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Uganda - Bird Photography Tour

© Shoebill by Adam Riley
Uganda - Bird Photography Tour 2025

01 Sep 2025 - 13 Sep 2025 (13 days)

USD7,495 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Heinz Ortmann

Pricing notes : 2024 permit costs (per person): Gorilla = $800, Chimp = $250

Tour price (Per person): USD7,495 * GBP5,977 * EUR7,212 * AUD12,034

Single Supplement: USD820 * GBP654 * EUR789 * AUD1,317

Uganda - Bird Photography Tour 2026

01 Sep 2026 - 13 Sep 2026 (13 days)

USD7,495 - Spaces Available

Book Now

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Pricing notes : 2025 permit costs (per person): Gorilla = $800, Chimp = $250

Tour price (Per person): USD7,495 * GBP5,977 * EUR7,212 * AUD12,034

Single Supplement: USD830 * GBP662 * EUR799 * AUD1,333

From the source of the White Nile on Lake Victoria to the snow-capped Ruwenzori Range, the montane forests of the Virunga volcanoes, harbouring some of the last remaining Mountain Gorillas, to the extensive savannas around Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda is an equatorial country of astonishing contrasts! No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habitats (in an area approximately the size of Great Britain!), and this richness is reflected in its incredible bird list of over 1,000 species, making it arguably the richest African birding destination. Amongst these are many highly sought-after birds, including the unique Shoebill and the numerous spectacular endemics of the Albertine Rift Mountains. This Bird Photo Tour focuses on the very best photographic and birding destinations of this incredible nation and, aside from the birds, it offers superb game viewing and the chance to track both Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees!

Highlights

  • Uganda offers arguably the best primate viewing and photo opportunities on the planet with Mountain Gorilla and Chimpanzee being headline species
  • Enjoy exploring some of Uganda’s top national parks including Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Mburo and Kibale, where we sometimes see up to 10 different species of primate in a single day!
  • Uganda offers the very best location for viewing and photographing the unique and monotypic Shoebill
  • On the bird families front this tour offers one of the best chances of seeing and potentially even photographing a flufftail (White-spotted Flufftail)
  • The sought-after Albertine Rift Endemics are extremely well represented in Uganda and both Buhoma and Ruhija provide ample opportunity to see and even photograph up to 19 ARE (Albertine Rift Endemic) species
  • Photographing from boats is always a highlight and this tour offers boat excursions on the waters of the Kazinga Channel, Mabamba Swamp and Lake Mburo
  • Chances of seeing the famous tree-climbing Lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Please note: We cannot guarantee the availability of gorilla or chimp trekking permits, early booking is recommended to secure these permits. Permits costs are set by the Ugandan government and are non-refundable.

Top Birds

Shoebill; African Fish Eagle; Bateleur; Western Banded Snake Eagle; Blue-breasted Bee-eater; Orange & Weyns’s Weavers; White-spotted Flufftail; Eastern Plaintain-eater; Ross’s & Great Blue Turacos; African Emerald Cuckoo; African Skimmer; Bar-tailed Trogon; Neumann’s Warbler; African Broadbill; Doherty’s Bushshrike; Grauer’s Broadbill; African Finfoot; Regal Sunbird; Red-faced Woodland Warbler; Goliath Heron; Crowned & African Pied Hornbills; Woodland Kingfisher.

Top Mammals

Mountain Gorilla; Chimpanzee; Sitatunga (rare); Guereza; Ugandan Red Colobus; L'Hoest's Monkey; Grey-cheeked Mangabey; African Elephant; African Buffalo; Ugandan Kob; Bushbuck; Common Warthog; Common Hippopotamus; Black-fronted & Yellow-backed Duikers; Plains Zebra.

Habitats Covered

Mid-altitude & montane rainforest, woodlands, acacia savanna, grasslands, wetlands, papyrus swamps

Expected Climate

Tropical to hot with some rain expected, much cooler in highlands

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & 1 local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Forest birding is moderate to demanding, some long travel days, long birding days, moderate to difficult trails. • Our Bird Photo Tours are a hybrid between our Classic birding tours and dedicated photographic tours. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or have the biggest lens; this is for everyone with an interest in photography and birding. Whether you’re using a bridge camera or the latest body and prime lens, our aims are the same. • These tours are not aimed at seeing the most species possible on the route, rather taking time to photograph key targets and any other interesting species we may find. Naturally, the overall species list will be lower than a comparable birding focused tour. • Whilst we may use blinds, feeders and hide setups on some of these tours, we will not be spending an entire day nor even several hours fixed in one spot. • These tours are suitable for photographers who prefer opportunistic photography over entire days in a hide. • Our leaders will assist in helping everyone secure good photographic opportunities and advise as much as they can on camera setup. However, they are not professional photographic tour leaders.

Accommodation

Variable. Modern & comfortable at most sites to basic elsewhere.

Ease of Birding

Forest birding is moderate to demanding, several low-density species that require repeated effort.

Other Attractions

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Nile & Kazinga cruises, African art

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

David Hoddinott
PM & SM, Uganda

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.

André Bernon
LL, Uganda 2018

Amazed at how Andre Bernon was able to keep going, stay focused, and go about his task of finding the species so professionally. We missed very little, and had some great experiences with many of the primates, especially the Gorillas, and so many birds, with Shoebill and African Finfoot being stand out moments.

David Hoddinott
WM & TB, Uganda 2019

We so very much enjoyed traveling with you throughout Uganda, and now we know why it is one of your favourite destinations in Africa. Thank you for everything - your guiding, birding and organisational skills, your patience and your good company.

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!

Nigel Redman
IB - Uganda 2022

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!

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