Discover Birds, Gorillas & Culture Across Uganda’s Countryside

36-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Expedition

This unforgettable 36-Day Uganda Birding and Wildlife Tour by Binary Safaris Adventures blends traditional birdwatching with wildlife photography, primate trekking, and meaningful cultural encounters across Uganda’s spectacular landscapes.

This relaxed cross-country adventure takes you from Uganda’s iconic wetlands and tropical rainforests to expansive savannahs and mist-covered mountains. Designed for passionate birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers, this immersive safari explores Uganda’s most important ecosystems while offering exceptional opportunities to observe rare species and iconic African wildlife.

Led by expert local guides, this birding expedition offers the chance to encounter some of Uganda’s most sought-after birds, including the prehistoric Shoebill, dazzling Green-breasted Pitta, and the elusive Grauer’s Broadbill. Along the way, you will also experience remarkable wildlife encounters such as tracking Mountain Gorillas, observing playful Chimpanzees, and enjoying thrilling game drives.

The journey takes you through Important Bird Areas (IBAs), Ramsar Wetlands, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering a slow-paced birding experience with plenty of time for photography and cultural interaction.

From dawn birding walks and forest treks to peaceful boat cruises and community visits, this cross-country Uganda safari by Binary Safaris Adventures promises breathtaking scenery, extraordinary wildlife encounters, and memories that will last a lifetime.

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: AM & PM Birding at Entebbe Botanical Gardens

Start of the Uganda Cross-Country Birding Tour

Your Binary Safaris Adventures Uganda Birding and Nature Tour begins at the renowned Entebbe Botanical Gardens, located along the northern shores of Lake Victoria.

Spanning 40.7 hectares and straddling the Equator, these lush gardens are a paradise for both beginner and seasoned birders.

Morning and Afternoon Birding Sessions

As you wander through this verdant haven, prepare to be captivated by a dazzling array of birdlife.

Keep your binoculars ready for magnificent sightings of:

• Eastern Plantain-eater

• Splendid Starling

• Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird

• Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird

Iconic Birds to Spot

• Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill

• Shikra and Bat Hawk soaring overhead

• Sunbirds including Red-chested, Scarlet-chested, Green-headed, Green-throated and Olive-bellied Sunbirds

• Grey Parrot

• Crowned Hornbill

• Black-headed Gonolek

A Rich Birding and Wildlife Experience

Deeper within the gardens you may encounter:

• White-browed Robin-chat

• Snowy-crowned Robin-chat

• Double-toothed Barbet

• Ross’s Turaco

• Speckled Mousebirds

The gardens are also home to primates including:

• Vervet Monkeys

• Mantled Guereza (Black-and-white Colobus)

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Day 2: Birding Mabamba Ramsar Site & Nkima Forest Lodge

Morning Birding at Mabamba Wetlands

After an early breakfast we travel to Mabamba Swamp, an internationally recognized Ramsar Wetland and Important Bird Area.

This swamp is globally famous as one of the best places to observe the legendary Shoebill Stork, Uganda’s most iconic bird species.

With an 80% success rate, Mabamba offers exceptional chances to see this prehistoric-looking bird in its natural habitat.

Birding En Route

While travelling to Mabamba we watch for:

• African Green Pigeon

• Great Blue Turaco

• Lizard Buzzard

• Long-crested Eagle

Community Boat Safari

We explore the papyrus channels by traditional canoe.

Birds commonly observed include:

• White-backed Ducks

• Yellow-billed Ducks

• White-faced Whistling Ducks

• Malachite Kingfisher

• Long-toed Lapwing

• Blue-breasted Bee-eater

Seasonal migrants may include:

• Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

• Madagascar Bee-eater

Afternoon Birding at Nkima Forest Lodge

Later we explore the forest around Nkima Lodge, a sanctuary for woodland birds.

Highlights may include:

• Purple-throated Cuckooshrike

• Olive Sunbird

• White-throated Bee-eater

• Brown-throated Wattle-eye

• African Paradise Flycatcher

The peaceful forest trails provide excellent photography opportunities in the afternoon light.

