The 11 Days Birdwatching & Gorilla Trekking in Southwestern Uganda is an exciting journey that begins and concludes in Entebbe, Uganda. The safari will lead you to Mabamba swamp, where you can encounter the ancient shoebill stork, as well as explore Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park. On the safari, you will encounter stunning wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, zebras, impalas, topi, oribi, and many more, all while enjoying exhilarating game drives and a scenic boat cruise. Prepare for an exhilarating experience as you embark on a thrilling trek to encounter chimpanzees and mountain gorillas, immersing yourself in their wild habitat.

Day 1: Arrive and embark on a journey to the hotel in Entebbe

Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport on the first day of your 11-day Uganda birding and gorilla trekking safari, our driver guide will greet you with a warm welcome. After a briefing about the exciting journey ahead, you will be transferred to your hotel in Entebbe for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Exploring the wonders of Mabamba swamp

Following a hearty breakfast on the second day of your 11-day journey through Uganda, you will prepare a packed lunch and rendezvous with your driver guide. Together, you will set off to the enchanting Mabamba swamp for an exhilarating birding adventure, where you can spot the elusive shoebill stork alongside a variety of other fascinating bird species, including the double-toothed barbet, long-tailed cormorant, black crake, African pygmy goose, and common sandpiper, among many others. After birding at Mabamba, you will head back to the hotel for a delightful evening of relaxation, dinner, and a restful overnight stay.

Day 3: Journey to Kibale Forest National Park

Following breakfast on the third day of your 11-day Uganda birding and gorilla trekking safari, your driver guide will be ready to pick you up from the hotel for your transfer to Kibale National Park. The drive lasts around 6 to 7 hours, during which you will stop for lunch and soak in breathtaking sights of farmlands, the Rwenzori Mountains, tea plantations, Lake Gorge, and crater lakes, among other wonders. As you step into Kibale National Park, you will settle into the lodge, ready for a delightful dinner and a night filled with anticipation.

Day 4: Embarking on a thrilling trek to encounter chimpanzees and exploring the enchanting Bigodi swamp

Embarking on a journey to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat,

Following a hearty breakfast on the fourth day of your 11-day Uganda birding and gorilla trekking safari, you will rendezvous with your driver guide for a transfer to Kanyachu Visitors Centre, where an exciting briefing for chimpanzee trekking awaits. Following the briefing, you will be split into groups of six, each assigned to a chimpanzee family for an exciting trek, accompanied by a knowledgeable park guide familiar with the forest trails. The trek to observe chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours, depending on the location of these fascinating creatures, as they often roam in search of food. On the trekking safari, you will have the chance to encounter various primates, including grey cheeked mangabeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, and l’hoest monkeys, along with a variety of bird species and plants. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour with them in their wild environment. This experience allows you to observe their behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, engage in playful fights, hunt, and enjoy the sight of juveniles frolicking in the trees, all while capturing photos and recording these unforgettable moments. Following your thrilling encounter with the chimpanzees, you will embark on a trek back to the park headquarters, where you will reunite with your driver guide for the journey back to the lodge to enjoy a delightful lunch.

After lunch, you will embark on an exciting nature walk in Bigodi swamp, where you can observe a variety of bird species such as the white-breasted Negrofinch, yellow-spotted barbet, and grey-winged robin-chat. You will also encounter primates, diverse plant species, and stunning butterflies, all while enjoying the refreshing breeze and allowing your mind to unwind. Following the swamp walk, you will head back to the lodge for a delightful dinner and a night filled with possibilities.

Day 5: Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park

On the fifth day of the 11-day Uganda birding and gorilla trekking safari, you will check out of the lodge and rendezvous with your driver guide for a transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. As you journey, you will be captivated by stunning vistas of the landscape, crater lakes, and lush tea plantations, and once you arrive, a delightful lunch awaits you. After lunch, you will embark on an exciting afternoon game drive, where you can encounter majestic elephants, formidable buffaloes, graceful Uganda kobs, playful warthogs, elegant waterbucks, and bushbucks, along with a variety of fascinating bird species, among others. Following the exhilarating game drive, you will return to the lodge for a delightful dinner and a night of rest.

Day 6: Exciting morning game drive and lion tracking followed by a thrilling afternoon boat cruise

Morning safari/lion tracking,

On the sixth day of your 11-day journey through Uganda, you will enjoy breakfast before meeting your driver guide. Together, you will embark on an exhilarating morning game drive or a thrilling lion tracking adventure in the Kasenyi plains. On the game drive, you will encounter breathtaking sights of vast herds of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, and warthogs roaming the expansive savannah plains. Keep your eyes peeled for elusive predators like lions and leopards, and enjoy the diverse array of bird species that call this place home. Following the exhilarating game drive, you will journey to the lodge for a delightful lunch.

Embark on a thrilling boat cruise along the Kazinga channel.

