Birding Destinations In Uganda
Birding in Uganda is by far more amazing than any other East African destination. This country hosts the largest number of bird species that dwell in the savannah, rainforests, shrubs, and thickets of this tropical stretch. Uganda hosts almost 1090 bird species, of which some are foreign and seasonal, and others are endemic species.
For any person planning a bird-watching safari, this article may be useful. Positioned in the realms where the Central African tropics meet the East African Savannah, this mix creates a wide habitat for various bird species for both tropics and savannah.
By 2021, about 1090 bird species were recorded in the country, the species were specified as some being endemic, others introduced, others accidental and the rest are hypothetical. 24 of the species are endemic, and other certain species are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley line (Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo). Some species are stunning and have influenced many of the travelers into the country which are; the shoebill stork, ostrich, stuhlmann’s double collared sunbird, and Fox’s weavers are special to many bird enthusiasts. When in Uganda, all positions are spots for watching at least 10 bird species right from Kampala city center.
Unfortunately, not so many travelers comes to Uganda particularly for bird watching. Though this kind of safari is well organized with expertise birding guide. In most case tourists interested in birds have combined game viewing safaris and bird watching and it works.
Bird Habitations in Uganda
There are vary in the landscape vegetation cover which are great habitation for birding species in Uganda. So, through the elevated mountains, gentle slopes, tropical rain-forests, valleys, swamps, water bodies, savannahs, thickets and many others forms. All these are major spot for bird watching. Then, your kind of birding experience may affect the nature of your birding destination. For those searching for the most hurdling experiences, the elevated and the valleys are greater, thick forests and protected areas are most rewarding with many species spotted. The most significant birding destinations in Uganda are natural forests, national parks, and swamps among many others.
Where to go for Bird Watching Safari in Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The park being Uganda’s and East African most population tourist destination, is as well the most renowned for bird watching safaris. The park host the largest number of bird species with about 600 species recorded at Queen Elizabeth National Park. This amazing park is among the few protected areas which blends to various vegetation and landscapes fluctuation which inhabit various species of birds.
Queen Elizabeth Park is decorated with savannah, thickets, woodlands, tropics that lay on flat, gentle slopes, and gorges. The park extends to central African forests and seats at the foothills of Mt. Rwenzori National Park within the rift.
Perfect sections for birding section at QENP include Kasenyi section known for abundant game watching, Mweya peninsular, Lake Katwe, Kazinga Channel, and the Kyambura gorge. Birding experiences at the park are arranged by Uganda Wildlife Authority on request. In a unique way, QENP, one can undertake the bird counting experiential adventure which is done alongside experienced guides and have a specified kind of bird species followed.
Semuliki National Park
The Uganda’s birders haven, Semuliki National Park is home to about 440 bird species of which about 23 are Albertine Rift Valley endemic, about 35 are of the Central African forests, and some others are migratory. This is a popular and unique birders destinations, varying habitations of the savannah, thickets and central African forests. Seuliki is one of the deluxe birding destinations in Africa with several bird watching trails like the Sempaya trails that leads to the hot springs and the Ntandi trail for excellent bird viewing points.
Mabamba Swamp
Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Mabamba swamp scoops a position of being among the accurate birding terminuses in Uganda. Mabamba swamp is common for being the most famous destination for watching the shoebill stork birds. This makes Mabamba the most visited bird destination for birding purposes. Birders here take the canoe riding trail which sails closer to where the giant bird can be sighted.
Bigodi wetland sanctuary
Bigodi wetland sanctuary is a small wetland that stretches from Kibale National Park western Uganda. The wetland was purposely gazetted to protect small primate species and birds. About 13 various primates are recorded in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary with about 200 species of birds being recorded. The most fascinating species to look out for while in the wetland are the great blue turaco, papyrus Gonolek, Ibris, blue-head coucal and the black-faced rufus warbler.
Entebbe Botanical Garden
The Entebbe botanical gardens are located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe. The botanical is the only national botanical garden in the country that host variety of species. Among the recorded species some are water species, open country species, woodland species and forest species.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Trekking Safaris is the most popular at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, but also bird watching fits in the mix of adventures to encounter at the park. About 350 species of birds can be found in Bwindi and these include; Black-billed Turaco, African Green Broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Fraser’s Eagle, Handsome Francolin, Collared Apalis, White-bellied Robin Chat among many others.
Kibale Forest National Park.
Kibale Forest National Park hosts about 375 bird species which makes it one of the best bird watching destinations in Uganda. In addition to Chimpanzee Tracking Safaris, bird watching is also popular due to the dense vegetation cover that favours bird life. Bird species found in Kibale Forest National Park include; Red-chested Owlet, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, Little Greenbul, Black Bee-eater, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Grey-throated Flycatcher, White-naped Pigeonamong many others.
