5-Day Uganda Birding Safari
5-Day Uganda Birding Safari: You will visit Entebbe, Mabamba Wetland, and Lake Mburo National Park during your five-day Uganda Birding Safari. The journey begins with birdwatching in the Botanical Gardens, along the shores of Lake Victoria, and Mabamba Wetland the next day for the best chance to see Uganda’s endangered Shoebill Storks. Finally, you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, an experience that cannot wait.
This Important Bird Area supports a good population of various birds in addition to the uncommon Shoebill stork. A final three days of birdwatching in Lake Mburo National Park, which is home to 313 different bird species, round out the journey. Wander among wetlands, lakes, savannah, undulating hills, and acacia trees—all of which offer the ideal environment for a wide range of bird species.
Day 1: Birding in Entebbe Botanical Gardens and Lake Victoria Shores
After receiving a warm welcome from our representative and the tour guide upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be transported to your accommodation. At Entebbe, birding is optional and depends on the time of arrival. The breathtaking Entebbe Botanical Gardens grounds provide a great spot to observe woodland and lakeside species during bird watching. Our earliest bird inhabitants may include the nearly endemic Orange Weaver of Lake Victoria, along with the Palm-nut Vulture, Orange and Slender-billed Weaver, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Ross’s Turaco, Pygmy Kingfisher Congo Pied Hornbill, Splendid Glossy Starling, Great Blue Turaco, Golden Backed, and others.
Many sunbirds, such as the Green-throated, Red-chested, Collared, Superb, Bronze, Mariqua, and Olive-bellied Sunbirds, should be seen when bird watching. The Broad-billed Roller, African Grey Parrot, Bat Hawk, Grey Woodpecker, Little Greenbul, Red-chested, Levaillant’s, Klaas’s and Diederik Cuckoo, Great Reed and Sedge Warbler, Fain-tailed Widow bird, Striped, Malachite, Giant, Woodland and Pygmy Kingfisher, Broad-billed Roller, Green Hylia, Little Greenbul, and other birds can all be seen during your nature walk in the gardens. For dinner and the night, head back to the hotel.
Meal: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest house, Jet Villas, or equivalent.
Day 2: The 5-Day Uganda Birding Safari in Mabamba Wetland
Take breakfast early in the morning, then proceed to Namugabo near Mabamba wetland, for the Shoebill Stork. This is Uganda’s most famous and sought-after bird. It breeds in large groups on a vast papyrus swamp with its intricate network of channels and lagoons, which has been classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA). We will work extra hard today, paddling through the channels in motorised canoes, to find this mysterious species—the only one of its kind. Undoubtedly, it is among the most sought-after avian species in Africa.
There is no doubt that Mabamba wetland is one of the best places to see a good variety of traditional East African water birds, such as the African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Duck, Rufous-bellied, Purple, and Goliath Heron, African Water Rail, Long-tailed Cormorant, African Marsh-Harrier, and Allen’s Gallinule. Together with a few species that are a little more local, such as the long-toed Plover and Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, White-winged, Lesser, and Greater Swamp, Blue-headed Coucal, and Swamp Flycatchers. While travelling to the Masindi Hotel, where you will spend the night, you will stop for lunch. However, keep an eye out for a variety of birds as you walk amid the many marshes and bushes, including the quiet White-crested Turaco, Ross’s and Great Blue, Yellow-mantled, Yellow-shouldered, and Black Bishop, Fan-tailed and Marsh Widowbird, Saddle-billed and Woolly-necked Stork, Beautiful, and Pygmy Sunbird, and among others.
