Bird Watching in Uganda

In Uganda, one of the best safari activities is bird watching. With more than half of Africa’s bird species found there, Uganda is well renowned for being an ideal bird watching destination. Uganda is a birder’s heaven due to more than just the vast number of species of birds that have been recorded inside its borders. It is simple to acknowledge the many bird-rich areas that are frequently difficult to access in other nations. With over 1000 species identified, Uganda’s oldest forest offers a variety of habitats that seem to be ideal for a wide variety of bird species. The Albertine Rift and the coasts of Lake Victoria, the Nile’s source, were the primary migration routes for many bird species. These species are visible during a Ugandan birding expedition.

Uganda is a convention or melting pot of different resident and migratory species of birds, including wintering Palearctic migrants like the Peregrine Falcon and Lesser Spotted Eagle, Intra African migrants both vertical and horizontal, and the breeding resident species within the main habitats that bring Uganda to the pinnacle of birding. Unlike other birding destinations around the world, Uganda has and is gifted with a variety of habitats that range from tropical to afro-montane rain forests, wooded and grassland savannahs, mashes to papyrus swamps, arid to semi-arid areas, not to mention the clear blue skies.

Uganda is renowned for its wonderful climate, abundant wildlife, and hospitable populace. The majority of tourists that go on safaris in Uganda mix game viewing, sightseeing, and birding. Uganda is regarded as one of the greatest destinations for birding excursions worldwide, and maybe the best in Africa. However, bird tourism may not be as well developed or promoted as, say, gorilla tourism. In Uganda, more than 1035 bird species have been identified, and over 30 locations have been designated specifically for birdwatching.

Top bird species in Uganda

The Shoebill Stork, African Green Broadbill, Black Bee-eater, Brown-chested Lapwing, Green-breasted Pitta, Jahan’s Francolin, Jameson’s Antpecker, Karamoja Apalis, Purcell’s illadopsis, Puvel’s Illadopsis, Nahans francolin, Red-fronted anti-pecker, and Rwenzori Turaco are the most sought-after bird species in Uganda. The African Harrier Hawk, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Crowned Hornbill, Giant Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Green Pigeon, Martial Eagle, Mountain Greenbul, Secretary Bird, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Short-tailed Warbler, African Darter, Grey-Crested Crane, Western Green Tinkerbird, and Yellow-billed Stork are just a few of the other species that can be seen on bird watching safaris.

Best Places for Bird Watching in Uganda

1. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

With 347 different bird species, Bwindi is a birdwatcher’s heaven. Of the 25 endemic bird species of the Albertine Rift, 24 of them are found there. Moreover, 76 of the 144 bird species that are found in Uganda’s Guinea-Congo forest biome reside in Bwindi. With 68 of the 86 bird species in the Afro-tropical-highland biome, the region is also eligible for this group of birds. Of the 12 species, 4 are found in the Lake Victoria ecosystem. Birds are widely distributed and easily observable; multiple species form migratory feeding groups that are active throughout the day. The Mubwindi Swamp route in Ruhija, the Waterfall trail in Buhoma, and the Bamboo Zone are the primary birding trails where birdwatchers can see these amazing animals. Among the species you might see on a Bwindi birding trip are the African Wood Owl, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Fine-banded Woodpecker, and western Green Tinkerbird.

2. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

In addition to golden monkeys and mountain gorillas, Mgahinga National Park is home to approximately 180 different species of birds, including endemic species from the Albertine Rift region. The Gorge walk, the Bamboo trail, and the community or farm trail make for excellent viewing locations. Brown Woodland Warbler, Kivu Ground-thrush, Stripe-breasted Tit, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Rwenzori Turaco, and more species are among those that can be spotted during a birding tour in Mgainga.

3. Murchison Falls National Park

More than 451 different bird species can be seen in Murchison Falls National Park. Among the many species are the Savannah Forest Birds, Waterbirds, and Albertine Rift Endemics. The primary avian attraction that draws a lot of people is the shoebill. On a Murchison bird-watching safari, you might also spot species like the White-faced Whistling Duck, Hamerkop, Rock Pratincole, Hugli’s Francolin, Martial Eagle, and Dark Chanting Goshawk.

