7-day Uganda Birding Safari & Primate Adventure

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your safari representative before transferring to your hotel.

The short transfer gives you time to settle in after your flight and prepare for the birding adventure ahead.

Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day can be spent relaxing at the hotel or enjoying an introductory birding experience around the hotel grounds or nearby Entebbe environment.

Your guide can also brief you about the following day's early start and the species you will be looking for.

Meals

• Dinner

Transport

• Entebbe International Airport → Hotel
• Distance: Approximately 5–10 km
• Driving Time: Approximately 15–20 minutes
• Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle

Begin early with a drive toward Mabamba Wetland, one of the key birding experiences of the safari.

The main objective is to search for the Great Shoebill Stork, while also watching for aquatic birds, marsh harriers, and, if conditions allow, the beautiful African Pygmy Goose.

After the wetland excursion, continue toward the forest region through verdant countryside, traditional homesteads, farms, and scenic landscapes.

Enjoy lunch en route before continuing to your lodge, where you can relax and prepare for the following day's chimpanzee trekking and dedicated wetland birding.

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Transport

• Entebbe → Mabamba Wetland → Kibale area
• Distance: Approximately 300 km
• Driving Time: Approximately 5–6 hours, excluding birding
• Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle

After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for your chimpanzee trekking briefing before entering the forest.

The trek focuses on locating chimpanzees while also providing opportunities to observe other primates, butterflies, forest vegetation, and smaller organisms that make the experience much more than a single-species encounter.

In the afternoon, continue with dedicated birding around Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

The wetland and surrounding forest provide opportunities for spotting unique birds, butterflies, primates, and other wildlife.

Your guide will help identify species and interpret the different habitats as you explore the trails.

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Transport

• Lodge → Chimpanzee trekking headquarters → Bigodi Wetland → Lodge
• Distance: Approximately 40–60 km
• Driving Time: Approximately 1–2 hours of transfers
• Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle

After breakfast, depart toward Queen Elizabeth National Park while enjoying views of the Rwenzori Mountains along the journey.

The park is particularly rewarding for birdwatchers, with more than 500 bird species identified and opportunities to search for bee-eaters, kingfishers, falcons, eagles, and other raptors.

After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.

The waterway connects two major lakes and attracts large concentrations of hippos, buffaloes, elephants, crocodiles, and waterbirds.

The cruise provides an excellent platform for photography, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing before returning to your lodge.

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Transport

• Kibale area → Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Distance: Approximately 160 km
• Driving Time: Approximately 3–4 hours
• Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle and launch boat for the cruise

Rise early for a guided birding walk around Kyambura Gorge.

The morning offers cooler conditions and increased bird activity as you explore the forested gorge and surrounding habitats.

Continue watching for forest birds and other wildlife before returning for breakfast or continuing with the day's journey, depending on the final schedule.

Later, travel toward Bwindi through changing landscapes and increasingly mountainous terrain.

The journey introduces you to the lush forest environment that supports mountain gorillas as well as a wide range of primates and forest birds.

Arrive in the evening and settle into your lodge ahead of the following day's gorilla trek.

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Transport

• Queen Elizabeth area → Bwindi Forest area
• Distance: Approximately 160–200 km
• Driving Time: Approximately 4–5 hours, excluding the morning birding activity
• Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle

After an early breakfast, prepare for the highlight of the safari: mountain gorilla trekking.

Following a ranger briefing, enter the forest in search of a habituated gorilla family.

The trek can vary considerably in duration depending on where the gorillas are located, but the reward is an unforgettable opportunity to observe these endangered primates in their natural environment.

Return to the lodge for a late lunch and some relaxation before enjoying an afternoon or evening birding session around the forest edge.

Potential sightings include the African Green Broadbill, Fraser's Eagle-Owl, Black-billed Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, and other Albertine Rift species. If conditions permit, listen for nocturnal species such as the Rwenzori Nightjar.

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Transport

• Lodge → Gorilla trekking headquarters → Lodge
• Distance: Approximately 20–40 km
• Driving Time: Approximately 30–60 minutes of road transfers
• Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle

After breakfast, begin your long return journey toward Entebbe.

The route provides a final opportunity to observe Uganda's changing landscapes and rural communities while your guide remains alert for roadside and habitat-specific bird sightings.

Enjoy lunch en route before continuing to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight.

Your safari ends with memories of Uganda's wetlands, forests, savannahs, remarkable birdlife, chimpanzees, and mountain gorillas.

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Transport

• Bwindi Forest area → Entebbe
• Distance: Approximately 500 km
• Driving Time: Approximately 9–10 hours
• Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle