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 the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls, 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 Valley. This tour provides a comprehensive coverage of Uganda while staying at some great lodges, and aside from the birds (over 500 species of them!), it offers superb game viewing and the chance to track Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees!
Please note: As we cannot guarantee the availability of gorilla permits, we suggest you book very early if you would like to purchase one for the optional gorilla trek. As of mid 2022, these permits are US$ 700 per person (non-refundable).
The listed Rockjumper leader will not accompany this tour unless a minimum of 7 guests are signed up. In the case of insufficient sign-ups, a professional and very experienced local guide will lead the tour instead.
Shoebill, Ring-necked, Heuglin’s & Nahan’s Francolin, Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Grauer’s Broadbill, Red-faced Barbet, Green-breasted Pitta, Papyrus Gonolek, Lühder’s, Many-coloured & Bocage’s Bushshrikes, Red-throated Alethe, Ituri Batis, Great Blue Turaco, Dusky & Olive Long-tailed Cuckoos, Blue Malkoha, Black Bee-eater, Blue-throated Roller, African Dwarf, Chocolate-backed, Shining-blue & Blue-breasted Kingfishers, Grauer’s & Neumann’s Warblers, Uganda & Red-throated Woodland Warblers, Fraser’s Rufous Thrush, White-tailed & Red-tailed Ant Thrushes, Lowland Masked, Mountain Masked and Ruwenzori Apalises, Afep & White-naped Pigeons, Greyish Eagle-Owl, Red-chested Owlet, White-spotted Flufftail, African Finfoot, Brown-chested Lapwing, Grey-winged, Blue-shouldered & White-bellied Robin-Chats, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Magpie Mannikin, Joyful, Kakamega, Ansorge’s & Toro Olive Greenbuls, Dusky & Grey-chested Babblers, Jameson’s Antpecker, Dusky Crimsonwing, Weyns's & Strange Weavers, Mountain Sooty & Lowland Sooty Boubous, Forest & White-headed Wood Hoopoes, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker
Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Giant Forest Hog, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Central African Red Colobus, Leopard, Lion, Chequered Elephant Shrew
mid-altitude and montane rainforest, woodlands, acacia savanna, grasslands, wetlands, papyrus swamps
tropical with some rain expected, cooler in highlands
3 - 6 with 1 local leader / 7 - 10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & 1 local birding leader
moderate pace with some longer walks and drives
comfortable to luxurious guesthouses and hotels with some more basic facilities
moderate with some challenging species
±550
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Nile & Kazinga cruises, Murchison Falls, African art
excellent
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.
I was very pleased with Julian Parsons as our guide. He is an excellent birder and guide. The entire tour went as smoothly as one could expect, largely due to Julians work.
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.
Nigel was a great guide, and very enjoyable to work with, as well as being very knowledgeable about the subject matter, not only the birds!
Amazed at how Andre Bernon was able to keep going, stay focused, and go about his task of finding the species so professionally. We missed very little, and had some great experiences with many of the primates, especially the Gorillas, and so many birds, with Shoebill and African Finfoot being stand out moments.
Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk
Pricing notes : 2024 permit costs (per person): Gorilla = $800, Chimp = $250
Tour price (Per person): USD8,595 * GBP6,906 * EUR8,033 * AUD13,253
Single Supplement: USD810 * GBP651 * EUR757 * AUD1,249
Can be linked with: Uganda - Fox's Weaver Extension 2024
04 Aug 2024 - 20 Aug 2024 (17 days)
USD10,195 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk
Pricing notes : 2024 permit costs (per person): Gorilla = $800, Chimp = $250
Tour price (Per person): USD10,195 * GBP8,192 * EUR9,528 * AUD15,720
Single Supplement: USD810 * GBP651 * EUR757 * AUD1,249
Can be linked with: Uganda - Fox's Weaver Extension 2024
Tour Leader: Forrest Rowland
Tour Leader: Local Leader
Pricing notes : 2024 permit costs (per person): Gorilla = $800, Chimp = $250
Tour price (Per person): USD9,295 * GBP7,469 * EUR8,687 * AUD14,332
Single Supplement: USD950 * GBP763 * EUR888 * AUD1,465
Can be linked with: Uganda - Fox's Weaver Extension 2025
12 Aug 2025 - 28 Aug 2025 (17 days)
USD10,295 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Glen Valentine
Pricing notes : 2024 permit costs (per person): Gorilla = $800, Chimp = $250
Tour price (Per person): USD10,295 * GBP8,272 * EUR9,621 * AUD15,874
Single Supplement: USD950 * GBP763 * EUR888 * AUD1,465
Can be linked with: Uganda - Fox's Weaver Extension 2025
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
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas III 2015 - July 2015
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas II 2015 - June 2015
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas II 2014 - August 2014
Uganda - Budget Birding 2014 - July 2014