Birding in Uganda

Birding in Uganda

Uganda “termed as the Pearl of Africa” is another bird-watching destination with over 1074 species of birds, 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 bird-watching destinations where you will encounter both forest and water birds when you choose to travel to our top bird-watching destinations.

With our experienced bird-watching guides, birding is more than a passion but part of our lifestyle. There are several bird-watching spots in the country where you can also enjoy the sweet melodies of the chanting birds. The country is in the best ecological position in East Africa.

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 who spend hours watching them and promise exquisite displays and irresistible antics as they enjoy the unspoiled loveliness of the birding experience around the park. With over 600 bird species recorded in the park, you can be assured of encountering some of the most iconic species found across East Africa. Spot kingfishers, 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, and also many more.

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 who 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 or late afternoon walks in this pristine wilderness area to see the many unique bird species it has to offer.

The park proudly holds the title of Africa’s number one birding spot, boasting 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemics found in Uganda. Don’t miss the chance to encounter these remarkable Albertine Rift Valley endemics, including the African Broadbill, Grey-throated Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, and 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 offers a well-maintained network of roads, making it easy to explore and spot birds. Over 138 bird species can be easily observed during guided tours along the boardwalk trail.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park ranks as the ninth-best birding destination in Africa, boasting over 451 bird species, including Albertine Rift endemics, savannah birds, and water birds. This incredible diversity enhances the safari experience with opportunities to encounter species such as the Gray Crowned Crane, Shoebill Stork, Black-bellied Bustard, Goliath Heron, Sandpipers, Denham’s Bustard, African Jacana, Blue-headed Coucal, Eastern Plantain-eater, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Red-throated Bee-eater, and the iconic Whale-headed Stork. These birds can be spotted along the Nile during a boat cruise or on a game drive through the park’s plains.

The best time to visit is between October and March when 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 also African marsh harrier.

Budongo forest

The Budongo Forest Reserve displays rich biodiversity and attracts visitors for chimpanzee trekking, featuring a dense concentration of towering Mahogany trees that reach heights of 80 meters. 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 also 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 have the privilege of witnessing a wide variety of species, also including the Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Black-collared Lovebird, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Red-chested Owlet, Bates’ Nightjar, Chocolate-backed, White-bellied, and African Dwarf Kingfishers. Marvel at the White-crested, Black Dwarf, Red-billed Dwarf, Piping, and Black-wattled Hornbills, along with the Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Spotted, Lyre-tailed, and Zenker’s Honeyguides, African Piculet, Gabon Woodpecker, Red-sided Broadbill, and White-throated Blue Swallow. Experience the beauty of the Green-tailed Bristlebill, Sassi’s Olive, African Goshawk, Red-thighed, Great Sparrows, Ayres Hawk-Eagle, and Cassin’s Spinetail. Alongside these avian treasures, you will also encounter 53 recorded animal species in the park, ensuring an unforgettable safari adventure.

Mt Elgon National Park

The marvelous park is located along the Uganda-Kenya border and also offers a great opportunity for a birding experience with over 300 bird species. The common trail is found at the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Center, which continues along the Chebonet River. Here, you are likely to see the White-chinned Prinia, Luhder’s Bush-shrike, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Chubb’s Cisticola, African Goshawk, African Blue Flycatcher, Baglafecht Weaver, Gypaetus barbatus (Lammergeier), Stephanoaetus coronatus (Crowned Eagle), Francolinus streptophorus (Moorland Francolin), and also Sarothrura affinis (African Rail), among others.

Bird-watching equipment 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 also 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 also wildlife experience and sail along with our experienced travel guides in different specialties best suitable for your safari to offer you a memorable adventure.