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Local Bird Guides

Fundi Birders of East Africa

Inspired by a happy, selfless and adventurous couple from the State of Virginia, USA with over 40 years of travel experience; K, an avid birder, and M, a photographer, embarked on a 3-month birding-biased trip to Eastern Africa, with music, dance, African cuisine, textiles, and people atop other interests of their visit. This saw both of them off the coast in the Indian Ocean to the Islands of Zanzibar and across inland to the mainland Tanzania, through the magical Kenya, to the Pearl of Africa – Uganda and lastly to the Land of a Thousand Hills—the picturesque small nation of Rwanda. The team was at all times in the company of professional tour drivers and top-rate local bird guides, both site-based and freelance in the destination countries; and additionally, the couple was happy to sponsor and travel along with trainee female birding guides from each country visited!

Ninety days of birds and other wildlife, cultural adventure, music, dance, and laughter, and above all; the exchange of knowledge and skills, had to leave behind a dynamic and resilient team of local guides with an everlasting bond that can never be broken! Together with a superb network of site-based birding guides, we call ourselves the ‘‘Fundi Birders of Eastern Africa”

Andrew-Majembe

Gwiji la Ndege Zanzibar

Andrew Majembe

Andrew Majembe is a trained wildlife and birding guide from college of African wildlife management (CAWM), Mweka. His professional skills is over several years of field experience. He has seen 997 bird species in Tanzania during those years. He identified his first bird 34 years ago when he was 13 and has had a passion for birding ever since. He would love to take you to some of favorite birding hotspots in the greater Zanzibar archipelago so you can enjoy the beauty of the country Tanzania and take home wonderful memories of birds you've never seen before.

 

 

Reviews

 

Paul H

Nov 2023

Just spent 2 days with Andrew on the amazing island of Zanzibar - amazing guy, Great knowledge, knows the island really well and was able to take me to some really great “birding” hot spots.

Would totally recommend his services - great guy and great time

Thanks Andrew and keep up the great work!!

 

Lauren C

Mar 2024 

Fantastic Experience

We were very fortunate to have booked with Andrew on our trip to Zanzibar, I have never met someone with such a passion for birding. He took us all over Zanzibar, to various spots for a variety of birds. He tried to make sure that we managed to tick off as many birds as we could, with keeping our “Wishlist” in mind. It was a very enjoyable day out and we would do it again in a heartbeat. If you are looking for a great adventure, and want someone with vast experience and a deep passion for birds and conservation, Andrew is your guy!

Patricia Kansiime

Uganda Birds specialist

Patricia Kansiime

Patricia Kansiime is a certified Safari Guide in Uganda with a blending expertise in Uganda's Heritage and Nature Conservation, with passion for avian life across East Africa.

Proud member of Uganda Women Birders Club, holding multiple certifications from African Institute of Tourism And Field Guiding and Uganda Safaris Guides Association (USAGA)

It has been 6years of curiosity about natural world particularly birds, insects and snakes since. She has been in Kibale Forest National Park as both site guide and a freelance. She uses her spare time to mentor 4 Village bird clubs targeting kids from 5-18 years within the neighborhood of the Kibale National Park as a way of passing on the passion to the young generation.

Magambo Jean Pierre

Rwanda Bird Guide

Jean Pierre

Jean Pierre is young graduate from tourism school and a trained bird guide. He has been a tour guide since 2018 and he has particularly specialized in Albertine Rift Endemics and mountain forest birds.

So far he has led more than 30 birding tours around Rwandan attractive birding sites mainly around Nyungwe National Park, Umusambi Village, Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-tourism Park and Wetlands in Bugesera and he has participated in a various research and bird surveys around the country.

Deogratius Muhumuza

Team Leader

Deogratius Muhumuza

Deo, a graduate of Tourism from Uganda’s Makerere University developed his birding knowledge over 20years ago as a researcher and team leader of birding excursions at Nature Uganda – a membership conservation organization, and a birdlife international partner in Uganda. He further enhanced his knowledge through doing ornithological surveys in numerous reserves with Wildlife Conservation Society Uganda, and conducting ornithological assessment surveys as a consultant with different EIA bodies in Uganda and beyond. For 15years now, when he founded Uganda Eco Tours, Deo has been leading birding tours across all the East African Countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania and has developed an in-depth knowledge of birds ecology in the respective destinations 

 

Reviews

 

Karen & Marc 

US

May 2022

An amazing 3-month safari through Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda & Rwanda w/ Deo Muhumuza & co-guides!

