04 Dec 2026 - 17 Dec 2026 (14 days)
USD7,700 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Julian Parsons
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD7,700 * GBP5,863 * EUR6,943 * AUD11,544
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
WARNING: This tour involves strenuous activities and is intended for experienced adventurers. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, please check out our [Explore Relaxed Tours]
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.
Daniel Danckwerts' fantastic field skills and knowledge, combined with his sense of humour and enthusiasm for showing as many birds as possible to all participants make him an ideal birding guide.
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.
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.
Our Rockjumper guide, Daniel Danckwerts, was super. He was focused on getting us onto the birds especially but was personable and handled logistics and details to make our experience the best it could be. He was enthusiastic, kind, and engaging.
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.
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