Uganda ranks greatly among the birding destinations in Africa. The country is blessed with a cluster of different bird species ranging from plains, highlands and water accustomed birds. The bird population here is over 1,000 species scattered evenly all-over the country. Therefore, except for the endemic birds, a visitor has an opportunity to view different distinct birds across all parts of the country.
Uganda’s climate generally makes birding a fulfilling activity altogether. Uganda gets abundant sunshine during its dry seasons and equally gets rains in equal amounts during the rainy seasons. Whichever season one chooses to do bird watching in Uganda, birds are present all year round. Birding tours take place in various forests and national parks around the country.
Important Birding destinations in Uganda; –
Mabamba wetland.
It’s a long-waterlogged strip alongside Lake Victoria. This swampy wetland is located in Kasanje village, Wakiso District, just about 60 kilometers south of Kampala. It has over 230 bird species with majority of those being water birds. The honorable mentions are Black-winged Starling, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, African Piculet, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Crested and Red-bellied Malimbes, Yellow-throated Nicator, Herons, water eagles, papyrus gonolek, kites, and the most famous Shoebill stork.
Semliki National Park.
This is an interesting birding spot that has over 40% of Uganda’s total bird population. Yes, the park has over 441 bird species and about 66% of Uganda’s forest birds are in Semliki National Park and over 48 Guinea-Congo Biome species, rare as they are that cannot be viewed anywhere in East Africa.
The Park is home to so many bird species that may be rarely found anywhere else in the world. Semliki is located in Western Uganda, and in addition to the mentioned rare birds, are other honorable mentions such as the Congo Serpent Eagle, Black-wattled Hornbill, and Long-tailed Hawk.
Lake Mburo National Park.
This is the nearest national park closer to Kampala. While in this savannah park, expect to view birds such as Ituri Batis, hawks, Temminck’s Courser, Red-eyed Puff-back, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Red-billed Helmet Shrike, Blue-napped Mousebird, Ross’s Turacos, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, African-wattled Plover, and many more.
Budongo forest.
More than 300 bird species call this forest home. About 60 of those are from Central and West Africa making it one of the most famous migratory bird hubs. It follows second in the highest composition of rare Guinea-Congo Biome birds, after Semliki National Park.
Some of the bird species that visitors should expect are African dwarf kingfishers, Blue-breasted kingfishers, Cassin’s hawk eagles, Chestnut-capped flycatchers, Crested Guinea fowls, Grey-headed sunbirds, Lemon-bellied crombecs and Olive-breasted greenbuls.
Mabira forest.
It’s Uganda’s largest natural forest, situated in Buikwe district and is a hub to almost all tree species. Mabira rainforest is a great boost to the region because of its central role in influencing heavy rains, alongside Lake Victoria. The forest is strategically located approximately in the southern center of Uganda which makes it a perfect spot where long distance birds can meet.
It’s at the center of Lakes Kyoga and Victoria, which are both Uganda’s largest lakes and pool all forms of bird species. Therefore, birding is fun here given the forest’s composition and location.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi is one of the thickest forests in East African region, and being close to the rift valley, while sitting in the Virunga region, it’s a home for hundreds of bird species. Some of those are migratory from the D.R Congo, while others fly from the neighboring lake areas. These birds can be seen flying above and below the thick green cover while chanting in all sorts of sounds.
Mpanga forest.
While it’s considerably a small area of rainforest, Mpanga has over 500 tree species which are a center attraction of about 300 bird species. It is found in Mpigi district. Finding this forest shouldn’t be hectic because it’s just an hour’s drive from Uganda’s capital. Besides birding, there are also monkeys to view such as colobus and vervet monkeys.
Other activities to do while in Uganda.
Mountain Gorilla trekking.
This is done in only two parks i.e., Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. Uganda is blessed with half of total recorded mountain gorillas in the world. Activities within two mountain gorilla National Parks include trekking and habituation. Visitors can equally carry out birding alongside gorilla trekking while in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Chimpanzee trekking.
Chimpanzees are primates that have the closest resemblance with human beings. These creatures are awesome to trek and are mainly trekked within Kibale National Park. There are however other scattered spots across the country where trekking chimpanzees is possible. Visitors in Uganda should therefore look out for the chimpanzees.
Boat cruising.
Uganda’s lakes are generally calm and because of this they create the required conditions for a fulfilling boat cruise experience. Visitors should carry out leisurely boat cruises and canoe expeditions on lakes such as Lake Victoria, which is the biggest lake on the Africa continent. Some parts of River Nile, Lake Mburo, Lakes Edward and George, among others. Visitors can also engage in rafting adventure along the River Nile.
Game viewing.
The 5 big game animals are all present in Uganda. They can be viewed in the savannah parks of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, as well as Semliki National Park. Elephants, leopards, buffaloes, lions, rhinos, plus many more animals that visitors would hardly encounter elsewhere in the world.
Nature walks.
These are often preferred for the botanists and during these walks, visitors are able to view thousands of plant species that freely grow within Uganda’s green areas. There are nature trails in the various spots such as within Kibale National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Hiking.
Take a challenge of hiking across the highest points of Uganda like Mt. Rwenzori, Mt. Elgon, Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Muhabura, and many more. Besides these, there are many other activities to engage in while on your Uganda Safari.
