10 Days of Birds, Primates and Beautiful Scenery

Trip Type

6 Days Gorillas and Chimps Combo – All Inclusive
Activities

No Activities
Group Size

No size limit - No size limit
Reviews

0 Reviews
Locations

Entebbe
Trip Duration

10 Day(s) 9 Night(s)

Trip code LGS-UG 1010

10 Days of Birds, Primates and Beautiful Scenery; this is one tour you cannot miss! A magical journey, promising you an experience like no other. To inquire more about this trip, to book or to receive a personalized rate, please fill in the enquiry form (top right or below [depends on device you’re using]) and we will be sure to get back to you ASAP!

NOTE:
• Important travel information to plan your trip and make the most of your time here, from entry requirements, safety tips, how to get around to weather conditions, currency and accommodation is available here:

Destination Uganda or Destination Rwanda
• Gorilla Permits cost $800 each
• Chimpanzee Permits cost $250 each
• Gorillas are mainly found in Bwindi and Mgahinga
• Chimpanzees are mainly found in Kibale National Park
• Read our updated FAQs to learn more
• Make your choice in accommodation with us!

What to Expect

Spectacular Bujagali Falls
Budongo Forest Reserve
Murchison Falls
Different kinds of mind-blowing bird species
Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve

If watching mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is on your bucket list, there’s no better place than Uganda. As the sanctuary for over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Uganda offers an unmatched opportunity to embark on unforgettable gorilla trekking tours through the mystical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

What sets Uganda apart is not just its dense gorilla population but the variety of trekking options suited to different levels of adventure and affordability. Here, you’ll not only experience the awe of standing just meters away from a silverback but also immerse yourself in a vibrant culture, warm hospitality, and landscapes teeming with life. Choosing Uganda means choosing authenticity, connection, and a conservation-driven adventure that leaves you forever transformed.

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival – Entebbe/Kampala

On arrival at Entebbe Airport, your guide from Churchill Tailored Safaris will warmly welcome you and later transfer you to Airport Link Guest House B/B

Day 2

Visit Jinja-Mabira Forest-Source of the Nile-Bujagali Falls, Drive back To Kampala

After breakfast and a briefing from the General Manager, you will set off on the eastbound road to Mabira Forest. This is the nearest site for the Purple Throated Cuckoo Shrike, Nahan’s Francolin, Forest Wood Hoopoe, Green tailed Bristlebill, Joyful Greenbul, Tit Hylia, Grey Longbill and the Sooty Boubou. Spend the whole morning birding in this forest and the surrounding areas and later transfer to the source of the Nile in the afternoon. Have a picnic lunch there and later visit the spectacular Bujagali Falls returning to Kampala in the evening for the overnight at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on B/B.

Day 3

Kampala – Budongo

The Royal Mile is considered by some to be the country’s premier forest birding locality. Chocolate-backed, Blue-breasted and African Dwarf Kingfishers are remarkably common and this is definitely the best place in Uganda to see these three species. Birding in the afternoon and over night at Masindi Hotel on F/B.

This morning you will depart Kampala for Budongo Forest Reserve which lies at the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley to the south of Murchison Falls National Park and protects the largest natural forest area in East Africa. It boasts an impressive bird list of over 350 species and is the best site in Uganda for a number of sought-after birds such as Nahan’s Francolin, Cassin’s Spinetail, Ituri Batis and Chestnut-capped Flycatcher. This birding hot spot is also home to Uganda’s largest population of Chimpanzees. An excellent network of trails and a wide track known as “The Royal Mile” provides access to the forest.

Day 4 & Day 5

Budongo-Royal Mile – Murchison Falls

After an early morning breakfast, drive to the Royal Mile and spend the whole day birding here. In the evening, transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Kaniyo Pabidi, have a game drive while entering and over night at Parkside Safari Lodge on F/B

Murchison Falls has a variety of unique habitants and lots of superb birds, which make a visit to this park a must for every birder.

Habitat: Dense woodland and open grassland Savannah, Papyrus swamps, moist woodland and grassy under storey, Borrasus Palm Forest, lakeshores and riverbanks. Key species: Egyptian Plover, Secretary Bird, Silver Bird, Denham’s Bustard, Rock Platincoles, Wire-tailed Swallow, Swallow-Tailed Bee-Eater, and many more.

Day 6

Murchison Falls – Kibale

Early game drive to the top of Murchison Falls where you can have a close look in to the gorge where the Nile squeezes in to a 7-metre gorge dropping 40 metres. The falls are spectacular and thunderous with a beautiful rainbow displayed on sunny days. In the afternoon, drive to Kibale National Park bird watching enroute arriving in the evening. Kibale has a total of 335 bird species and it’s a tall evergreen forest with grassland, swamps and exotic conifers.

The main key species here are; White Collard Oliveback, Leaflove, African Broadbill, Willcock’s Honeyguide, Green Breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Grey Winged Robin, Red Winged Francolin, Joyful Greenbul, White Bellied Crested Flycatcher, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Red Chested Fluftail, Grey Winged Robin, White Napped pigeon, Chestnut Winged Starling etc. Overnight at Turaco Treetops Lodge on F/B.

Day 7

Kibale

Early morning wake up and get a chance to see other species like the Grey-Throated Flycatcher, Masked & Black-Capped Apalis’, Chestnut-Winged Starling, Orange -Tufted & Tiny Sunbirds and a good infrastructure & a variety of interesting activities which makes this a worthwhile destination. There is a network of forest trails which radiate out from the visitor centre, allowing you to search for a number of species that shun the vicinity of the main road. Birding in the forest interior can be frustrating, however, as many species are very shy & difficult to see in the under growth.

You will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a superb community development fringing the park. We will be able to see the fruiting trees, which attract Narina Trogon, Pied Hornbill, Yellow Spotted, Hairy Breasted and Yellow-Billed Barbets then return to Turaco Treetops lodge on F/B.

Day 8

Kibale – Semliki Valley Reserve

Leave the hotel early heading North to Semliki Valley Wildlife Reserve arriving at the lodge at teatime. Over 350 species have been recorded at Semliki and this is also a good area to see the extraordinary Shoebill and other wetland varieties. The key species here include the African Pygmy Goose, Red-necked Falcon, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Blue-breasted Bee-Eater, Black-billed Barbet, Piapiac, Leaflove and Black-chinned Quail-Finch. Take tea by the pool and watch as the Hamerkop dips into the water and the Weaver birds flock nearby. The most exciting aspect is that new species are still being discovered in the reserve. You might be lucky enough to discover one. Have an afternoon boat trip on Lake Albert in search for the Shoebill and over night at Lake Albert lodge on F/B.

Day 9

Semliki Valley Reserve - Fort Portal

Spend the whole morning birding in the gallery forest of the Mugiri River. Leaflove are in proliferation here, despite being scarce in the rest of Uganda. In the Forest you may see: White-spotted Flufftail, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush and Blue-breasted Kingfisher.

In the late afternoon, a game drive will reveal herds of Uganda Kob, Waterbuck, Reed Buck, several monkey species as well as lots of bird opportunities: White-crested Turaco, Eastern Grey Plantain Eater, Mouse birds, Kingfishers and Bee-Eaters, to name a few as you proceed back to Fortportal. Over night at either Mountains of the Moon Hotel on F/B