Wide Birding Eco Tours

4.9/5 – 17 Reviews

$1,760 pp (USD)

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*This tour does not accept children under 14.
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Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

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

Day 1

Pick up from Entebbe and add shoebill site, later drive to Masindi with detour at ziwa rhino ranch

Pick up from Entebbe and add shoebill site, later drive to Masindi with detour at ziwa rhino ranch

Arrival in Entebbe, Shoebill Search & Rhino Trekking to Masindi

Morning/Early Afternoon: Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), you'll be picked up by your guide. Your first adventure begins immediately with a visit to a renowned shoebill site near Entebbe, Mabamba Swamp. This vast wetland on the shores of Lake Victoria is famous for its population of the prehistoric-looking Shoebill Stork. You'll typically take a canoe ride through the papyrus swamps with a local guide, increasing your chances of a sighting.

Late Afternoon: After the shoebill search, you'll embark on a drive towards Masindi. Along the way, you'll make a significant detour to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. This is the only place in Uganda where you can see white rhinos in the wild. You'll participate in a rhino trekking experience, walking with a ranger to observe these magnificent creatures at a safe distance.
Evening: Continue your drive to Masindi, a town strategically located near Budongo Forest.

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:
Murchison Backpackers
  • Budget lodge located in Masindi (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2

Budongo forest birding - The Royal Mile trail, evening transfer to Murchison falls national park

Budongo forest birding - The Royal Mile trail, evening transfer to Murchison falls national park

After an early breakfast, you'll head into Budongo Forest, for a dedicated birding session along the famous Royal Mile trail. This trail is renowned as one of Uganda's premier birding spots, boasting over 360 bird species, including numerous West or Central African birds and some Albertine Rift endemics. Birds like Western Black-headed Oriole, Yellow-spotted and Yellow-billed Barbets, Jameson's Wattle-eye, Nahan's Francolin, Cassin's Spinetail, Fire-crested Alethe, and Blue-throated Roller. The Royal Mile is also a beautiful forest for nature walks, you might encounter primates like chimpanzees (though dedicated chimpanzee trekking is usually a separate activity

After a rewarding morning of birding, you'll transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive will take you through diverse landscapes, and you'll likely arrive at your lodge within the park or on its fringes.
Evening: Settle into your accommodation and enjoy dinner, preparing for your adventures in Murchison Falls park.

Main Destination:
Royal Mile (Budongo Forest)
Best Time To Visit April to August (Best for chimp trekking)
High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather June and July (Less rain and lower temperatures)

Wildlife in Budongo Forest

ElephantOccasional
BuffaloOccasional
LionVery Rare
Show more
ZebraNone
HippoNone
Accommodation:
Red Chilli Rest Camp
  • Budget lodge located inside Murchison Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Morning game drive in the park, afternoon boat trip to the bottom of the falls, later drive to top

Morning game drive in the park, afternoon boat trip to the bottom of the falls, later drive to top

Start your day with an early game drive in the Park. The park's savannah plains are home to a wide array of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, leopards, Uganda Kobs, warthogs, oribi, and others.

After lunch, embark on a boat trip to the bottom of the Falls on the Nile River. 2-3 hour cruise is a highlight of any Murchison Falls safari. You'll witness incredible concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles, observe elephants, buffaloes, and various antelopes along the riverbanks, and enjoy fantastic birding opportunities. The boat gets close to the base of the falls, providing breathtaking views and the thundering roar of the world's most powerful waterfall.

After boat trip, you'll drive up to the top of the Falls. Here, you walk along the path that takes you to different viewpoints, offering magnificent panoramic vistas of the Nile forcing its way through a narrow gorge and plunging 43 meters down. It's a truly spectacular sight and a great photo opportunity.

Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park
Best Time To Visit December to February (Easier to spot animals)
High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather June and July (Less rain and lower temperatures)

Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional
ElephantCommon
GiraffeCommon
LionCommon
BuffaloCommon
HippoAbundant
Show more
LeopardOccasional
ZebraNone
Accommodation:
Murchison Backpackers
  • Budget lodge located 1-2hr drive from Murchison Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Transfer to the edge of Kibale chimpanzee forest national park, add nature walk at bigodi swamp

Transfer to the edge of Kibale chimpanzee forest national park, add nature walk at bigodi swamp

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before beginning your journey southwest towards Kibale Chimpanzee Forest National Park. This is a scenic drive, passing through rural landscapes, tea plantations, and potentially offering views of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Afternoon: Upon arrival at the edge of Kibale, you'll check into your accommodation. In the afternoon, you'll embark on a nature walk at Bigodi Swamp Wetland Sanctuary. This community-run initiative is a fantastic birding and primate viewing spot. Guided walks through the lush vegetation and along boardwalks offer chances to see over 200 bird species, including the Papyrus Gonolek, Great Blue Turaco, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, and various kingfishers. You'll also likely encounter several primate species like Red Colobus, Black-and-white Colobus, Red-tailed Monkeys, and Olive Baboons.

Evening: Return to your lodge near Kibale National Park for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination:
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (Kibale NP)
Best Time To Go January to February and June to July (Trails are driest)
High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather
Accommodation:
Little Monkey Camp
  • Budget lodge bordering Kibale NP (Chimps) without fences
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Optional search Green-breasted Pitta, transfer to QENP and do game drive, afternoon boat at kazinga

Optional search Green-breasted Pitta, transfer to QENP and do game drive, afternoon boat at kazinga

Morning (Optional): For keen birders, you have the option to search for the elusive Green-breasted Pitta in Kibale National Park. This is a highly sought-after bird and requires an early start and a dedicated search with an expert guide.

Morning/Mid-day: Regardless of the Pitta search, you'll then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), another of Uganda's most biodiverse parks. The journey is relatively short and scenic.

Afternoon: Upon arrival in QENP, you'll immediately head out for a game drive. Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its diverse ecosystems, including savannah, wetlands, and forests.

Late Afternoon: Afternoon boat cruise past large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, and observe numerous bird species (over 600 recorded in the park, many along the channel). This is an excellent opportunity for close-up views of waterbirds like African Skimmer, various kingfishers, pelicans, and storks.

Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)
High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional
ElephantCommon
LionCommon
BuffaloCommon
HippoAbundant
LeopardOccasional
Show more
ZebraNone
Accommodation:
The Bush Lodge (Tent)
  • inside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Choice to add bwindi or lake mburo national park for evening birding (depends if need for Gorilla)

Choice to add bwindi or lake mburo national park for evening birding (depends if need for Gorilla)

Morning: This is a longer drive (approximately 5-7 hours) to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world's mountain gorillas.
Afternoon: Upon arrival, you'll check into your lodge. While dedicated gorilla trekking is a separate activity (and requires permits booked well in advance), you can engage in evening birding around your lodge or on designated trails, as Bwindi is a renowned birding destination, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. This option is primarily chosen if you intend to do gorilla trekking on Day 7 (which would then replace the morning birding on Day 7).

Option B: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park (for Evening Birding)
Afternoon/Evening: Lake Mburo is Uganda's smallest savannah national park but offers unique wildlife and fantastic birding, particularly for acacia-associated species, for species like the African Finfoot, Red-faced Barbet, Papyrus Gonolek, and various raptors.

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

Accommodation:
Eagle's Nest Camp
  • Budget tented bush camp bordering Lake Mburo NP without fences
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Morning birding and later transfer back to Entebbe

Morning birding and later transfer back to Entebbe

If you chose Bwindi (Option A on Day 6):
Morning: Enjoy early morning birding around your lodge or on designated trails in Bwindi. This misty, ancient forest offers unique forest birding opportunities.
Day: Begin your long drive back to Entebbe. This is a full day of travel (approximately 8-10 hours, depending on the Bwindi sector and traffic).

If you chose Lake Mburo (Option B on Day 6):
Morning: Enjoy an early morning birding walk or a final game drive in Lake Mburo National Park, taking advantage of the active morning hours.

Day: Begin your drive back to Entebbe (approximately 4-5 hours).
Late Afternoon/Evening: Arrive in Entebbe, where you will be dropped off at the airport for your departure flight or at a hotel if you have an onward connection the next day.

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
LionNone
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

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

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Request a Quote

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  • Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
  • If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Wide Birding Eco Tours, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Wide Birding Eco Tours.