8 Days Uganda Birding, Primates & Gorilla Safari

8 Days / 7 Nights Moderate Birding • Primates • Nature • Photography
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Discover Uganda's Premier Birding & Primate Destinations

Discover why Uganda is known as one of Africa's premier birding and primate destinations on this unforgettable 8-Day Uganda Birding, Primates & Gorilla Safari with Nkuruba Community Tours.

This carefully designed safari combines Uganda's incredible birdlife with unforgettable encounters with its famous primates. Explore the renowned Mabamba Wetland, home of the prehistoric-looking Shoebill Stork, track wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park, cruise the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel, discover the bird-filled shores of Lake Bunyonyi, trek endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and encounter the playful golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

With more than 1,090 recorded bird species, Uganda is one of Africa's finest birdwatching destinations, making this safari ideal for birders, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers alike.

Safari Highlights

  • • Shoebill birding excursion in Mabamba Wetland
  • • Birdwatching in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
  • • Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
  • • Boat cruise and birding on the Kazinga Channel
  • • Birdwatching and island boat tour on Lake Bunyonyi
  • • Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • • Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
  • • Scenic drives through Uganda's spectacular landscapes
  • • Professional English-speaking birding and safari guide

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Uganda

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Nkuruba Community Tours guide and transferred to your hotel.

Relax after your journey while receiving a briefing about your upcoming birding and primate adventure.

Accommodation Options: Standard: Papyrus Guest House | Midrange: The Boma Hotel Entebbe | Luxury: No.5 Boutique Hotel

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Mabamba Wetland Birding & Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Begin your safari with an early morning excursion to Mabamba Wetland, one of Uganda's most celebrated birding destinations and one of the best places in Africa to search for the elusive Shoebill Stork.

Explore the wetland by traditional canoe while looking for numerous bird species, including: Shoebill Stork, Black Crake, Black Egret, Goliath Heron, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, and various kingfishers and weavers.

After your birding excursion, begin your scenic drive to Kibale Forest National Park, passing tea plantations, rolling hills, and traditional villages.

Accommodation Options: Standard: Lake Nkuruba Lodge | Midrange: Isunga Lodge | Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Bigodi Wetland Birding & Chimpanzee Trekking

Rise early for an exciting birdwatching excursion in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, one of Uganda's richest birding habitats.

Look out for remarkable species such as: Great Blue Turaco, African Grey Parrot, Yellow-billed Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Western Nicator, Grey Crowned Crane, Black Bishop, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, and Blue-throated Roller.

After lunch, head into Kibale Forest National Park, the "Primate Capital of the World," for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience.

Besides chimpanzees, you may encounter: Red-tailed monkeys, Black-and-white colobus monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, Blue monkeys, and Olive baboons.

Return to your lodge for dinner.

Accommodation Options: Same as Day 2

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

After breakfast, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's most diverse savannah park.

In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, one of Africa's finest wildlife viewing locations.

Besides hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes, the channel offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, including: African Fish Eagle, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Yellow-billed Stork, African Jacana, Hamerkop, Herons, Egrets, and Ibises.

Accommodation Options: Standard: Enganzi Lodge | Midrange: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge | Luxury: Buffalo Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, travel through the beautiful Kigezi Highlands to Lake Bunyonyi, often called the "Place of Many Little Birds."

Following lunch, enjoy a relaxing island boat excursion while birdwatching along the lake's shores and wetlands.

Possible sightings include: Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Bronze Sunbird, Black Heron, Hadada Ibis, Golden-backed Weaver, Swamp Flycatcher, and Pied Wagtail.

Relax and enjoy one of Uganda's most scenic landscapes.

Accommodation Options: Standard: Bunyonyi Rock Resort | Midrange: BirdNest Resort Bunyonyi | Luxury: Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the highlight of your safari.

After an early breakfast, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for your once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla trekking experience.

Following a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority guides, enter the ancient rainforest in search of one of the habituated gorilla families.

The trek may last between two and seven hours depending on the gorillas' location.

Once located, spend one unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

Return to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation Options: Same as Day 5

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After an early breakfast, travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where "Silver Meets Gold."

Following a briefing at the Ntebeko Visitor Centre, begin your trek through the bamboo forests in search of the endangered Golden Monkeys.

These lively primates are known for their playful behaviour and remarkable speed through the forest canopy.

The park also provides excellent birdwatching opportunities with species including: African Paradise Flycatcher, Speckled Mousebird, Black Kite, Cape Robin-Chat, Pin-tailed Whydah, Rwenzori Turaco, and several Albertine Rift endemic birds.

Return to Lake Bunyonyi for dinner.

Accommodation Options: Same as Day 5

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Departure

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast overlooking the peaceful waters of Lake Bunyonyi before beginning your return journey to Entebbe.

Lunch will be served en route before arriving at Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.

Leave Uganda with unforgettable memories of incredible birds, mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and breath taking landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Safari Includes

  • • Airport transfers
  • • Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • • Professional English-speaking birding and safari guide
  • • Gorilla trekking permit
  • • Chimpanzee trekking permit
  • • Golden monkey trekking permit
  • • All national park entrance fees
  • • Mabamba Wetland canoe excursion
  • • Bigodi Wetland birding experience
  • • Kazinga Channel boat cruise
  • • Lake Bunyonyi island boat tour
  • • Accommodation throughout the safari
  • • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • • Bottled drinking water during the safari
  • • Government taxes and VAT

Safari Excludes

  • • International flights
  • • Uganda visa fees
  • • Travel insurance
  • • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • • Laundry services
  • • Porter fees during gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
  • • Tips and gratuities
  • • Personal expenses
  • • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

Safari Details

Duration 8 Days / 7 Nights
Difficulty Moderate
Safari Style Birding • Primates • Nature • Photography
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