ENTEBBE BOTANICAL GARDEN

The beautifully landscaped botanical Garden Entebbe, established in 1901, lie on the shores of Africa’s greatest lake. They offer a superb introduction to Ugandan birds and are situated conveniently close to the capital and international airport. There is a wide range of accommodation available in Entebbe and Kampala .To get their, take a “matatu” (the leave from the new Taxi Park in Kampala every 10 minutes or so, cost $1 and take approximately an hour) and get off at the China Garden city restaurant.

Alternatively drive the 34km to Entebbe on the perfect tarmac road. Turn left at the big clock near the Botanical Gardens. Entrance fee is $0.20. The gardens host a variety of open country and woodland species and you can easily spend a pleasant couple of hours here.

The tall trees near the main entrance are the favorite day-roost of a pair of Verreaux’s eagle owls. The key
Birds of the gardens are orange tufted and red chested Sunbirds and orange weaver. The latter breed in the bushes on the shores of Lake Victoria along with slender-billed, Northern Brown –throated, yellow backed, Jackson’s Golden –backed , Black-headed and Vieillot’s black weavers . The rocky headland makes an ideal observation point . On the lake and around the shore looks for long tailed Cormorant , Common Squacco and black-headed herons, hamerkop ,African Open-billed Stork , yellow billed duck , Grey headed gull , various terns ,giant and pied Kingfishers and swamp Flycatcher . Scan the boats at the large jetty near the Pratincoles (2-3 pairs are usually present). Black headed Gonolek and Red- chested Sunbird occur in the dense scrub covering the headland .

There is a small reminat patch of rainforest where Guereza Colobus and vervet monkeys can be observed next to great Blue and Ross’s turacos , Klaas’s and Diederik Cuckoos , Woodland Kingfisher , Broad-billed Roller ,Black and white casqued horn bill and splendid starling . two highly vocal and conspicuous species you should find in the gardens are African Fish eagle and eastern Grey Plantain-eater, the latter constantly uttering their strange, chimp-like calls. Other Species to watch for include Hadada Ibis , palmnut and Hooded Vultures, Shikra , Lizard buzzard , Long-crested eagle , Grey kestrel , Black Crake , Blue-cheeked Bee eater , Angola swallow , winding and red faced cisticolas , Grey capped warbler , common wattle –eye , and Green –throated and scarlet-chested 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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