15 Days Rwanda Uganda Birding trip

Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where you will be welcomed by an Enashipai Tours and Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed introduction to Kigali or some light birding around the hotel grounds. Your guide will brief you about the safari route, cross-border arrangements and the birding opportunities ahead.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kigali.

Transfer from Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart Kigali for Nyungwe Forest National Park in southwestern Rwanda. The journey takes you through Rwanda's beautiful countryside, characterised by rolling hills, rural settlements, cultivated landscapes and scenic valleys.

Stop for lunch in Huye before continuing towards Nyungwe. As you approach the forest, the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous and forested, offering opportunities for birding stops along suitable sections of the route.

Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon, settle in and enjoy the surrounding forest environment.

Dinner and overnight stay near Nyungwe Forest.

Full-Day Birding in Nyungwe Forest

After an early breakfast, head into Nyungwe Forest National Park for a full day of birding. Nyungwe is one of Rwanda's most important biodiversity areas, with extensive montane rainforest supporting a rich variety of forest birds.

Explore selected forest trails with your specialist birding guide, searching for species such as Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Red-chested Owlet, Western Green Tinkerbird, Dwarf Honeyguide, Red-throated Alethe, Archer's Robin-Chat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Short-tailed Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Grey-chested Illadopsis and Red-collared Mountain Babbler.

Other target species include Stripe-breasted Tit, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Regal Sunbird and Lagden's Bushshrike.

Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.

Second Day of Birding in Nyungwe Forest

Spend another full day exploring Nyungwe Forest, allowing more time to search for the forest's specialist bird species and revisit productive habitats.

With your guide, explore selected trails and listen for calls within the forest canopy and undergrowth. Continue searching for species such as Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Red-chested Owlet, Rwenzori Nightjar, Western Green Tinkerbird, Dwarf Honeyguide, Red-throated Alethe, Archer's Robin-Chat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Short-tailed Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis and Grey-chested Illadopsis.

Other possible sightings include Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Stripe-breasted Tit, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Regal Sunbird and Lagden's Bushshrike.

The guide will adapt the day's birding route to recent sightings, weather and trail conditions. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Cross into Uganda and Transfer to Kisoro

After breakfast, depart Nyungwe for southwestern Uganda. The journey passes through Kigali and northern Rwanda towards the Cyanika border crossing, subject to the confirmed border and road arrangements.

Complete the immigration and customs formalities before continuing into Uganda and travelling to Kisoro, a scenic town surrounded by the volcanic highlands of southwestern Uganda.

Depending on the journey schedule, enjoy selected birding stops along the route. Arrive in Kisoro in the evening and settle into your accommodation.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kisoro.

Birding Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After an early breakfast, travel to the Ntebeko area of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for a full day of montane birding.

Explore suitable trails through the park's montane forest and bamboo habitats, with the dramatic Virunga volcanoes providing a spectacular backdrop. The birding route may include the Sabinyo Gorge area, subject to trail access, park regulations and the day's conditions.

Search for species such as Dusky Turtle Dove, Rwenzori Turaco, Cape Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, White-starred Robin, Mountain Yellow Warbler, White-necked Raven, Lagden's Bushshrike, Bronze Sunbird, Yellow-crowned Canary and Streaky Seedeater.

One of the major target birds is Shelley's Crimsonwing, a highly sought-after species of the Albertine Rift. Your guide will help search suitable habitats and listen for bird calls throughout the day.

Return to Kisoro for dinner and an overnight stay.

Birding Echuya Forest, Lake Bunyonyi Area and Transfer to Ruhija

After breakfast, depart Kisoro and head towards Echuya Forest Reserve for birding. This high-altitude forest is an important habitat for montane forest specialists and offers a different birding experience from Mgahinga.

Continue towards the Lake Bunyonyi area, where suitable wetland and papyrus habitats may provide opportunities to search for Greater Swamp Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Papyrus Canary, Carruthers's Cisticola, Little Rush Warbler and Fawn-breasted Waxbill.

After birding, continue towards Ruhija in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Make selected stops along the route to search for Handsome Francolin, Olive Pigeon, Western Green Tinkerbird, Archer's Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Dusky Blue Flycatcher, Mountain Masked Apalis, White-browed Crombec, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Doherty's Bushshrike, Montane Oriole, White-necked Raven, Dusky Crimsonwing, Black-crowned Waxbill and Black-headed Waxbill.

Arrive at your lodge in Ruhija for dinner and an overnight stay.

Full-Day Birding at Mubwindi Swamp, Ruhija

This day is dedicated to the famous Mubwindi Swamp trail in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

After breakfast, set off with your packed lunch for a guided forest walk. The Mubwindi trail is among Uganda's most celebrated birding routes, offering opportunities to search for some of the Albertine Rift's most sought-after species.

