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).
*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*
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
Top Mammals Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Giant Forest Hog, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Central African Red Colobus, Leopard, Lion, Chequered Elephant Shrew
Habitats Covered mid-altitude and montane rainforest, woodlands, acacia savanna, grasslands, wetlands, papyrus swamps
Expected Climate tropical with some rain expected, cooler in highlands
Max Group Size 6 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Tour Pace & Walking moderate pace with some longer walks and drives
Accommodation comfortable to luxurious guesthouses and hotels with some more basic facilities
Ease of Birding moderate with some challenging species
Number of Species Expected ±550
Other Attractions Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Nile & Kazinga cruises, Murchison Falls, African art
Photographic Opportunities excellent
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!
This tour more than met all our expectations: in terms of sightings, accommodations, leadership, and magnificence of the country. Of course, we knew David Hoddinott, and knew he would be superb. We'd highly recommend Rockjumper's Uganda tour, we loved it and appreciate David's expertise and leadership.
Hi David. Just to say that we couldn’t have had a better trip. The more I think about it, the more remarkable it was. We couldn’t have asked for better encounters with our target birds and the mammal experiences were memorable. Thanks!!! The entire entourage was impressed by your skills and leadership. I’m glad we could make this happen. Looking forward to future trips.
We so very much enjoyed traveling with you throughout Uganda, and now we know why it is one of your favourite destinations in Africa. Thank you for everything - your guiding, birding and organisational skills, your patience and your good company.
Our Rockjumper guide Doug was excellent, and local guides were fantastic, and I was able to see nearly all of my target species.