Overview
Uganda is one of Africa’s most treasured birding destinations. With over 1,000 bird species, ranging from Albertine Rift endemics to Congo Basin specialties, this immersive journey explores wetlands, forests, and savannahs. From shoebills gliding across Mabamba swamp to forest turacos calling in Bwindi, each day blends expert-guided birding with community encounters, conservation, and moments to breathe in the natural rhythm of Uganda.
Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
Comfort Level: Classic to Superior (customizable)
Difficulty Level: Light to Moderate
Group Size: Private (2–15 pax)
Start & End Point: Entebbe, Uganda
PRICES PER PERSON
| Number of pax | Luxury (per person) | Mid-range (per person) | Budget (per person) |
| 2-3pax | $9,002 | $5,562 | $5,511 |
| 4-5pax | $7,689 | $4,249 | $4,197 |
| 6-7pax | $7,249 | $3,809 | $3,757 |
| 8-9pax | $7,142 | $3,703 | $3,650 |
| 10-11pax | $6,981 | $3,542 | $3,490 |
| 12-13pax | $6,883 | $3,443 | $3,391 |
| 14-15pax | $6,809 | $3,402 | $3,350 |
Rates valid till 31st/December/2025
Tour Highlights
- Canoe through Mabamba Wetland in search of the iconic Shoebill
- Discover Congo Basin endemics in Semliki National Park
- Cruise the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth NP, a birding paradise
- Walk the misty trails of Bwindi, home to forest jewels and Batwa heritage
- Connect with local communities: Kanyanda, Bakonzo, Batwa, and Banyankole
Day To Day Descriptions
Drive Time: Airport transfer only | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Boutique eco-lodge
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and meet your local guide. Transfer to your peaceful eco-lodge near the lake. Depending on your time of arrival, enjoy birdwatching in the garden or a sunset stroll along Lake Victoria.
Included: Airport transfer, guided welcome briefing
Accommodation: Malakai Eco Lodge
Why Malakai Eco Lodge?
- Location: Kitende, around 20 minutes from Entebbe International Airport.
- Eco Highlights: Set in a serene environment with lush gardens, the lodge uses eco-friendly materials and promotes biodiversity through its landscaping.
- Amenities: Volcanic stone huts, swimming pool, reading platforms, and water features.
- Ideal For: Travelers looking for relaxation and a connection with nature in a sustainable setting.
Meals: None
Drive Time: ~1 hr | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Mid-range
Glide through Mabamba Swamp in a local canoe, eyes peeled for the prehistoric-looking Shoebill, African Pygmy Goose, and countless wetland species. After lunch, stroll through the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a haven for sunbirds and forest species.
Included: Mabamba canoe birding, Botanical Gardens walk
Accommodation: Same as Day 1
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: ~3 hrs (Entebbe to Jinja) | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Riverside hotel
Enjoy a forest walk in Mabira, alive with butterflies, monkeys, and rare bird calls. Continue to Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital, where you’ll cruise to the very source of the Nile, surrounded by water birds and serenity.
Included: Mabira forest walk, Nile River cruise
Accommodation: 2Friends Hotel
Why 2 Friends Guest House?
- Location: Jackson Crescent, Jinja
- Sustainability Highlights:
- Emphasis on locally sourced materials and furnishings
- Offers comfortable accommodations with a focus on sustainability
- Community Impact: Supports local employment and uses local suppliers
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: ~4.5 hrs | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Safari lodge
En route to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, stop at the Kanyanda community for a slow food experience and learn from the women and youth who lead local conservation and farming efforts. Later, arrive at Ziwa to unwind.
Included: Kanyanda cultural visit, local food experience
Accommodation: Amuka Safari Lodge
Why Amuka Safari Lodge?
- Location: Within Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Nakasongola District.
- Eco Highlights: Constructed using natural materials like timber and stone, the lodge emphasizes sustainability. It supports rhino conservation efforts and offers guided nature walks and birdwatching tours.
- Amenities: Features 10 chalets (including family options), a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and Wi-Fi in public areas.
- Ideal For: Travelers seeking an immersive experience in nature with comfortable amenities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: ~3 hrs | Difficulty: Moderate (walk) | Comfort: Safari lodge
Join a morning nature walk at Ziwa for sightings of ground hornbills and bee-eaters. After lunch, head north to Murchison Falls NP. Enjoy views of Uganda’s savannah stretching toward the Nile.
Included: Walking safari at Ziwa
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Why Pakuba safari lodge?