On our 5th trip to Africa, we wanted to see as much as possible. So, we spent 3 months with Deo, becoming fast friends & feeling so lucky to know an expert guide, who was also friendly and fun (and loved music as much as we do!). Car troubles, border crossings, running out of ginger ale, all these "disasters" were quickly and capably handled by Deo. No one got angry, and these issues ended up being part of the fun of the trip.


During planning, I mentioned to Deo that we often liked to pay a bit extra so a "trainee" guide could join us and get experience birding, guiding and practicing English. (I recommend this, we've made many good friends this way.) And Deo, being a genius, and to honor Uganda's Year of the Woman Birder, found 4 different women guides to join us in each country! So, for once, I wasn't the only female in the group! It was a blast.


Also, he found a local expert in each country (and sometimes an additional super-localized expert), meaning my bird list was over 850 at the end of the trip (85+ mammals, too!), and that we met so many great people! We are still in touch with most of the guides & drivers, 2 years later.


I've been trying to win the lottery ever since because we so badly want to go back to East Africa to see our good friends again. Maybe I'll retire there? 😉

 

 

Adam H

Oct 2023 

 Top Uganda guide, especially for bird watching

2 of us did a bird watching tour covering pretty much most of Uganda in July 2022. (Yes it's taken me a long time to write this!)

Our guide Deo picked us up from the airport and drove us straight east so we could get Uganda's only endemic bird, the Fox's Weaver. We also saw the Karamoja Apalis along with other targets. We then did an anti-clockwise loop around the country, collecting key birds as we visited each site. Suffice to say Deo is a great and very well connected guide, who not only knows the birds himself but also which local guides to use at every site. On top of that, he is a lovely man and great company. It was a very enjoyable and rewarding trip and we did incredibly well, particularly with the Albertine Rift endemics. On our 'big day' in Bwindi, we even bumped into Gorillas on the way to the Grauer's Broadbill site; the best day I have ever had in the field in my life by far!

Whether you want to an intense and through birding trip like we did, or something more relaxed, Deo is the perfect guide and I can't recommend him highly enough.

Gabriel Thomas

Tanzania Specialist

Gabriel Thomas Msari

Professional Birder & Tour Guide

Languages: English, French, Spanish, Swahili

Based and guiding in Tanzania, Gabriel can also lead trips in Kenya and Zanzibar Island 

With over 10 years of experience, Gabriel has been guiding birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts through East Africa’s rich ecosystems. Fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Swahili, he specialize in identifying both common and rare bird species across diverse habitats.

While travelling with Thomas, be assured of an informative and memorable tour, showcasing not only birds but also the incredible wildlife of the region.

Florence Nimoh

Kenya Bird Guide

Florence Nimoh

A young and enthusiastic birder, Florence is a University of Nairobi graduate with aBachelor of Science in Wildlife Management & Conservation. Working as an Ornithological field research assistant in the Zoology Department at the Kenya Museum, has further enhanced her knowledge in bird identification, bird habitat classification and mapping. Florence has also been leading birding tours across Kenya with local tour and Travel Company.

Travel with Florence and you will be thrilled by her scientific analysis of bird behavior and ecology

James Apolloh

Kenya Bird Guide

James Apolloh Omenya

Born and raised in Siaya County in Kenya, a region rich in western Kenya birds where henurtured his passion for travel and exploration; Apollo is a licensed Tour Guide in Kenya biased in Birding and has also mastered the art of Wildlife Photography

Apollo holds a Diploma in Wildlife Management from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute of Kenya. He has also done short courses in Fundamentals of Ornithology and is currently Pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Environment and Natural Resource Management.

 

While pursuing his carrier, Apolloh has served in different capacities as the head of bird watching clubs, while in school. Being a member of Nature Kenya – the East Africa Natural History Society, he is actively volunteering at the National bird counts for the rift valley lakes organized by the National Museums of Kenya. He helped to compile a Checklist to the Birds of Giraffe Centre and created new birding trails during his voluntary work, and has also had a privilege to work at A Rocha Kenya as Terrestrial Research and Conservation Assistant. 

 

As a freelance tour guide, Appoloh has had an opportunity to explore all major wildlife parks and birding destinations in Kenya, and Uganda.

Watching and finding birds is both his hobby and passion and therefore you can be sure of not just getting the best value for your money when you adventure with Appoloh, but also making friends of a life time!

 

Reviews

 

Peter Boesman

Rating 5 Star

Date: 28th Oct 2024

James Apolloh is an excellent bird guide. He is a very good birder, knows the birds throughout the country, and recognizes about all birds by ear. He is however also pleasant company and is able to organize things smoothly and flawlessly. He has contacts throughout the country, and is able to fix things in a very short time whenever there is need for it. Highly recommended!!

 

Louis A. 

