The shoebill at Mabamba, Budongo's forest birds and the Nile delta, on a short route to Murchison Falls.
This route links Uganda’s best-known shoebill spot with the forest of Kaniyo Pabidi and the Nile at Murchison Falls, with more than 450 species on the way.
It is a good first birding trip: three habitats, two boat trips and a game drive, in five days.
Uganda
Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Pace and fitness
Balanced, fitness: moderate.
Paddle into Mabamba Swamp at first light for the shoebill, with lesser jacana, malachite kingfisher and swamp flycatcher likely. Drive north to Masindi, birding the roadside swamps and woodland.
Walk the forest at Kaniyo Pabidi for chocolate-backed kingfisher, Puvel’s illadopsis, great blue turaco and Sabine’s spinetail. After lunch, enter Murchison Falls and stop at the top of the falls, where rock pratincole nest on the rocks.
Overnight
Nile Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Timber bandas on the south bank of the Nile, with a pool above the river.
Drive the Buligi savannah early for Abyssinian ground hornbill, northern carmine bee-eater, Denham’s bustard and secretary bird. In the afternoon, take the launch towards the falls to see fish eagle, goliath heron and bee-eater colonies in the cliffs.
Overnight
Nile Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Timber bandas on the south bank of the Nile, with a pool above the river.
Cruise downstream to the Nile and Lake Albert delta, a stronghold for the shoebill and a good site for Pel’s fishing owl, white-winged warbler and African skimmer. Spend the afternoon on a game drive for raptors, nightjars and grassland birds.
Overnight
Nile Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Timber bandas on the south bank of the Nile, with a pool above the river.
Bird the roadside wetlands and acacia woodland on the way out, then drive to Entebbe, arriving in the afternoon.
Nile Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Timber bandas on the south bank of the Nile, with a pool above the river.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb) | US$3,020 | US$2,560 | US$2,406 | US$2,406 | US$2,406 | US$2,406 | Get quote |
| Low season (Mar to May, Nov) | US$2,660 | US$2,250 | US$2,115 | US$2,115 | US$2,115 | US$2,115 | Get quote |
Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. Sightings of any single species cannot be guaranteed, but the route is built to give you the best chances.
Best time for this trip Nov to Mar
Pack neutral colours, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. Bring your own binoculars (8×42 or 10×42) if you are a keen birder; a spare is carried in the vehicle. Soft bags are easier to load than hard suitcases.
Made to measure
Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.
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