10 Day Uganda Rwanda Birding Safari
A 10 day Uganda Rwanda birding safari is designed for birders who want a cross-border route through key Albertine Rift birding sites without returning to the same roads at the end of the trip. The safari starts in Entebbe and finishes in Kigali, giving you more time in the field. It begins with Lake Victoria wetlands and Mabamba Swamp for Shoebill tracking, then continues to Lake Mburo for savannah species and Bwindi Ruhija for forest birding and Albertine Rift endemics. After Bwindi, the route crosses into Rwanda for birding around the Twin Lakes, Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest. These areas add highland lakes, bamboo zones, montane forest and canopy-level birding to the safari. This itinerary is suitable for birders, photographers and wildlife travellers looking for Shoebill, African Green Broadbill, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Rwenzori Turaco and other regional specials in one well-planned Uganda to Rwanda birding route.
Safari highlights
- 10-day Uganda Rwanda birding safari from Entebbe to Kigali
- Mabamba Swamp canoe birding for Shoebill tracking
- Lake Victoria wetlands, forest edge and lakeside birding in Entebbe
- Lake Mburo birding for savannah and acacia woodland species
- Bwindi Ruhija birding for Albertine Rift endemics
- Mubwindi Swamp trail for African Green Broadbill and forest specials
- Optional gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Cross-border birding through Cyanika into Rwanda
- Twin Lakes and Volcanoes National Park birding
- Nyungwe Forest birding for Red-collared Mountain Babbler and canopy species
- Ends in Kigali to reduce long backtracking to Entebbe
Detailed itinerary
Day 1, Entebbe Arrival and Lakeside Birding
Your birding safari begins at Entebbe International Airport, where your driver-guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will spend the afternoon birding around Entebbe Botanical Gardens and the Lake Victoria shoreline. This area is a useful introduction to Uganda birding, with a mix of water, woodland and forest-edge species. Possible sightings include Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Pink-backed Pelican, Yellow-billed Stork, Malachite Kingfisher and African Grey Parrot. The gardens are also good for relaxed first-day birding after an international flight. Overnight stay in Entebbe. Accommodation: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe (Luxury) or The Boma Hotel (Mid-range).
Day 2, Mabamba Shoebill Tracking and Transfer to Lake Mburo
Leave Entebbe early for Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar wetland site on the edge of Lake Victoria. At Mabamba, you use local canoes to move through papyrus channels in search of the Shoebill. Early morning is the best time because the bird is often active while hunting in shallow wetland. Other possible species include Lesser Jacana, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Papyrus Gonolek and several herons, weavers and kingfishers. After the Mabamba birding session, continue to Lake Mburo National Park. The route passes through the Uganda Equator area, with lunch arranged along the way. Arrive in Lake Mburo in the evening for an overnight stay. Accommodation options: Luxury option Mihingo Lodge or Kigambira Safari Lodge, Mid-range option Rwakobo Rock or Arcadia Cottages, Budget option Leopard Rest Camp or Eagle’s Nest Lodge
Day 3, Lake Mburo Birding and Transfer to Bwindi Ruhija
Begin the day with birding in Lake Mburo National Park, the main savannah and acacia woodland birding stop on this route. Key targets may include Red-faced Barbet, African Finfoot, Tabora Cisticola and Bare-faced Go-away-bird. A boat cruise on Lake Mburo can improve chances for African Finfoot and other water-associated species. After the morning birding session, drive towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The route climbs gradually into the highlands, with changing vegetation, cooler temperatures and views of terraced hills. Arrive in the Ruhija sector, one of Bwindi’s most important birding areas for Albertine Rift endemics. Accommodation:Luxury: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge. Mid-range: Bakiga Lodge or Gorilla Mist Camp.Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp or Ruhija Community Rest Camp.
