Overview
This 15-day Uganda safari combines mammal tracking, nocturnal wildlife experiences, and world-class birding across top destinations like Mabamba Swamp, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Track rhinos on foot, search for the elusive African Golden Cat, encounter chimpanzees and mountain gorillas, and enjoy night walks and boat cruises along the Nile River and Kazinga Channel.
Perfect for travelers seeking a complete Uganda wildlife experience with rare species, diverse habitats, and unforgettable encounters.
Itinerary
15-Day Uganda Mammal Watching, Nocturnal Life & Birding Safari
Discover Uganda’s incredible biodiversity on this expertly guided safari through top wildlife destinations including Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These itinerary combines mammal tracking, nocturnal wildlife experiences, and exceptional birding opportunities.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you will meet your professional mammal guide. Transfer to Tilapia Lodge for check-in and overnight stay.
Overnight: Tilapia Lodge
Day 2: Mabamba Swamp Birding
After an early breakfast, head to Mabamba Swamp for a guided birding excursion.
Highlight species include:
- Shoebill (main target)
- African Fish Eagle
- Malachite Kingfisher
- Papyrus Gonolek
- White-winged Swamp Warbler
- Papyrus Yellow Warbler
- Carruthers’s Cisticola
- Greater Swamp Warbler
- Goliath Heron
- Purple Heron
- Squacco Heron
- Black-headed Heron
- Swamp Hen
- Intermediate Egret
- Little Egret
- Black Crake
- White-faced Whistling Duck
- Fulvous Whistling Duck
- Pied Kingfisher
- Blue-breasted Kingfisher
- Swamp Flycatcher
- Black Kite
- African Marsh Harrier
- Yellow-billed Duck
- Common Moorhen
- Long-toed Lapwing
Return to Tilapia Lodge for relaxation.
Overnight: Oslo Gardens Entebbe
Day 3: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Nocturnal Walk
Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Activities:
- Guided rhino tracking on foot
- Evening/night walk targeting nocturnal species such as the African Crested Porcupine
Overnight: Ziwa Rhino Guest House
Day 4: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Early morning transfer to Murchison Falls National Park through Budongo Forest.
Activities:
- Visit the top of Murchison Falls for a scenic hike and birding
- Evening birding around the lodge
Overnight: Bamboo village safari lodge
Day 5: Game Viewing & Nile Boat Cruise
Morning birding/game drive in the park.
Afternoon boat cruise on the Nile River for wildlife and bird viewing.
Species include:
- Saddle-billed Stork
- Grey Heron
- Black-headed Heron
- Great Egret
- Little Egret
- Cattle Egret
- Marabou Stork
- Yellow-billed Stork
- African Jacana
- Water Thick-knee
- Common Sandpiper
- Spur-winged Lapwing
- Pied Kingfisher
- Malachite Kingfisher
- Giant Kingfisher
- Woodland Kingfisher
- Grey-headed Kingfisher
- Red-throated Bee-eater
- Little Bee-eater
- Wire-tailed Swallow
- Egyptian Goose
- African Skimmer
- African Openbill
- Black Crake
Overnight: Bamboo village safari lodge
Day 6: Transfer to Kibale via Royal Mile
Transfer to Kibale National Park with a stop at the Royal Mile in Budongo Forest for birding.
Species to expect:
- African Dwarf Kingfisher
- Chocolate-backed Kingfisher
- Blue-breasted Kingfisher
- Pygmy Kingfisher
- White-thighed Hornbill
- Black-casqued Hornbill
- Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill
- Yellow-billed Barbet
- Hairy-breasted Barbet
- Yellow-spotted Barbet
- Grey Longbill
- Yellow-browed Camaroptera
- Green Hylia
- Little Greenbul
- Red-tailed Bristlebill
- Yellow-whiskered Greenbul
- White-throated Greenbul
- Forest Robin
- Fire-crested Alethe
- Chestnut-capped Flycatcher
- African Paradise Flycatcher
- Ituri Batis
- Chestnut Wattle-eye
- Jameson’s Wattle-eye
- Sabine’s Spinetail
- Cassin’s Spinetail
- Fraser’s Sunbird
- Western Nicator
- Rufous-crowned Eremomela
- Brown Illadopsis
- Pale-breasted Illadopsis
- Black-capped Apalis
- Buff-throated Apalis
- Red-headed Malimbe
- Blue-billed Malimbe
- Crested Malimbe
Proceed to Kibale.