Rating: 5 Star

Date: 25th Novermber 2024

Apolloh, young, smart, good humor, good ears, able to fix things and make things happen smoothly. Never misses a change for birding. Apolloh has also rocketed as an excellent photographer - letting the client get first to the bird for e.g., photos and or sound recording is an extra plus in my book. He is engaged in supporting the local communities at home and around Watamu where I met him in May 2024.

 

Laurencia Zacharia

Tanzania

Scheduled birding group departures

Uganda Fixed Date Birding group Departure

No. of days: 16

No. of Participants: 2 - 6

Departure Dates: 2nd Jul 2026, 6th Jan 2027

Prices: from USD2877 per person

Explore Uganda's top national parks on a wildlife and birdwatching tour from Entebbe, featuring gorilla trekking in Bwindi and visits to Kibale, Semuliki, and Lake Mburo National Park

REVIEWS

Birding Trip to Uganda - 2nd July to 16th July 2015

Rating

From July 2 to 16, 2015, I joined a birding tour in Uganda led by Muhumuza Deogratius (Deo), an excellent birder and personable guide, alongside Luke, a knowledgeable co-leader and driver.

The trip featured diverse habitats, including Mabamba Bay, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kibale Forest.

Highlights included a Shoebill sighting, gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, and an impressive list of 350 bird species (274 lifers) and 27 mammal species (17 lifers).

Lodging was generally comfortable, and food ranged from acceptable to good. It generally, was a rewarding adventure in a fascinating region.

Dalcio Dacol, Tucano's

Brazil

Uganda 2 week Birding & Mammal Tour, Jan 2014

Rating

Peter Saunders and his group, including Lorraine Saunders, Jonny Price, and Will Price, had an unforgettable birding holiday in Uganda organized by Deo and Robert Nuwagaba.

Deo’s excellent communication and organization ensured a seamless trip, while both guides impressed with their deep knowledge of bird calls, habitats, and remarkable spotting skills.

Over two weeks, the group recorded 470 bird species and encountered extraordinary wildlife, including the Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta, Finfoot, chimpanzees, and gorillas. The accommodations, food, and stunning views added to the experience.

Peter highly recommends Deo’s services, praising both guides for their expertise, politeness, humor, and care, making this a truly memorable adventure.

PETER SOUNDERs

Great Britain

Rating

We had a most wonderful, individually and expertly guided nature tour in Uganda

A magnificent trip took us to Uganda July 15 to July 29, 2014, expertly guided by Muhumuza Deogratius; Deo for short. We had intended to book our trip through a local Ugandan travel agent and were lucky to find Deo recommended on the www.birdingpal.org website. Deo responded to our inquiries immediately and to our satisfaction. He booked our travel route according to our wishes and the accommodations selected by him were all very pleasant, clean and located in beautiful and safe environments.

Being interested in nature, birds and anything else that flies and walks, Deo was the perfect guide for us. He could spot and name any bird just from hearing its song. He also showed us many mammals in the various diverse national parks of Uganda. As we had requested, he took us to the mountainous forest vegetation and animals therein, and with great patience let us enjoy nature at a relaxed pace of driving with many stops and observations on foot.

It was a pleasure for us to realize that Deo was very open to our special interest in insects. He was fascinated and eager to be introduced by us into the world of little critters that he had never paid attention to or seen close-up through a magnifying lens.

We highly recommend Deo and wish that he will be able to guide many more nature-loving tourists through his beautiful homeland of Uganda, and thereby enhance the mutual understanding of the people in this world.

URSULA AND RUDOLF JANDER

USA

Fantastic trip for 3 weeks to see 526 species of birds

Rating

There were 5 trip members from UK which we organised with Deo through Birding Pal. Deo met us at Lake Victoria View guest house where we were familiarising ourselves with the Hotel garden Birds. A big smile from Deo soon got us on the right footing. From the outset and through the rest of the trip, communication, expert guiding and service lived up to the highest standard of hopeful expectation.

Deo was a true professional as well as being a great companion and friend during our three weeks in Uganda.

He did his utmost best to make sure we saw as many species as possible. I personally got on great with him because of my keen interest in photography and his similar passion in the same subject.

We all enjoyed his sense of humour.

Brian our driver and assistant guide got on so well with us all that we thanked our luck stars we had such a good friendly team.

I would not hesitate in recommending both for future trips in Uganda.

Here's to successful future trips

CHRIS. WARD

Great Britain

Great birding trip to Uganda July 2016

Rating


Deo drove us hundreds of miles and with his and Robert's expert bird finding skills we clocked around 480 species and saw all the main mammals as well - including the fantastic Biwindi gorillas. Communications, food and accommodation were all excellent and, overall, I was thoroughly impressed. Would strongly recommend this company.

