Best places for birding and bird watching in Uganda

Best places for birding and bird watching in Uganda

Uganda’s birdlife is extraordinary and its location on the equator has made it a top birding destination in Africa with over 1000 bird species recorded in the country Uganda is truly a birders heaven.

The country’s location on the equatorial region has proven with no doubts that its one best areas for birding in Africa with its endemics such as the Fox’s weaver which is endemic to the eastern Uganda and also the country is a home to about 23 Albertine rift endemics, the country’s lower basin in the Semuliki national park has attracted west and central African bird species from ituri forest.

Top birding spots in Uganda

Uganda is a destination where you will really need to spend more time if you’re to achieve exceptional level of success with the vast number of bird habitats across the country.

#1. Mabamba swamp

This is one of the top Ramsar sites in Uganda; north-west of the main city of Entebbe across Lake Victoria lays the huge swamp which is a home to the rear Shoebill stork, papyrus yellow warbler and the Blue swallow and of course common water birds like ducks, kingfishers, herons, jacanas can be seen in this area and the estimated bird species in this area lies just over 250 bird species, Entebbe being the entry to Uganda it’s a perfect place to stay your birding tour.

#2. Mabira forest reserve

Located along the Lake Victoria basin, Mabira forest boasts of 315 species of birds including the rare ones like the Nahan's francolin, Tit Hylia, Yellow and grey longbills, Purple-throated cuckoo shrikes, Illadopsises, Jameson's wattle eyes the forest reserve is located 2 hours away from the capital Kampala and it’s a top place in Uganda for birding.

#3. Soroti and North eastern part of Uganda

Soroti is famous for the rear foxes weaver and karamoja Apalis, these areas lay below mountain Elgon and Lake Kyoga and Bisinia the long cattle corridor runs through pian Upe game reserve, mount moroto through game reserve of Matheniko and bukora as the corridor through to Kidepo bordering Kenya and south Sudan as it connects to the Nile through kitgum and Gulu.

#4. Murchison falls national park and Budongo forest reserve

Murchison falls national park has a diverse habitat and its one of the places where you can see the shoebill, Egyptian plover and Bat hawks at the falls, this area is a hot birding spot as well as abundant wildlife viewing in this park, the park boost over 400 species of birds and you will also be able to bird in Kaniyo Pabidi part of Budongo forest and Royal mile which are great habitat for forest birding.

#5. Kibale forest national Park

With over 350 species of birds recorded in this forest, Kibale forest is one of the best places to see birds in Uganda, the forest offers a perfect breeding area for the rare green breasted pitta, the forest is also a perfect place to trek chimpanzees in Uganda.

#6. Semuliki National Park

Semuliki national park lies in the Congo basin and it’s an epic centre for Central and West African species, if you are extremely lucky you can spot some of the rare species like Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Nkulengu Rail, Black-Wattled Hornbill and Lyre-tailed Honeyguide.

#7. Mountain Rwenzori national park

Rwenzori is mountains is Uganda’s highest land mark sitting at an altitude of 5109 meters above sea level, the birding in this area can be extra ordinary with rare species like Strange Weaver, Archers' Robin-chat, Rwenzori Batis, White-starred Robin, Montane Sooty Boubou, Slender-billed Starling, Laden's Bush Shrike, Blue-headed Sunbird, Barbets, Golden-winged Sunbird, Greenbuls, IIladopsis, Apalis, Crimson wings and Flycatchers.

#8. Queen Elizabeth national park

Another outstanding area for birding is Queen Elizabeth national park, the boat cruise on the Kazinga channel is extraordinary and several bird species can be seen including the Flamingos in the salt Lakes and fantastic forest birding in Maramagambo forest and south of the park you can also see the shoebill stork during the dry season.

#9. Bwindi impenetrable national park

The mubwindi swamp is probably the best place to see the African green broadbill, the forest is a home to 23 Albertine endemics making it NO.1 destination for forest birding in Uganda, the forest is also a home to the endangered Mountain gorillas.

#10. Mgahinga gorilla national park

One of the known areas for the Shelley’s crimson wing and the Rwenzori Turaco, this piece of volcanic forest is a great area for birding in Uganda; the same area is also a home to the rare golden monkeys and Mountain Gorillas.

#11. Lake Mburo national parks

Uganda’s smallest savannah park is absolutely beautiful area for woodland birding; the park has a huge number of barbets and African finfoot on Lake Mburo.