10-Days Uganda Birding & Wildlife Trip Including Gorilla Trekking.

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to the booked accommodation.

We hope your flight is scheduled for an early landing at Entebbe Airport. Upon arrival, you will be received and welcomed to the Pearl of Africa by the assigned Professional English-speaking Private Trip Guide. Optional:(extra cost) Depending on your arrival time and interest, you might have some leisure time to explore Entebbe and its nearby places like the Entebbe Botanical Garden, or else check into your accommodation for some rest time and overnight.

Accommodation: Airport Guest House

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Mabamba swamp and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Drive time: Approx. 4-5 hrs.

After breakfast, we will head to Mabamba Wetland, a renowned birding paradise, and home to the rare Shoebill stork.

Explore the swamp on a canoe ride, led by experienced bird guides, in search of various waterbirds, including the rarest shoebill and other birds including African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, and various heron species. Return to your accommodation for lunch and hit the road to transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison is popular for its roaring rapids of the falls, and the rolling plains of the savannah grasslands, the park is also a superb birding spot and it is right to call Murchison Falls National Park birders pride. You will arrive in the evening and do little but check into your accommodation for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Hornbill Bush Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 3: Murchison Falls Morning birding and an afternoon boat trip to the base of the falls.

Be up early for breakfast and head for a morning birding in Murchison Falls and you will be able to encounter various bird species like the Abyssinian ground hornbill, secretary bird, grey crowned crane (Uganda's national bird), African fish eagle, martial eagle, African openbill stork, goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, African Jacana, African Skimmer, African wattled, Lapwing, Black-headed lapwing, Senegal lapwing, Red-throated bee-eater, Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Lilac-breasted roller, Abyssinian Roller, Northern carmine bee-eater, African grey hornbill among others. And expect to encounter wildlife like elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, and leopards (though hard to spot). Return to the lodge for lunch and some rest time.

After enjoying your lunch, go for a boat trip on the Nile towards the base of the falls, expect to spot a variety of bird species, including African fish eagle, goliath heron, African skimmer, African spoonbill, Pink-backed Pelican, pied kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, African Jacana, African Openbill Stork, Great White Pelican, Yellow-billed Stork, White-faced Whistling Duck, among others and wildlife such as the concentration of hippos on the Nile and the Nile crocodile. An experience that will leave you amazed. Optional (at an extra cost) If you like, hike to the top of the falls, witnessing the majestic rush of water squeezing through a narrow gorge. Return to the lodge for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Hornbill Bush Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4: Drive to the top of the falls and then transfer from Murchison Falls to Kibale National Park. Drive time: approx. 4-5 hours.

Have an early breakfast at the top of the Falls thereafter depart for Kibale National Park, a prime location for birdwatching and chimpanzee tracking.

This journey from Murchison to Kibale is an incredible scenic drive passing through villages lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations which characterize this part of Uganda with stunning views.

You will arrive in Kibale in the late afternoon/evening and do little but check in and have a relaxing evening at the lodge.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 5: Morning Chimp tracking and evening transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive time: approximately 2–3 hours.

Have an early breakfast and head to the ranger's post for a short briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Embark on a captivating chimpanzee trek, led by expert guides who'll help you spot these charismatic creatures and after spotting the chimps you will be allowed one hour in the presence of these human close relatives learning their way of life, playing, and way of feeding. Also expect to see the cheeky red colobus monkeys and the l'Hoest's monkey, among others adding to the primate spectacle and a variety of bird species such as the Great Blue Turaco, melodious African Emerald Cuckoo, and striking Black-billed Turaco, making cherished memories amid biodiversity." Return to the lodge for lunch and later transfer to Queen Elizabeth arriving in the evening and relaxing at the lodge.

Accommodation: Irungu Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 6: Morning Birding in Maramagambo Forest and afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga channel.

After an early breakfast, drive to the realm of Maramagambo Forest's avian wonders. Witness the majestic African Fish Eagle rule the skies, while the resplendent Great Blue Turaco graces the treetops. Marvel at the elusive Narina Trogon's jewel-like hues and the elegant Crowned Hornbill's aerial displays. While in maramagambo you will also spot forest mammals including a population of chimpanzees, several types of monkey, and the likes of potato, giant forest hog, and yellow-backed duiker. Making Maramagambo Forest a paradise for every birding enthusiast. Return to your accommodation for lunch and some rest time.

Later in the afternoon, take 2 hours on a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel which connects Lake George and Lake Albert, expect to catch sight of various water birds such as the African fish eagle, the African skimmer, and the yellow-billed stork among others as well as wildlife like a big concentration of hippos in a big concentration, elephants, and crocodiles, an experience that will fascinate you. Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening, dinner, and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Irungu Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 7: Queen's morning, more birding and afternoon Mweya Peninsula.

After an early breakfast head for another drive spotting more birds such as yellow-billed oxpecker, helmeted guineafowl, speckle-breasted woodpecker, African crowned hornbill, African grey hornbill, the Crested crane, African jacana, African pied wagtail, and wildlife like elephants, lions buffalos and many others. Return to the lodge for lunch and some rest.

In the afternoon, explore the Mweya Peninsula and its surrounding areas for more birdwatching and wildlife sightings.

Accommodation: Irungu Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 8: Exit Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha sector for tree-climbing lions and transfer to Bwindi for more birding. Drive time: approximately 3–4 hours.

After breakfast, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through Ishasha sector of Queen in search of tree-climbing lions, The major highlights of this park are its endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and a variety of bird species. Bwindi harbors over 400 mountain gorillas which is roughly more than half of the total number of total the world's gorilla population. En route Ishasha sector which is famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. Spotting these unique creatures as they laze on the branches of fig trees will paint lasting memories. (Though sometimes they are hard to spot) You will also be able to spot other wildlife such as Uganda Kobs, cape buffalos, and elephants besides the tree-climbing lions. Optional: If time permits, explore the Buhoma area for birdwatching, looking out for the African green broadbill and the regal African crowned eagle. Spend the night at a lodge in Bwindi NP.

Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 9: Morning Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and afternoon (evening) birding experience.

Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger guide) on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure. The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular! The area offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch.

Later in the afternoon go for birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Expect to encounter a variety of bird species like the enchanting courtship dance of the African green broadbill, black-billed turaco, African emerald cuckoo, handsome francolin, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, White-tailed blue flycatcher, Mountain wagtail, blue-throated brown sunbird, red-throated, Listen to the haunting call of the Rwenzori Nightjar, dawn's chorus of the Yellow-Whiskered Greenbul, Explore misty valleys, find treasures like Handsome Francolins, and anticipate the elusive African Hill Babbler a Lethe in their natural habitat. You will enjoy this avian Eden, a journey of soulful connection.

Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 10: Transfer from Bwindi en route to the Equator and proceed to Entebbe Airport to catch your flight back home. Drive time: approximately 9–10 hours.

Transfer back to Entebbe from Bwindi via the Uganda equator line for some photographs and to buy some art crafts depending on your wish, arriving in the late afternoon/evening for departure. Depending on your departure time, you may have some leisure time in Entebbe for shopping taking with you unforgettable memories of your birding and wildlife adventure in Uganda and a longing to return to this enchanting wilderness in the future. We hope to see you (or any referral) when next you visit, and thanks for choosing Private Trip Uganda!

Accommodation Excluded (Only provided on Demand).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch.

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is a general suggestion, and you can customize it based on your preferences, budget, and time constraints, Also Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are limited and require advance booking, so it’s important to secure them well in advance to ensure availability for your preferred travel dates.