With over 1000 species, Uganda
offers the highest concentration of birds in Africa and is the most
accessible place to see the legendary Shoebill.
The misty peaks and fern-loaded
forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda's birding hotspot,
are an apt setting to search for Albertine Rift endemics.
Furthermore, these mountains offer perhaps one of the greatest wildlife
experiences on earth: the opportunity to come face to face with
one of our closest relatives, Gorilla, in its natural
habitat.
Offering 24 of the 26 Albertine Rift endemics recorded in Uganda,
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, spans an ecotone from Buhoma's
lowlands ato Ruhiza's highlands. At Buhoma, pitta-like Short-tailed
Warblers and Kivu Ground Thrushes skulk
in the mossy undergrowth. African Grey Parrots
fly overhead while Chimpanzees shriek from deep
in the forest. At Ruhiza, the cloud-swathed Virunga volcanoes (of
Diana Fossey fame) loom in the distance. Here we'll search for the
near mythical African Green Broadbill and Grauer's
Rush Warbler. It is even suggested that at least one undescribed
species might even be lurking in the park!
Uganda is one of the friendliest
and safest African countries to visit. After its devastating political
past, the country is regrowing and renewing, developing tourism
infrastructure and regaining positive attitude of its people.
Our Southern tour visits Bwindi, Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National
Parks. Our Northern Uganda tour visits Mabira, Murchison Falls and
Budongo 's Royal Mile. Our Specials tour targets Fox's Weaver,
Green-breasted Pitta and African Green
Broadbill and can be joined with our African Bird Club
Conservation Fund tour to Rwanda.
Featured
Leaders: Callan & Deirdre
Callan & Deirdre recommend:
This tour is well suited to world listers, because we see a
very high proportion of endemic birds, as well as wildlife enthusiasts
because we make a special effort to see great apes, several other
remarkable primates and mammals.
Callan Cohen
founded Birding Africa 12 years ago and has written two books on
birding in Africa, including the definitive birding site guide to
southern Africa and Madagascar. Callan has over 20 years of birding
experience in the region.
Deirdre Vrancken is a primatologist whose expertise
in lemurs will add an extra dimension to the tour. She has studied
Pronghorn Antelopes in Montana, African Elephants in East Africa,
and our closests living relatives, Bonobos, in the jungles of the
Congo.
'... thank you so much for such a wonderful trip to Uganda.
You were both so kind, attentive and incredibly knowledgeable. ...
you gave us a memorable experience and we shall always remember
your delightful company which we hope we will enjoy again one day.'
RC, Cambridge, UK
'Many thanks
again for a wonderful trip to Uganda... You looked after us so well
and there were many memorable moments: the gorillas, the chimps
and the red-tailed monkey, the red colobus trek through the swampy
forest, the butterflies, the crater lake drive and all the birds.
...
It was fascinating being able to spend time watching the mammals,
particularly the young chimps with the red-tailed monkey, and I
really appreciated Deirdre's font of knowledge about them all. There
were some stunning birds as well and the butterflies provided a
welcome relief from Greenbul identification!.' JK, Sheffield,
UK
* Cost per person sharing a room, ** Single room supplement.
* Included in the above price: Birding Africa tour leader, Birding
Africa printed booklet with species lists, domestic flights within
Madagascar, boat trips as indicated on the itinerary, road transport,
guide fees, entry fees for the parks, reserves and botanical gardens,
full board accommodation and drinking water on the bus. Not included:
international flights, drinks, optional tips, and items of a personal
nature are not included.
2010-2011 Tour dates and cost
Birding Africa Tours
Dates
Days
Cost*
Single**
Detailed itinerary
Tour report
Northern Uganda: Murchison Falls,
Budongo and Mabira Forest
* Cost per person sharing a room, ** Single room supplement.
* Included in the above price: Birding Africa tour leader, Birding
Africa printed booklet with species lists, domestic flights within
Madagascar, boat trips as indicated on the itinerary, road transport,
guide fees, entry fees for the parks, reserves and botanical gardens,
full board accommodation and drinking water on the bus. Not included:
international flights, drinks, optional tips, and items of a personal
nature are not included.
Please click this link for more
detailed information, dates and costs about our upcoming tours to
Uganda or Rwanda.
Focus
For keen birders and mammal enthusiasts. Designed
to see as many as possible endemic birds, but while on the walks
we spend a lot of time looking for other wildlife such as mammals
(including the more than 10 species of primates) and butterflies.
We can also customise any itinerary to suit to the keen birder,
the wildlife enthusiast or both.
Photography
Many participants on our trips are amateur wildlife photographers.
And when we get excellent views of a bird or mammal, some time
is usually spent watching and photographing it. However, this
is not a photographic tour and once the majority of the people
have felt that they have absorbed the animal or bird to their
satisfaction, then we move on in search of the next encounter.
Thus, while the photographic opportunities
are very good, the group will only occasionally wait for somebody
who wants to spend even longer getting better photos.
Fitness
A small degree of fitness is required. The few walks are generally
in relatively flat areas with occasional small inclines. The
terrain during the optional gorilla tracking can never be predicted
and can be very steep.
Timing
Most of our Uganda tours take place during December - January
or July - August.
Climate
Cool at night in the highlands, warm to hot in the lowlands.
Comfort
A good standard of accommodation in guest houses,
lodges and small hotels.
Transport
We travel by minibus or four wheel drive vehicle.
Group Size
This depends on the specific tour. Please enquire.
Your
booking can be secured with a booking
form and deposit of USD 400. You will receive
confirmation and our tour information pack with practical information
on what to expect and how to prepare for the tour. The balance
is due 3 months before the tour. Email
us about availability.
About Birding Africa
Birding Africa is a specialist birding
tour company customising tours for both world listers and more relaxed
holiday birders. We combine interests in mammals, butterflies, dragonflies,
botany and other natural history aspects and will guide you to Africa's
and Madagascar's most diverse birding destinations. Our guides'
knowledge of African birds and birding areas is our greatest strength
and together we have rediscovered species, shared exciting observations
with the birding community and had a fun time exploring our home
continent. We've even written two acclaimed guide
books on where to find Southern Africa's and Madagascar's best
birds. Birding is more than our passion, it's our lifestyle, and
we are dedicated to making professional, best value trips filled
with endemic species and unique wildlife experiences. Since 1997,
we've run bird watching tours
in South Africa and further into Africa for individual birders,
small birding groups and top international tour companies. We've
run Conservation Tours
in association with the African Bird Club and work with and consult
for a number of other top international tour companies and the BBC
Natural History Unit.
Gorilla at Bwindi on our Uganda Birding Tour © C. Cohen. Gorillas
can also be seen on the Birding Africa 
