Best Destinations for Uganda Birding Safaris

Uganda which is regarded as the pearl of Africa because of its breathtaking natural beauty and extraordinary biodiversity. The country lies where the east African savannah links up with the central African rainforest thus making a rare environment which supports a unique number of bird species. The reason as to why Uganda is regarded as one of the top birdwatching safari destinations is because;

• It has more than 1,090 bird species
• Home to the famous shoebill stork
• It has over 24 Albertine rift endemic bird species
• Perfect birding safaris all year throughout
• Variety of habitats within the short travel distances
• A chance to combine birding safaris with wildlife and primate safaris

Therefore, birding safari in Uganda provides an opportunity to spot species that are so hard or impossible to find anywhere else in Africa.

Mabamba swamp

Mabamba swamp is one of the main birding safari destinations in Uganda located in Entebbe. The swamp is famous because of the rare shoebill stork with less than 5000 individuals. The shoebill stork is the most sought-after bird by many birding lovers as well as non-birders. Mabamba swamp is situated at the northern shore of Lake Victoria, northwest of Entebbe with an area cover of over 16,500 hectares of thick papyrus, wetland grassland and the water lilies.

The Mabamba swamp is home to more than 260 bird species and these include endemic and globally threatened species. The major protected species in the wetland include the shoebill stork, papyrus gonolek, blue swallow, red bellied paradise flycatcher, rufous napped lark, african jacana, african purple swamphen, white faced whistling duck and blue breasted among others. A number of migratory birds are present from October to March. The birding safaris are carried out by canoe thus allowing tourists to navigate small channels while spotting birds within their natural habitat.

Kibale forest national park

The national park is situated in the western part of Uganda and is famous for being a primate capital of the world. The park is home to 13 primate species with chimpanzee trekking being the major activity. Kibale national park is also famous as a birding safari destination in Uganda and is categorized as an important birding area (IBA).

Kibale forest national park is home to over 375 bird species and 60% of these are forest birds. The most sought-after bird is the green breasted pitta and its endemic to the national park. Other birds include Cassin’s Spinetta, blue headed bee eater, great blue turaco, blue breasted kingfisher, crowned eagle and african pied wagtail among others.

Within Kibale Forest there is Bigodi wetland sanctuary and its home to more than 138 bird species. Bird species at the swamp include purple breasted sunbird and papyrus gonolek. However, the wetland also hosts cuckoos, weavers, woodpeckers and hornbills among others.

Bwindi impenetrable national park

Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Besides the gorillas, the park is home to over 360 bird species where many are endemic to the Albertine rift endemics thus offering a thrilling Uganda birding safari. The park has 10 threatened species, 24 Albertine rift valley endemics, 5 are endangered, 68 are tropical highland biome and 76 guinea Congo biome species. The national park hosts 4 of the Lake Victoria biome species as well.

Bird species at the park include dusky twin spot, regal sunbird, african green broadbill, Rwenzori nightjar, chestnut throated apalis, western green tinkerbird and archer’s robin chat among others.

Queen Elizabeth national park

Home to the tree climbing lions, queen Elizabeth national park is the second largest national park in Uganda. The park is home to over 612 bird species and it has the highest number of the recorded species. The bird habitats start from rainforests, acacia woodlands, lakes, wetlands and grasslands. It’s also a home to threatened endemic and near endemic species. Bird lovers can observe these species while on a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel and on a game drive or safari walk.

Bird species that can be observed within the park include Verreaux’s eagle owl, african skimmer, swamp flycatcher, long tailed cormorants, martial eagle, Gabon, malachite kingfisher, grey ramped buttonquail, squacco heron among others.

The major birding spots within Queen Elizabeth national park are the mweya peninsula, Kazinga channel, ishasha sector, kasenyi plains, Katwe area and Maramagambo forest.

Lake mburo national park

Lake mburo is the smallest national park in Uganda and is situated in the western part of Uganda. However small it is, the park has more than 350 bird species both native and migratory bird species and a best location for Uganda birding safaris.

Species that can be observed within the national park include papyrus gonolek, grey crowned crane, red faced barbet, brown parrot, yellow breasted apalis, green wood hoopoe, emerald spotted wood dove and Nubian woodpecker to mention but a few.

Budongo forest reserve

The budongo forest is located south of Murchison falls national park at the border of the Albertine rift valley. The reserve is home to more than 700 chimpanzees and as well as other primates. Besides the chimpanzees, the forest is home to over 360 bird species where 60 are west or central african birds, 2 species are endemic to the forest that is the yellow footed flycatcher and purveyless Illadopsis. The forest also hosts a number of guinea Congo biome species.

Bird species that are found in the forest reserve while on a birding safari include; Cassin’s spinetail, blue breasted kingfisher, dwarf kingfisher, Cassin’s hawk eagle, Nahan’s francolin, grey headed sunbird and little green sunbird among other species

Murchison falls national park

The national park is the largest national park and it was named after the great Murchison falls. The park is situated in north western Uganda and it consists of the highest population of wildlife including the big four. The national park provides thrilling birding safaris. The park consists of over 450 recorded bird species and consists of rainforest, wetland, savannah grassland and woodland. It’s the best natural habitat for the savanna, water birds and Albertine rift endemic species. These can be observed while on a Uganda safari and on a game drive and a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile.

Murchison falls national park is home to bird species such as the red throated bee eater, northern red bishop, african jacana, famous shoebill stork, pied kingfisher, black billed barbet, goliath heron, Silverbird, palm nut vulture and Senegal thick knee among others.

Semliki national park

Semliki national park is situated in the western part of Uganda within the Albertine rift valley. The national park hosts over 441 recorded bird species. The national park comprises grasslands, rainforests and riverine habitats which are home to the guinea Congo biome species. These can be observed while on the birding safaris on the lower slopes of the national park. The national park is home to the central african bird species in east Africa and this is because of its unique location.

Bird species in Semliki national park include the yellow throated cuckoo, orange weaver, capuchin babbler, Nkulengu rail, dwarf honeyguide, piping hornbill, Congo serpent eagle and maxwells black weaver among others.

Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo valley national park is situated in north eastern Uganda at the border with Kenya and South Sudan. Kidepo national park has over 475 bird species where 100 are residents of northern Uganda and Kenya. Bird watching within the national park is best done at the Apoka camp and other places include Namamukweny valley and Narus valley.

Kidepo national park has unique species that are not found elsewhere in Uganda such as Karamoja apalis, Clapperton’s francolin and rose ringed parakeets. Other bird species include little bee eater, yellow barbet, ostriches, kori bustard, chestnut weaver and purple grenadier among others.

Therefore, Uganda offers the best birding opportunities in Africa. From the legendary shoebill stork of Mabamba swamp to the Albertine rift endemic of Bwindi impenetrable national park, the country offers a unique variety of bird species and habitats.