A birder’s route through the east and north: the shoebill at Mabamba, the Nile at Jinja, forest birds on Mount Elgon and the ostrich plains of Kidepo.
Eastern and northern Uganda hold birds you will not meet on the western circuit: the shoebill in Mabamba, highland species on Mount Elgon and at Sipi Falls, and the savannah birds of Kidepo, including ostrich and Kori bustard.
The route is quiet and the lodges are small. A flight from Kidepo to Entebbe saves a full day on the road at the end.
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.
Start at Mabamba Swamp with a paddle through the papyrus in search of the shoebill, then drive east to Jinja and Lemala Wildwaters Lodge, on the banks of the Nile.
Overnight
Lemala Wildwaters Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A private island on the Nile, surrounded by rapids, just downstream from Jinja.
Take an early boat on the Nile near Jinja for kingfishers, herons and weaver colonies, then drive to Sipi River Lodge on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
Overnight
Sipi River Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Stone cottages in a garden beside the main Sipi waterfall, on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
Spend the morning in the forest above Sipi with your guide, looking for highland species that live nowhere else in Uganda. In the afternoon walk to the Sipi Falls and enjoy the view from the lodge.
Overnight
Sipi River Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Stone cottages in a garden beside the main Sipi waterfall, on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
A long day across Karamoja, with the landscape opening into plains and mountains, and stops for birds along the way. You arrive at Apoka Safari Lodge in time for dinner.
Overnight
Apoka Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
The only upmarket lodge in Kidepo, among the boulders of the Narus Valley.
Drive the Narus Valley at dawn for ostrich, Kori bustard and the raptors that hunt the plains, with a game drive for lion and buffalo in the afternoon.
Overnight
Apoka Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
The only upmarket lodge in Kidepo, among the boulders of the Narus Valley.
Head north to the Kidepo River valley, where hornbills, eagles and rollers use the riverside trees, with the Morungole mountains behind. The guide can also arrange a visit to a Karamojong village.
Overnight
Apoka Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
The only upmarket lodge in Kidepo, among the boulders of the Narus Valley.
Take the morning flight to Entebbe, then spend the late afternoon at the Botanical Gardens, where lake birds and monkeys share the shore.
Overnight
The Boma Entebbe (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A quiet boutique guesthouse in a leafy garden, ten minutes from Entebbe airport.
A last early walk in the Botanical Gardens before breakfast and your departure.
Lemala Wildwaters Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A private island on the Nile, surrounded by rapids, just downstream from Jinja.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Sipi River Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Stone cottages in a garden beside the main Sipi waterfall, on the slopes of Mount Elgon.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Apoka Safari Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
The only upmarket lodge in Kidepo, among the boulders of the Narus Valley.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
The Boma Entebbe (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A quiet boutique guesthouse in a leafy garden, ten minutes from Entebbe airport.
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$6,180 | US$5,240 | US$4,926 | US$4,926 | US$4,926 | US$4,926 | Get quote |
| Low season (Mar to May, Nov) | US$5,430 | US$4,600 | US$4,324 | US$4,324 | US$4,324 | US$4,324 | 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. The flight from Kidepo depends on aircraft availability and will be confirmed when you enquire. Sightings of any single species cannot be guaranteed.
Best time for this trip Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb
Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat, good sunscreen and insect repellent. Binoculars are provided in the vehicle, but bring your own if you are a keen birder or photographer. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of 15 kg per person including hand luggage, so leave the hard suitcases at home.
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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