Wild Birding | Wild Uganda: Birds & Great Apes

Wild Uganda: Birds & Great Apes

per person

This tour has been designed individuals seeking to witness Uganda’s most cherished and renowned wildlife – birds, gorillas, and chimpanzees

At the start of this tour, we’ll kick off with an exploration of Mabamba Swamp, home to the iconic shoebill, and the Botanical Gardens, renowned for their birdlife. From there, we’ll journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) for two days, where you’ll immerse yourself in the park’s rich biodiversity, including chimpanzee trekking in the famous Kyambura Gorge. You’ll have the chance to spot a wide array of bird species and wildlife, including the park’s famed tree-climbing lions.

We’ll then head towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with a scenic birding drive via Isasha, before arriving in the evening. In Bwindi, you’ll experience the unforgettable Gorilla Trekking and continue birding through the forest, searching for Albertine Rift endemics. Your birding adventure concludes with more exploration of Bwindi before flying back to Entebbe from the local airstrip.

Number of days

10

Bird count:

Over 300

Speed:

Slow/medium – this tour was designed to allow enough time at each destination to gain good sightings of both gorillas and chimpanzee and also all bird targets.

Difficulty:

Medium – lots of on-foot birding but nothing overly strenuous. Gorilla tracking can be quite tough, especially if it has been raining (and it likely will have) so a good level of fitness is required. Chimpanzee trekking is relatively easy compared to the gorilla trekking. Walking boots and a light rain jacket are essential.

Best time of year:

The best times to explore Uganda fall within its two dry seasons: from December to February and from June to August. These periods offer ideal conditions for trekking to observe mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitats.

Sustainability:

At Wild Birding, our goal is to ensure that every birding holiday we create contributes positively to bird conservation efforts and local communities. Our determination to promote sustainable travel led us to become founding members of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency. As part of this commitment, we have established the world’s pioneering carbon scoring and offsetting framework for tailor-made holidays. Feel free to request us to carbon score your individual trip!

Price:

Our tailor-made birding tours are custom-designed for each client, making standard pricing difficult. Costs vary based on factors like accommodation, group size, duration, and specific locations. For a personalised quote that matches your taste and budget, please contact us with your requirements.

As an example, this Wild Uganda: Birds & Great Apes costs £5,984 per person, based on a group of 6 individuals staying in top-end mid-range safari lodges with shared twin rooms.

For our Set Departure Birding Tours, with fixed prices, please click the button below.

Tour Leader:

Arshley is a friendly and passionate nature enthusiast, who was born and raised in Uganda’s renowned Queen Elizabeth National Park, where his father served as an interpretive nature guide. Arshley’s fascination with wildlife ignited at the age of 7, inspired by the wild animals that freely roamed around his family home.

Driven by his early passion, Arshley pursued academic studies, excelling at an advanced level and earning a scholarship to the International University of East Africa. There, he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Operations and Forestry, followed by a master’s in Forestry—a field he pursued with deep dedication.

Prior to joining any Safari Company, Arshley’s father, a seasoned guide, provided comprehensive training on East Africa’s birds, tree species, defensive driving skills, mammals, and tourist attractions. This extensive knowledge uniquely equipped Arshley to become a proficient and well-rounded nature safari guide.

Arshley Brian holds the status of a qualified member of the Uganda Safari Guides Association and serves as the Chairman of the Uganda Botany World, along with being the current secretary of the Uganda Bird Guides Club. His birding expertise is reflected in his attendance at various bird watching courses, boasting a personal identification level of 997 Ugandan bird species.

In 2016, Arshley actively participated in Uganda’s Big Birding Day, securing the second-best position and gaining recognition at the First African Birding Expo as Uganda’s youngest Tour Guide.

Notably, Arshley’s fondness for the Green-breasted Pitta stands out as his favourite bird. His commitment to birding and comprehensive knowledge makes him a sought-after guide for those seeking immersive birding experiences in Uganda.

Bird Species Highlights

Shoebill
Grey-backed Fiscal
Red-winged Pytilia
Short-tailed Eagle
Red-capped Lark
Black-bellied Bustard
Red-and-yellow Barbet
Pin-tailed Whydah
Saddle-billed Stork
Slender-tailed Nightjar
Swamp Nightjar
Blue-napped Mousebird
Grey-Headed Kingfisher
Pygmy Kingfisher
Scarlet-chested Sunbird
Red-chested Sunbird
Regal Sunbird
Gravers Broadbill
Kivu Ground Thrush
Dwarf Honeyguide
Blue-headed Sunbird

Handsome Francolin
Ruwenzori Turaco
Rwenzori Nightjar
Stripe-breasted Tit
Black Bee-eater
Grauer’s Broadbill
Red-throated Alethe
Mountain Masked Apalis
Collared Apalis
Grauer’s Warbler
Swamp Warbler
Neumann’s Warbler
Red-faced Woodland Warbler
Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher
Rwenzori Batis
Purple-breasted Sunbird
Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird
Strange Weaver
Dusky Crimsonwing
Shelley’s Crimsonwing
Archer’s Robin-chat

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Departure

Entebbe/Kampala
Included

Airport Transfers

Birding Telescope

Full board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Mineral Water

National Park Fees

Overnight In Top Safari Lodges

Professional Bird Guide

Professional Driver

Safari Vehicle

Updated Bird Checklist

WiFi