Uganda rainforest bird-watching

Entebbe International Airport - Entebbe

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda

On arrival, you will be met by a member of staff from your hotel. They will help you with your bags and drive you the short distance from Entebbe International Airport to your hotel in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe. The hotel has a comfortable lounge and bar area and is set in lush tropical gardens, it’s the perfect place to relax after your flight to Uganda.

Entebbe - Mabira Forest - Jinja

Day 2: Birding in Mabira Forest

After breakfast, you’ll take an overland transfer of around 2 hours from Entebbe to Mabira Forest. Once there take a walk along the trails of the largest tropical rainforest in central Uganda. Valued for its high diversity of plant and animal species, there are 310 species of trees, 315 bird species and several types of monkeys found here. As you trek along the forest trails you will see bird species such as the Nahan’s Francolin, Tit Hylia, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Forest Robin, Green-tailed Bristlebill and Forest Wood-hoopoe. Your bird guide is an expert on the forest and will be able to explain in detail the biodiversity, key species and ongoing work to preserve it. Later, continue on to Jinja where you’ll spend the night.

Jinja - Budongo Forest - Masindi

Day 3: Birds of Budongo Forest

Today we journey overland from Jinja to Budongo. We'll take a short break at the lesser-known birder's hot spot of Kakooge Swamp. This small swamp is home to a diverse group of birds, such as the Purple-banded Sunbird, Western-banded Snake-eagle, Fan-tailed widowbird, Spot-flanked Barbet, and White-crested Turaco. Upon arrival at Budongo Forest, you’ll set off on a nature walk with your birding guide. The network of well-maintained trails here offers excellent access. Be sure to be on the lookout for Puvel’s Illadopsis, as this is the only place in Uganda where you’ll have the chance to spot this elusive species. The forest is also home to the Honeyguide Greenbul, Green Crombec and Chestnut Wattle-eye. A range of other wildlife also lives here, such as chimpanzees and many types of butterflies. Look up to admire the Mahogany trees that grow up to 80 metres in height here.

Masindi - The Royal Mile - Masindi

Day 4: Bird Watching at The Royal Mile

Explore the Royal Mile in Budongo Forest, considered to be one of the top birding sites anywhere in Uganda. On this birding walk, you will follow a flat 2.5km dirt road that has been cut through the rainforest, giving you excellent access and views into the undergrowth. This site gives you the opportunity to spot a variety of bird species including the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Dwarf Kingfisher and Uganda Woodland Warbler. If you’re lucky you’ll also get the chance to seek out the Yellow-footed Flycatcher amongst the trees. This is an endemic species to the Budongo Forest, making it the only place to spot this bird in East Africa. With your expert birding guide you will have the day to explore at your leisure and enjoy this fantastic birding hotspot surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rainforest.

Masindi - Kibale National Park

Day 5: The Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary

We start early today with an overland transfer from Masindi to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary in the Kibale National Park. Explore Magombe Swamp at the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, with your bird guide and a local guide who’ll also accompany you. The path meanders along the edge of the swamp and along a raised boardwalk through dense clusters of papyrus. This community-run project offers the chance to spot up to 138 bird species, including the Great Blue Turaco, Joyful Greenbul, White-spotted Flufftail, Brown Illadopsis, Papyrus Gonolek and Yellow-billed Barbet. The swamp is also home to a vast array of butterflies and a busy population of monkeys. As you ramble around the swamp your guide will be able to identify the local flora and fauna as well as the seven species of monkeys found here including red colobus, blue monkeys and baboons.

Kibale National Park

Day 6: Kibale Birding & The Green-breasted Pitta

Rise at 5 a.m. this morning to meet your team at the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters for your chance to spot the rare Green-breasted Pitta. After a briefing you will walk into the rainforest, listening out for its call as you stroll in the early morning light. With your expert guides and their local knowledge, you’ll have a good chance of spotting this rare species as well as other birds such as the Joyful Greenbul, Chestnut Wattle-eye and Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat.

Kibale National Park

Day 7: Chimp Tracking in Kibale

Meet with your Uganda Wildlife Authority team for a briefing on tracking chimpanzees in the rainforest. Kibale National Park is one of East Africa’s premier destinations for tracking chimps with a 95% success rate. This ancient rainforest is also home to one of the highest concentrations and diversities of primates found anywhere on the continent. The tracking team will be escorting you throughout your time in the rainforest and will be able to identify and give more information on the species found here, including birdlife, trees and over 80 species of mammals. Groups of chimps live in communities of 10 to 100 members and once you’ve found your group amongst the dense rainforest you will spend an hour with them. You will be able to observe their behaviour as they play, eat, socialise and display their prowess.

Kibale National Park - Semuliki National Park - Kibale National Park

Day 8: Bird Watching in Semuliki

After breakfast take an overland transfer from your lodge to Semuliki National Park around 2 hrs away. Take a stroll through the rainforest to the park’s most popular attraction, the Sempaya Hot Springs. As you walk through the rainforest look out for birds such as the Black-Casqued Wattled Hornbill, Piping Hornbill and African Snipe. On reaching the springs your guide will be on hand to explain their local significance. Then venture further into this lowland tropical rainforest with your birding guide. The rainforest is a prime destination for birding with the chance to spot Long-tailed Hawks, African piculets, Piping hornbills, Red-billed Dwarf hornbills and Crested Malimbe amongst others.

Kibale National Park - Sebitoli Wildlife Reserve - Mabamba Swamp

Day 9: Sebitoli Wildlife Reserve

Take a walk with your guide and ranger along the forest trails of the Sebitoli Wildlife Reserve, keeping your eyes peeled for primates and birds. This wildlife reserve is on the border of Kibale National Park, so you’ll weave along paths and walk beside the Mpanga River looking for both forest and savannah birds. Your birding guide will help you spot key species such as the Red-bellied Paradise flycatcher, Great Blue Turaco, Dusky Tit, Tullberg’s Woodpecker and Grey-throated Barbet. Sebitoli Wildlife Reserve offers the chance to encounter several types of primates including the red colobus, black-and-white colobus, blue monkey and vervet monkey, which you’ll spot scampering through the trees.

Mabamba Swamp - Mpanga Forest - Entebbe

Day 10: Shoebills of Mabamba Swamp

Meet your guide on the shores of the Mabamba Wetlands and take to the water in a motorised canoe to spot a variety of wading bird species. As you glide through the water you will be struck by the lush vegetation, dotted with bright purple water lilies and feathered papyrus flowers swaying over your head. You will spend several hours exploring the swamp and seeking out the famous Shoebill, a prehistoric-looking bird reaching 140cm tall. They spend their time wading through the swamp and fishing. You will also explore the rainforest trails of Mpanga Forest today, a true birding hotspot. Seek out species such as the African Pied Wagtail, Yellow-throated Longclaw and Copper Sunbird, to name a few. Later, take an overland transfer from Mpanga Forest to Entebbe where your Uganda birding tour ends.