10 Day Uganda Rwanda Birding Safari, Entebbe to Kigali
This 10-day Uganda to Rwanda birding safari is designed for birders who want the best of the Albertine Rift without wasting a full day repeating roads. You arrive in Entebbe and begin with Lake Victoria wetlands and forest edge birding, then head to Mabamba for Shoebill tracking in the papyrus channels. From there, the route climbs steadily into the Rift, with savannah species in Lake Mburo and the endemics’ rich forests of Bwindi Ruhija, including key targets like African Green Broadbill and other Albertine Rift specialties.
You then cross into Rwanda for high altitude birding around Volcanoes and finish in Nyungwe, one of the region’s most productive montane forests, with a strong chance for Red collared Mountain Babbler and canopy level views on the walkway. The trip ends in Kigali, so you fly out from Rwanda instead of returning to Entebbe, giving you more time in the field and a smoother finish.
Safari highlights
Duration, 10 days, 9 nights
Start, Entebbe International Airport
End, Kigali International Airport
Key habitats: papyrus wetlands, savannah, Albertine Rift forest, montane forest
Signature targets, Shoebill, African Green Broadbill, Red collared Mountain Babbler
Optional add-on, mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Visa, East Africa Tourist Visa, USD 100
Why this cross-border birding route works
More field time, no long backtrack day
Two distinct birding zones, the Uganda lowlands and the Rwanda montane forests
Built around Albertine Rift endemics
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe arrival, lakeside birding, overnight in Entebbe
Your trip begins at Entebbe International Airport. Entebbe sits on a peninsula on Lake Victoria. This area is surprisingly birdy for a town. After checking in, we spent the afternoon at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens. These gardens date back to 1898 and host a mix of water, forest, and woodland birds. We look for the Great Blue Turaco and the Ross’s Turaco in the tall trees. Along the lake shore, we often spot the Pink-backed Pelican, Yellow-billed Stork, and the Malachite Kingfisher. The African Grey Parrot is common here, often seen flying in loud flocks at sunset. Accommodation: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe (Luxury) or The Boma Hotel (Mid-range).
Day 2 Mabamba Shoebill tracking, transfer to Lake Mburo, overnight at Lake Mburo
We leave early for Mabamba Swamp, a RAMSAR site on the edge of Lake Victoria. We use local wooden boats to navigate the narrow papyrus channels. The main goal today is the Shoebill Stork. This prehistoric-looking bird is best seen in the early morning when it stands still while hunting lungfish. Aside from the Shoebill, Mabamba is home to the Lesser Jacana, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, and the Papyrus Gonolek. After the swamp, we drive toward Lake Mburo National Park. This 4-hour drive takes us through the equator. We stop for lunch and arrive at the park for an evening birding walk. Discover more savannah species on our 3-day Lake Mburo safari experience for zebras and elands. Accommodation:Luxury: Mihingo Lodge or Kigambira Safari Lodge. Mid-range: Rwakobo Rock or Arcadia Cottages.Budget: Leopard Rest Camp (Safari Tents) or Eagle’s Nest Lodge.
Day 3 Lake Mburo savannah birding, drive to Bwindi Ruhija, overnight Ruhija
Lake Mburo is the only place on this route with savannah species. We look for the Red-faced Barbet, a rare bird found only in this region. The park also has the African Finfoot, which we look for during a boat cruise on the lake. Other targets include the Tabora Cisticola and the Bare-faced Go-away-bird. In the afternoon, we head toward the highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As we climb, the temperature drops and the vegetation changes to thick rainforest. We reach the Ruhija sector, which is the highest point of the park and a prime spot for Albertine Rift endemics. Combine your birding with the chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale National Park if you wish to extend your trip. 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 deep forest birding, Mubwindi Swamp trail, overnight Ruhija
Ruhija is home to 23 of Uganda’s 24 Albertine Rift endemics. We spend the full day on the Mubwindi Swamp trail. This is a steep hike, but it is the best place in the world to find the African Green Broadbill. We listen for the calls of the Grauer’s Warbler and the Mountain Masked Apalis. We also watch for the Regal Sunbird and the Blue-headed Sunbird in the flowering trees. This area is quiet and dense, so we rely on our ears to find the birds before they move through the canopy.
Day 5 Bwindi specialist birding or optional gorilla trekking, overnight Bwindi
Today offers a choice. You can go for mountain gorilla trekking, which is a major highlight in Bwindi. Uganda gorilla permits cost 800 USD in 2024-2026. If you prefer to stay focused on birds, we spend the day on the Bamboo Trail or the Ivy River Trail. These trails are good for the Handsome Francolin, the White-starred Robin, and the Many-colored Bush-shrike. If we are lucky, we might find the Short-tailed Warbler in the forest undergrowth. We spend the evening reviewing our checklist at the lodge. For a deep dive into ape behavior, see our 3-day gorilla habituation tour from Kigali.
