Overview
This 2 Days birding safari in Uganda is perfect for bird enthusiasts. It takes you to Entebbe and Mabamba Wetland, where you can see a wide variety of bird species, including the rare Shoebill Stork. The safari combines visits to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), Entebbe Botanical Gardens, and the famous Mabamba Wetland, known for its rich birdlife.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival and Birding in Entebbe
Your birding adventure begins in Entebbe, a town by Lake Victoria. The first stop is the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), which is home to over 170 bird species and a variety of animals. While at UWEC, you’ll see different species of weavers, including the rare Northern Masked Weaver and Orange Weaver, as well as Kingfishers, Sunbirds, and more. In the afternoon, you’ll head to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a beautiful spot for birding with over 150 species of birds. You’ll walk along the trails, watching for birds such as the Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Grey-capped Warbler, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, and many others. Other birds you might see include the African Green Pigeon, Black Kite, Great Blue and Ross’s Turacos, Red-chested, Klaas’s, and Diederik Cuckoos, and various Kingfishers and Sunbirds. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the gardens, relax while birdwatching, and then return to your hotel in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay at 2 Friends Beach Hotel.
Day 2
Excursion to Mabamba Wetland
On the second day, you’ll visit the Mabamba Wetland, one of the best places in Uganda to spot the Shoebill Stork, a rare and unique bird species. On the way to the wetland, keep an eye out for other birds like the Papyrus Gonolek, White-shouldered Tit, Red-capped Weaver, Western Banded Snake Eagle, White-winged Warbler, and Weyns Weaver. Mabamba Wetland is a haven for bird lovers, with many species to see, including the Allen’s Gallinule, Purple Gallinule, Grey Herons, Jacanas, Rufous-bellied Heron, Squacco Heron, Purple and Goliath Herons, and the globally threatened Pallid Harrier and Blue Swallow, a migratory bird. You’ll also see various egrets, ducks, and more. The best way to explore the wetland is by canoe, giving you a chance to get close to the birds and possibly spot the elusive Sitatunga Antelope, which is well adapted to the swampy environment. In the afternoon, you’ll return to your hotel, enjoying some more birdwatching along the way. Your 2-day Uganda birding safari ends with dinner and an overnight stay.