- Location: Northern bank of the Nile inside the park
- Employs local staff and supports local sourcing
- Operates using solar power and eco-sensitive design
- Offers guided nature walks with community guides
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: Local within park | Difficulty: Moderate | Comfort: Safari lodge
Start with a guided nature walk for forest-edge birding, followed by a boat safari teeming with kingfishers, shoebills, and hippos. End with a hike to the thunderous top of the falls.
Included: Nature walk, Nile boat safari, hike to the falls
Accommodation: Same as Day 5
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: ~6 hrs | Difficulty: Moderate (long drive) | Comfort: Forest lodge
Spot more birds and wildlife on an early game drive before transferring to Kibale through tea plantations and crater lakes.
Included: Morning game drive
Accommodation: Isunga Lodge
Why Isunga Lodge?
- Location: Crater Lake region, approximately 20–25 minutes from Kanyanchu Visitor Center.
- Eco Highlights: Solar-powered cottages, organic gardens, and locally sourced ingredients.
- Amenities: Eight en-suite cottages (including family options), panoramic views of Kibale Forest and Rwenzori Mountains, on-site restaurant and bar.
- Ideal For: Travelers seeking tranquility, birdwatching, and nature immersion.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: Minimal | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Forest lodge
Walk among the tall trees of Kibale, home to turacos, cuckoos, and forest robins. In the afternoon, explore Bigodi Wetlands—a birder’s paradise led by a local community guide.
Included: Guided forest walk, Bigodi Wetlands experience
Accommodation: Same as Day 7
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive Time: ~2.5 hrs | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Safari lodge
Descend into the Albertine Rift to reach Semliki, a unique transitional zone between Central and East Africa. Enjoy an afternoon game drive with chances to spot Congo Basin endemics like the White-crested Hornbill and the elusive Nkulengu Rail.
Included: Semliki game drive
Accommodation: Mountain of the Moon Hotel
Mountains of the Moon Hotel
- Location: Fort Portal town
- Sustainability Highlights:
- Combines oriental and French chic styles with hand-carved furniture made from natural woods
- Offers amenities such as a spa, wellness center, and gardens that promote relaxation and connection with nature
- Utilizes eco-friendly practices in daily operations to minimize environmental impact
- Community Impact: Employs local staff and supports community initiatives in Fort Portal
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Drive Time: Local | Difficulty: Moderate walk | Comfort: Safari lodge
- Rise early for a nature walk through riverine forests where the Congo Serpent Eagle and Blue-billed Malimbe call. In the afternoon, visit the nearby Bakonzo community. Engage with local storytellers, dancers, and herbalists to understand the rhythms of life near Semliki.
- Included: Nature walk, Bakonzo community visit
- Accommodation: Same as Day 9
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive Time: ~3 hrs | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Safari lodge
Travel south into Queen Elizabeth NP, arriving in time for a relaxing boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Watch elephants, buffalo, and birds like the African Skimmer and Great White Pelican from the water’s edge.
Included: Kazinga boat safari
Accommodation: Enganzi Game Lodge
Why Enganzi Game Lodge?
- Location: Situated on the Kichwamba escarpment, offering panoramic views of the rift valley and Rwenzori Mountains.
- Eco Credentials:
- Constructed using local materials that reflect African traditions, ensuring harmony with the surrounding ecosystem.
- Features private cottages with en-suite bathrooms and balconies.
- Incorporates sustainable practices in daily operations.
- Sustainability Highlights:
- Supports local employment and uses locally sourced materials.
- Provides opportunities for cultural encounters and community engagement.
- Offers activities like boat cruises and game drives, emphasizing environmental education.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: ~3 hrs | Difficulty: Moderate | Comfort: Forest lodge
Take a game drive through Ishasha for the rare sight of lions lounging in fig trees. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and end your day with a visit to the Batwa community. Hear their songs, stories, and forest knowledge shared through generations.
Included: Ishasha game drive, Batwa cultural experience
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Why Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge?
- Location: Rushaga Sector
- Eco Highlights:
- Constructed with local materials, offering panoramic views of Bwindi Forest.
- Provides amenities like hot showers, Wi-Fi, and a restaurant serving locally sourced meals.
- Engages in community development and conservation education.
- Sustainability Impact: Supports local communities through employment and cultural exchange programs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: ~2–3 hrs | Difficulty: Moderate walk | Comfort: Lakeside lodge
Walk quiet forest trails in Bwindi to spot Albertine Rift endemics like the Regal Sunbird and Dusky Twin spot. After lunch, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi—“Place of Little Birds.” In the afternoon, cruise the calm waters, gliding past 29 islets and listening to the lake’s chorus of bird calls.