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Day 3: Birding Mpanga Forest & Transfer to Mabira Forest

Morning Birding in Mpanga Forest

Our day begins with birding in Mpanga Forest Reserve, home to more than 300 bird species.

Target species include:

• White-spotted Flufftail

• Blue-breasted Kingfisher

• Narina Trogon

• Western Nicator

• Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher

Deep Forest Birding

Further inside the forest we search for:

• Fire-crested Alethe

• Scaly-breasted Illadopsis

• Congo Pied Hornbill

• Red-headed Malimbe

• Chestnut Wattle-eye

• Western Black-headed Oriole

Open-habitat birds occasionally appear including:

• Hooded Vulture

• Palm-nut Vulture

• African Harrier-Hawk

Later we transfer to Mabira Forest Reserve.

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Day 4: Birding Mabira Forest

Today we dedicate our time to exploring the incredible biodiversity of Mabira Forest.

Birding the Trails

Morning birding along the Red-tailed Monkey Trail, Turaco Trail, and Buttress Trail offers superb opportunities for forest species.

Highlights of Mabira Birding

• Nahan’s Francolin (endangered endemic)

• Lowland Sooty Boubou

• Buff-spotted Woodpecker

• Golden-crowned Woodpecker

• Jameson’s Wattle-eye

• Red-capped Robin-chat

• Uganda Woodland Warbler

• Lesser Bristlebill

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Day 5: Morning Birding Walk & Transfer to Soroti

After breakfast we take one final birding walk in Mabira Forest.

Key Targets

• Forest Robin

• Brown-chested Alethe

• Fire-crested Alethe

• African Dwarf Kingfisher

• Sabine’s Spinetail

• Cassin’s Spinetail

Raptors may include:

• Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle

• Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle

• African Crowned Eagle

Later we drive north-east to Soroti.

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Day 6: Birding Pakwi for Fox’s Weaver & Karamoja Apalis

We travel to Pakwi Wetland in Kumi District.

Target Species

• Fox’s Weaver (Uganda’s only endemic bird)

• Karamoja Apalis

Other highlights include:

• Clapperton’s Francolin

• Wahlberg’s Eagle

• Bateleur

• White-headed Buffalo-Weaver

• Northern Red-billed Hornbill

Later we transfer to Sipi Falls.

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Day 7: Birding Mount Elgon National Park

Today we explore Mount Elgon National Park.

Key Species

• Abyssinian Ground Thrush

• Black-throated Wattle-eye

• Black-collared Apalis

• Scaly-throated Honeyguide

• Abyssinian Crimsonwing

• Hartlaub’s Turaco

• Amethyst Sunbird

• Golden-winged Sunbird

• Delgorgue’s Pigeon

• Lemon Dove

Primates such as Blue Monkeys and Colobus Monkeys may also appear.

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Day 8–9: Birding Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

We travel to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, one of Uganda’s most remote wildlife areas.

Bird highlights include:

• Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow

• Stone Partridge

• Red-winged Pytilia

• Foxy Lark

• Red-fronted Tinkerbird

• Common Ostrich

• Secretary Bird

• Karamoja Apalis

Game drives may reveal:

• Cheetah

• Roan Antelope

• Eland

• Buffalo

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Day 10–11: Birding Moroto Region

We continue to Moroto near Mount Moroto.

Highlights include:

• Rufous Chatterer

• d’Arnaud’s Barbet

• Blue-capped Whydah

• Steel-blue Whydah

• Yellow-necked Spurfowl

• Lanner Falcon

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Day 12–15: Birding Kidepo Valley National Park

We continue to Kidepo Valley National Park.

Birding highlights include:

• Black-breasted Barbet

• Purple Grenadier

• Rosy-ringed Parakeet

• Chestnut Sparrow

• African Silverbill

• Hartlaub’s Bustard

• Kori Bustard

Wildlife includes:

• Lions

• Leopards

• Buffalo

• Zebras

• White-eared Kob

Day 16: Birding Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

A Scenic Birding Journey Across Northern Uganda

Today we leave the wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park and begin our journey southwest toward Murchison Falls National Park.

