5 Days Bird Watching Safari Tour in Uganda

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Bird Watching around the Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, tourists are welcomed by a representative of Unique Africa Ventures and transferred to a luxury hotel. After settling in, the afternoon is dedicated to bird watching within the Entebbe Botanical Gardens and the lakeshore surroundings. This area provides early sightings of species such as the African fish eagle, palm nut vulture, great blue turaco, black headed gonolek and various sunbirds. The gardens offer a relaxed introduction to Uganda’s impressive bird life as tourists explore forested paths and lakeside habitats. The evening is spent enjoying a fine dinner at the lodge with views of Lake Victoria.

Accommodation options: Hotel No.5, Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort
Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: Transfer to Mabamba Wetland for Shoebill Birding – Continue to Lake Mburo National Park

After an early breakfast, tourists head to Mabamba Wetland, a Ramsar site renowned for its population of the rare shoebill stork. The experience takes place in a traditional motorised canoe, guided through narrow papyrus channels that offer sightings of swamp specialists. Besides the shoebill, tourists may see papyrus gonoleks, malachite kingfishers, long toed lapwings and purple herons. After this rewarding birding session, the journey continues toward Lake Mburo National Park with scenic landscapes along the way. The evening is spent at a luxury lodge surrounded by acacia woodland and resident birdlife.

Accommodation options: Mihingo Lodge, Kigambira Safari Lodge, Mantana Luxury Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Full Day Bird Watching in Lake Mburo National Park

Tourists begin the day with a sunrise birding walk guided by an expert bird ranger who helps locate key species within the park. Lake Mburo is home to more than three hundred and fifteen bird species including the African finfoot, white backed night heron, brown chested lapwing, bare faced go away bird and several starling species. After breakfast, tourists explore the park further during a bird focused game drive through acacia woodlands and savannah plains. The afternoon brings a relaxing boat safari on Lake Mburo which reveals water birds such as pied kingfishers, African fish eagles and herons. The day concludes with a peaceful evening at the lodge.

Accommodation options: Mihingo Lodge, Kigambira Safari Lodge, Mantana Luxury Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kazinga Channel Bird Watching Cruise

After breakfast, tourists head toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, a scenic journey that passes rolling hills, banana plantations and crater lakes. Upon arrival, tourists enjoy lunch at the lodge before embarking on a bird watching cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This natural channel attracts a large concentration of birds including African skimmers, yellow billed storks, pink backed pelicans, saddle billed storks and various terns. The cruise also presents opportunities to observe hippos, elephants and buffaloes along the banks. The evening is spent relaxing at the luxury lodge overlooking the Savannah and the Rwenzori ranges.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Morning Birding in Queen Elizabeth – Departure

Tourists begin the final morning with a guided birding session around the Mweya Peninsula or the Kasenyi plains. These areas offer sightings of grey headed kingfishers, red chested sunbirds, African wattled lapwings, crowned plovers and various raptors that soar above the plains. After the morning session, tourists return to the lodge for breakfast and prepare for the journey back to Entebbe. The return drive offers scenic views of rural landscapes and crater lakes. Upon arrival, tourists are dropped off at the airport or at a hotel, marking the end of an enriching five day bird watching safari.

Meals: (Breakfast)