Day 4, Ruhija Forest Birding and Mubwindi Swamp Trail
Spend the full day birding in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi, with a focus on the Mubwindi Swamp trail. This area is important for Albertine Rift endemics and forest specialists. Key targets include African Green Broadbill, Grauer’s Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Regal Sunbird and Blue-headed Sunbird. The trail can be steep and physically demanding, so good hiking shoes and patience are important. Birding here often depends on calls, movement in the canopy and careful work with a local bird guide. Return to your lodge in Ruhija for an overnight stay.
Day 5, Bwindi Specialist Birding or Optional Gorilla Trekking
Today can be planned in two ways, depending on your priority. Birders who want to remain focused can spend the day on forest trails such as the Bamboo Trail or Ivy River Trail. These routes offer chances for species such as Handsome Francolin, White-starred Robin, Many-coloured Bush-shrike and Short-tailed Warbler. Travellers who want to add a primate experience can choose optional gorilla trekking in Bwindi. This requires advance permit booking and replaces the main birding activity for the day. In the evening, return to the lodge and review the day’s checklist with your guide.
Day 6, Cross into Rwanda and Birding at the Twin Lakes
After breakfast, leave Bwindi and drive south towards the Rwanda border. You cross into Rwanda through Cyanika, with an East African Tourist Visa. After entering Rwanda, continue to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo near Volcanoes National Park. The lakes sit below the Virunga Volcanoes and provide relaxed afternoon birding. Possible species include Grey Crowned Crane, herons, egrets and other wetland or highland lake birds. Overnight stay near Volcanoes National Park. Accommodation:Luxury: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Virunga Lodge. Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge.Budget: Hotel Muhabura or Kinigi Guesthouse.
Day 7, Volcanoes National Park Montane Birding
Spend the day birding around Volcanoes National Park, focusing on montane forest, bamboo zones and forest-edge habitats. Key targets may include Rwenzori Turaco, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Strange Weaver, Baglafecht Weaver and other highland species. The bamboo and forest-edge areas give this day a different birding feel from Bwindi. Depending on time and permits, golden monkey trekking can be arranged as an optional add-on, but the main focus of the day remains birding.
Day 8, Drive to Nyungwe Forest via Lake Kivu
After breakfast, begin the drive towards Nyungwe Forest National Park in southern Rwanda. This is a longer transfer day, with scenery along Lake Kivu and Rwanda’s rolling hills. The route gives a break from intensive forest birding while still adding landscape value to the safari. Arrive near Nyungwe in the afternoon. If time allows, take a short birding walk around Gisakura or nearby forest-edge areas. Overnight stay near Nyungwe Forest. Accommodation: Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House. Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse or Kitabi Eco-Center.
Day 9, Nyungwe Ridge Birding and Canopy Walk
Spend the day birding in Nyungwe Forest, focusing on higher ridge trails and canopy areas. A key target is the Red-collared Mountain Babbler, one of the important Albertine Rift species associated with Nyungwe. Other possible targets include Kungwe Apalis, Ruwenzori Batis, sunbirds, weavers and forest turacos. The canopy walkway adds a different perspective by placing birders above parts of the forest floor. This can help with canopy species, photography and broader views across the forest. Return to your lodge near Nyungwe for overnight stay.
Day 10, Drive to Kigali and Departure
After breakfast, drive from Nyungwe to Kigali. The journey usually takes about 5 to 6 hours, depending on road conditions and stops. If time allows, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important site for understanding Rwanda’s history. After lunch, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure. Ending the safari in Kigali avoids the long return drive to Entebbe and gives the itinerary a more practical finish. For same-day flights, choose an evening or night departure to allow enough time for the transfer from Nyungwe
Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
ncluded
- Airport pickup in Entebbe
- Airport drop-off in Kigali
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle
- English-speaking driver guide
- Park entrance fees in Uganda and Rwanda
- Mabamba canoe fees for Shoebill tracking
- 9 nights accommodation in selected lodge category
- Meals
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle during transfers and field days
Excluded
- International flights into Entebbe and out of Kigali
- East Africa Tourist Visa or individual country visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Gorilla trekking permit
- golden monkey permits
- Tips for driver guide, birding guides, lodge staff and local trackers
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional activities not listed in the confirmed itinerary