The drive itself becomes an exciting birding adventure as we travel through Kitgum and Gulu districts. We stop frequently to stretch our legs and search for birdlife in roadside savannahs and open woodlands.

Birding Highlights Along the Route

• Yellow Bishop

• Red-faced Cisticola

• Swallow-tailed Bee-eater

• Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

• Brown Snake Eagle

• Red-necked Falcon

• Helmeted Guineafowl

By evening we arrive at our lodge near the park boundary, ready to explore Uganda’s largest protected wilderness.

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Day 17–18: Birding Murchison Falls National Park

Exploring the Southern Sudan and Congo Savannah Stretch Specialties

Over the next two days we explore the incredible biodiversity of Murchison Falls National Park.

The park’s varied habitats—from open savannah plains to riverine forests—host an exceptional diversity of birds and mammals.

Key Bird Species

• Speckle-fronted Weaver

• Foxy Cisticola

• Orange-winged Pytilia

• Red-necked Falcon

• Denham’s Bustard

• Black-headed Lapwing

• Northern Carmine Bee-eater

• Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver

• Pale Flycatcher

• Gambaga Flycatcher

With patience, we may encounter the critically endangered White-headed Vulture, an unforgettable highlight.

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Victoria Nile Boat Cruise

One of the highlights of our visit is a boat safari along the Victoria Nile, bringing us close to the base of the thunderous Murchison Falls.

Birds commonly observed during the cruise include:

• Giant Kingfisher

• Dusky Babbler

• Red-winged Grey Warbler

• Pel’s Fishing Owl (rare but possible)

• Sulphur-breasted Bush-Shrike

• Grey-headed Bush-Shrike

• Rock Pratincole

• White-crested Turaco

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Evening Birding and Night Safari

After sunset we conduct a night drive to search for nocturnal birds and mammals.

Possible sightings include:

• Long-tailed Nightjar

• Standard-winged Nightjar

• Square-tailed Nightjar

• Slender-tailed Nightjar

• Pennant-winged Nightjar

Nocturnal mammals may include:

• White-tailed Mongoose

• Blotched Genet

• Bunyoro Rabbit

• Emin’s Gerbil

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Day 19: Transfer to Masindi via the Top of Murchison Falls

This morning we visit the Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile River forces itself through a dramatic seven-meter gorge.

The viewpoint provides spectacular photography opportunities.

En-Route Birding on the Butiaba Escarpment

As we continue toward Masindi, we pass through the scenic Butiaba Escarpment, a productive birding area.

Possible sightings include:

• Mocking Cliff Chat

• Black-faced Waxbill

• Cut-throat Finch

• Shelley’s Rufous Sparrow

• Beautiful Sunbird

• Northern Red Bishop

• Green-backed Eremomela

• Red-collared Widowbird

Raptors may include:

• Martial Eagle

• Banded Snake Eagle

• Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle

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Day 20: Birding the Royal Mile – Budongo Forest

Today we explore the legendary Budongo Forest Reserve, specifically the famous Royal Mile, one of the best birding trails in East Africa.

Edge Habitat Birding

Before entering the forest we search cultivated areas for species such as:

• Cabanis’s Bunting

• Brown Twinspot

• Grey-headed Oliveback

• Compact Weaver

• White-thighed Hornbill

Forest Interior Highlights

Kingfishers:

• African Dwarf Kingfisher

• Blue-breasted Kingfisher

• Chocolate-backed Kingfisher

Forest specialists include:

• Chestnut-capped Flycatcher

• Rufous-crowned Eremomela

• Forest Flycatcher

• Ituri Batis

• Cassin’s Honeyguide

• Nahan’s Francolin

• Fire-crested Alethe

• Pale-breasted Illadopsis

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Day 21: Birding Kaniyo Pabidi & Transfer to Fort Portal

Our morning begins in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, another excellent birding location within Murchison Falls National Park.

