Tour Leader: Heinz Ortmann
Pricing notes : 2024 permit costs (per person): Gorilla = $800, Chimp = $250
Tour price (Per person): USD7,495 * GBP5,735 * EUR6,849 * AUD11,110
Single Supplement: USD820 * GBP627 * EUR749 * AUD1,216
Tour Leader: James Wade Lee
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change* 2024 permit costs (per person): Gorilla = $800, Chimp = $250
Tour price (Per person): USD7,700 * GBP5,892 * EUR7,036 * AUD11,414
From the source of the White Nile on Lake Victoria to the snow-capped Ruwenzori Range, the montane forests of the Virunga volcanoes, harbouring some of the last remaining Mountain Gorillas, to the extensive savannas around Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda is an equatorial country of astonishing contrasts! No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habitats (in an area approximately the size of Great Britain!), and this richness is reflected in its incredible bird list of over 1,000 species, making it arguably the richest African birding destination. Amongst these are many highly sought-after birds, including the unique Shoebill and the numerous spectacular endemics of the Albertine Rift Mountains. This Bird Photo Tour focuses on the very best photographic and birding destinations of this incredible nation and, aside from the birds, it offers superb game viewing and the chance to track both Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees!
Highlights
Please note: We cannot guarantee the availability of gorilla or chimp trekking permits, early booking is recommended to secure these permits. Permits costs are set by the Ugandan government and are non-refundable.
Shoebill; African Fish Eagle; Bateleur; Western Banded Snake Eagle; Blue-breasted Bee-eater; Orange & Weyns’s Weavers; White-spotted Flufftail; Eastern Plaintain-eater; Ross’s & Great Blue Turacos; African Emerald Cuckoo; African Skimmer; Bar-tailed Trogon; Neumann’s Warbler; African Broadbill; Doherty’s Bushshrike; Grauer’s Broadbill; African Finfoot; Regal Sunbird; Red-faced Woodland Warbler; Goliath Heron; Crowned & African Pied Hornbills; Woodland Kingfisher.
Mountain Gorilla; Chimpanzee; Sitatunga (rare); Guereza; Ugandan Red Colobus; L'Hoest's Monkey; Grey-cheeked Mangabey; African Elephant; African Buffalo; Ugandan Kob; Bushbuck; Common Warthog; Common Hippopotamus; Black-fronted & Yellow-backed Duikers; Plains Zebra.
Mid-altitude & montane rainforest, woodlands, acacia savanna, grasslands, wetlands, papyrus swamps
Tropical to hot with some rain expected, much cooler in highlands
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & 1 local birding leader
Forest birding is moderate to demanding, some long travel days, long birding days, moderate to difficult trails. • Our Bird Photo Tours are a hybrid between our Classic birding tours and dedicated photographic tours. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or have the biggest lens; this is for everyone with an interest in photography and birding. Whether you’re using a bridge camera or the latest body and prime lens, our aims are the same. • These tours are not aimed at seeing the most species possible on the route, rather taking time to photograph key targets and any other interesting species we may find. Naturally, the overall species list will be lower than a comparable birding focused tour. • Whilst we may use blinds, feeders and hide setups on some of these tours, we will not be spending an entire day nor even several hours fixed in one spot. • These tours are suitable for photographers who prefer opportunistic photography over entire days in a hide. • Our leaders will assist in helping everyone secure good photographic opportunities and advise as much as they can on camera setup. However, they are not professional photographic tour leaders.
Variable. Modern & comfortable at most sites to basic elsewhere.
Forest birding is moderate to demanding, several low-density species that require repeated effort.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Nile & Kazinga cruises, African art
Average to good. Forest photography has typical lighting challenges. Better lighting in savanna areas. No dedicated hides.
Firstly, I want to express my amazement at the skills and knowledge of your guides, including Daniel Danckwerts. I cannot imagine how they become so proficient in the birds of several different countries! Daniel also seemed to have good organisational skills. Daniel was also respectful and professional with the group, and we all liked him.
Daniel Danckwerts was an excellent guide, incredibly keen and always friendly, positive and helpful. His knowledge of birds and their lifestyles was fantastic.
Our Rockjumper guide, Daniel Danckwerts, was super. He was focused on getting us onto the birds especially but was personable and handled logistics and details to make our experience the best it could be. He was enthusiastic, kind, and engaging.
Daniel Danckwerts is an excellent guide, very skilled at finding and identifying birds, very energetic, and clearly dedicated to helping all the clients see the birds. He is a good conversationalist, knowledgeable on many subjects and very enjoyable to bird with. I would happily go on future tours with him.
The tour with David Hoddinott was excellent and made a deep impression on us!! My feeling is that David liked it all, too, and we had lots of fun plus lots of birds, including the targets!! Super! I got my most essential targets (19!), A-M got hers [about 100 new targets (!!)] and David also got a lifer and apparently also a second African- or Uganda-new. One great experience for us was to see his joy (and the driver´s joy) when David got his lifer (Ring-necked Francolin!). They together performed a fantastic performance to celebrate the event! Thanks for all you and Rockjumper have done for my wife and me during our Uganda trip for us with Rockjumper - tailor-made! All Great!
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas (Small Group) 2024 - August 2024
Uganda - Fox's Weaver Extension 2024 - July 2024
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas 2024 - July 2024
Uganda - Cohen 2024 - June 2024
Uganda - Highlights 2023 - August 2023
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas (Small Group) 2023 - June 2023
Uganda - Highlights 2022 - July 2022
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas (Small Group) 2022 - June 2022
Uganda - Whitlock 2022 - May 2022
Uganda - Highlights 2021 - July 2021
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas Exclusive I 2019 - June 2019
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas 2019 - June 2019
Uganda - Highlights 2019 - May 2019
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas II 2018 - June 2018
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas I 2018 - June 2018
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas II 2017 - July 2017
Highlights of Africa - Smith 2017 - May 2017
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas II 2016 - July 2016