Uganda is widely known for its remarkable tourist attractions, ranging from stunning waterfalls, serene lake shores, lovely welcoming people and perfect national parks. With all these striking attractions, one of the great gems is at times overlooked which is birding.
Just like the pearl of Africa excels in other areas of tourism activities, birding is not left out. With more than 1100 bird species recorded all over the country, it boasts more than 51 percent of Africa’s bird species and 11% of the world’s bird species. Uganda is endowed with different vegetation types and climate, varying from montane, riverine, Savannah and equatorial which gifts visitors with a chance to encounter spectacular birds with a few endemic like the fox’s weavers.
With the profusion of birdlife and their smaller size, visitors can easily meet birds within half a mile of radius. Even you can effortlessly view birds anywhere in Uganda. A few spots outshine others and have become hotspots of birding enthusiasts all over the world. We will there dive into the best destinations for birding in Uganda.
Best destinations to do birding in Uganda.
The pearl of Africa is blessed with 30 plus Important Birding Areas restating how great of a birding destination Uganda is.
Queen Elizabeth national park.
Undoubtedly a top birding haven, this park boasts over 600 species with rare ones like black-headed gonolek, slender-billed weaver and countless water birds like lesser black-headed gulls, African skimmers and pelicans. All these colorful and interesting species are dispersed throughout the park’s different habitats – montane, Savannah and forest which makes birding a great experience as you also take in the beautiful scenery that the medley of wonders has to offer.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Bwindi is a true definition of Uganda’s birding hotspot. With its virgin allure, the park homes almost 400 bird species with more than 20 Albertine rift endemics, of which fourteen cannot be found in any other place throughout the country. Bwindi is also famous for some of the greatly sought after species like the threatened Grauer’s broadbill only known to exist somewhere in Eastern DR Congo. Other notable ones include dusky twinspot, Doherty’s bushshrike and Rwenzori turacos.
Murchison falls national park.
This is arguably one of the exciting birding spots in the country. Usually done on a boat ride along the might River Nile, the place harbors approximately 450 bird species with the celebrated shoebill most sought for in the marshes along the Nile Delta and Lake Albert shores. Birding expeditions can also be done on a nature walk in Budongo forest, game drives where you can encounter Heuglin’s francolin, puvel’s illadopsis, and the Abyssinian ground hornbills. Birding here can also allow you to view the world’s strongest waterfalls gushing through a seven meters fissure with all its splendor.
Mabamba swamp.
Mabamba is a descent destination for birding in Uganda, especially for travelers with limited time in Uganda. You can organize a one day outing to one of the nearest birding sites to the capital city, Kampala. Positioned strategically on the shores of Lake Victoria, Mabamba bay is the finest spot to watch several species in just a day, including the famed shoebill stork.
It is the reputable home to the legendary shoe-bill stork and papyrus gonolek. Other common sightings include Kingfishers, African marsh harriers, Black kites and black-headed herons among others.
Best time for bird watching in Uganda.
A few factors influence when a birding trip can be undertaken and these may be climate and weather. Although Uganda birding safaris can be done throughout the year, the drier months are ideal for an outstanding expedition. This time can be from early late May to September. This is the period when rains are rare to none but both food and the birds are abundant. In addition, birds can be easily viewed with the impressive vegetation of Uganda at this time of the year.
As you plan to visit Uganda for a birding adventure, remember to carry your camera to capture some of the best moments while including on your bird’s life count within the rich bird diversity found in the pearl of Africa.
