocks of warblers, greenbuls, and sunbirds. Butterflies are equally abundant, particularly around swamp edges where moisture-loving species congregate. This area epitomizes the essence of a Butterfly & Birding Safari, where the delicate and the dramatic coexist harmoniously in one of the world’s richest ecosystems.

Evenings in Ruhija are cool and peaceful, providing time to reflect, review sightings, and prepare checklists for submission to global bird databases a hallmark of serious Butterfly & Birding Tours.

• Overnight: Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Lake Mburo National Park – Savannah Birding and Scenic Return

Depart Bwindi and drive northeast toward Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park yet one of the most productive for birders. The park is known for its mosaic of acacia woodland and open plains that host both East African and southern species.

Evening birding or a walking safari offers views of Red-faced Barbet (a Lake Mburo specialty), Crested Francolin, Brown-chested Lapwing, and African Finfoot. The park is also home to zebras, impalas, eland, and topis, providing a refreshing mix of wildlife and birding experiences.

Lake Mburo’s tranquil environment and accessibility make it ideal for a relaxed conclusion to your Butterfly Watching Safari. Butterflies such as Belenois aurota and Catopsilia florella are common around the park’s edges, adding visual charm to your walks.

• Overnight: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Return to Entebbe – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a final short birding session or visit Mpanga Forest Reserve en route to Entebbe for one last opportunity to add to your species list. Mpanga offers a blend of forest and woodland birds, including Forest Robin, African Pied Hornbill, and Crowned Hornbill.

Continue to Entebbe for your departure flight or overnight stay, concluding a remarkable 14-day Butterfly & Birding Safari across Uganda.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch