11 Day Uganda Feathers and Gorillas Birding Safari
Mabamba, Lake Mburo, Bunyonyi, Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth with birding at every stop.
Go beyond the expected.
An eleven-day safari for birders who also want gorillas. Look for shoebill at Mabamba, savannah birds at Lake Mburo, boat birding on Bunyonyi, forest birds in Bwindi and the crater lakes and channel of Queen Elizabeth.
- Shoebill search at Mabamba Wetland
- Boat birding on Lake Bunyonyi
- Gorilla trek in Bwindi
- Kazinga Channel cruise
- Katwe salt works and Kyambura Gorge
What's included
Included
- Airport transfers
- Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle with driver-guide
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Park and reserve entrance fees for the activities listed
- Mountain gorilla permit
- Boat trips as listed
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Arrival and Mabamba Wetland
Entebbe and Mabamba
Arrive, then paddle the Mabamba Wetland looking for shoebill.
Day 2 To Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo National Park
Drive to Lake Mburo with stops at the equator and a game drive.
Day 3 Lake Mburo birding
Lake Mburo National Park
Morning birding walk, a boat trip on the lake and an evening game drive.
Day 4 To Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi
Drive south to Lake Bunyonyi and bird from a canoe on the lake.
Day 5 Bunyonyi boat birding
Lake Bunyonyi
A morning boat trip among the islands and a visit to Akampene Island.
Day 6 To Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Drive to Bwindi through terraced hills and bird the forest edge.
Day 7 Gorilla trekking
Bwindi
Trek to a gorilla family and spend an hour with them, with birding on the trail.
Day 8 Forest walk and Ishasha
Bwindi and Ishasha
A morning forest walk, then drive to the Ishasha sector.
Day 9 Queen Elizabeth savannah
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Birding in the savannah, the Katwe salt works and a game drive.
Day 10 Kazinga cruise and Kyambura Gorge
Queen Elizabeth National Park
A cruise on the Kazinga Channel, then a walk into Kyambura Gorge.
Day 11 Return to Entebbe
Queen Elizabeth and Entebbe
Drive to Entebbe with a pause at Igongo Cultural Centre.
Travel Guide
Knowledge connected to this page
Read planning and destination stories connected to this Offmap entity.
East Africa Conservation Culture
Batwa Cultural Experience in Uganda: What It Is and How to Choose
A forest walk with Batwa hosts, and how to do it respectfully.
Uganda Chimpanzees Communities
Cultural Safari Uganda: Batwa, Buganda and Karamoja
Forest people, kingdoms, markets and cattle herders, linked to the parks.
Wellness Safari Uganda: Lake Bunyonyi, Forest and Gorillas
Lake canoes, forest walks and one gorilla trek at a slow pace.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Planning a Safari
Gorilla and Beach Safari: Combine Gorillas with Zanzibar
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Best Time for Birding in East Africa, Month by Month
Match your dates to the birds, not just the weather.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Multi-Country Safaris
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari: Routes and Planning
Plains, craters and gorillas across three countries.
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Questions about 11 Day Uganda Feathers and Gorillas Birding Safari
Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?
Most nationalities need a visa for Uganda, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the current official guidance for your passport well ahead of your safari.
How many days do I need in Uganda?
A focused gorilla trekking safari can work in as few as 4–5 days, but 8–12 days lets you combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, a savannah park such as Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls, and some rest time. We shape the exact length around what you want to include.
How many national parks does Uganda have?
Uganda protects its landscapes and wildlife across ten national parks, ranging from the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to mountain gorillas) to the savanna of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest park.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and priced separately from your safari cost. Permit prices and availability change periodically, so we confirm the current official rate and secure your permit as part of planning your safari: book several months ahead where possible, since permits for popular dates sell out.
What is the best time to visit Uganda?
Uganda can be visited year-round. The drier months (roughly December–February and June–September) are generally easiest for trekking and game viewing, while the wetter months bring lush scenery, fewer crowds and lower lodge rates. Gorilla trekking is possible in any month, since it happens in rainforest regardless of season.
What wildlife is Uganda known for?
Uganda is best known for mountain gorillas, it holds roughly half of the world’s remaining population, alongside strong chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and over 1,000 recorded bird species, an exceptional figure for a country of its size.