04 Dec 2026 - 17 Dec 2026 (14 days)
USD7,195 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Julian Parsons
Tour price (Per person): USD7,195 * GBP5,680 * EUR6,875 * AUD11,309
Single Supplement: USD520 * GBP411 * EUR497 * AUD817
Northeastern Uganda is rarely visited, and in birding terms even less known of. Whilst very different to the more traditional tours focussed on birds, gorillas and chimpanzees, this tour will mostly traverse the drier, arid areas bordering Kenya.
We’ll start off as most tours do, cruising the Mabamba Swamp for the enigmatic Shoebill before visiting Mabira forest for a collection of Guinea-Congo Forest biome specialities. Then it is off the beaten track proper, taking in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve for Karamaja Apalis and the rarely recorded endemic, Fox’s Weaver. Then it is the afro-montane forests of Mount Elgon for Jackson’s Spurfowl, before our tour culminates in the extensive savannahs of the Kidepo Valley National Park, home to many of Africa’s key megafauna species.
This is the less tamed part of Uganda that few birding and wildlife enthusiast have yet visited. It promises to deliver vast numbers of birds and mammals, but also exquisite landscapes and encounters.
Fox's, Weyns’s & Orange Weavers; Karamoja Apalis; Shoebill; Jackson's & Clapperton Spurfowl; Gambaga Flycatcher; Red-tailed & Yellow-lored Bristlebills; Tit-Hylia; Abyssinian Ground Thrush; Black-collared Apalis; Abyssinian Crimsonwing; Waller's Starling; Stone Partridge; Rufous Chatterer; Abyssinian Roller; Hunter’s Sunbird; Black-breasted Barbet; Fox Kestrel; Pennant-winged & Freckled Nightjars; White-crested & Great Blue Turacos; Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat; Forest Robin; Dusky Crested Flycatcher; Brown-chested Alethe; Scaly-breasted Illadopsis; Black-bellied Seedcracker; Red-headed Bluebill; Forest Wood Hoopoe;
Sitatunga; Guereza; Roan; African Elephant; African Buffalo; Northern Bushbuck; Northern Giraffe; Cheetah; Hartebeest; Waterbuck; Kob; Lion; Leopard; Crested Porcupine.
Swamp, marsh, grasslands, savannah, forest, woodland
Tropical with some rain expected, cooler in highlands. Lowlands are hot to very hot.
10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & 1 local birding leader
Forest birding is moderate to demanding, some long travel & birding days, moderate trails. Remote, rarely visited parts of Uganda with limited tourist infrastructure.
Variable. Modern & comfortable lodges & ensuite safari tents at most sites with a few simple lodges.
Forest birding is moderate to demanding, several low-density species that may require repeated effort. Open savanna & woodland is easier.
Average to good. Forest photography has typical lighting challenges. Better lighting in savanna areas. No dedicated hides.
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.
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!
We asked for it, and we got it! This was a fabulous experience. Glen Valentine is a great leader. He has the ears of a cheerful bat, the eyes of a knowledgeable eagle, and the energy of a hummingbird. He is so happy to see the birds, we can't fail to be happy too. Our driver Hillary was a great asset to the trip. He is not only a great driver. He was unfailingly cheerful, very careful on our behalf. He knows his birds and mammals too! I am sure he could lead a good trip all by himself. Both Glen and Hilary used local guides and contacts to great effect. We always saw what was around to be seen with that added local expertise.
Daniel Danckwerts was an excellent guide, incredibly keen and always friendly, positive and helpful. His knowledge of birds and their lifestyles was fantastic.
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!
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