Uganda is an equatorial country of astonishing contrasts. No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habitats, and this richness is reflected in its incredible bird list of over 1,000 species. Amongst these are many highly sought-after birds, such as the unique Shoebill and the numerous endemics of the Albertine Rift Valley. The huge bird list is even more remarkable given the small size of the country making it, arguably, the richest African birding destination. We are proud of our incredible depth of experience in Uganda; we have successfully arranged and guided over 30 tours to this country in the past ten years.
Our 18-day Comprehensive Uganda tour is a very popular departure that showcases the most famous and productive birding sites of the country. We spend time at four core rainforest sites. These include Kibale, which protects an array of primates from minuscule galagos to our closest living relative, the Chimpanzee (and is also the best site for the mythical Green-breasted Pitta). We marvel at the towering trees of the fabled Royal Mile, one of the premier forest birding sites in Africa, and five days are enjoyed in Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla National Park, home to more than half the world’s surviving Mountain Gorillas and 23 Albertine Rift endemics. We routinely record twenty of these localized birds, including one of the world’s rarest species, Grauer’s Broadbill. Although the gorilla trek can be strenuous, staring into the eyes of a Mountain Gorilla from a few feet away is nothing short of a life-changing experience. A single Mountain Gorilla survives per ten million people, and to have the opportunity to meet these gentle giants and be part of their family for an hour is a rare privilege indeed, rated by many to be the greatest wildlife experience on the planet!
In drier country, we visit Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile is forced through a tiny gap, forming the most powerful water surge on the planet. Boat cruises allow us to watch and photograph birds and animals that throng the banks. Here we can expect to find one of the world’s most wanted birds, the bizarre Shoebill. Straddling the Equator is the vast Queen Elizabeth National Park, boasting impressive crater-lake scenery, grasslands and forests, huge herds of Elephant and Buffalo, Lions and Leopards. The boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel is one of the most productive birding excursions on the planet! Over 550 species of birds and a diverse array of mammals can be expected on this unbeatable tour.
Our unique Uganda Mega-Birding Tour is a 29-day complete coverage of Uganda. In addition to all the Comprehensive tour’s birding sites, we drop into the Semliki Valley, its humid forests forming part of the great Congo Basin. Semliki targets include core lowland forest specialties such as Yellow-throated Cuckoo, African Piculet, the long-tailed White-crested Hornbill, Grey Ground Thrush and Grant’s Bluebill. We also climb the volcanoes of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for additional Albertine Rift endemics, including the strange Ruwenzori Turaco and the colorful Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird. We range east to lovely Mt Elgon and explore remote lakes for Uganda’s only true endemic, the little known Fox’s Weaver, and scarce papyrus endemics including the elusive Papyrus Yellow Warbler.
Rwanda is a fascinating add-on to Uganda and in a jam-packed week, we cover this small nation from north to south and east to west. In the vast and beautiful Nyungwe Forest we will seek additional Albertine Rift endemics (notable targets include Red-collared Babbler, Kungwe Apalis, Shelley’s Crimsonwing and Albertine Owlet). In Akagera NP we bird broad-leafed woodlands and papyrus swamps for Shoebill and many other specials. Last but certainly not least, we have the opportunity to track the large Virunga race of Mountain Gorilla. Rwanda’s gorillas are generally easier to find and observe in their mostly open bamboo habitat. We will not ignore the recent tragic history of Rwanda and we pay our respects at some of Rwanda’s genocide memorials. This Rwanda tour is highly recommended.
Tour details:
Rwanda Birds and Gorillas I: 23-29 June (7 days)
Rwanda II: 11-17 July (7 days)
Uganda Birds and Gorillas I: 30 June-17 July (18 days)
Uganda II: 18 July-4 August (18 days)
Uganda III: 18 July-4 August (18 days).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Uganda Mega Birding Tour: US$ 8,850 per person, US$ 900 single supplement
Uganda Birds and Gorillas: US$ 5,775 per person, US$ 500 single supplement
Rwanda Birds and Gorillas: US$ 1,975 per person, US$ 160 single supplement
Gorilla permit US$ 500 (Uganda and Rwanda).
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Uganda
Rwanda
Birdwatching
Wildlife Viewing
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