Bird watching in Uganda.

Uganda is a renowned destination for birding safaris attracting several bird enthusiasts from all over the world due to its diverse landscapes ranging from lush forests, wetlands, lakes and savannahs. One of the country’s standout destinations for birding safaris is Bwindi impenetrable national park located in southwestern Uganda known for hosting the biggest number of gorillas and an impressive array of birdlife.

Queen Elizabeth National Park also offers a blend of wildlife and birding safaris with over 600 bird species to spot. The vibrant culture and warm hospitality make Uganda an ideal destination for birding safaris for both avid and novice bird lovers.

Some of the destinations where you can get to experience ultimate birding safaris in Uganda are,

● Mabamba wetland.

Mabamba wetland is located near Lake Victoria in Uganda renowned for hosting a big population of bird species and a Ramsar wetland for international importance. This place is the perfect destination to spot the elusive and impressive shoebill stork.

The wetland is characterized by papyrus reeds, and open water channels that provide a unique habitat for bird species like herons, egrets, kingfishers and ducks.

When you happen to take a boat trip through Mabamba wetland channels, you are able to get a close encounter with birds such as blue swallow, common moorhen, African fish eagle, little stilt, wood sand sipper, swamp flycatcher, great white pelican, African jacana, African marsh harrier, African pygmy, black crake, speckled mouse bird, northern brown-throated weather, orange weaver, yellow-billed duck and black-headed weaver.

● Lake Mburo.

Lake Mburo is a national park located in western Uganda one of the smallest national parks in the country but is known for its unique ecosystems that include a mixture of savannah, forests, and wetlands. Key attractions are birding and seeing a variety of wildlife species like zebras, impalas, hippos, and crocodiles.

Lake Mburo is also a great destination for birding safaris having over 350 bird species which you can see through guided birding walks or game drives. Some of the birds which you get to encounter include the African fish eagle, grey crowned crane, malachite kingfisher, African finfoot, crested francolin, African wattled lapwing, speckled mouse bird, trilling cisticola, black-headed gonolek, saddle birds, mosque swallow and yellow-throated gonolek.

● Ruhija sector

Ruhija sector is among the four sectors in Bwindi impenetrable national park in southwestern Uganda. This place is known for hosting a good number of gorillas and each of its sectors offers a unique gorilla trekking experience whereby you get to encounter a good number of gorillas within their natural habitat.

The sector also offers excellent opportunities to spot a wide variety of bird species like African green broadbill, Grauer’s swamp warbler, shrike flycatcher Ayer’s hawk-eagle, red-tailed, Shelley’s green bull, throated barbet, dusky crimson wing, Rwenzori batis, red throated alethe, Rwenzori double collared sunbird and black billed turaco.

However, the sector also offers excellent gorilla trekking experiences having a good number of gorilla families open for trekking and habituation.

● Budongo forest.

Budongo forest is a tropical rainforest located in western Uganda part of the larger Murchison Falls conservation area, a rewarding experience due to the rich biodiversity and diverse avian bird species.

The forest is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and researchers interested in primate behavior and forest ecology.

Some of the notable bird species which you get to encounter are, forest wood hoopoe, nahan’s francolin, cassin’s spinetail, chocolate backed kingfisher, yellow mantled weaver, blue throated roller, buzzard, cinnamon chested bee-eater, red throated alethe, African dwarf kingfisher, Ituri batis, white-thighed hornbill, yellow footed flycatcher and puvel’s illadopsis.

● Kibale forest.

Kibale forest is a protected area located in southwestern Uganda renowned for its rich biodiversity and lush tropical rain forests. The place is known as the primate paradise because it is home to the biggest number of primate species of about 13 primate species like chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys and L’Hoest monkeys.

Kibale forest is also a renowned birder’s paradise with over 375 bird species, most being forest birds of Uganda recorded. This is an excellent place to spot various bird species like the turacos, hornbills, red chested owlet, olive long tailed cuckoo, slender billed weaver, pin tailed whydah, grey parrot, joyful greenbul, white naped pigeon, black capped apalis, green breasted pitta and African pitta.

● Bwindi forest

Bwindi forest is part of the impenetrable national park located in southwestern Uganda home to a significant population of endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi offers excellent birding safaris and incredible opportunities to explore the park.

Some of the birds that can be spotted are the handsome francolin, Shelley’s crimson wing, African green broadbill, African pitta, yellow eyed black flycatcher, dusky twin spot, bar tailed trogon, crowned hornbill, and African wood owl.