Did you know that Sango Bay is a worthwhile destination to add on your birding safari in Uganda?
The Sango bay area in Uganda offers the best birding experience as it exposes you to amazing like the grey-headed gull and other bird species that dwell in swampy areas. As Uganda is well known for its wildlife, birding is one of the main activities that take place in wetlands, forests, savannah grasslands, woodland, etc. Since Sango Bay area covers numerous forest reserves like Kaiso, Namalala, Malabibigo, it has become one of the best destinations for birding in Uganda.
Sango Bay is located at the southern edge of Lake Victoria at the border with Tanzania in Mutukula and is well known as a big swampy forest in Uganda covered with Papyrus vegetation and palm trees. Some parts of this area are rocky islands, others are sandy while others are covered with grassland that normally flood during rainy seasons. The Sango bay is located 3km from the shores of Lake Victoria.
The Sango bay covers an area of 54000ha, supporting a big number of wildlife and birdlife which is always spotted by avid birders who make it to this area. There are primates like the white and black colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, among others. Fishing is also done in this wetland. According to recent research, about 16% of the world population of grey-headed gulls can be spotted here.
Bird species that can be spotted while birding in the Sango Bay area are pelicans, Papyrus yellow Warbler, grey crowned crane, Papyrus gonolek among others. For the best birding experience in Sango bay, birders are required to spend a night around or in nearby hotels. Birders are required to carry packed lunch or enough energy giving snacks and drinking water in their backpack on a typical birding excursion in Sango bay.
Most times, we include birding at the Sango bay area as an added advantage for birders after a great birding expedition in Uganda or we add it on the itinerary to cover all wetland dwellers.
Sango bay area is highly protected and as you visit this area, you will notice that the vegetation is still green and there are conservation measures taking place and this is normally done by the locals in conjunction with Ugandan government. As locals exploit resources in the wetland like sand, fish among others, they do so in a sustainable manner.
Best time for birding in the Sango Bay area in Uganda.
For the best birding results, travelers are advised to take a birding tour in the months of December to February and June to October when the rains are not too much and plants are flowering and fruiting.
During this time, the swamp is easily accessed since it’s not flooded, unlike other months which are characterized by heavy rains in March, April, October and November. Also, it is advisable to the start birding excursion in the early morning, have a break during day time and return late evening. This is when you will spot different birds as they leave their nests in the morning and return to rest in the evening.
