Uganda Birding Tours

Tailor-made Birding Tours in Uganda

At Sustainable Birding, we don’t offer ready-made, off-the-shelf birding tours. Our approach is deeply personalised – we meticulously craft each of our tours in Uganda from scratch, ensuring every detail aligns with your unique preferences. From the savannah of the Serengeti to the lush Eastern Arc Mountains and the tropical beauty of Pemba Island, our team of seasoned birding experts use our comprehensive knowledge to tailor your birding holiday, guaranteeing an experience perfectly attuned to your specific requirements.

All our birding tours in Uganda are expertly guided by our passionate, knowledgeable and experienced Ugandan tour leaders. They are some of the best guides on the planet! So, give us a call or drop us an email and let’s talk Uganda!

Reasons to go on a Tailor-made Birding Tour in Uganda

• Select the exact dates that suit your schedule.
• Choose the ideal time of year for your birding adventure.
• Travel alongside your preferred companions—be it family, friends, or fellow birders.
• Set your pace—whether fast or brisk.
• Pick your Tour Leader, whether a Sustainable Birding expert or a knowledgeable local guide.
• Customise within your personal budget, from luxurious to budget accommodations or a mix.
• Craft a tour that matches your specific interests—whether intense birding, leisurely exploration, photography, culture, music, wine, botany, butterflies, herpetology, geology, diving, hiking, and beyond.
• Our team is here to cater to your diverse interests and ensure a fulfilling birding holiday.

Scheduled Group Uganda Birding Tours

Explore our selection of Scheduled Group Birding Tours in Uganda. These groups tours have been designed to fit different birding preference and time restraints. Typically, our group tours are more affordable, and allow people to meet up and make lifelong memories with fellow birders. All our group tours are small and come with an expert Tour Leader, having groups no bigger than 6 individuals, so you still get that intimate feeling and the full attention of the Tour Leader. Please refer to our Birding Calendar for tour schedules, dates, and fixed prices.

Lastly, at Sustainable 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’ve 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!

Best time of year to visit:

Birding and wildlife watching in Uganda is favourable throughout the year. Even during the wet seasons, rain rarely persists all day, usually lasting only one to three hours. This leaves ample time for birding any time of the year, ensuring a pleasant experience.

Considered the best time of year would be between June and September, particularly in August, where intra-African migrants from southern Africa, including various cuckoos and hirundines such as the sough-after Blue Swallow and to see breeding plumages in all their glory, showcasing brightly-coloured weavers such as the endemic Fox’s Weaver, along with bishops, whydahs and widowbirds. Target species such as the Grauer’s Broadbill and Green-breasted Pitta, are more easily found from June to September, as this period is Uganda’s dry season, which helps due to the lack of rain. Abundant food sources during this time benefit wildlife, particularly primates and grazing mammals, elevating the overall wildlife viewing experience.

Uganda experiences a tropical climate due to its location near the equator. The country generally has two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The wet season typically occurs from March to May and October to November, characterized by heavy rainfall and high humidity. Conversely, the dry seasons, which span from December to February and June to August, are drier with less precipitation.

Temperatures in Uganda remain relatively consistent throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) in most regions. However, temperatures can vary based on altitude and location within the country. The diverse geography of Uganda contributes to microclimates within the country. Regions such as the mountainous areas, including the Rwenzori Mountains, experience cooler temperatures due to higher altitudes, while areas closer to Lake Victoria might have a more moderate climate.

Uganda, packing smartly is key due to its diverse environments and weather! Essential clothing includes lightweight, breathable options like quick-drying trousers and shirts, ideal for the tropical climate. A light rain jacket or poncho proves invaluable during unexpected showers in the wet seasons, while a hat and sunglasses shield from the equatorial sun. Sturdy walking boots or trail shoes are a must for on-foot birding in the many walking trails in west.
Mosquito repellent is crucial to ward off insect bites, and taking anti-malarial tablets is highly recommended, along with sunscreen and a basic first aid kit is also highly recommended.

Equipment such as high-quality binoculars tailored for birdwatching is essential and if you have a good working camera and lens, then please bring it with you! A comprehensive field guide specific to the country’s birds, such as Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa by John Fanshawe & Terry Stevenson would be recommended.

*Remember that when you book a Uganda birding tour with us over 14 days, we will send you a new complementary field guide!