Birding in Uganda

Birding in Uganda

Uganda “termed as the Pearl of Africa” is another bird watching destination with over 1074 species of birds which is about 60 percent of the birds of Africa and roughly 11 percent of the world’s bird population. The country hosts more than 10 million migrant birds that fly to the country in different seasons and in different bird watching destinations in the country where you will encounter both forest and water birds when you chose to travel to our top bird-watching destinations.

With our experienced bird watching guides, birding is more than passion but part of our lifestyle. There several bird-watching spots in the country where you will get to enjoy the sweet melodies of the chanting birds which lies in the best ecological position in east Africa making.

Bird watching spots in Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The savannah grassland coupled with freshwater along the Kaazinga channel and close forests around the park provide gorgeous habitats for an inordinate variety of colorful birds. These birds are as varied and diverse as the people that spend hours watching them, and promise exquisite displays and irresistible antics as they enjoy the unspoiled loveliness of birding experience around the park. With over 600 bird species recorded in the park be rested assured to meet the most common species found elsewhere in East Africa like; the kingfisher, several falcons eagles,  Leaf-love,  flamingoes, African skimmer, Lesser Swamp-warbler, papyrus Gonolek, African Pygmy-goose,  Black-billed Barbet, Red-necked Falcon, Pelicans, black bee-eater, Black-chinned Quail-finch, white-winged warbler, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, shoebill stork, Yellow Bishop among others.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a prime area for bird watchers to catch a glimpse of some endangered bird species especially diehard bird watching enthusiasts that want to escape commercial birding spots and prefer an authentic bush experience, there are plenty of ideal bird-watching spots which you can encounter amidst gorilla trekking experience. Contact us for an offer of a tailored bird watching trip into the forest for forest melodies where you set out on foot either early morning and late afternoon walks in this pristine wilderness area to see the many unique bird species it has to offer.

The park was voted Africa’s number one birding spot with 23 of the 24 Albertine endemics found in Uganda. don’t miss out on some of these Albertine rift valley endemics like; African broadbill, Grey-throated Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Pettit’s Cuckooshrike, Red-throated Alethe among others.

Kibale National Park and Bigodi wetland

Kibale national park is located in western Uganda commonly known as a home for chimpanzees. The area is another birding destination where it hosts over 335 bird species. It can as well interlinked with Bigodi wetland which is another best spot to see swampy birds and offers a great opportunity for photography. The park has a good network of roads that makes getting around and seeing birds easy with over 138 species of birds that can be easily seen on any of the guided tours along the boardwalk trail

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls national park was once voted number nine best locations for birding in Africa with a population of over 451 bird species including the Albertine rift endemic birds, savannah birds, and water birds which can be spotted along with wildlife making your safari more interesting. Encounter the common Gray crowned crane, shoebill stork, back-bellied bustard, Goliath Heron, Sandpipers, Denham’s, African Jacana, Blue-headed Coucal, Eastern Plantain-eater, White-browned Sparrow Weaver, Red-throated Bee-eater, Whale head bird among others all which can be spotted along the Nile on a boat cruise or a game drive in the plains in the park.

The best time to visit is between October and March when the many migrant species arrive and double the birding population in the park

Mabamba Bay, Botanical gardens Entebbe

Shoebill, swamp flycatcher, papyrus gonolek, malachite kingfisher, pied kingfisher, black-headed heron, black kite, African open-billed stork, African jacana, lesser jacana, winding cisticola, Veillot’s black weaver, grosbeak weaver, black-headed weaver, and African marsh harrier

Budongo forest

Budongo forest reserve in one of the forests found in the country with rich biodiversity and profound known for chimpanzee trekking and the dense concentration of large Mahogany tree species which stand at 80meters tall. On your birding safari to the country, the area offers a unique experience to enjoy more forest birds which are close to about 366 species. You will be able to see birds like Cassin’s spine tail, chestnut-capped flycatcher, Ituri batis, Nahan’s francolin, Black-collared lovebird, brown twinspot, chocolate-backed, blue-breasted and African dwarf kingfishers among others

Semuliki national park

Semuliki national park is an extension of the greater Ituri Forest located along the border with DR Congo in western Uganda. The park has a population of over 400 species of birds, including nine different species of hornbill which makes it one of the best sites for forest birding in Africa. You will be blessed to watch different species like Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Red-chested Owlet, Bates’ Nightjar, Chocolate-backed, White-bellied and African Dwarf Kingfishers, White-crested, Black Dwarf, Red-billed Dwarf, Piping and Black-wattled Hornbills, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Spotted, Lyre-tailed and Zenker’s Honeyguides, African Piculet, Gabon Woodpecker, Red-sided Broadbill, White-throated Blue Swallow, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Sassi’s Olive, African Goshawk, Red-thighed, and Great Sparrows, Ayres Hawk-Eagle and Cassin’s Spinetail along with other 53 animal species recorded in the park to make your safari more memorable.

Mt Elgon national park

The marvelous park is located along the Uganda-Kenya border which offers a great opportunity for birding experience with over 240 bird species, the common trail is one in Kapkwai forest exploration center which continues along Chebonet River. Here you are likely to see the White-chinned Prinia, Luhders and Doherty’s Bush-shrikes, Chubb’s Cisticola, African Goshawk, African Blue Flycatcher and Baglafetcht weaver, Gypaetus barbatus, Stephanoaetus coronatus, Francolinus streptophorus, Sarothrura affinis among others.

Bird watching equipment’s for your safari

• Field guide
• A pair of Binoculars
• Checklist
• Pen and notebook
• Bird Song App/CDs and a recorder
• Brimmed Hat
• Insect repellent
• Food and water

You can as well choose to do birding in other special places in the country for your birding experience depending on your preference like Echuya forest, PianUpe game reserve, Katonga game reserve, Mabamba Swamp, Nyamuriro swamp.

Book with us for a birding safari in Uganda tailor-made with primates and wildlife experience and sail along with our experienced travel guides in different specialties best suitable for your safari to offer you memorable adventure.