Embark on an unforgettable 14-day expedition through the green heart of Africa, where the sounds of the jungle and the colors of bird plumage blend with the roars of the savannah. This tour is designed for nature lovers seeking an authentic and close encounter with the wildlife of Uganda, one of the most biodiverse destinations on the continent.
From the misty forests of Bwindi, home to the iconic mountain gorilla, or the waterfalls and savannahs of Murchison Falls National Park, to the golden plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park teeming with elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, dozens of antelope species, leopards, and tree-climbing lions, each day offers a new natural spectacle.
Discover more than 450 bird species, including treasures such as the Shoebill, Ross’s Turaco, Giant Kingfisher, Green-breasted Pitta, and Grauer’s Broadbill, while exploring rivers, wetlands, and tropical forests accompanied by expert local guides and a Spanish tour leader.
Between sunrise safaris in 4x4 vehicles with retractable roofs for better viewing and photography, jungle walks, boat cruises along the legendary Kazinga Channel, encounters with local communities, and the unforgettable experience of observing a group of mountain gorillas at close range, you’ll discover firsthand the wildest, most authentic, and vibrant side of Uganda.
All of this while being accompanied by an expert Ugandan guide specialising in birds, mammals and plants, as well as by one of our most experienced Spanish guides, who has extensive knowledge of this wonderful country: Maria José Valencia.
Are you ready to join us?
You can see all the complete itinerary information by downloading the PDF from the website.
Day 1 – Pick-up at Entebbe International Airport and transfer by boat to Tilapia Lodge.
Day 2 – Morning at the Mabamba wetlands and afternoon at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Overnight at Tilapia Lodge.
Day 3 – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and arrival at the waterfalls of Murchison Falls National Park. Overnight at Hornbill Bush Lodge.
Day 4 – Safari in Murchison Falls National Park. Overnight at Hornbill Bush Lodge.
Day 5 – Transfer to Kibale with several stops along the way. Overnight at Hoima Kontiki Hotel.
Day 6 – Morning in the Kibale Forest and afternoon in the Kibale grasslands. Overnight at Kibale Forest Lodge.
Day 7 – Birding in the southern area of Kibale National Park to look for the Green-breasted Pitta, then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overnight at Pumba Safari Cottages.
Day 8 – Birding and safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Overnight at Pumba Safari Cottages.
Day 9 – Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha area) and visit to the lion area. Overnight at Topi Lodge.
Day 10 – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and birding in the Buhoma area. Overnight at Buhoma Community Camp.
Day 11 – Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to observe gorillas and transfer to Ruhija. Overnight at Gorilla Mist Camp.
Day 12 – Birding in the highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Overnight at Kabale White Horse Inn.
Day 13 – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park with stops along the way and boat trip on the lake. Overnight at Mpogo Safari Lodge.
Day 14 – Morning birding around Lake Mburo and transfer to Entebbe International Airport.
End of the tour.
Accommodation in hotels and lodges for all nights with double room (single room with a supplement of 410 euros)
All land transportation in Land Cruiser vehicles with pop-up roof for photographic safaris
All daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Entrance fees to national parks, estates, and nature reserves
Ugandan ornithological guide and Icaro Birding Experience guide: Maria José Valencia
Local guides
National Park permit for gorilla access (If you do not wish to go and see the gorillas, a discount of 700 euros will be applied to the total tour price)
Boat trips
Personal travel insurance
Checklist of Uganda’s birds
Checklist shared with eBird users
International flights
Minibar consumption and laundry services for the rooms
Personal expenses and phone calls
Drinks during meals
Specific trekking for chimpanzees
Cancellation insurance
Anything not expressly specified in the “What’s included?” section
The starting times of each day will generally be around 05:30 or 06:00 a.m., to make the most of the day.
Transfers between different areas will not be long, and if a longer journey is necessary, there will always be short stops for bathroom breaks, stretching your legs, and possibly spotting some birds along the way.
We will travel in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle with a retractable roof, which improves opportunities for photography and bird and mammal observation, and provides ample luggage space.
Our walks will be easy, including those in mountainous areas. Almost all birding activities will take place on dirt paths, mostly downhill.
The tour will take place during the dry season, from June to September, thus avoiding the usual rain outside this period. The climate is tropical and relatively stable throughout the year.
All hotels and lodges have electricity, private bathrooms, and hot water, particularly in highland areas.
In general, Wi-Fi will be available in all hotels and lodges, although sometimes only in public areas.
Meals will typically be at restaurants, hotels, or lodges, but also in the field during excursions.
During some nights, we will have short night excursions to observe nocturnal raptors.
It is recommended to take antimalarial prophylaxis (such as Malarone), and it is always necessary to consult a travel medicine center or your doctor to evaluate your personal case (trip duration, allergies, drug interactions, etc.).
It is recommended to carry, per person, a backpack for optical equipment (binoculars, cameras, etc.) and a suitcase for clothing and other personal items.
We also recommend never checking the backpack with optical equipment, to avoid unnecessary loss or damage.
Clothing should be light to cope with the heat, but it is recommended to always bring long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid insect bites. Also, bring clothing for cooler temperatures, especially in mountainous areas at the start and end of the day.
It is important to bring suitable footwear for walking on dirt paths.
Ugandan plugs are Type G, with three rectangular pins (two horizontal, one vertical). You will need adapters to charge mobile phones, batteries, or other electronic devices.
For any doubts, simply email us at info@birdingicaro.com.
The Ugandan currency is the Shilling (UGX). Currently, the exchange rate to the Euro is 1 EUR = 4,040 UGX.
Currency exchange can be done upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, either at exchange offices or ATMs using your credit card.
There is no need to declare foreign currency in amounts below the equivalent of 10,000 euros.
You will need a tourist visa in advance, which can be applied online and obtained within a few days.
It is very important to carry a valid passport, with an expiration date at least six months after entry, and to have the yellow fever vaccination.
To reserve a spot, you must first pre-register on the website, filling out the form and following the steps provided.
Once the confirmation email is received, you must provide name, surname, date of birth, and passport number to arrange your personal travel insurance, and make a first payment of 700 euros via bank transfer to the account provided in the email.
Indicate the account holder as Icaro Birding Experience SL and include your name and surname as the payment reference.
Once this first payment is made (and not before), the spot will be fully reserved.
The remaining amount of 4599 euros as the second payment, or if you want a single room adding the supplement of 410 euros, must be transferred to the same bank account before the tour departure, when instructed by the organizers.
All cancellations must be communicated in writing, either by email or any other means.
For more information, see the cancellation policy on the website regulations.
As soon as the minimum number of participants required to operate the tour has been reached, we will send out a notice to proceed with the purchase of flights. In the event that a participant purchases flights before receiving this confirmation from us, Ícaro Birding Experience S.L. will not be held responsible for the cost of those flights in case of tour cancellation. The starting point of the tour will be Entebbe International Airport, and the tour will conclude at the same airport.
Aeropuerto Internacional de Entebbe
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