Target birds include Black-billed Turaco, Western Green Tinkerbird, Fine-banded Woodpecker, African Green Broadbill, Mountain Greenbul, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, African Hill Babbler, Mountain Illadopsis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer's Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Rwenzori Batis, Montane Sooty Boubou, Blue-headed Sunbird and Regal Sunbird.

The trail is physically demanding in some sections and may be muddy or slippery. Your guide will set a suitable pace, allowing time to enjoy the forest and search for birds.

Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.

Birding the Bwindi Neck and Transfer to Buhoma

After breakfast, depart Ruhija for Buhoma, travelling through the forested area known as the Bwindi Neck. This route provides opportunities for birding stops in different forest habitats.

Search for species such as Tambourine Dove, Black Bee-eater, Red-throated Wryneck, Mountain Wagtail, Toro Olive-Greenbul, White-starred Robin, Olive Thrush, Cassin's Grey Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer's Warbler, Chubb's Cisticola, Banded Prinia, Mountain Masked Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Collared Apalis, Stripe-breasted Tit, Grey Cuckooshrike, Sharpe's Starling, Regal Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Twinspot, Yellow Bishop and Black-throated Seedeater.

Enjoy the forest scenery and birding opportunities along the way before arriving in Buhoma.

Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Full-Day Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Spend another full day exploring Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, focusing on suitable birding trails in the Buhoma sector.

Bwindi's complex forest ecosystem supports a wide variety of forest birds, including several Albertine Rift endemics and range-restricted species. Explore the forest with your specialist guide, paying attention to bird calls, movement in the canopy and activity in the undergrowth.

Target species may include African Goshawk, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black Bee-eater, White-headed Woodhoopoe, African Broadbill, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Chapin's Flycatcher, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Grauer's Warbler, Short-tailed Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Dusky Tit, Bocage's Bushshrike, Lühder's Bushshrike, Pink-footed Puffback, Petit's Cuckooshrike, Blue-headed Sunbird, Black-billed Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver, Red-fronted Antpecker and Magpie Mannikin.

Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.

Birding En Route to Fort Portal via the Queen Elizabeth Region

After breakfast, depart Buhoma for Fort Portal, travelling through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda and the Queen Elizabeth National Park region.

Enjoy birding stops along the way, exploring suitable savannah, woodland and wetland habitats. Potential sightings include Grey-headed Kingfisher, Lesser Striped Swallow, Zitting Cisticola, babblers, Grey-backed Shrike, Common Fiscal, starlings and widowbirds.

The route also offers opportunities to enjoy the changing landscapes around the Rwenzori foothills and the western rift valley.

Continue to Fort Portal and check in at your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Birding Semuliki National Park and Transfer to Bundibugyo

After an early breakfast, depart for Semuliki National Park, one of Uganda's most distinctive birding destinations.

Semuliki's lowland tropical rainforest supports many species associated with the Congo Basin, making it an exciting contrast to the montane forests visited earlier in the safari.

Begin exploring suitable forest trails and habitats, including the area around the Sempaya hot springs where access and time permit. Search for hornbills, forest kingfishers, barbets, finches and other lowland rainforest specialists.

After the birding excursion, continue to Bundibugyo for dinner and an overnight stay.

Full-Day Birding on the Kirumia Trail

Today is dedicated to birding along the famous Kirumia Trail in Semuliki National Park. The trail passes through lowland rainforest and offers opportunities to search for bird species with strong Central and West African affinities.

With your guide, search for White-thighed Hornbill, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Black Bee-eater, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Blue-billed Malimbe and Swamp Palm Bulbul.

Keep an eye out for more elusive species such as Capuchin Babbler and African Piculet. These are challenging birds to locate, but the guide will help you listen for calls and search appropriate habitats.

The Kirumia Trail can be long, humid and muddy, especially during rainy periods. The day's route and walking distance will be adapted to trail conditions and the group's ability.

Return to your accommodation in Bundibugyo for dinner and an overnight stay.

Return Journey to Entebbe with Birding Stops

After breakfast, begin the return journey towards Entebbe. This is a long road transfer, so an early departure is recommended.

Depending on the route, road conditions and available time, enjoy selected birding stops along the way. Your guide will identify suitable habitats and opportunities to add more species to your birding list without compromising the journey schedule.

Arrive in Entebbe in the evening and check in at your hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay.

Departure from Entebbe

After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight. Depending on your departure time, enjoy a relaxed morning or a short birding session around the hotel grounds.

This brings your 15-day Rwanda and Uganda Birding Safari with Enashipai Tours and Safaris to an end.