After lunch, you will embark on an exhilarating boat cruise along the Uganda Kazinga channel, a stunning waterway that links Lake George and Lake Edward. On this exhilarating boat cruise lasting around 2 hours, you will have the opportunity to witness elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, and warthogs quenching their thirst along the shores. Marvel at the impressive gatherings of hippos and Nile crocodiles in the water, and keep your eyes peeled for a variety of water birds, including the martial eagle, papyrus gonolek, pelicans, hornbills, African skimmers, cormorants, African spoonbills, fish eagles, and kingfishers. You will also catch a glimpse of fishermen skillfully organizing their nets along the water banks. After the boat ride, you will head back to the lodge for a delightful evening filled with relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

11 Days of exploring Uganda through birding and gorilla trekking
Embark on a thrilling boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.

Day 7: Journey to the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

On the seventh day of your 11-day journey through Uganda, filled with birding and gorilla trekking, you will enjoy breakfast before checking out of the lodge. Then, you will meet your driver guide for the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As you journey through the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will traverse the Ishasha sector, where you may encounter the remarkable sight of tree-climbing lions lounging gracefully among the branches of fig trees. Following the game drive in the Ishasha sector, you will enjoy lunch before embarking on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Upon arrival, you will check in at the lodge to unwind, savor dinner, and spend the night.

Day 8: Embarking on an exhilarating journey to trek gorillas in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Embarking on a thrilling journey to encounter majestic gorillas in their natural habitat,

Following a hearty breakfast on the eighth day of your 11-day Uganda birding and gorilla trekking safari, you will grab your lunch box and rendezvous with your driver guide. Together, you will head to the park headquarters for an essential briefing on the rules, regulations, and what to expect during your gorilla trekking adventure. Following the briefing, you will be split into groups of eight, with each group assigned to a specific gorilla family to trek alongside a park guide who possesses extensive knowledge about the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. Along the trek, you will encounter forest birds, various primates, and a diverse array of plant and tree species, among other wonders. Once the mountain gorillas are located, you will have the chance to spend an hour in their presence, allowing you to discover more about their lifestyle, behaviors, and habits. You can capture photos, observe them as they engage in their daily activities, and create unforgettable memories to share with those back home. Following an awe-inspiring experience with the gentle giants, you will make your way back to the park headquarters, where you will receive a certificate for your participation in gorilla trekking. Afterward, you will reunite with your guide to head back to the lodge for a relaxing dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.

Day 9: Exploring the vibrant birdlife of Mubwindi swamp and journeying to Lake Mburo National Park

Following a hearty breakfast on the ninth day of your 11-day Uganda birding and gorilla trekking safari, you will rendezvous with your driver guide for a transfer to Mubwindi swamp. Here, you will immerse yourself in the vibrant world of birding, spotting an array of captivating species such as the dusky crimson, yellow streaked Greenbul, handsome francolin, dwarf honeyguide, African green broadbill, Archers robin-chat, regal sunbird, black goshawk, and African emerald cuckoo, among many others. Following your birding excursion, you will head back to the lodge for a delightful lunch. Afterward, you will check out and rendezvous with your driver guide for the journey to Lake Mburo. Upon arrival in the park, you will check into the lodge for an exciting dinner and a night filled with possibilities.

Day 10: Exciting morning game drive and thrilling afternoon boat cruise

Following an early breakfast on the tenth day of your 11-day Uganda birding and gorilla trekking safari, you will rendezvous with your driver guide for a morning game drive in the park. Here, you will be treated to stunning views of wildlife such as waterbucks, elands, buffaloes, zebras, impalas, topi, and giraffes, all grazing peacefully in the open savannah plains. Following the exhilarating game drive, you will journey back to the lodge for a delightful lunch.

After lunch, you will embark on an exciting boat cruise, offering a chance to spot hippos and Nile crocodiles gliding through the water. You will also see buffaloes, waterbucks, and warthogs quenching their thirst along the shores, while a variety of water birds like kingfishers, bee-eaters, fish eagles, and cormorants grace the scene. Following the exhilarating boat cruise, you will embark on a drive to the lodge for a delightful dinner and a night of rest.

Day 11: Exciting walking safari/birdwatching and journey to Kampala

On the final morning of your 11-day adventure through Uganda’s birding and gorilla trekking, you will check out of the lodge and rendezvous with your driver guide for an exhilarating walking safari in the park. Here, you will have the chance to encounter various animals up close and marvel at bird species such as the black-bellied bustard, bare-faced go-away bird, brown-chested lapwing, red-faced barbet, and blue-headed Coucal, among many others. Following the guided nature walk, you will reconnect with your driver guide and embark on the journey back to Kampala. Along the way, enjoy a delightful lunch and make a stop at the Equator, where you can pick up souvenirs and capture memorable photos. Upon arrival in Kampala, your driver guide will take you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight or drop you off at any location you prefer.

Conclusion of an11 Days Birdwatching & Gorilla Trekking in Southwestern Uganda, filled with birdwatching and gorilla trekking experiences.