Included: Forest walk, Lake Bunyonyi boat cruise
Accommodation: Bird Nest Resort at Lake Bunyonyi
Why Bird Nest Resort?
- Location: Lake Bunyonyi, Kabale District
- Sustainability Highlights:
- Offers 15 cozy rooms with lake views and 7 nature-inspired cottages across the water
- Emphasizes eco-friendly design and operations
- Provides activities such as birdwatching, canoeing, and cultural experiences
- Community Impact: Engages local communities through employment and supports cultural preservation initiatives
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: ~3.5 hrs | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Rustic homestay
Journey to Nshenyi Cultural Village where the traditions of the Banyankole people live on. Learn how to milk Ankole longhorn cattle, explore banana plantations, and relax with sunset stories by the fire.
Included: Nshenyi cultural experience
Accommodation: Nshenyi Cultural Village Homestay.
Why Nshenyi Cultural Village Homestay?
Location: Situated near Kitwe Town, Nshenyi Cultural Village offers an immersive experience into the traditional lifestyle of the Banyankole people.
Eco-Friendly Features
- Traditional grass-thatched huts constructed using local materials.
- Engagement in sustainable farming practices and nature conservation.
- Activities include nature walks, tree planting, and cultural exchanges with local communities.
Cultural Engagement:
- Participate in daily activities such as milking Ankole cows and traditional cooking.
- Visit local schools, markets, and Batwa pottery makers.
- Learn about traditional farming tools and techniques passed down through generations.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: ~2 hrs | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Lodge
Head east to Lake Mburo National Park. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the lake with chances to spot the African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, and Papyrus Gonolek.
Included: Lake Mburo boat safari
Accommodation: Mpogo Safari Lodge
Why Mpogo Safari Lodge?
- Location: Situated on a hill within Lake Mburo National Park, offering panoramic views.
- Eco Features:
- Use of solar power for lighting and water heating.
- Construction incorporates natural materials to blend with the environment.
- Engages in community development and conservation education.
- Experience:
- Provides game drives, cultural visits, and bird watching activities.
- Restaurant offers dishes made from locally sourced produce.
- Ideal For: Travelers seeking an immersive nature experience with sustainable practices.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: ~6–7 hrs to Entebbe | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: —
Enjoy one last nature walk through Lake Mburo’s open grasslands, where zebra, topi, and acacia-dwelling birds roam freely. Then begin the drive to Entebbe. Stop at the Equator for lunch and photos—one last memory before your journey home.
Included: Walking safari, Equator experience
Accommodation: None (departure day)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Includes/Excludes
Included
- 15 nights accommodation (mid-range)
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 16
- All national park and activity fees
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and professional English-speaking guide
- All scheduled birding, boating, and nature walks
- Community visits (Kanyanda, Batwa, Bakonzo, Nshenyi)
- Bottled water in vehicle
- Round-trip airport transfers
Excluded
- International flights
- Visas and travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Tips and gratuities (~$10 per day per traveler recommended)
- Optional activities (e.g., chimp tracking, abseiling at Sipi Falls)
- Souvenirs and personal items
Comfort & Difficulty
- Comfort: Classic to Superior – clean, well-run accommodations that blend local charm with Western comfort. Nshenyi night offers rustic authenticity.
- Difficulty: Light to Moderate – mostly light walks; long travel days are balanced with downtime and scenic stops.
Geography
This itinerary spans Uganda’s most ecologically diverse regions:
- Central & Eastern Uganda: Lake Victoria basin, Mabira Forest, and the Source of the Nile
- Northern Uganda: Savannah and riverine ecosystems of Murchison Falls
- Western Uganda: Rift Valley floor (Semliki), crater lakes, and montane forests of Kibale and Bwindi
- Southwest: Lake Bunyonyi’s island-dotted waters and Mburo’s acacia woodlands
Communities Encountered
- Kanyanda (Jinja): Engage with women and youth through food and farming
- Bakonzo (Semliki): Cultural dance, storytelling, and herbal knowledge
- Batwa (Bwindi): Forest heritage and traditional survival techniques
- Banyankole (Nshenyi): Milking longhorn cattle, banana farming, and homestead visits
Practical Information
- Accommodation: Mid-range lodges and community stays. Custom upgrades available.
- Transport: Private 4×4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs
- Group Size: 2–15 guests
- Guide: Birding and cultural specialist, fluent in English
- Start Dates: Flexible, based on availability
- Minimum Age: 15+

