7 Days Uganda Bird Watching Budget Safaris
7 Days Uganda Bird Watching Budget Safaris: Uganda is one of the best birding destinations in Africa boasting a massive bird list of more of than 1,073 recorded different bird species making up 50 percent of Africa’s bird species and 11 percent of the world species. This 7 Days Bird watching Uganda Budget Safaris takes you to 5 of the best bird watching destinations in Uganda on a Uganda budget including Murchison falls national park. The park supports 20 bird species from the three non-qualifying biomes, 11 species of Guinea-Congo forest, 6 species of the Afro-tropical highlands and 3 of the Somali-Masai biome even though it is best known to be a home for big 4 game including the lions, leopards, Buffaloes and Elephants. Murchison falls National Park is one of the top ranking birding destinations in Africa hosting about 460 different bird species. Queen Elizabeth national park has recorder a number of about 550 species of birds making the park one of the charming destination for travellers on a Uganda safari tour. Kibale forest national park contains 375 bird species and these birds can be spotted in the park while on a chimpanzee trekking experience and in Bigodi swamp, this swamp is actually the best place to spot a variety of bird species and primates. Semiliki national park is a home to over 400 bird species recorded in this park thus making it one of the top birding destination in Africa earning a title of “True birders Haven” Semliki Forest represents the only example of Congo-Basin vegetation in Uganda given that a large number of Guinea-Congo biome species reach their Eastern limits in Semuliki, which makes it one of the richest for forest birds in the country. Lake Mburo national park is also Uganda’s top birding destination making travellers to confirm Uganda safaris tours for a bird viewing and wildlife safari. The park has about 350 bird species and the key birding spots include the swampy valleys of Miriti and Warukiri, the viewing platforms near the salt licks and in the forest as well as the roadsides between Rwonyo camp, Jetty and Rubanga forest.

Activities to be done include; Chimpanzee trekking, Game viewing, boat cruise and nature walks on the Kazinga channel, nature walks and birding. Budget tours in Uganda include staying in relatively affordable accommodations and doable activities.
Safari highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls national park – Top of the falls visit
- Day 2: Delta bird trip for bird watching, after boat cruise and evening game drive
- Day 3: Transfer to Kibale national park
- Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk for birdwatching
- Day 5: Transfer to Semiliki national park – Hot springs visit
- Day 6: Bird watching in Semiliki national park and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
- Day 7: Game drive with birdwatching and afternoon boat cruise
- Day 8: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park – evening game drive
- Day 9: Morning nature walk for birding experience and boat trip on Lake Mburo
- Day 10: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls national park – Top of the falls visit
Depending on your location in Kampala/Entebbe, you will meet with your safari guide and thereafter embark on your journey to Murchison falls national park. This is a 5-6 hours’ with en-route lunch in Masindi, proceed to the park through Kichwabanyobo gate and connect to the top of the falls. You will get clear and closer views of the Murchison falls which are the strongest waterfalls in Africa. Thereafter, drive to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
- Luxury accommodation option: Paraa Safari lodge/Nile Safari lodge
- Mid-range accommodation option: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari lodge
- Budget accommodation option: Red Chilly Rest Camp
Day 2: Delta bird trip for bird watching, after boat cruise and evening game drive
After breakfast, meet your safari guide and connect for a boat trip on the delta area for chances of finding a variety of bird species. Some of the bird species found here includes; African Fish Eagle, African Skimmer and the elusive Shoebill stock which is easily seen at the banks of the Riverside. Alternatively, drive to Budongo forest for a nature walk birding experience.
Later afternoon, connect for an afternoon boat cruise that takes you to the bottom of the Murchison falls. While on the boat trip, there you will encounter Nyamusika cliff where most of the birds can be seen. Other bird species we find in Murchison falls national park while on a Uganda safaris tours include; Blue-napped Mouse birds, Silver Bird, Grey-crowned crane, Bluff-bellied Warblers, Goliath Heron, Black-headed Batis to mention a few.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale national park
After breakfast, you will meet with your safari guide and thereafter embark on your journey to Kabale national park. This park is Africa’s best primates’ destination with about 13 different primates’ species including the chimpanzees. The park is located in the western part of Uganda taking about 5-6 hours’ drive on the road with en-route stop in Fort portal town for your lunch. This drive is exciting with great views of the countryside and the people. Check-in your lodge for dinner and overnight stay
- Luxury accommodation option; Kyaninga lodge/Ndali Lodge
- Mid-range accommodation option; Chimpanzee Guesthouse
- Budget accommodation option; Isunga Lodge
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp
After your breakfast, connect to the park headquarters with your trekking gears and water. Meet with other trekkers and gather for a briefing from the park officials where you will be guided on the expectations of Chimpanzee trekking. Thereafter, in only a group of 12 people and ranger guides/researchers, set off for Chimpanzee trekking. The search may take 2-5 hours depending on their location. The chimpanzees in Kibale are quite easier to find and you will be allowed to spend 1 hour with them on finding them.
