Kyambura, also pronounced as Chambura wildlife reserve by locals is located within Queen Elizabeth National Park – the second largest and most visited national park in Uganda. The reserve occupies an area of 156 Square kilometers covered by mainly a tropical forest, some patches of woodland and only one river, River Kyambura.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 600 recorded species of birds and most of these can be spotted in Kyambura gorge, savannah plains, Kazinga channel, Lake George and other places around the park. Other than birds, the park has different animals which can be spotted like tree-climbing lions in Ishasha sector, elephants, buffalos, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hyenas, leopards and much more.
Kyambura wildlife reserve was formed as a buffer zone for wildlife in Queen Elizabeth national park and now it’s a home to12 primates, mainly chimpanzees, olive baboons, white and black colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys among others. It also contains lush vegetation and over 330 bird species including blue-headed bee-eater, African skimmer, Papyrus canary, African fin foot etc.
As Kyambura wildlife reserve boasts over 330 bird species, therefore birding experience can take place and normally done on foot. Birding is inevitable here because of abundant vegetation and lush trees that have fruits and attract insects that are delicious food for birds. While birding in Kyambura wildlife reserve, you will encounter birds like lesser flamingos, Papyrus gonolek, white winged Warbler, African skimmer, African fin foot, pick backed pelican, African broadbill, among others.
Birding in Kyambura wildlife reserve is recommended in early morning and late evening hours. This is the time when birds are easily spotted before they leave to search for food. As you head to Kyambura, you can engage in a game drive within the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth national park where animals among others like buffalos, warthogs, and antelopes like the Uganda kob, bushbucks, water backs, among others, lions, hyenas and elephants can be encountered.
Also, while birding in the Kyambura wildlife reserve, spot primates ranging from the highlights – chimpanzees olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, civet, vervet monkeys among others.
Birdlife here in Kyambura is also favored by permanent water supply in the forest supplied by River Kyambura. Therefore most of the birds in the surrounding areas of savannah vegetation, all find their way to the forest to get cooler temperatures and quench their thirst.
What to pack for Kyambura wildlife reserve birding trip?
For birders willing to bird the Kyambura wildlife reserve, you need to have a bird book for reference, a pair of binoculars to have closer views of the birds which are in a distance. Insect repellant is emphasized since the forest has biting insects, long dresses/trousers with colors that rhyme well with the forest such as khaki, army green or black. Long-sleeved clothing protects you from scratches of the tones and trees. A camera and a telescope are also advised to come with.
Best time to go birding in Kyambura wildlife reserve.
The reserve is located in the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, so birding can be best done in late May to September. This is when rains are less and the roads are passable. Also, there are less / no interference of rains since on rainy days birds tend to hide in their nests.
March to May and August to November. The rains are much and this makes it hard to access the park since the roads are muddy. Although, this time presents opportunity to spot migratory birds which appear from Novembers to April.
For a birding tour in Kyambura reserve, book with us and our expert bird guides are ready to take you and spot your most sought after birds in Kyambura wildlife reserve – Queen Elizabeth national Park.
