Did you know that Murchison falls national park is among the best 10 birding spots in Uganda?
Being the largest conservation area in Uganda, Murchison falls national park covers an area of 3840 Square kilometers and is also well known for its wide array of wildlife. Albert Nile which is part of Nile River cuts the park into two parts and provides water for the wildlife in Murchison falls national park.
Among the wildlife in Murchison falls national park, there over 450 birds spotted in savanna areas, swampy areas, forests and around water bodies like Lake Albert delta. Most of these birds are Albertine rift endemics, savannah birds, forest birds and water birds and Murchison falls support 20 species coming from 3 non-qualifying biomes and these are 11 species Guinea Congo biomes, 3 species of Somali Masai biomes and 6 species of the Afro tropical Highland.
Murchison falls national park, therefore offers rare bird species such as the shoebill stork but this has low chances to be spotted in this area. To have high chances of spotting the shoebill stork in Murchison falls national park, you need to spend at least 3 days and it’s mostly spotted from January to March which happens to be a dry season. Other birds in the park are African fish eagle, black-headed gonolek, black-headed batis, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Spotted Morning-Thrush African skimmer, Long-toed Plover, Green-winged Ptyilia, Saddle-billed Stork, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, among others.
For the best birding results, visitors normally spot the birds on a game drive – either morning and evening, boat cruise and the Nile River (longest river in the world) or even take a guided nature walk with an armed park ranger guide. Birders cannot miss spotting birds like Marabou Stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Secretary Birds, Black-bellied Bustards, Open-billed Storks and Widow Bird while in Murchison falls national park.
Other than birds, you can also be sure to spot mammals such as Elephants, buffalos, antelopes, giraffes, warthogs, olive baboons, Nile crocodiles, hippo, lions, leopards among others but focus your mind on birds while taking beautiful photos.
Birders who visit Murchison falls national park, normally take a birding day in Budongo forest which is adjacent to the south of the park. The forest hosts over 200 bird species and among others include African Moustached Warbler, Green-backed Eremomela, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Black-crowned Waxbill, African Citril, African Golden-breasted Bunting, Bronze Mannikin, Black-winged Red Bishop, Black-billed Bluebill and Yellow-mantled Widowbird.
What to carry for birding tours in Murchison falls national park?
Birders are advised to have rain jackets in their bags, because African rains cannot be predicted and it can rain any time of the day. A pair of binoculars is essential with an HD camera to capture everlasting moments, insect repellant is crucial since Uganda still have cases of mosquitos, flies among others, strong hiking shoes since the park trails and in Budongo forest trails are muddy, long-sleeved clothing with colors reflecting the environment visited (Khaki and army green are highly recommended), a small backpack to use like in carrying water, energy-giving snack, a radio recorder with voices of birds and this helps to bring the birds closer among others.
Best time to visit Murchison falls national park for birding.
For any birder willing to bird from Murchison falls national park, any day can be suitable but the best time remains in the dry season which takes place from January to March and this has high chances of spotting the shoebill stork. April May and August to November are months of rain in Uganda which hinders the activity. During this time the trails and roads in the park are muddy hence making it impassable.
For the best birding safari to the Murchison falls national park, book with us for memories that last forever.
