Bird watching in Uganda

Uganda is a haven for bird enthusiasts, boasting over 1000 species that flit through lush forests, vast wetlands and majestic national parks. From the majestic African fish Eagle to the Vibrant Great Blue Turaco, Uganda’s diverse landscape support a wide range of birdlife making it an exciting destination for bird watchers. With its rich biodiversity, Uganda offers a unique opportunity to spot rare and iconic bird species such as the shoebill stork and the Grey Crowned Crane. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, Uganda’s bird watching scene has something to offer. Furthermore, among all bird destinations in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is outstanding since it has the highest number of birds making your Uganda birding experience memorable.

Top birding destinations in Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Generally, this park is a premier birding destination in Uganda with over 600 bird species recorded in the park. Queen Elizabeth has diverse habitats which support a wide range of birdlife. These include; Savannah grasslands, wooded grasslands, wet lands and water ways, shrubs, swamps, forests among others. Notable bird species in Queen Elizabeth National Park include; African fish eagle, shoebill stork, tinker birds, hornbills, bustards, herons, egrets, black bee- eater, African skimmer, swamp flycatcher, grey headed king fisher and much more. In conclusion, this park is a true gem of Uganda’s wildlife heritage, boasting a diverse array of birdlife. From the majestic African fish Eagle to the vibrant Lilac-breasted roller, the park’s bird species are a delight to behold.

Murchison Falls National Park

This Park is among the top-notch birding destinations in Uganda with over 400 species present. In addition, it is one of the best places for spotting the shoebill in East Africa within the marshy areas of the Victoria Nile, however, the sightings of this bird are guaranteed on a boat trip. On your Uganda birding safari in Murchison falls national park you can spot birds like; gray crowned crane, giant heron, kingfishers, silver birds, black headed gonolek, hornbills, and standard-winged nightjar extra. Therefore, the Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise offering a unique blend of diverse habitats and abundant birdlife. Whether you’re spotting the majestic African Fish Eagle or the rare shoebill stork, Murchison falls promises an unforgettable birding experience.

Entebbe Botanical Gardens;

The garden is a tranquil oasis near Lake Victoria offering a unique birding experience with approximately 150 species recorded within the gardens. However, the number can vary depending on the season, migration patterns and other factors. The garden’s lush vegetation and diverse plant species attract a variety of birdlife including; purple breasted sunbird, African Goshawk, African pied wagtail, hadeda Ibis, Great Blue Turaco, Common squacco, Broad billed roller, woodland kingfisher, hornbills, swamp flycatcher, African fish eagle, yellow billed duck, etc. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, the garden’s tranquil atmosphere and variety of bird species make it a perfect destination for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts alike.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is more popular for Uganda Gorilla trekking Safaris. However, bird watching comes at a close second due to the abundance of rare bird species in this park. Interestingly, it is a home to 24 out of the total 25 Albertine Rift endemic bird species. Furthermore, Bwindi is the dwelling place for 76 of the 144 Guinea-Congo-forest biome bird species found in Uganda. The main birding trails where birders can catch sight of these fantastic creatures are the Bamboo Zone, the Mubwindi Swamp trail in Ruhija, and the Waterfall trail in Buhoma. Some notable bird species to spot include; western Green Tinker bird, African Wood Owl, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Kivu Ground thrush, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and African green broadbill extra. However, the best time for birding in Bwindi is during the dry seasons of June to August and December to February when birds are more active and easier to spot.

Mgahinga National Park

Apart from mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, this Park is a small but hosts over 180 species of birds including the Albertine Rift region endemics. These include; the Kivu Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Red-collared babbler, not to mention but a few. Other notable birds in the area include; Brown Woodland Warbler, Kivu Ground-thrush, Stripe-breasted Tit, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Rwenzori Turaco, white starred robin, tropical boubou, black billed turaco, black kite, etc. Perfect viewing points include; the community or farm trail, the Gorge trail and the Bamboo trail. Whether you’re spotting the colorful black billed turaco or the striking Rwenzori Batis, Mgahinga National Park surely will leave you with unforgettable memories.

Semuliki National Park

This Park is a true gem for bird enthusiasts offering a unique blend of Guineo-Congolian forest bird species, Savanah, and forest bird species. The Park basically harbors over 400 bird species, with 9 species of Hornbill. It has exceptional watching points at Ntandi, Sempaya, and River Kirumia area. Species to look out here include; Yellow-throated Nicator, Great blue, Ross’s Turacos, Piping Hornbill, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Xavier’s Greenbul, Maxwell’s black weaver, White crested hornbill, Sassi’s Olive Greenbul, Black dwarf hornbill, etc.

