16 Days Birding and Primates Safari
Embark on a 16-day birding and primate adventure in Uganda—Shoebill, gorillas, chimpanzees, rare birds, and Africa's best wildlife parks and forests.
Duration
16 days
Starting At
Pricing based on options and group size.
Overview
This 16-day Uganda journey combines expert-led birding and thrilling primate encounters across the country’s top reserves. Seek rare Shoebill at Mabamba, meet mountain gorillas in Bwindi, enjoy birding at Mubwindi Swamp and Royal Mile, and track tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth NP. Your trek continues with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, Bigodi, and Semuliki, epic boat cruises for aquatic birds and wildlife, game drives teeming with mammals at Murchison Falls, plus up-close rhino encounters at Ziwa. Your route features wetlands, crater lakes, forest trails, village life, and stunning landscapes—making it one of Uganda’s most immersive safaris.
Itinerary:
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive Entebbe, optional birding at Botanical Gardens, Gately Inn Entebbe
- Day 2: Mabamba Marsh—Shoebill search, afternoon drive to Lake Mburo, Rwakobo Lodge
- Day 3: Lake Mburo NP birding, wetland, acacia grasslands, mammals, overnight Rwakobo Lodge
- Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi, birding en route, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Day 5: Full day birding Mubwindi Swamp—Albertine endemics, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Day 6: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi
- Days 7–8: Queen Elizabeth NP—tree-climbing lions (Ishasha), game drives, birding, Mazike Valley Lodge
- Day 9: Birding, transfer to Kibale, Chimpanzee Guest House/equivalent
- Day 10: Chimp tracking Kibale, Bigodi Wetlands birding, Chimpanzee Guest House
- Days 11–12: Semuliki NP—chimp tracking, birding, game drives, Semliki Safari Lodge
- Day 13: Murchison Falls—top of the falls, Baker’s Lodge
- Day 14: Game drive, 3-hr boat ride, Delta birding, Baker’s Lodge
- Day 15: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary—rhino tracking, overnight Emin Pasha Hotel Kampala
- Day 16: End of tour, transfer to Entebbe, optional city tour
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Highlights
- Shoebill search at Mabamba Marshland, aquatic birding
- Game drives and forest birding at Lake Mburo NP
- Bwindi gorilla trekking and endemic birds at Mubwindi Swamp
- Queen Elizabeth NP: tree-climbing lions, birds, boat cruise
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale and Semuliki NP, Bigodi Wetland birding
- Birding-rich stops: Lake Mburo, Royal Mile, forest edges, crater lakes
- Murchison Falls: game drives, boat safari to foot of falls, Delta birding
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary
- Village visits, optional stop at Entebbe Botanical Gardens
- Unmatched diversity: forest, savannah, wetland, and riverine habitats
Meeting Location
Entebbe International Airport
Additional Information
Includes
- Double-occupancy accommodations as specified
- Full board meals (B,L,D) daily
- Airport meet/greet and transfers
- Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
- Gorilla and chimp tracking permits per person
- Scheduled birding, wildlife, and cultural activities/entries
- All park/conservation fees
- Bottled water during transfers
Excludes
- International flights/airport tax
- Visas, travel/personal accident insurance
- Personal expenses, laundry, souvenirs, drinks, gratuities
- Optional/add-on activities/room upgrades
Policy
List of Services
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Health & Participation Participation in our East African tours requires that you are in good overall health. Please inform us in advance if you have any medical conditions or dietary restrictions. The tour leader may, at their discretion, disqualify any participant whose physical condition could compromise their safety or that of the group. No refunds will be issued under such circumstances.Health & Participation
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Changes, Delays, and Tour Cancellation Rafiki Eco Tours reserves the right to adjust dates, itineraries, or accommodations in response to unexpected situations, such as adverse weather or transportation issues. Any extra expense due to such changes is the guest’s responsibility. If Rafiki Eco Tours must cancel a tour before departure—for example, due to insufficient participants or logistic issues—all payments made to Rafiki Eco Tours will be fully refunded. However, we are not responsible for non-refundable costs you may have incurred to prepare for your trip, such as airline tickets, special gear, or visa fees.Changes, Delays, and Tour Cancellation
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Limitations of Liability Rafiki Eco Tours, its owners, agents, and employees act as intermediaries for other service providers. We are not responsible for injury, loss, or damage to person or property resulting from factors outside our control (e.g. natural disasters, civil disturbances, regulatory changes). Any itinerary changes will be made to ensure your safety and comfort.Limitations of Liability
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Acknowledgment of Terms By making a reservation and submitting your deposit, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions.Acknowledgment of Terms
Included in the Tour Price:
- Transportation in a 4WD vehicle or van
- English-speaking Ugandan driver/guide
- Specified accommodations
- All national park entrance fees
- All game drives as listed in the itinerary
- International airfare
- Meals not included in your accommodation
- Personal travel or medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
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Customs Notice Prior to returning to your home country, check local customs regulations. Notably, countries such as Australia and New Zealand have strict quarantine laws.Customs Notice
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Cancellation Policy To secure your spot on any Rafiki Eco Tours adventure, a non-refundable deposit of 40% of the total trip price is required at booking. The remaining 60% must be paid no later than 60 days before the tour’s departure date. All tour prices are provided and payable in U.S. dollars. If you need to cancel your reservation, refunds will be handled according to the following schedule:Cancellation Policy
- If you cancel more than 45 days before the tour’s first day: you will receive a refund of 65% of your deposit.
- For cancellations made 30–45 days before the tour: you will receive a 40% refund of the total tour cost.
- For cancellations with less than 25 days’ notice, no refund can be issued.
Pricing From
Pricing based on options and group size.
Available Time: Year Round
Duration: 16 days
Begins: Arrival in Uganda; airport meet & greet, transfer
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