Overview
We delighted to present an itinerary designed to inspire, excite and guide you through an unforgettable experience. Whether you are embarking on this adventure to unwind, explore, or discover something new, this schedule brings together the very best of what awaits you. Each day has been thoughtfully curated to balance memorable activities, moments of relaxation and opportunity to immerse yourself fully in the destination’s unique charm
Here is a well-structured 16-day Birding & Primate Safari itinerary covering Entebbe → Murchison → Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Rushaga (Bwindi) → Mgahinga → Mburo → Entebbe → Mabamba → Airport.
Highlights
- 3 Primate encounters: Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Golden Monkeys
- Shoebill sightings twice: Mabamba wetland
- Albertine Rift endemics: 20+ target species in Bwindi & Mgahinga
- Boat safaris: Nile River & Kazinga Channel
- Over 400–500 bird species possible
Itinerary
Day 01 :
Arrival – Entebbe
- Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
- Transfer to hotel
- Optional evening birding around Entebbe Botanical Gardens
- Key Birds: African Grey Parrot, Palm-nut Vulture, Ross’s Turaco, Great Blue Turaco
- Overnight: Kalibu guest house
Day 02 :
Entebbe → Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary → Murchison Falls NP
- Early transfer north via Bunyoro kingdom east Africa’s oldest cultural institution
- Rhino tracking at Zziwa (great for Shoebill in Lugogo Swamp area)
- Lunch at the sanctuary
- Continue to Murchison falls NP
- Key Birds: White-crested Turaco, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
- Overnight: pakuba lodge
Day 03 :
Murchison – Northern Sector Birding & Game Drive
- Dawn game drive on the savanna
- Lunch at the lodge
- Afternoon birding along the Nile track
- Key Birds: Secretary Bird, Black-bellied Bustard, Denham’s Bustard, Carmine Bee-eater
- Overnight: pakuba lodge
Day 04 :
Murchison – Nile Boat Safari & Top of the Falls
- Morning boat to the base of the falls for aquatic species
- Optional delta boat for Shoebill
- Key Birds: Goliath Heron, African Skimmer, Rock Pratincole, Saddle-billed Stork
- Overnight: pakuba lodge
Day 05 :
Murchison → Kibale (via Hoima)
- Long scenic transfer to Kibale Forest
- En route lunch
- Evening birding around lodge
- Key Birds: White-napped Pigeon, Afep Pigeon, Black Bee-eater
- Overnight: kibale forest camp
Day 06 :
Kibale – Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Birding
- Morning chimpanzee trek
- Meals at the lodge
- Afternoon birding in Bigodi Sanctuary (swamp walk)
- Key Birds: Green-breasted Pitta (seasonal), Yellow-billed Barbet, Papyrus Gonolek
- Overnight: Kibale Forest camp
Day 07 :
Kibale → Queen Elizabeth National Park (Northern Sector)
- Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP
- Lunch at the lodge
- Optional Kasenyi game drive
- Key Birds: Martial Eagle, Black-headed Gonolek, Grey-capped Warbler
- Overnight: buffalo safari lodge
Day 08 :
Queen Elizabeth – Kazinga Channel Boat & Birding
- Morning birding/game drive
- Lunch at the lodge
- Afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Key Birds: African Skimmer, Great White Pelican, Malachite Kingfisher
- Overnight:Bufalo safari lodge
Day 09 :
Queen Elizabeth – Southern Ishasha Sector → Bwindi (Rushaga)
- Drive through Ishasha searching for tree-climbing lions &more savannah birds
- Lunch at simba café ishasha
- Continue to Rushaga (Bwindi)
- Key Birds: Ross’s Turaco, Black Bee-eater, African Harrier-Hawk
- Overnight: Ichumbi lodge
Day 10 :
Rushaga – Gorilla Trekking
- Full day Mountain Gorilla trekking
- Packed lunch is a must
- Afternoon relaxation at the lodge
- Key Birds: Handsome Francolin, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, tropical boubou,diederik cuckoos
- Overnight: ichumbi lodge
Day 11 :
Full-day Birding in Bwindi (Rushaga Sector)
- Birding along the Rushaga–Nkuringo trails
- Lunch at the lodge
- Key Birds:
- African Green Broadbill (elevation dependent)
- Regal Sunbird
- Rwenzori Batis
- Stripe-breasted Tit
- Mountain Illadopsis
- Overnight: ichumbi lodge
Day 12 :
Rushaga → Mgahinga Gorilla NP
- Transfer to Mgahinga
- Lunch at the lodge
- Simple through on the kisoro
- Overnight: Ichumbi Kisoro
Day 13 :
Mgahinga – Golden Monkey Trekking
- Early morning drive to the park office
- Go through briefing from ranger guide
- Optional packed lunch
- Overnight: ichumbi Kisoro
Day 14 :
Mgahinga → Lake Mburo NP
- Transfer to Lake Mburo NP
- Simple birding on the key bird areas like Ichuya forest for the Albertine endemics
- En route lunch
- Evening game drive and Birding
- Key Birds: African Fin foot, White-backed Night Heron, Long-tailed Cisticola
- Overnight: kigarama lodge
Day 15 :
Lake Mburo → Entebbe
- Morning birding walk with ranger (best for terrestrial species)
- Continue to Entebbe
- Key Birds: Brown-chested Lapwing (seasonal), Tabora Cisticola, Red-faced Barbet
- Overnight: Entebbe guest house
Day 16 :
Mabamba Swamp → Airport
- Early morning transfer to Mabamba Bay for the Shoebill
- Canoe birding through wetlands
- Return to Entebbe and transfer to the airport for departure
- End of the trip
- Key Birds: Shoebill, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, African Jacana, Gull-billed Tern
What’s Included in This Itinerary
- Murchison Falls safari
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Kibale chimpanzee tracking
- Gorilla trekking (Ruhija)
- Accommodation (mid-range or your preference)
- English-speaking guide
- Park fees, game drives, and transport
- Meals and fruits
- Wi-Fi
- Golden monkey permits