4. Queen Elizabeth National Park

The species include those that live in forests and woodlands, as well as aquatic birds, raptors (there are 54 species), and migratory birds. This park is divided into sections, and different bird species can be found in each sector. There are more than 600 different bird species in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Some of these are the African Wattled Plover, Grey Kestrel, Black-bellied Bustard, Black-lored Babbler, Hooded Vulture, Martial Eagle, and White-tailed Lark.

5. Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is home to about 400 different species of birds, including nine species of hornbills. There are great places to observe it at Ntandi, Sempaya, and the River Kirumia area. Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Great Blue, Ross’s Turacos, Yellow-throated Nicator, and Xavier’s Greenbul are some of the species that are there.

7. Kibale National Park

Over 350 different species of birds can be found in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary of Kibale National Park. With its extensive walking pathways, birders can watch over 138 different bird species at the Bigodi wetland sanctuary, which is located in the Kanyanchu and Magombe wetlands. The Papyrus Canary, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, White-collared Oliveback, Crowned Eagle, and Yellow-billed Barbet are the principal bird species that can be spotted in Kibale Forest.

8. Lake Mburo National Park

The marshy sections of Miriti at the salt lick and in the forests of Rubanga and Warukiri, the paths along the landing stage, and Camp Rwonyo are among the best places in Lake Mburo National Park to go birdwatching. Species include the endangered Common Scimitarbill, Rufous-bellied Heron, White-headed Barbet, Grey-crowned Crane, Red-faced Barbet, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Green Wood-hoopoe, and so on.

9. Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Almost 217 species can be found in the Moon’s mountains. Of these, nineteen are native to the Albertine Rift Valley region. The Golden-winged and Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, White-starred Robin, Long-eared Owl, Slender-billed Starling, Archer’s Robin-chat, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Laden’s Bush-shrike, Bearded Vultures, and Black Eagles are among the species you might see on a birding safari in the Rwenzori Mountains.

10. Nile River Birding in Jinja

A boat ride is the best way to bird along the Nile River. You will encounter more than 60 different bird species on a trip down the Nile. This area is home to African Open-billed Storks, Great Blue Turacos, Rock Pratencols, Green-backed Herons, and Giant Kingfishers.

11. Echuya Forest Reserve.

More than 150 kinds of birds may be found in this forest reserve, with 18 of them being indigenous. Among the noteworthy species are the Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Doherty’s Bush-Shrike, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Grauer’s Warbler, and Strip-breasted Tit.

12. The Royal Mile- Budongo Forest

Over 250 different bird species can be found at Budongo Forest, close to Murchison Falls National Park, along the Royal Mile. The Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Blue-throated Roller, Fire-crested Alethe, Rufous-crowned Elemomela, Spotted Greenbul, and White-thighed Hornbill are among the principal bird species.

13. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

You can find the endangered shoebill stork at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. African Black Crake, African Fish Eagle, African Grey Hornbill, African Golden Oriole, African Darter, African Broad Bill, and Black-crowned Waxbill are among the other species.

14. Lutembe Bay

Located in the Lake Victoria Basin, Lutembe Bay is home to millions of Indigenous and Palearctic migratory birds. More than 200 bird species call it home. Twenty-six of them are migratory. The African Pygmy Kingfisher, Lead-colored Flycatcher, White-winged Black Tern, African Green Pigeon, Sooty Chat, Tropical Boubou, and Brown-backed Scrub Robins are a few of these species.

15. Mabamba Swamps

Situated at the shore of Lake Victoria, this marshy region may be reached from the City Centre in under one hour by car. A three-person wooden boat canoe is used for an excursion for birdwatching. Shoebill Storks, Pied Kingfishers, Blue-breasted Bee-eaters, African and Lesser Jacanas, and African Pygmy Goose are among the species you might observe.

Best Time to go for Bird Watching in Uganda

You can go bird watching in Uganda at any time of year, depending on your interests. However, be aware that there are migratory birds from southern Africa that arrive in Uganda vertically in July, August, and September. Among these are many different species of Cuckoos, such as the Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, which spends most of the summer in southern Malawi and Mozambique, and the glossy, vulnerable, and globally threatened Blue Swallow, which breeds in high altitude grasslands in South Africa, Southern Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and other countries. June through September is a good time to see some of Uganda’s most sought-after birds, with July and August being the best months for bird watching.