BIRDING IN UGANDA

April 29, 2025

Uganda is a mysterious country, one in which feels like it is opening up to the world. As a third world country that is poverty sticken, it offers unique features that are just waiting to be explored. 

The roads are in bad shape, making this adventure more adventurous, however the people you come across are friendly, happy and welcomining. 

Go African Adventures has an excellent guide, Godfrey, he is passioante and loves what he does. Birding is his forte, and to spend time with him, you come back feeling you have learnt so much more.He opens your eyes to things in a different way. 

Go African Adventures is a proud supporter of the Avian Conservation Uganda Society, our fees that we pay contirbute to the conservaiton of birding. From planting trees, educating the children and getting them involved and doing research into different bird species. 

We have put together a 6 night package to Uganda for the month of May. If you cannot make these tours, do not worry there will be more coming!

We spend time at the Murchison Falls, then onto Kibale and finally Queen Elizabeth National Park. Chimp trekking has also been included in our package. We get to enjoy boat cruises, game drives, chimp trekking, visitng a swamp and the list goes on for this jam packed itinerary. 

Here is a brief itinerary of what you can expect. Email us for a more detailed itinerary.

DAY 1-Let’s Get Wild (Literally)

Rise and shine at the ungodly hour of 6:00 AM yes, you read that right. After breakfast and some internal questioning about life choices, your guide scoops you up for the grand adventure to Murchison Falls National Park. You’ll cruise through the Luweero Triangle (history buffs, take notes), stop for lunch, and then flex your conservation side with a pit stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

From there, it’s a scenic ride through Masindi and into the park where the adventure kicks off with a mini game drive straight to THE Murchison Falls aka, the strongest waterfalls on planet Earth. Prepare to be wowed, splashed, and possibly photobombed by birds like the white-crested turaco and the dramatic pel’s fishing owl. Dinner and overnight at the lodge, where you’ll probably fall asleep mid-bite.

DAY 2–Birds, Beasts & Boat Vibes

After breakfast (7:00 AM civilized, kinda), you’ll channel your inner birder with a game drive through the northern sector. Expect rare and oddly named species like the Foxy Cisticola (no, it’s not a cocktail), the Red-Necked Falcon, and the elusive shoebill, who probably knows he’s a big deal. Bonus: lions, elephants, and other camera-hogging mammals may show up.

Later, hop on a boat for a lazy, stunning cruise along the Albert Nile or to the base of Murchison Falls. Think crocs lounging like they own the place, hippos gossiping in the water, and elephants having a drink like it’s happy hour. Return to the lodge for dinner, probably sun-kissed and smug from the epic day.

DAY 3-The Budongo Bird Bonanza

Breakfast at 7:00 AM (again), then it’s off to Budongo Forest with packed lunch and high hopes. This day is basically bird heaven. You’ll wander Kanio-Pabidi, spotting birds with names that sound like indie bands Forest Francolin, Dusky Long-Tailed Cuckoo, and the extremely judgmental-looking African Dwarf Kingfisher.

After ticking off half your birding bucket list, you head back to your lodge for a well-earned dinner and maybe some feather-filled dreams.

DAY 4–Road Trip! (a long one)

Today’s theme: Endurance. After a laid-back 8:00 AM breakfast, you’ll embark on the scenic (read: long) 9–10 hour drive to Kibale Forest National Park. The route takes you through Hoima for lunch and past some potential birding spots (keep your binoculars handy, nerds). Arrive, check-in, and let your legs remember what “walking” feels like before crashing into bed.

DAY 5 -Birds, Chimps & Swamp Shenanigans

This one starts early because we’re hunting (with our eyes) the Green-breasted Pitta birder’s holy grail. After the early-morning forest mission, it’s back for breakfast, then a second adventure: chimpanzee trekking. Yes, your cousins in the trees are waiting, and they’re probably judging your cardio.

Expect 3-4 hours of jungle gym meets National Geographic. After lunch and a bit of a lie-down, you’ll wrap up the day with a swamp walk at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where more birds, monkeys, and your personal sweat glands await.

DAY 6 –Kazinga Cruise Control

Sleep in a little (yay! 9:00 AM breakfast), then roll out to Queen Elizabeth National Park the “medley of wonders,” which sounds like a band, but it’s really just a ridiculously beautiful place.

After lunch at Kikorongo Safari Lodge, get ready for a boat cruise down the Kazinga Channel. It’s 47 km of pure aquatic awesomeness, hippos, buffalo, elephants doing water ballet, and more birds than your group chat can handle. Return to the lodge for dinner and probably a lot of bragging.

DAY 7 – Cats, Birds & Goodbyes

Final day and we’re going out with a bang! Pre-breakfast game drive at 6:00 AM in the Kasenyi Plains. With luck, you’ll spot leopards, lions, and hyenas winding down from their night shift. Also on the menu elephants, kobs, and over 600 bird species showing off their morning routines.

After the drive, head back for breakfast, say your tearful goodbyes to Queen Elizabeth, and start the drive back to Kampala. Lunch in Mbarara (try the local juice) and a fun little detour at the Equator for those “look I’m in two hemispheres” photos. Arrive in Kampala in the evening and straight to the airport tired, muddy, and full of stories.