Uganda Birding Safaris : Birding Safari information & Directory
The information provided here gives an introduction to birds in Uganda, the top destinations for birding in Uganda, Uganda Bird Guides , Uganda Bird Checklist and any other useful information for a successful Uganda birding safari and tour.
Birding in Africa, Uganda Kenya and Tanzania, Click here..
Introduction to Birds of Uganda
Uganda is an equatorial country with astonishing contrasts. No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habitats and this richness is reflected in its bird list of over 1000 species.
From the source of the Nile on Lake Victoria to the snow capped Rwenzori Range, the montane forests of the Virunga volcanoes to the desert plains of karamoja, bird watching is an exciting experience for the traveler.
Mabamba Swamp: famous spot for the Shoe bill stork. Located 30 km’s west of Kampala Opposite Mpanga Forest. Public transport is available from Kampala New Taxi Park up to Kasanji. A bodaboda will get you to the spot which is 13.5 kms away from Kisanji.
Kibale forest national park: Red winged francolin, red chested fluftail, white napped pigeon, African pita, white-naped pigeon, Joyful greenbul, grey winged pigeon, Abyssinian ground thrush, grey throated fly catcher, white bellied crested flycatcher masker ,Uganda woodland warbler ,chestnut-winged starling.335 species.
Queen Elizabeth national park: Over 550 bird species, includes 11 types of king fisher, several falcons eagles and other raptors, flamingoes,shoebill,African skimmer,white-winged warbler,papyrus Gonolek,black bee eater
Bwindi Impenetrable National park:This is one of the richest flora and fauna forests of East Africa.It has over 357 bird species.See the Albertine rift Endemics,Arhcer’s Robin chat,Kive gorund thrush,Collared apalis,yellow-eyed black flycatcher,rwenzori batis and strange weaver, Buhoma- Ruhinja Black Bee eater, African Green Broadbill.
Murchison Falls national park: 370 birds including giant shoebill, bee eater,giant kingfisher,shoebill stork and other species.
Budongo Forest: Kaniyo Pabidi-Purvels IIIdopsis, Shinning blue kingfisher, White crested Turaco.
Mabira Forest: Nahan’s Francolin and various forest birds.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary: Whitespotted crake and the black billed Turaco.
Mgahinga National Park: a few birders will be able to resist the attraction of some of Uganda’s most spectacular birds such as the Scarce Rwenzori Turaco , Lagden’s Bush Shrike and scarlet- tufted Malachite sunbird .
Rwenzori Mountains National Park: The fabled “MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON” lie in the western Uganda on the Congolese border, with snow –covered, equatorial peaks rising
Entebbe Botanical Gardens: They offer a superb introduction to Ugandan birds and are situated conveniently close to the capital and international airport.
Mpanga Forest: Mpanga Forest is a stunning patch of remnant medium- altitude evergreen and swamp forest that lies 37 km from the round about in Natete along Masaka road.
Kampala and Environs: Kampala is Uganda’s largest and modern capital city. It lies on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. It’s well- wooded outskirts supporting a wide variety of birds.
Kajansi Fish Farm : It is situated between Kampala and Entebbe. The Kajansi fish farm, with it’s several artificial ponds attracts a variety he of water birds.
Entebbe Sewage Pond: The sewage treatment pond is an excellent spot for waders and well worth a visit during the migration period.
Moroto Town and surrounding areas:
Uganda’s 10 most commonly sought after Birds:
Shoebill
African Green Broadbill
Green-breasted Pitta
Nahan’s Francolin
Brown-chested Plover
Karamoja Apalis
Black Bee-eater
Ruwenzori Turaco
Red-fronted Antpecker
Purvell’s Illadopsis
Click here for Tour Operators or guides who specialize in Birding
The Uganda Bird Checklist
Please note that on your birding trip, you may need birding binoculars, an othinology book for better indentification of Uganda birds. We also encourage you to participate in efforts that encourage avian conservation of Uganda tourism.
Uganda Birdwatching Holidays
No wonder Uganda is referred to by many as a paradise of a variety of birds. It is the most stunning country for bird watchers in Africa not because of its high recorded number of bird species but also the easy access it offers to see these birds in their natural habitat unlike other places all over the world. Out of the 1,500 bird species in East Africa, 1,000 of these are found in Uganda. Trinita Safaris Birds is an experienced and very professional bird guide that will journey you through the various destinations in the country so that you can also appreciate the richness and beauty of the country.
The twelve National Parks found in Uganda offer a superb bird watching experience for bird watching devotees particularly in western Uganda where you find the most important and renowned bird habitat. The most charming park to watch birds is the Semiliki which is located at the bottom of the Albertine Rift with close to 400 different bird species among which are the Abyssinian hornbill, marsh tchagra, leaf love, improbable pennant-winged nightjars, raptors, standard winged nightjars, red-throated bee-eater and the shoebill.
Kabale National park is a superb destination to watch birds with close to 360 recognized bird species and 4 not found in any other location through the whole of Uganda. These four rare species are: cassin’s spine tail, maked apalis, Nahan’s francolin and the blue headed bee eater and of late, the green breasted pitta is occasionally seen. Among the other varieties are the grassland species and the aquatic birds.
Murchison Falls National Park; this is the largest of all parks in Uganda and is an excellent bird watching destination with a recorded population of about 470 bird species including the shoebill stork and other aquatic birds and raptors found along the banks of the river Nile.
Queen Elizabeth not only prides in having a the richest biodiversity, it is factually a true Paradise of Bird, with a total recorded population of over 610 birds, this being the largest ever recorded number in the whole of Africa and the world at large. The park has 54 raptors that include woodland birds, aquatic birds and forest birds.
Combine Kilimanjaro & Serengeti Safari 12 Days
In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a total population of 355 birds have been recognized and recorded. 23 species of these are prevalent in the Albertine Rift, while 14 species are found nowhere else other than this park and among them are the African green broad bill, brown necked parrot, frazer’s eagle owl, tailed blue flycatcher and the white bellied robin chat.
Author: Sandra Nans
1 Comment so far
I agree that the best of Uganda is yet to come when it comes to birding in Africa. I expect birdwatching to be on top of the list for keen birders around the world.
Trackbacks on this post