Overnight: Kibale Forest Camp
Days 7–9: Golden Cat Search in Kibale
Dedicated days for tracking the elusive African Golden Cat.
Activities:
- Early morning forest searches
- Return to lodge for breakfast and rest
- Evening birding around the lodge
- Night forest excursions to increase chances of sightings
Overnight: Kibale Forest Camp
Day 10: Birding, Chimpanzee Tracking & Nocturnal Walk
Morning birding in Kibale National Park targeting species like the Green-breasted Pitta.
Additional species include:
- Great Blue Turaco
- Black-billed Turaco
- White-crested Turaco
- Yellow-spotted Barbet
- Hairy-breasted Barbet
- Double-toothed Barbet
- African Grey Parrot
- Blue-headed Bee-eater
- Black Bee-eater
- White-thighed Hornbill
- Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill
- African Emerald Cuckoo
- Klaas’s Cuckoo
- Yellow-billed Barbet
- Western Nicator
- Yellow-throated Nicator
- Green Hylia
- Grey Longbill
- Yellow-browed Camaroptera
- Black-capped Apalis
- Buff-throated Apalis
- Chestnut Wattle-eye
- Jameson’s Wattle-eye
- Red-tailed Bristlebill
- Little Greenbul
- Yellow-whiskered Greenbul
- White-throated Greenbul
- Toro Olive Greenbul
- Joyful Greenbul
- Forest Robin
- Snowy-crowned Robin Chat
- Fire-crested Alethe
- Brown Illadopsis
- Pale-breasted Illadopsis
- Scaly-breasted Illadopsis
- African Paradise Flycatcher
- Dusky-blue Flycatcher
- Fraser’s Sunbird
- Olive-bellied Sunbird
- Collared Sunbird
- Purple-headed Starling
Afternoon: Chimpanzee tracking
Evening/Night: Walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Nocturnal species:
- Bushbabies
- Civets
- Serval
- African Civet
- Common Genet
- Marsh Mongoose
- White-tailed Mongoose
- Common Slender Mongoose
- African Palm Civet
- Common Potto
- Demidoff’s Bushbaby
- Thomas’s Bushbaby
Overnight: Kibale Forest Camp
Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Evening birding along the Kazinga Channel.
Species include:
- African Fish Eagle
- Pink-backed Pelican
- Great White Pelican
- Goliath Heron
- Great Egret
- Little Egret
- Cattle Egret
- Squacco Heron
- Striated Heron
- Yellow-billed Stork
- Marabou Stork
- African Openbill
- Sacred Ibis
- Hadada Ibis
- African Spoonbill
- African Jacana
- Water Thick-knee
- Spur-winged Lapwing
- Senegal Lapwing
- Common Sandpiper
- Wood Sandpiper
- Greenshank
- Pied Kingfisher
- Malachite Kingfisher
- Giant Kingfisher
- Woodland Kingfisher
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
- Little Bee-eater
- White-fronted Bee-eater
- Wire-tailed Swallow
- Barn Swallow
- Egyptian Goose
- Spur-winged Goose
- African Skimmer (occasional)
- Black Crake
Overnight: Pumba Safari Cottages
Day 12: Kasenyi Plains & Transfer to Bwindi
Morning birding/game drive in the Kasenyi Plains.
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector, famous for tree-climbing lions.
Overnight: Gorilla Mist Camp
Day 13: Gorilla Trekking & Night Forest Drive
Morning gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Evening/night forest drive searching for the African Golden Cat.
Overnight: Gorilla Mist Camp
Day 14: Golden Cat Search & Cultural Experience
Early morning golden cat search.
Optional Batwa Cultural Experience.
Evening birding followed by another night forest drive targeting nocturnal wildlife.
Overnight: Gorilla Mist Camp
Day 15: Return to Entebbe