6-Day Gorilla, Shoe Bill and Birding Experience

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Entebbe

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly received by your professional driver-guide who will assist with luggage and offer a short briefing about the safari ahead.
Depending on arrival time, you may enjoy a relaxed drive through Entebbe, a lakeside town on the shores of Lake Victoria, known for its calm atmosphere and birdlife. Optional stopovers can be arranged (time permitting) such as a brief visit to nearby craft shops or a sunset view by the lake.
You will then be transferred to Cycad Guest House for check-in.
Here, you can unwind in a quiet and comfortable setting after your long journey.

Main Destination:

Entebbe (City)

Accommodation:

Cycad Guest House

• Mid-range guest house located in Entebbe (City)

+16 Photos

+15 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shoe Bill Excursion at Mabamba Swamp

The day starts with an early breakfast, followed by a transfer to Mabamba Swamp, one of the best places in Uganda to spot the rare Shoebill. You’ll take a guided canoe excursion through the papyrus channels, offering excellent opportunities for birding, with sightings of kingfishers, herons, and other wetland species. The highlight is tracking the elusive shoebill in its natural habitat a truly unique experience.
After the excursion, you’ll return to the mainland and begin your journey to Lake Mburo National Park. En route, you’ll make a stop at the Uganda Equator for lunch and a brief demonstration of the equator line experiment, as well as an opportunity for photos and souvenir shopping.
The drive continues through scenic countryside dotted with rolling hills, Ankole cattle, and local homesteads, giving a glimpse into rural Ugandan life. You’ll arrive at the park in the evening and proceed to Kigarama Wilderness Lodge for check-in.

Main Destination:

Mabamba Swamp

Best Time To Go August to September and December to February (Best for spotting shoebill)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather

Accommodation:

Kigarama Wilderness Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Lake Mburo NP

+10 Photos

+9 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Game Drive in Lake Mburo NP

After an early breakfast, you will head out for a morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. This park is known for its rich savannah ecosystem and is the best place in Uganda to see large herds of zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, and giraffes. Bird lovers will also enjoy spotting a variety of savannah and acacia woodland species during the drive.
After the game drive, you will exit the park and begin your scenic journey towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, specifically the Ruhija sector—well known for excellent birding and gorilla trekking.
You will have a lunch stop in Kabale, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its rolling hills and cool climate. This is a perfect place to relax, refresh, and enjoy local cuisine before continuing the journey.
You will arrive in the evening, at Bakiga Lodge enjoy dinner, and relax as you take in the serene atmosphere of Bwindi as you prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

Main Destination:

Lake Mburo National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to August (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to August and January to February (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardOccasional

HyenaOccasional

Show more

ElephantNone

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

CheetahNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Bakiga Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Ruhija (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Ruhijja Sector

After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the park headquarters in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a pre-trekking briefing by park rangers. You will be assigned a gorilla family and guides who will lead you into the dense forest for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Mountain Gorilla trek can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. Once found, you will spend one magical hour observing them in their natural habitat—watching their behavior, interactions, and gentle nature up close. This is one of Africa’s most powerful wildlife encounters.
After the trek, you will return to the lodge.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Batwa people, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi. This cultural experience offers insight into their traditional way of life, including hunting techniques, storytelling, music, and dance. It’s a meaningful way to understand the human heritage connected to the forest.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeRare

ElephantRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Bakiga Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Ruhija (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Birding in Mubwindi Swap

After an early breakfast, you will set out for a guided birding experience in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Uganda’s top birding destinations. Ruhija is especially known for hosting several Albertine Rift endemics, making it a must-visit for avid birders.
The highlight of the morning is a birding trail to Mubwindi Swamp, a renowned hotspot for rare species. As you walk through forest trails and swamp edges with an experienced guide, you will look out for key species such as the African green broadbill, Grauer’s rush warbler, handsome francolin, and a variety of sunbirds and flycatchers. The peaceful environment, combined with the sounds of the forest, creates a rewarding and immersive birding experience.
After the excursion, you will return for lunch and some relaxation at the lodge or continue with optional short birding walks around the Ruhija area, which is rich in birdlife throughout the day.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Bakiga Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Ruhija (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Transfer to Entebbe via Kampala

After an early breakfast, you will check out and begin your journey from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park back to Entebbe.
The drive takes you through the scenic highlands of southwestern Uganda, with beautiful views of terraced hills, rural homesteads, and local communities. You will have en-route stopovers for lunch and short breaks as needed.
You will then proceed to Entebbe via Kampala, where you may experience light city traffic and get a brief glimpse of Uganda’s vibrant capital before continuing to Entebbe.
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport will be in the evening, in time for your Departure. Your driver-guide will assist with drop-off and bid you farewell, marking the end of your memorable Uganda safari.

Main Destination:

Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.