Uganda is remarkably a prime destination for both wildlife and birdwatching experience due to its favorable environment characterized with swamps, lakes, savannah, forest and mountainous landscape which favor occurrence of different bird species. Apparently there is a recorded number of over 1057 species1057 species constituting 50% of the total Africa’s Bird count.
Entebbe is the first stop over after Entebbe International air pot and the last area after your activities to the airport for departure. This old colonial town has got plenty of attractions and offers a quick access to some of the country’s birding destinations where you can get close view to different bird species on birding safari.
Places for bird watching in Entebbe.
Uganda wildlife education center.
Commonly known as the “Uganda zoo” is located along the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe town. The zoo is not only an education center but rather an experiential avenue where visitors can experience bird watching experience where you can be able to encounter several bird species like; Olive-bellied Sunbird, White-chinned Prinia, Grey-capped Warbler, Grey Parrot, Palm-nut Vulture (Vulturine Fish Eagle), Common-ringed Plover, Great Reed Warbler, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Northern Crombec, Tambourine Dove, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Little Grey Greenbul, Grey Woodpecker, Northern Puffback, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Common Bulbul, Double-toothed Barbet, The Speckled, Yellow-fronted and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds, Eastern Grey Plantain-Eater, Orange Weaver, Long-tailed Cormorant, Black-headed Weaver, Grosbeak Weaver, Black-headed Gonolek, White-throated Greenbul, several species of Kingfishers including the Woodland, Giant, Pied, and Stripped Kingfishers, Snowy-headed Robin-chat, White-browed Robin-chat, a number of Egret Species like the Little and the Cattle, Red-chested Sunbird, Red-billed Firefinch, African Firefinch among others.
Entebbe botanical gardens.
Entebbe botanical gardens is also known as National botanical gardens located in Entebbe and a renowned birdwatching experience destination which host over 115 bird species and over 2,500 plant species. You can get to view different species like Africa’s largest owl, orange tufted sunbirds, red chested sunbird, orange weaver, northern brown floated weaver, yellow backed weaver, golden backed weaver, black headed weaver and Verreaux’s eagle owl, Pink-backed Pelican, Long-tailed Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Black-headed Heron, Hamerkop, African Open-billed Stork, Saddle-billed Stork, Marabou Stork, Egyptian Goose, Yellow-billed Duck, Black Kite, Palm-nut Vulture, Lizard Buzzard, African Harrier-hawk, Grey Kestrel, African Hobby, Black Crake, Spur-winged Lapwing among others however you can be able to meet primates like the red colored monkey, black and white colobus and plant species.
Nkima Forest lodge-Shoebill storck.
This site is located in the southern part of Entebbe situated in its own patch of indigenous forest on Nansubuga Hill overlooking Mabamba Bay Wetlands with over 140 species of birds that have been seen from the lodge. The area is a birding hot spot in Uganda given its natural botanic setting making a sanctuary for Forest birds’ species where you can view the rare Shoebill storck in the wetlands along with other bids like the Great Blue Turacos, African grey parrots and the Pied hornbills. Specialist birders can look out for the White spotted fluff tail, the Vanga flycatcher, the whistling cisticola, the Snowy headed robin chat, the Western nicator.
Mabamba swamp.
This is another bird watching area located west of Entebbe, the area is best explored on a boat ride where you get to view the rear shoebell storck along the wetland and other bird species like Papyrus Yellow Warble, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Yellow-billed Tinkerbird, Yellow-billed Ducks, Yellow-backed Weaver, Yellow warble, Yellow Wagtail, Yellow-Billed Stork, Yellow-billed duck, Stretching along Lake Victoria, you can as well proceed and relax along Sese Island.
Entebbe Peninsular.
Entebbe Peninsular is another birding area located on the eastern part of Entebbe, around the peninsular you can be able to view more than 100 birds and the area is basically known to host palearctic migrant birds which can be seen in the months of September and early march along with other bird species including; Snowy-headed Robinchat, African Thrush, Grey-capped Warbler, Red-faced Cisticola, Northern Black Flycatcher, Yellow White-eye, Green-headed Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Black-headed Gonolek, Fort-tailed Drongo, Pied Crow, Black-headed Weaver, Black-necked Weaver, Vielloits Black Weaver, Red-billed Firefinch among other water species.
What are the optional activities to add on your Entebbe bird watching experience?
Enjoy beach life around the largest Lake in Uganda “Lake Victoria” there several beaches that are located around the lake constituting to 80% where visitors are always welcome to relax and enjoy Lake Breeze. This breath taking experience can be enjoyed prior to other activities for your safari or at completion of your Uganda experience. Some of these beaches around the Lake are;
You can as well visit Ssese islands and the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary, take a sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria, sport fishing or have fascinating time at Entebbe’s 18 Hole Golf Course. Book with us to arrange for you the best birdwatching experience along Entebbe.