Did you know that the Green-breasted pitta can only be found in Kibale forest in the whole of Uganda?
As Uganda boasts over 1000 bird species and Kibale forest being among the 10 best birding destinations in Uganda, Kibale alone boasts over 350 birds with more than 6 bird species not spotted elsewhere. Kibale forest is located in western Uganda covering districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo and Kamwenge. Kibale forest is a rain forest forming major part of Kibale national park which covers an area of 795 Square kilometers and is referred to as an ecosystem that is highly loved. In 1932, the area was gazetted as a protected area and in 1993 promoted to a national park.
Kibale forest is comprised of tropical trees, the spread of patches of grasslands, swamps crater lakes like Lake Nyabikere and the plateau in the North and Central sector of the forest. The forest is well known for harboring 13 primates including chimpanzees the human cousins, over 350 bird species and 6 species are endemic to this destination with outstanding birds like the great blue turacos, grey parrots, green breasted pitta and African pitta.
Birding, therefore, is possible in the Kibale forest national park since the park inhabits forest and swamp birds. Bird watching is commonly defined as the way of observing different birds in their natural habitats.
For birders, you are advised to report at the Kanyanchu tourist information Centre early enough for briefing and after head to the forest for birding with a help of the park ranger guide. While in the forest, you are entitled to spot birds like Green-breasted Pitta, White-napped Pigeon, Afep Pigeon, Crowned Eagle, Red-chested Owlet, Black Bee-eater, Western Nicator, Little Greenbul, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Brown-chested Alethe, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Black-capped Apalis, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, African Grey Parrot, Brown Illadopsis, Collared Apalis and Blue-headed Sunbird, among others.
Also, tourists can head to Bigodi for a swamp walk located on the edge of Kibale forest. Bigodi wetland sanctuary has over 140 bird species recorded and among others are Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Western Nicator, Grey-winged Robin-chat, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Brown-backed Scrub-robin, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Superb Sunbird, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bocage’s Bush-shrike and Black Bishop.
While in the Kibale forest, visitors or birders spot other attractions such as primates like colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys among others, vegetation like hardwood tree species and visitors are likely to spot Adams tree which is believed to be the only male tree in the whole forest.
For tourists visiting Kibale forest national park also can spare some time to do birding around neighboring communities such as Isunga community and do birding in the community or around crater lakes where birds like African fish eagle, hammerkop, great blue turacos and black and white casqued hornbill can be seen.
Best time to do birding in Kibale Forest National Park.
The forest has a profusion of bird life all year round, thus birding can take place any day though out the year. Though you are advised to undertake birding during rainy seasons of March to May and September to November. This is when plants are fruiting and of course birds’ main food is fruits, which makes it easy to spot the birds as they feed.
Also during this period, birds are in breeding plumage and are easily spotted early morning before flying and late evening when they are returning to rest for a night.
What to carry for birding activity in Kibale Forest?
A bottle of drinking water with energy-giving snacks to keep you fresh, a pair of binoculars to bring distant birds closer, a calling bird radio or speaker to bring birds closer, camera which takes clear photos for memories, a field bird guiding book to make references, strong hiking shoes to penetrate the impenetrable muddy trails, insect repellant since biting insects like mosquitos are common in forests. Again the attire to be used should reflect the nature of forest in order not to scare the birds.
