5 Day Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo Birding Safari

This 5-day Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo birding safari is designed for travellers who want a short Uganda birding and wildlife tour through two rewarding savannah parks. The itinerary combines Queen Elizabeth National Park, with its wetlands, crater lakes, savannah plains and Kazinga Channel, with Lake Mburo National Park, known for acacia woodland, lake-shore birding, walking safaris and wildlife such as zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes and giraffes. The route is ideal for birders, photographers and nature travellers who want strong birding without losing the main wildlife experience. Queen Elizabeth offers excellent waterbird and savannah birding, especially around the Kazinga Channel, while Lake Mburo adds woodland species, lake birds, raptors and the chance to search for African Finfoot along the lake edges. Kazinga Channel is one of the best waterbird areas in Queen Elizabeth, with species such as African Skimmer, pelicans, storks, cormorants, kingfishers and fish eagles often associated with the boat safari route.

Safari Highlights

Queen Elizabeth National Park birding across savannah, wetlands, crater lakes and woodland
Kasenyi Plains birding for raptors, lapwings, bee-eaters, cisticolas and savannah species
Wildlife viewing with chances of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, lions and hyenas
Kazinga Channel boat safari for African Skimmer, pelicans, storks, cormorants, kingfishers and fish eagles
Lake Mburo National Park birding in acacia woodland, lake shores, wetlands and open grassland
Search for African Finfoot, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Red-faced Barbet, kingfishers and waterbirds in Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo wildlife viewing with chances of zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, giraffes and warthogs
Optional walking safari, horseback safari or cycling experience in Lake Mburo
Best for birders, photographers, wildlife travellers and short Uganda safari add-ons

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Crater Lake Birding

Your safari starts with an early pick-up from Entebbe or Kampala. Meet your driver guide and begin the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. The journey passes through towns, farmland, roadside wetlands and open countryside, with short birding stops where time allows. Arrive in the Queen Elizabeth area in the afternoon or evening. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a gentle birding session around the crater lake area, lodge surroundings or nearby savannah edges. This is a good introduction to the park’s mixed habitats, with possible sightings of herons, egrets, bee-eaters, weavers, raptors, starlings, lapwings and other open-country birds. The evening is kept light so you can rest after the long drive and prepare for the main birding and wildlife day inside Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation options
Budget, Pumba Safari Cottages
Mid-range, Parkview Safari Lodge
Luxury, Mweya Safari Lodge or Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Day 2, Kasenyi Birding Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Start early with a birding and wildlife drive around the Kasenyi plains and nearby savannah habitats. This section of Queen Elizabeth is good for open-country birds, raptors and wildlife. Look out for Grey Crowned Crane, African Fish Eagle, Black-headed Gonolek, lapwings, bee-eaters, cisticolas, storks, herons, egrets and vultures. The drive also gives chances of seeing elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas and lions. The guide should keep the pace slower than a standard game drive so there is enough time for bird identification, photography and repeated stops.

In the afternoon, take a Kazinga Channel boat safari. This is one of the strongest birding experiences on the itinerary because it brings you close to waterbirds and wildlife along the banks. Possible sightings include African Skimmer, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Yellow-billed Stork, Open-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, cormorants, darters, jacanas and African Fish Eagle. Hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants may also be seen along the water. The Kazinga Channel links Lake George and Lake Edward, and its boat route is widely used for wildlife and bird viewing.

Day 3, Kyambura Gorge Birding and Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, visit the Kyambura Gorge area for morning birding. The gorge and its surrounding habitats add a different feel to the safari, with forest-edge birds, riverine vegetation, raptors and savannah species possible around the area.

Optional activity
Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge can be added for travellers who want a primate experience, but this activity needs a chimpanzee permit which is booked in advance. In the afternoon, drive to Lake Mburo National Park. The journey takes you through western Uganda’s rolling countryside, with lunch en route. Arrive in Lake Mburo in the afternoon or evening and enjoy a short birding session around the lodge area if time allows. Lake Mburo is a strong birding destination because of its lake-shore habitats, acacia woodland, wetlands and open grassland. It is also one of Uganda’s best parks for zebras and impalas, with good chances of seeing elands, buffaloes, giraffes and warthogs.

Accommodation options
Budget, Eagles Nest Lodge
Mid-range, Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Luxury, Mihingo Lodge

Day 4, Lake Mburo Birding Drive and Boat Safari

Start early with a birding and wildlife drive in Lake Mburo National Park. The park’s acacia woodland and open grassland are good for species such as Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Red-faced Barbet, Crested Francolin, Black-bellied Bustard, Grey Crowned Crane, kingfishers, raptors, weavers and starlings. Lake Mburo is also associated with African Finfoot, one of the key target birds for many birders visiting the park. Wildlife sightings may include zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, giraffes, topis, waterbucks and warthogs. In the afternoon, take a boat safari on Lake Mburo. This gives better chances for waterbirds and lake-edge species. Look out for African Finfoot, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, herons, egrets, cormorants, jacanas and other waterbirds. Hippos and crocodiles may also be seen during the boat safari. A guided walking safari, horseback safari or cycling safari can be added for travellers who want a closer ground-level experience in Lake Mburo.

Day 5, Morning Birding Walk and Return to Entebbe or Kampala

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning birding experience in Lake Mburo. A guided nature walk is a good option because Lake Mburo is one of Uganda’s best parks for walking safaris, allowing travellers to move slowly through selected habitats with a guide. The morning can focus on acacia woodland, lake-shore vegetation, grassland edges and lodge surroundings. Possible sightings include Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Red-faced Barbet, Grey Crowned Crane, African Fish Eagle, kingfishers, weavers, starlings, raptors and other woodland or wetland birds. After the morning activity, begin the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe with lunch en route. A stop at the Equator can be made if time allows. Arrive in the evening for drop-off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Included

4 nights accommodation
Meals as stated in the itinerary
4×4 safari vehicle and fuel
English-speaking driver guide
Pick-up and drop-off in Entebbe or Kampala
Bottled drinking water during transfers
Park entry fees

Excluded

International flights
Uganda visa fees
Travel insurance
Optional chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
Optional horseback safari in Lake Mburo
Optional cycling safari in Lake Mburo
Tips for guides, rangers, local site guides and lodge staff
Personal expenses such as laundry, drinks and calls
Extra accommodation before or after the safari