JONATHAN PRICE

Great Britain

Kenya Birding trip

November, 2024

Rating

My husband and I completed a 15-day private birding tour in Kenya (Western Circuit) in August/September. We had the pleasure of being guided by 2 marvelous bird guides, Davis Kibuga and James Apolloh Omenya. We birded in 8 National Parks/Reserves throughout southwestern Kenya and logged almost 400 bird species in addition to many mammals and reptiles. Our guides not only knew the birds, they also knew the mammals and plants. Apolloh, in particular, not only knew every bird along our routes by name, he also knew all the bird calls and where to find them. Many times we would stop at specific locations, sometimes along a highway, to call for a specific species and the bird would

come. It was uncanny!

Our trip was well organized from beginning to end. Though the travel times between the National Parks/Reserves were long and the roads at times bumpy, we were not bored as we stopped along the way to log more species. At some birding sites, we were joined by a local birding guide who showed us the specialties at that site. We felt extra special as there were 3 guides for the two of us.

We felt very safe in the care of these wonderful young men with such big hearts, courage, and quick thinking. In addition to the birds of Kenya, we have learned a great deal from our guides about the culture and life in East Africa. Thank you, Davis and Apolloh, for a well-planned and rewarding trip. We look forward to returning one day to bird in Uganda and Eastern Kenya with you again.

Vickie kwong

USA

Beautiful Birds of Zanzibar with expert

Oct 2024

Rating

What a fantastic experience seeing beautiful

and some rare birds in Zanzibar! Andrew’s knowledge and skills made it an

amazing experience, he knows where to go and it was a joy to see swamp

kingfishers, rare coucals, and 50 others. We even saw a large snake in the

forest! Thank you Andrew. Would definitely spend more time with him if we are lucky enough to come again

andrew c

Austria

Birding Trip to Uganda 23rd Jan to 7th Feb 2015

Rating

No sound or movement escapes him. If there is a bird somewhere Robert will find it. Both Deo and Robert made sure that we saw as many birds as possible and that we all saw them. We were a group of 6 and came from 3 different continents.

Deo is not only a good organizer but has a wonderfully friendly and cheerful personality. We truly enjoyed chatting with him.

He is a very good listener and always made sure that everyone was comfortable and spared no effort to keep us all happy. We all enjoyed spending time with him.

I wish him great success in his business , he certainly deserves it . He possesses all the qualities and skills required to deal with many diverse personalities and situations.

I want to add that I found the Ugandans welcoming, friendly and so very kind.

MONIQUE FISCHER

Toronto

33 days Uganda - Rwanda Birding Safari

Rating

After thorough research and consulting 13 companies, the author selected Uganda Eco Tours for a customized birdwatching and wildlife experience, citing their professionalism, in-depth birding knowledge, and prompt communication.

Over 30 days, the journey spanned iconic Ugandan locations such as Mabamba Wetland, Mabira Forest, Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, and Kibale Forest, among others, in addition to Rwanda, yielding over 600 bird species, diverse wildlife, and unforgettable encounters with gorillas and chimpanzees. Highlights included Shoebill sightings, a leopard with prey, scenic canoe rides, and immersive forest treks.

The tour was a rich blend of birding, wildlife, and cultural experiences, meticulously guided by Deo Muhumuza and his team.

WILLIAM ROWE

England

Uganda group departure birding trip

Rating

This particular trip could be regarded as a once in a lifetime experience!

The communications with regard to the trip were excellent and the service was also of a very high standard and lived up to all expectations. The level of accommodation was also as expected but the food could be improved upon. The actual tour itself was absolutely fantastic with regard to the itinerary, diverse habitats and the time spent looking for birds. The bird knowledge of the two guides was outstanding

IAN MAC EACHERAN

Great Britian

24 January to 7 February 2014 with Deo and Robert

Rating

The Birdingpal fixed-date tour from January 24 to February 7, 2014, was an unforgettable experience led by the exceptional guides Deo and Robert. Deo, the trip's mastermind, ensured everyone felt at home and catered to the group's diverse interests with good humor and grace, while Robert's unparalleled bird-spotting skills made the tour extraordinary.

The itinerary covered a variety of habitats, from savannas and forests to wetlands, offering sightings of stunning birds like Jameson's Wattle-eye and African Green Broadbill, alongside iconic African wildlife, with optional gorilla and chimpanzee tracking being highlights.

Accommodation was clean and comfortable, and the logistics, including minibus travel on rough roads, were well managed. Uganda Eco Tours delivered a high-quality, budget-friendly trip, leaving participants eager to explore more of the country in the future.

JONO & Karo

United States of America

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