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. In fact the city of Kampala may provide your best chance of seeing certain birds. The city of Kampala may provide you the best chance of seeing certain species such as a bat hawk and African hobby. Both breed regularly in tall trees in the urban areas and are commonly observed overhead at dusk in the city centre. For example around Makerere University and the Sheraton hotel.
Another good spot for these spectacular birds is near the Back packer’s Hostel. African hobby has nested in the campsite and Bat hawk is regularly seen in nearby Sekabuku Tintu Road. Take the second left after the turnoff to the backpackers’ hostel on the road to Natete and walk down the road to the last big house at the end. A bat hawk often perches in the massive tree here at dusk.
If you have some time to spend in Kampala we recommend a visit to the suburb of Makindye. To get there take the road to Entebbe and turn –off at the Entebbe round about in Kampala. Alternatively you can take a matatu from the Old taxi a park and get off near the American club. Walk up the hill and at the junction take the right fork onto the dirt road, continuing uphill for about two kilometres.
From the top of the hill you have a view onto Lake Victoria. Turn right where the road splits into four and follow it downhill for about 200 metres. Turn left onto a small steep foot path and proceed to the interesting birds that can be observed in the cultivation, scrub and gardens are bat hawk, African hobby, White- faced robin, Sulphur – breasted Bush-shrike, and Green –headed, Green throated and sunbirds.
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.
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