Kibale National Park

Kibale is among the top premier birding destinations in Uganda, known for its diverse forest birdlife and primate habitats. Furthermore, the Park neighbors the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary with over 350 bird species that have been recorded including the forest specialists and endemics. The main bird species to spot here include; Papyrus Canary, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, White-collared Olive back, Crowned Eagle, African grey parrot, Green breasted pitta, Blue shouldered robin chat, Yellow-billed Barbet etc. With its rich variety of bird species including forest specialists and endemics, Kibale is a must-visit to all bird lovers.

Lake Mburo National Park

The birding spots in Lake Mburo National Park include the marshy areas of Miriti at the salt lick, forest of Rubanga and Warukiri, waysides amongst the landing stage, and the Camp Rwonyo. The Park is best for water and acacia associated birds which include; the rare Red-faced Barbet, Grey-crowned Crane, Rufous-bellied Heron, White-headed barbet, Common Scimitarbill, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Green Wood-hoopoe, African fish eagle, African wattled plover, brown chested lopwing, Red headed love bird, herons, etcetera. Therefore, Lake Mburo National Park offers a unique and rewarding birding experience.

Lutembe Bay

Lutembe is a significant birding spot and one of the biggest breeding sanctuaries for migratory birds and also stands as one of the remarkable bird watching sites on the Lake Victoria Basin. Birds live 9 months of the year here and only go back to Europe to breed. When its time to go back and breed, young ones fly as black birds to breed and come back to Lutembe when they are white. It is a habitat to more than 200 bird species of which 26 are migratory birds. Species present at Lutembe include; the African Pygmy Kingfisher, Holub’s Golden Weaver, White-winged Black Tern, African Green Pigeon, Lead-colored Flycatcher, Sooty Chat, Tropical Boubou, African green pigeon, purple starling, papyrus gonolek, Brown-backed Scrub robins, egrets, African jacana, wattled plover, among others. Lutembe offers a unique birding experience with its diverse range of water birds and migratory species.

Mabamba Swamp

Mabamba is a great spot for bird watching whilst on a Ugandan safari. Apart from Murchison Falls National Park, Mabamba is the only other place where the elusive shoebill stork can be spotted at any time of the day. A birding adventure is done with a 3-person wooden boat canoe and during this adventure you can expect to see; herons, Pied Kingfishers, Blue-breasted Bee-eaters, northern brown throated weaver, African and Lesser Jacanas, pygmy geese, and African Pygmy Goose. Endeavor to take a guided boat tour to navigate the swamp and spot birds in their natural habitat.

Lake Bunyonyi

The Lake drives its name from the abundant birdlife that call it home. All the 6 Islands around it have got many bird species that are enjoyed by many bird watchers. Bunyonyi has over 200 bird species namely; herons, egrets, African marsh harrier, papyrus canary, malachite kingfisher, waterfowls, cinnamon chested-bee eater, great cormorant, bronze manikin, pied kingfisher, grey crowned crested crane, etc.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

These Mountains of the Moon is home to close to 217 species, 19 of these are the endemics of the Albertine Rift Valley Region. Species you likely spot on a birding safari here include; 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, Black Eagles, among others.

Best time for birding safari in Uganda

Uganda’s birding season varies depending on the region and species you’re targeting. Although bird watching can be done all year round, the weather can be a limiting factor for some birders. The best time for bird watching would be the dry season in most parks, between January to February and June to August. During this season the trails are dry and not slippery thus trekking can be easy and you will also have enough time for bird identifications. However, some would say the most ideal time is between late May to September when there’s less rain, and the food is abundant. From November to April, migratory birds can be found in the parks.

Birding is best done early in the morning and it’s easy to spot many bird species in the early hours. The parks tend to be crowded in the high season with many visitors coming in between June to September. Therefore, plan your birding safari according to your interests and target species not forgetting to consider consulting with guides or tour operators for expert advice.

What to carry during bird watching

It is advisable to carry the requirements that will help you on your birding safari in Uganda, including

• Map of the location.
• Long-sleeved trousers and shirts.
• Enough drinking water.
• Bird guiding book.
• A hat.

Birding tips

Birding requires patience therefore take your time and enjoy the experience. Learn to recognize bird calls to spot different species easily and lastly follow local guidelines and respect the environment to minimize your impact.

In conclusion, Uganda is a birdwatcher’s paradise offering a diverse range of habitats and species. With its lush forests, vast wetlands and scenic lakes, Uganda is a home to over 1000 bird species thus making it an ideal destination for a birding safari.