Uganda’s avian diversity is attributed to its location within the East African savannah, West African rainforests and semi-desert of the north. Uganda has over 1000 bird species that can be seen within its boundaries all year-round, especially if the main birding interest lies in the resident birds.
Uganda’s diverse ecosystems play a significant role in its birding appeal. From the tropical forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorilla, to the expansive wetlands of the Nile River and Lake Victoria, the country’s varied habitats support a wide array of bird species.
Best Places for Bird Watching in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest one of the most accessible sites for Albertine Rift Endemics. The Park is a haven for avian enthusiasts with over 347 species of birds recorded 24 of which are Albertine Rift Endemics. Birds are very abundant and easy to spot in this park. However, birding trails have been set aside where one can easily catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures. These main birding trails include the Waterfall Trail in Buhoma, Mubwindi Swamp Trail in Ruhiija and the Bamboo Zone. In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you will have a chance to see the rare African green broadbill the western Green Tinkerbird, Fine-banded Woodpecker, African Wood Owl, Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, and various species of sunbirds and warblers.
Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park best known for gorilla and golden monkey tracking is home to over 180 species of birds including Albertine Rift Endemics. Various Birds are viewed in the community or farm trails, the Bamboo trails or the Gorge Trails. These Birds include, the Rwenzori Turaco, Kivu Ground- thrush, Brown Woodland Warbler, Brown crowned Tchagra, Stripe-breasted Tit among others.
Murchison Falls National Park
Known for its spectacular waterfall and diverse wildlife, Murchison is also a hotspot for birding. The Park hosts over 450 bird species, including the iconic secretary bird and the striking African fish eagle. The Park has diverse species of birds including the Albertine rift endemics, water birds and savannah Forest Birds. Particularly the most sought-after bird within the park, is the Shoebill stork but other favorites such as the White- faced Whistling duck, Black -headed lapwing, Grey crowned crane, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Senegal thick- knee, Giant King fisher, Goliath Heron and Black – headed gonolek can also be spotted.
The birdlife within Murchison Falls National Park is great all year round but is best done from January to March when there is a lot of bird activity. Heavy rains in the months of April – May and August to October make the roads impassable which will limit the bird watching time.
Migratory birds can be seen in the park in the months of November to April.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is a small yet biodiverse park that is known for its acacia woodland and wetlands. Birding spots in the park include Camp Rwonyo, Warukiri, Mariti and the forests of Rubanga. More than 310 bird species can be found withing Lake Mburo National Park. It is the best place in Uganda for sighting acacia-dwelling birds. The swamps within the park have six papyrus specials resident such as the papyrus gonolek, and the blue headed coucal. Other birds commonly found withing the park include the African Wattled lapwing, Bare-faced go-away bird, Black bellied bustard, African finfoot, Hairy – breasted barbet, Greater Painted -snipe and the Saddle billed Stork.
Birding in Lake Mburo can be done all year round but preferably in the months of June and July when there is the least rain. Migratory birds are present in the park in the months from November to April
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Classified as an Important Birding Area, Queen Elizabeth National Park has the largest checklist of any protected area in East Africa with more than 600 bird species recorded. This is because of the wide variety of habitats with in the park: from savannah to forest to wetlands and Lakes. The Park is considered a prime birding destination where many of East Africa’s specials can be spotted. The swamps in the Ishasha sector are a good place to look for the elusive shoebill stork or other unique bird species such as the African fish eagle, Papyrus gonolek, grey crowned crane, swamp flycacther and various king fishers.
The Park also features several birding trails, such as the Mweya Peninsula and the Kasenyi plains. These areas provide great opportunities to spot both waterfowl and terrestrial birds.These include the Palm-nut vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, African White – backed vulture, Red throated spurfowls, palm-nut vultures, Collared pratincole as well as Grey crowned cranes.
Forest dwelling species in Queen Elizabeth National Park find their home within Maramagambo Forest or Kyambura Gorge. These are species such as the Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, the African finfoot, The blue headed bee-eater, the martial eagle and the white-tailed lark, African green pigeon among others.
Some Wetland areas such as the Kazinga Channel attract many migratory and resident birds, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching. Here you are likely to see the Great white pelican, Pel’s fishing-owl, the African Fish Eagle, the African skimmer, the Yellow billed stock among others
Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be done all year round but is best done towards the end of May to Sepetember when the rain is less and food is abundant. You are likely to encounter migratory birds in the months from November, to April in th park.
Semuliki National Park
The lesser known Semuliki National Park is the only area with a true lowland tropical forest in East Africa. Semuliki National Park is the only place in East Africa to see many Guinea-Congo regional species. It may not be the best destination for wild life viewing but it is a birder’s paradise. This Park, fondly known as the birder’s haven hosts 460 recorded bird species in a variety of habitats with 23 Albertine Rift Endemics. The Park’s bird checklist includes 35 Guinea-Congo Forest biome bird species, the red-throated bee-eater, the Abyssinian ground hornbill, African Open bill, the Great White Pelican, the Malachite kingfisher, the Black-chinned quail finch, the Broad-Billed roller, the Red necked falcon, the Moustached grass-warbler and the rare Shoebill Stork among others.
Birding in Semuliki National Park can be done all year-round but its best done in March at the height of the breeding season.
Rwenzori Mountain National Park
The Rwenzori’s whose highest peak Margherita rises to a height of 5109m is located in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border. The 110km-long and 50km-wide Rwenzori Mountain range’s equatorial snow peaks include the third highest point in Africa. The forest zone, which occupies the lower contours of the national park has the park’s highest concentration of birdlife.
The Park is home to 217 species of birds, 19 of which are endemics to the Albertine Rift Valley region. Look out for the African jacana, Black-headed lapwing, orange weaver, Blue-headed sunbird, Handsome francolin, Grauer’s broadbill, Archer’s robin-chat, Ruwenzori apalis, White-starred Robin, Long-eared Owl, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Laden’s Bush-shrike, Bearded Vultures, Rwenzori colobus, Rwenzori turaco, and Rwenzori double collared sunbird among others.
Mabamba Swamp
The Mabamba Bay is a designated Ramsar site and Important Bird Area. It is home to the endangered Shoebill stork and one of the few sights in Uganda where this pre- historic bird can be seen. In addition to the shoebill stork, Mabamba Swamp is home to over 300 other bird species, both resident and migratory. A boat safari across the swamp allows you to spot the African Fish Eagle, African Green Pigeon, Black-crowned Night Heron, Cattle Egret, and Long-toed Lapwing, