Uganda: the Pearl of Africa

Discover the birds of the Albertine Rift, meet the chimpanzees and go on an trek to find gorillas

Uganda packs an incredible variety of ecosystems and bird species into its fairly small size. Standing proudly astride the equator, it boasts Alpine mountains, impenetrable rain forests, sparkling lakes and thundering waterfalls where the Nile river pushes its way through narrow gorges. Join us as we explore this stunning country!

Flying into Entebbe, you’ll skim the waters of Lake Victoria, also known as Lake Nyanza, the largest lake in Africa. The astute observer might even spot a hippo from the plane. And it only gets better from there. We’ll make our way inland, exploring both Uganda’s smallest and its largest National Park. From Shoebill Storks to Albertine Rift endemics such as the African Green Broadbill, Handsome Francolin, and Regal Sunbird, Uganda’s avian variety is unmatched.

But birding isn’t all that Uganda has to offer. This Central African nation is also home to other wildlife, most notably the highly sociable Chimpanzees and of course Gorillas, the gentle giants of the forest. We’ll encounter Giraffe, Zebra, Eland, and maybe lions along the way. And on the final day, just when you think you’ve seen it all, you’ll come face to face with a White Rhino.

US$ TBD

/ person sharing

single supp. US$ TBD

  • Coming soon
  • 10 days
  • 6 to 10
  • EBB
  • EBB
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Included
  • 13 hotel nights.
  • All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 14.
  • Bottled water en route
  • All in-country ground transport.
  • Airport pick-up on day 1 and drop-off on day 14.
  • All guiding fees for tour leaders and local guides.
  • All entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary.
  • All activities as described in the itinerary.
  • Global Rescue Evacuation and Rescue services (NOT Medical/Travel/Cancelation Insurance)
Excluded
  • International flights (to and from EBB).
  • Gorilla tracking. This is an optional activity, which you can opt in for upon booking. For 2026, permits are US$ 850pp.
  • Alcoholic drink and soft drinks
  • Personal purchases such as (but not limited to) laundry, room service, phone calls, souvenirs, etc.
  • Insurance. We strongly recommend participants get travel, cancelation, and medical insurance in their home country.
  • Any tips you would like to offer tour leaders, guides, drivers, porters, wait staff, housekeeping, etc. for outstanding service.
  • Any other items not explicitly included.

Itinerary

Please note that while the general itinerary is set, hotels and daily activities may slightly differ depending on circumstances.

  • Day 1 ⎸ 11 January 2026: Arrival in Entebbe

    Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, on the shores of Lake Victoria, our team will welcome you and take you to the Boma Hotel, just a few minutes away. Enjoy the lush gardens of the hotel at your leisure and we’ll meet for dinner at the delightful restaurant for introductions.

  • Day 2 ⎸ 12 January 2026: Birding at Mabamba Swamp and drive to Lake Mburo

    We’ll take an early start today to visit the Mabamba Swamp, one of the best places in Uganda to spot Africa’s iconic and most sought after bird, the Shoebill Stork. Other birds likely to be seen include the Malachite Kingfisher, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, and Swamp Flycatcher. After a morning’s birding, we will proceed to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest national park.

  • Day 3 ⎸ 13 January 2026: Lake Mburo National Park

    Nothing beats an early-morning game drive through the varied habitats of the park. The absence of large predators such as lions means that we can get very close to the wildlife. Zebras, Impalas, Elands, and Buffaloes are certain to cross our path. Bird species you might encounter include the African Finfoot, Rufous-bellied Heron, and White-winged Warbler. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy another game drive to explore different areas of the park.

  • Day 4 ⎸ 14 January 2026: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

    This morning, we depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its incredible biodiversity, including over 350 bird species and of course the endangered Mountain Gorillas. En route, keep an eye out for birds like the Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill and Mountain Buzzard. We’ll stay at Engagi Lodge the next few nights, a rustic yet comfortable lodge offering spectacular views of the forest. The lodge’s design blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings, providing a cozy retreat in the heart of the wilderness.

  • Day 5 ⎸ 15 January 2026: Birding and the Batwa People

    Today we’ll spend birding along the main trail of Bwindi, where you can spot Albertine Rift endemics such as the African Green Broadbill, Handsome Francolin, and Regal Sunbird. In the afternoon, we’ll take a community walk.

    The Batwa people are considered to be the original inhabitants of the Great Lakes region and lived as forest-dwelling hunter-gatherers. Unfortunately, they have been evicted from their ancestral forests and face systematic and pervasive discrimination. We’ll meet with the Batwa to learn more about their culture and traditions, and the challenges they face.

  • Day 6 ⎸ 16 January 2026: Gorilla Tracking or Birding

    Today is a true highlight for any traveler to Uganda: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi (optional extra). Experience the thrill of observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Encounters with gorillas as they go about their daily lives are carefully managed to minimize the impact on their habitat and community. Expert trackers and guides lead us up bamboo-covered slopes to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feet away from these awe-inspiring creatures. Please note that the Gorilla tracking experience requires a high level of fitness, as ir requires hiking through dense forest and sometimes steep slopes.

    For those not participating in the Gorilla tracking experience, the day can be spent relaxing at the lodge or exploring nearby trails. There you might encounter birds such as the Dusky Crimsonwing and Bar-tailed Trogon, Red-throated Alethe, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Robinchat, and Black bee-eater.

  • Day 7 ⎸ 17 January 2026: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park

    This morning, we leave Bwindo Forest behind us and drive up to Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route, you may spot birds like the African Fish Eagle, Grey-backed Fiscal, and Black-headed Gonolek. The next two nights we’ll stay at Enganzi Lodge, which offers luxurious accommodations with sweeping views of the park and the distant Rwenzori Mountains. Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular and biodiverse safari destination, offering breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. It boasts a wide variety of ecosystems, from vast savannahs to sparkling lakes and wetlands.

  • Day 8 ⎸ 18 January 2026: Game Drive and Boat Ride

    On today’s early-morning game drive, you might spot lions, elephants, and antelopes. Birding highlights could include the African Skimmer, Martial Eagle, and Black-rumped Buttonquail. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel, which attracts a variety of waterbirds, including the Great White Pelican, African Spoonbill, and Pied Kingfisher.

  • Day 9 ⎸ 19 January 2026: Drive to Kibale Forest

    This morning we’ll leave Queen Elizabeth National Park behind us and depart for Kibale Forest National Park, known for its rich primate population, including chimpanzees. Along the way, you may spot birds like the Green-breasted Pitta, Red-chested Owlet, and African Grey Parrot. Our home for the next two nights is the Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, set amidst lush gardens and tea plantations. Tomorrow morning, we’ll set out from here to find our cousins, the chimps.

  • Day 10 ⎸ 20 January 2026: Chimp Tracking and Birding in Kibale

    Start the day with an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking experience. With 1500 individuals, Kibale National Park has quite a large number of chimpanzees. This makes them easy to find, unlike in some other locations in Central Africa. Besides meeting the chimpanzees, you will also get to see other primates, including the different types of monkeys like the colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys. Please note that a high level of physical fitness is required for the chimp tracking experience.

    In the afternoon, we’ll focus on the park’s rich avian diversity: there are no less than 400 bird species who call Kibale Forest their home. Birds we may encounter include species like the White-naped Pigeon, African Pitta, and Black Bee-eater.

  • Day 11 ⎸ 21 January 2026: Birding en route to Murchison Falls

    Time to leave the primates in peace again and drive to Murchison Falls National Park. On the way you can expect to see birds such as the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, African Quail-Finch, and Northern Carmine Bee-eater. We’ll spend two nights in Pakuba Safari Lodge, which is located in the northern part of the park, offering stunning views of the Nile and the surrounding savannah.

  • Day 12 ⎸ 22 January 2026: Full Day in Murchison Falls National Park

    Today we’ll spend the entire day on game drives, exploring the diverse landscapes of Murchison Falls National Park. As Uganda’s largest national park, it stretches from the shores of Lake Albert to the Karuma Falls. The Murchison Falls themselves are formed by the Nile making its way through a narrow gorge, and are a spectacular sight.

    Look out for animals like giraffes, lions, and elephants, along with birds such as the Goliath Heron, Red-throated Bee-eater, and the rare Shoebill.

  • Day 13 ⎸ 23 January 2026: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa

    Today, we’ll start heading back to Kampala and Lake Victoria. However, we’ll make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for some rhino tracking. Ziwa sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in their natural habitat. Here, you can experience the thrill of approaching rhinos on foot to within a few metres.

    And of course, you should also keep an eye out for the 300% bird species on the grounds of Ziwa, such as the African Crowned Eagle, Brown Parrot, and White-crested Turaco. After the rhino tracking, we’ll continue our drive back to Entebbe for a final night at the Boma Hotel.

  • Day 14 ⎸ 24 January 2026: Departure from Entebbe

    Today, we say goodbye to each other, after a truly unforgettable experience, here in the heart of the African continent. Together, we have witnessed the richness of Uganda, from primates to pitta’s, from rhino’s to robinchats. We’ll drop you off at the airport after breakfast, and wish you a safe trip, and hope to see you again!

Your guides

Katinka Domen

Patricia Kansiime

Focus

Birds
Other wildlife
Photography
Culture & history
Gastronomy
Other
Physical difficulty:
Walks
Other activities
Drives
Terrain
Altitude
Climate
Comfort:
Lodging
Transport
Meals