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Uganda - Northeast: Kidepo Valley

© Shoebill by Adam Riley
Uganda - Northeast: Kidepo Valley 2026

04 Dec 2026 - 17 Dec 2026 (14 days)

USD7,195 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

Tour price (Per person): USD7,195 * GBP5,708 * EUR6,909 * AUD11,529

Single Supplement: USD520 * GBP413 * EUR499 * AUD833

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 Soroti 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 culminating in the extensive savannahs of Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and 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.

 

Top Birds

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;

Top Mammals

Sitatunga; Guereza; Roan; African Elephant; African Buffalo; Northern Bushbuck; Northern Giraffe; Cheetah; Hartebeest; Waterbuck; Kob; Lion; Leopard; Crested Porcupine.

Habitats Covered

swamp, marsh, grasslands, savannah, forest, woodland

Expected Climate

tropical with some rain expected, cooler in highlands. Lowlands are hot to very hot.

Max Group Size

10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & 1 local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

Forest birding is moderate to demanding, some long travel & birding days, moderate trails. Remote, rarely visited parts of Uganda with limited tourist infrastructure.

Accommodation

Variable. Modern & comfortable lodges & ensuite safari tents at most sites with a few simple lodges.

Ease of Birding

Forest birding is moderate to demanding, several low-density species that may require repeated effort. Open savanna & woodland is easier.

Photographic Opportunities

Average to good. Forest photography has typical lighting challenges. Better lighting in savanna areas. No dedicated hides.

What our clients say about us

Daniel Danckwerts
AF - Uganda 2019

Daniel Danckwerts is an excellent guide, very skilled at finding and identifying birds, very energetic, and clearly dedicated to helping all the clients see the birds. He is a good conversationalist, knowledgeable on many subjects and very enjoyable to bird with. I would happily go on future tours with him.

Daniel Danckwerts
AM - Uganda 2019

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.

David Hoddinott
HJ - Uganda 2019

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!

Daniel Danckwerts
HR & LR - Uganda 2019

Daniel Danckwerts was an excellent guide, incredibly keen and always friendly, positive and helpful. His knowledge of birds and their lifestyles was fantastic.

Glen Valentine
DH, Uganda 2022

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.

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