Target Species

• Puvel’s Illadopsis

• White-naped Pigeon

• Brown Illadopsis

• Scaly-breasted Illadopsis

Later we drive toward Fort Portal, stopping along the route for additional birding.

Species may include:

• Brown Babbler

• Red-backed Scrub-Robin

• Brown-backed Scrub-Robin

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Day 22–23: Birding Semuliki National Park

Over the next two days we explore Semuliki National Park, representing the easternmost extension of the Congo Basin forests.

Hornbill Highlights

• Piping Hornbill

• Eastern Long-tailed Hornbill

• Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill

• Black-casqued Hornbill

• Eastern Dwarf Hornbill

Forest Specialities

• Grant’s Bluebill

• Yellow-footed Flycatcher

• Crested Malimbe

• Blue-billed Malimbe

• Red-bellied Malimbe

• Yellow-lored Bristlebill

• Red-billed Helmet-Shrike

Rare Species

• African Dwarf Kingfisher

• Hartlaub’s Duck

• Congo Serpent Eagle

• Long-tailed Hawk

• Grey-throated Rail

• Nkulengu Rail

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Day 24: Birding Kibale Forest & Optional Chimpanzee Trek

We continue to Kibale National Park, known as the Primate Capital of the World.

Key Bird Targets

• Green-breasted Pitta

• White-throated Greenbul

• Western Nicator

• Blue-breasted Kingfisher

• African Crowned Eagle

Optional Chimpanzee Tracking

Visitors may participate in chimpanzee trekking to observe wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

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Day 25: Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning birding takes place in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Bird Highlights

• Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher

• Great Blue Turaco

• Yellow-spotted Barbet

• White-collared Oliveback

Primates include:

• Uganda Red Colobus

• Uganda Mangabey

• Blue Monkey

Later we transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

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Day 26: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Morning wildlife safari on the Kasenyi Plains.

Possible sightings include:

• Lions

• Elephants

• Buffalo

• Uganda Kob

Bird Highlights

• Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl

• Rufous-naped Lark

• Red-capped Lark

• Temminck’s Courser

Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Birds include:

• African Skimmer

• African Spoonbill

• Gull-billed Tern

• Yellow-billed Stork

• Great White Pelican

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Day 27: Birding Ishasha Sector & Transfer to Bwindi

We travel through the Ishasha Sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions, before reaching Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Birding highlights include:

• Gabar Goshawk

• White-headed Vulture

• Banded Snake Eagle

• Wing-snapping Cisticola

• Greater Painted-Snipe

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Day 28–31: Birding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Over several days we explore the forests around Buhoma and Ruhija, searching for Albertine Rift endemics.

Key Species

• African Broadbill

• Red-throated Alethe

• Grauer’s Broadbill

• Bar-tailed Trogon

• Mountain Illadopsis

• Dusky Crimsonwing

• White-tailed Blue Flycatcher

Optional Gorilla Trekking

Guests may participate in Mountain Gorilla trekking, one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences.

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Day 32–33: Birding Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

We continue to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Albertine Rift Endemics

• Rwenzori Turaco

• Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird

• Handsome Francolin

• Stripe-breasted Tit

• Rwenzori Batis

Golden Monkeys may also be observed in the bamboo forests.

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Day 34–35: Exploring Lake Mburo National Park

We descend into the savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo National Park.

Wetland Bird Highlights

• Papyrus Gonolek

• Papyrus Yellow Warbler

• White-winged Swamp Warbler

• Papyrus Canary

Mammals

Impala

Eland

Topi

Waterbuck

Warthog

Optional activities include a boat safari or night game drive.

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Day 36: Return to Entebbe and Departure

After breakfast we begin our final journey back to Entebbe.

We make several birding stops along the way before arriving at Entebbe International Airport for departure.

This concludes your incredible 36-Day Binary Safaris Adventures Uganda Birding, Wildlife and Gorilla Expedition.