Later afternoon, connect to visit Bigodi swamp, the swamp has been recognised to host about 138 bird species and one can be able to see over 50 birds a day. Several primates can also be spotted in the wetland including the black and white Colobus monkeys, Blue Grey Cheeked, Ververt monkeys, Red Colobus monkeys to mention a few. Thereafter, transfer to your booked lodge for check-in, have dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 5: Transfer to Semiliki national park – Sempaya Hot springs
After breakfast, meet your guide and transfer to Semiliki national park with en-route visit of the Crater lakes. En-route lunch and later enter the park and visit Sempaya hot springs which are the main attractions of Semiliki national park. These hot springs are the largest in Uganda, divided into female and male however they both have a geyser that shoots up from 8 meters holes with a high temperature of up to 100 degrees Celsius. The strength and hotness of the springs are amazing as one can boil eggs and in few minutes, it is ready to eat. While visiting the hot springs, you will take the trail for birdwatching where you will spot some of the available birds in the park. Proceed to check-in for dinner and overnight stay
Accommodation and meals (Half board)
- Luxury option: Semiliki Safari Lodge
- Mid-range option: Ntoroko Game Lodge
- Budget option: Bugama Cottages
Day 6: Birdwatching and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
After breakfast, connect to the forest for a birdwatching activity. Semuliki national park has about 53 mammal species and over 400 bird species recorded in this park thus making it one of the top birding destination in Africa earning a title of “True birders Haven”. There are about 130 Guinea-Congo forests Biome species recorded in Semuliki forest. Other bird species include; the Capuchin, white-tailed/Piping hornbill, blue headed, crested flycatcher, Orange Weaver, and Red-billed Malimbe to mention a few.
Thereafter, drive to Fort portal town for lunch then proceed to Queen Elizabeth national park. It’s a 3-4 hours’ drive, upon arrival, connect for an evening game drive before you proceed to check-in your lodge, dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury accommodation option; Kyamburo Gorge Lodge/Mweya Safari lodge
- Mid-range accommodation option; Parkview Safari lodge/Enganzi Safari lodge
- Budget accommodation option: Pumba Safari Cottages/Engiri Game Lodge
Day 7: Game drive/birdwatching – boat cruise
After breakfast, drive to Kasenyi area for a game drive and bird watching experience. Queen Elizabeth national park has recorder a number of about 550 species of birds making the park one of the charming destination for travellers on a Uganda safari tour and it has been registered as one of the top bird watching destinations in Africa. Return to the lodge for lunch before you connect for a game drive along the Kazinga channel. It’s a 2 hours’ boat trip with sights of different bird species, hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants, and Buffaloes to mention a few. There are several aquatic birds species that are spotted during a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel such as the White-faced Whistling, Spur-winged Plovers, Squacco Heron, Fish Eagle, Pink and White backed Pelicans, Long tailed Cormorants, and African Jacana, just to mention a few. Return to you lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Bird watching in Kyamburo Gorge and transfer to Lake Mburo national park
After breakfast, visit Kyamburo gorge for a bird watching experience for about 2-3 hours’ depending on your bird interest then embark on your journey to Lake Mburo national park with en-route lunch. Arrive in the park early afternoon. Check-in your accommodation and relax for the rest of the day. Dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury accommodation option: Minhingo Lodge
- Mid-range accommodation option: Mpogo lodge/Acardia Cottages Lake Mburo
- Budget accommodation option: Eagles Nest Lodge
Day 9: Walking safari/birdwatching and Boat cruise
You will have breakfast and then connect to meet your guide for a walking safari, this safari involves spotting wildlife on foot and birds. you will walk through the bird watching trial to find the commonly seen birds in Lake Mburo national park. Lake Mburo national park is also Uganda’s top birding destination making travellers to confirm Uganda safaris tours for a bird viewing and wildlife safari. The park has about 350 bird species and the key birding spots include the swampy valleys of Miriti and Warukiri, the viewing platforms near the salt licks and in the forest. Return to have lunch at your lodge. Later, enjoy a boat trip on Lake Mburo that takes 2-3 hours with sights of different birds and water animals. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 10: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and embark on your journey back to Kampala/Entebbe. It’s a 4-5 hours’ drive from Lake Mburo national park with en-route visit of Equator and en-route lunch. Depending on your departure flight, you will be dropped off at a location you advise or at Entebbe airport for your departure flight back home. End of Safari.