On a lucky day, expect to see the swamp antelope, or Sitatunga antelope, as you proceed to another swamp on the way to Kampala; it might offer further information about the Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Weyns Weaver, and many other species. Pack a picnic and head out birdwatching as you spend the evening at Papyrus Guest House or Jet Villas back in Entebbe for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House or Jet Villas
Day 3: Transfer from Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park for the 5-Days Uganda Birding Safari
After taking breakfast, set off early to commence your safari and birdwatching excursion in the southern region of the country. Throughout the journey, there will be several stops to look for certain bird species in their infrequently seen habitats. The Rufous-bellied Heron, Western Banded Snake-Eagle, Lilac-breasted Roller, White-winged Black-Tit, Golden-backed Weaver, Woolly-necked Stork, Broad-billed Roller, Splendid Glossy Starling, Papyrus Gonolek, Greater Swamp Warbler, African Water Rail, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Long-crested Eagle, Great Blue and Ross’s Turaco, Yellow Fronted and Brimstone Canary, Red-chested, Diederik and Klaas’s Cuckoo, Red-headed Lovebird, Grey and Lesser Kestrel, and others are among the notable birds on this transfer. Stopping at the equator to snap pictures and stretch your legs will be worthwhile when driving throughout Uganda for birdwatching.
Take a late-afternoon game drive along the Zebra Track after lunch, where you might see animals such the African Wattled Plover, Temmricks Courser, Black Bellied Bustard, Coqui Francolin, Rufous napped Rufous, Chested Swallow, and Flappet Lark, among others. Watch out for nocturnal wildlife, such as leopards and other elusive creatures. Returning for supper and overnight at Rwakobo or Eagles nest lodges.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Accommodations: Eagles Nest or Rwakobo Rock.
Day 4: Birding in Lake Mburo National Park
Early in the morning, after break fast, embark on a game and birdwatching drive with an armed ranger, which increases our chances of sighting mammals like Giraffes, Zebras, Impalas, Buffaloes, Elands, and Topis in addition to large herbivores and carnivores like Leopards, and Jackals. While birdwatching, we focus on searching for rare species such as the Handsome Spurfowl, Red-faced Barbets, Coqui Francolins, Brown Chested Plovers, and Tabora Cisticola in Lake Mburo National Park. Additionally, we look for the Buff-bellied Warbler, Lesser and Greater-blue Eared Starlings, African Penduline Tit, Sooty Boubou, Black-headed Gonolek, and the amazing papyrus specialist, Papyrus Gonolek, among others.
Other bird species include the Village Weaver, Lesser-masked, Red-headed, Golden-backed Shake with a Black Shoulder Cuckoo Barefaced Go-Away Bird, Green-capped Eremomela, Orange-breasted Bushshrike, Cuckoo with a thick bill, Cardinal, Green-headed, Purple-banded, Scarlet-chested, Copper and Olive Sunbird, Crowned and Senegal Lapwing, Black-headed Batis, Purple-headed, Marico, The Pearl-spotted Owlet, Grey-backed Shrike, Nubian, Golden-tailed, and Bearded Woodpeckers, Yellew-breasted Apalis, and other acacia-related birds.
In the afternoon, you will have a boat ride excursion in search of the African Jacana, Malachite, Pied, and Giant Kingfishers, Yellow-billed Stork, African Finfoot, and African Fish Eagle, among others.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Eagles Nest or Rwakobo Rock
Day 5: Birding from Lake Mburo National Park back to Entebbe
We continue with a game drive along the Lakeside Track early in the morning. Approaching the aquatic environments near Lake Mburo is required for this. A few species to look out for are the Lesser and Greater Swamp Warbler, White Winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, and the secretive Blue-headed Coucal, or Shoebill. Proceed towards the campground along the lake, keeping an eye out for various wildlife such as the African Water Rail, Spur-winged Plover, and African Darter. After breakfast in the middle of the morning, head back for a launch-cruise to look for any missing papyrus species. Hippos and crocodiles are among the extras that are anticipated. Continue searching for more birds en route, such as the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, African Finfoot, Papyrus Gonolek, Tabora Cisticola, White-winged Black-Tit, Golden-backed Weaver, and many others.
End your 5-day Uganda Birding Safari by birding your way back to Entebbe, but first make a lunch break in Masaka town.