Uganda is an amazing destination in East Africa well known for its people, good climate, wildlife, and primates travelers who visit the country on their Uganda safaris combine viewing of wildlife, and game drives together with birding, it is hard to miss seeing birds even in the urban areas, Uganda is a great destination to go birding, despite it not being well developed for the activity, those who reach our appreciate the most they see on their adventures. it is a gem of wildlife but also a haven of birds boasting a big number recorded to date there are more than 1030 species most of which are endemics to the great Albertine Rift Valley region and the Virunga Volcanic region. The country has more birds than any other country in East Africa and the continent. Even though you can see birds everywhere in Uganda, there are important birding sites that have been set aside for the birding experiences of travelers.
Birding watching in Uganda attracts the attention of birders to the most sought-after birds a must see including the critically endangered shoe bill stock, African green broad bill, Karamojong Apalis, Rwenzori Turaco, great blue turaco,Nahansfrancolin, African harrier hawk, giantkingfisher, Abyssinian ground horn bill, grey crested crown, western green tinker bird, Abyssinian roller, African fish eagle, African grey hornbill, African fly paradise, Africansacred ibis, sunbirds, common hoopoe, ostrich, Hadada ibis, hamerkop, helmeted guinea fowl, hooded vulture, lesser and greater flamingo, lilac breasted roller,bee-eater, marabou stock, northern red-billed hornbill, crows, pied Kingfisher pin tailed whydah, secretary bird to mention a few, these can be sighted in the country’s top destinations and birding areas like
Mabamba Swampsituated at the edge of Lake Victoria locally known as Lake ‘Naluable’, is one of the few places to see the shoe bill stock, a canoe ride along the marshy swampy areas allows youto venture into the bird’spopular sites include malachite kingfisher, swamp flycatcher, black kites, pied kingfisher, papyrus gonolex to mention few, an experienced knowledgeable guide will lead you on the ride to enhance your experience on birds, it is one of the most important birding sites in the world.The swamp received a lot of migratory species during the wet seasons, it can be accessed on several routes from Kampala.
Queen Elizabeth Nationalin the western part of Uganda, is Uganda’s second largest national park, it is known for its unique species including the tree-climbing lions to the southern sector of Ishashathe park hosts half of the bird species of the country, which stretches along the floor of the Albertine rift valley with a biodiverse ecosystem, the birds can be sighted along the Kazinga channel a stream that connects 2 rift valley lakes the encounters are done on a boat cruise, the Kyambura gorge on guided nature walks enhances a view of forest birds, Mweya peninsular and the Kasenyi plains on game drives expect to see swamp flycatchers, African skimmer, black-headedgonolek pelicans, martial eagles among other species.
SemlikiNational Park is one of the best spots to do bird watching in Uganda, it is not a very popular destination but when it comes to birdingit is recorded as among the best spots, there are over 400 birds within the ecosystem, 46 of which are guinea- Congo Biome, a boat cruise along the Lake Albert will have to see many species including the critically endangered shoe bill stock, white crested hornbill, red billed, yellow chested nicator, great blue turaco, ross turaco, serpent eagles, red rumped tinker bird, blue swallow among other species, these can be blended with the visit to the hot springs the natural findings of the national park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Parkis a known home to Mountain gorillas, the park offers montane forest birds some of which are endemic to the point of the park for example the African green broadbill to the Ruhija sector of the park, other example species that can be sighted here include crimson wing, Grauer’s broadbill. There are well-distributed trails in the forest like the Mubwindi swamp trail along which one can spot many birds. The park can be accessed by road or domestic flights arranged on schedule and charter to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip.
Bird watching in Uganda can be arranged all year round but is best during the wet seasons, which is a fruiting time hence many birds, in the many conservation areas there are migratory species to be sighted, the dry season equally will have you see the usual normal species, with ease in accessibility. For s successful birding safari one needs to have patience, a pair of binoculars, hiking waterproof shoes, rain courts and waterproof covers for phones and cameras, a book on birds, gloves, insect repellants, and any other items of personal nature.