Day 6: Cross into Rwanda, Twin Lakes birding, overnight near Volcanoes
We leave Bwindi and drive south toward the Rwanda border. The drive offers views of the Virunga Volcanoes. We cross at Cyanika and enter Rwanda. The border process is usually smooth with the East Africa Tourist Visa. Once in Rwanda, we head to the Twin Lakes, Burera and Ruhondo. These lakes sit at the base of Mount Muhabura. We look for water birds like the Grey-crowned Crane and various herons. The air here is thin and cool, perfect for a relaxed afternoon of birding before we reach our lodge near Volcanoes National Park. Explore more of the Land of a Thousand Hills on our 6-day Rwanda primates safari. 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 montane birding, overnight near Volcanoes
Volcanoes National Park is famous for gorillas, but its birdlife is equally rich. We focus on the higher altitude species here. The Rwenzori Turaco is a frequent sighting in the bamboo zones. We also look for the Archer’s Robin-Chat and the Strange Weaver. The park is well-managed, and the trails are clear. We spend time near the forest edge looking for the Red-backed Shrike and the Baglafecht Weaver. The volcanic soil makes the forest lush and green, providing a different backdrop than Bwindi. Pair your birding with golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park for a unique primate encounter.
Day 8: Drive to Nyungwe via Lake Kivu, afternoon birding walk, overnight Nyungwe
This is a longer drive day as we move toward the southern part of Rwanda. We drive along the shores of Lake Kivu, which offers a break from the forest birding. We arrive at Nyungwe Forest National Park in the afternoon. Nyungwe is one of the oldest montane forests in Africa. It holds 29 Albertine Rift endemics, more than any other site on this trip. We take a short walk near the Gisakura area to spot the Great Blue Turaco and several species of mountain monkeys. Accommodation Options in Nyungwe:Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House. Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse or Kitabi Eco-Center.
Day 9 Nyungwe ridge birding, Red collared Mountain Babbler, canopy walk, overnight Nyungwe
This is our big day in Nyungwe. We head to the higher ridges to find the Red-collared Mountain Babbler. This bird is very hard to find elsewhere, but Nyungwe is a reliable spot. We also walk the canopy walkway, which sits 70 meters above the forest floor. From the canopy, we get a bird’s-eye view of sunbirds and weavers that stay in the treetops. We look for the Kungwe Apalis and the Ruwenzori Batis. The forest is vast, and the sound of the Great Blue Turaco often echoes through the valleys.
Day 10: Drive to Kigali, city visit, and departure
On our final day, we drive from Nyungwe to Kigali. This drive takes about 5 to 6 hours. We pass through the rolling hills that give Rwanda its name. In Kigali, we visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which is an important part of understanding Rwanda’s history. After a final lunch, we head to Kigali International Airport for your departure. This “Kigali Departure” saves you from the 10-hour drive back to Entebbe, allowing you to fly home directly from Rwanda
Logistics and Travel Information
The East Africa Tourist Visa
To make this trip easy, you should apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa. You must apply for it from the country you enter first. In this case, you apply through the Uganda Ministry of Internal Affairs (Uganda Immigration, 2025). The cost is 100 USD. This visa allows you to cross between Uganda and Rwanda multiple times for 90 days.
Permit Costs and Booking
If you choose to include primates, here are the current permit costs:
Uganda Gorilla Permit: 800 USD.
Uganda Chimpanzee Permit: 250 USD.
Rwanda Gorilla Permit: 1,500 USD (Rwanda Development Board, 2025).
We recommend booking at least six months in advance. Permits for Bwindi and Volcanoes sell out quickly, especially during the dry months of June to September and December to February.
What to Pack for Birding
Lightweight, waterproof hiking boots.
A rain jacket or poncho.
Binoculars (8×42 is recommended).
Layers for cold mornings in the mountains.
Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
What is Included
Airport pickup in Entebbe and airport drop off in Kigali
Private 4×4 safari vehicle suitable for long-distance birding routes
Professional English-speaking driver guides throughout
All park entrance fees in Uganda and Rwanda
Mabamba wetland canoe fees for Shoebill tracking
All forest and reserve entry permits are listed in the itinerary
Accommodation for 9 nights in a selected lodge category
Meals as indicated in the itinerary, typically full board during the tour
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle during transfers and field days
All government taxes and conservation levies
If gorilla trekking is selected as an optional add-on, the permit cost can be added to the final quote.
What is Excluded
International flights into Entebbe and out of Kigali
East Africa Tourist Visa or individual country visas
Travel insurance is strongly recommended
Gorilla trekking permit if choosing the optional gorilla experience
Tips and gratuities for guides, lodge staff, and local trackers
Alcoholic drinks and beverages are not included with meals
Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, and souvenirs
Optional activities not listed in the confirmed itinerary
