Bird watching is among the popular activities to do in Uganda which is home to over 1,061 species of birds recorded in different parts of the country.
The endemic bird species of Uganda is the Fox’s weaver and can be seen during tours around the eastern part of the country.
The bird watching experiences around Uganda can be combined with wildlife safaris, photography tours, hiking experiences, boat safaris, primate safaris and also cultural tours around destinations in the country.
Bird species in Uganda
Uganda is home to a diverse range of bird species and a variety of habitats, including rainforests, savannas, and wetlands, which provide habitat for the birds to thrive in.
Some of the bird species which can be seen around Uganda include the African fish eagle, Grey crowned crane, White tailed lark, African Jacana, Red faced Barbet, Blue swallow, Black Bellied bustard, Goliath Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Secretary bird among others.
Where to go for bird watching in Uganda
There are several locations that are known for their bird watching opportunities around Uganda and they include the following;
Mabamba swamp
The Mabamba swamp is located on Lake Victoria and is one of the best birding spots in Uganda which is known for the Shoebill stork.
There are also over 260 bird species which can be seen around Mabamba swamp which include the Papyrus Gonolek, Northern Brown Throated weaver, Swamp Flycatcher, Lesser Jacana, Cisticola among others.
Accessing the Mabamba swamp for bird watching experiences involves taking a boat ride on Lake Victoria which is another exciting experience to enjoy while visiting Uganda.
Mabira forest
The Mabira forest is located along the way to Jinja and is home to a number of bird species which are over 300 species.
Some of the bird species which can be seen during bird watching around Mabira forest include the African grey parrot, Blue throated roller, African crowned eagle, African Pied Hornbill, Yellow throated Tinkerbird among others.
Budongo forest
The Budongo forest is among the birding spots found in Murchison falls national park and is home to over 360 bird species.
Bird species found in the Budongo forest include Yellow footed flycatcher, Yellow Billed Oxpecker, Black headed Gonolek, Splendid starling, Yellow Billed Barbet, Purple starlings, Little crake, African mustached warbler, Little green sunbird, Grey headed sunbird, Crowned Hawk eagles, Blue shouldered Robin chat, among others.
National parks
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most popular birding destinations in Uganda and is home to over 600 species of birds, including the African Fish Eagle, the Martial eagle, African finfoot, African Skimmer, Grey kestrel, Black Coucal, Long tailed cormorants, Vultures among others.
These bird species can be spotted in places such as the Kazinga channel, around the savannah plains, Kalinzu forest, the Ishasha sector when visiting Queen Elizabeth national park.
Bwindi impenetrable national park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 350 species of birds, including the Albertine rift endemics and some of the bird species which stand out at the destination include the African green broadbill, Short tailed warbler.
This national park is also known for gorilla trekking tours in Uganda. When visiting Bwindi national park, birds can be seen around the four sectors of the national park including Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo and the Buhoma sector.
Ten of the 26 endangered bird species in Uganda can be found in Bwindi national park
Murchison falls national park
Murchison falls national park is the largest national park in the country and is located in northwestern Uganda. There are over 450 species of birds found in the national park and they include the Goliath Heron, African Fish eagle, Shoebill stork, Saddle billed stork, Black headed Gonolek, Chestnut crowned Sparrow weaver, Carmine bee eater, Night jars, White rumped canary, Little Bittern among others.
Apart from the various bird species in Murchison falls national park, visitors can also enjoy seeing different wildlife species at the destination including four of the big five such as elephants, lions, leopards and buffalos and also enjoy seeing the beautiful Murchison falls.
Kibale forest national park
Kibale forest national park is one of the most popular destinations for birdwatchers in Uganda, as it is home to over 375 species of birds, and a variety of primate species including chimpanzees which the park is known for.
Some of the bird species found in Kibale forest include the African Pitta, Great Blue Turaco among others. Around Kibale area, birding spots include the Kible forest and also the Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
Semuliki national park
Semuliki national park is another destination to visit for bird watching in Uganda and is home to over 440 bird species including Albertine rift endemics. The park is also famous for the Sempaya hot springs.
Lake Mburo national park
In Lake Mburo national park bird species which can be seen during safaris and they include the African finfoot, Malachite Kingfisher, African wattled plover, Yellow Throated Longclaw, Red necked spurfowl, Black collared barbet, Giant Kingfisher among others.
Bird species around Lake Mburo national park can be spotted during game drives and also boat rides on Lake Mburo.
What to pack for bird watching in Uganda
Some of the items to pack for bird watching experiences in Uganda include the following;
Binoculars, bird checking list, cameras and a backup power source, Field guide, clothing including hiking shoes, hat and gloves, waterproof clothing, sunscreen and insect repellant, snacks and drinks.
When planning a bird watching tour in Uganda, birders are advised to use expert local bird guides, book tailored birding itineraries and also to choose birding tours within your budget range.
Best time for bird watching in Uganda
The best time for bird watching in Uganda is during the dry season, which runs from December to March and June to October.
During these months, the weather is generally dry and sunny, making it easier to spot birds in Uganda. The rainy season, which occurs from March to May and September to November, is also a good time to see birds especially the migratory bird species.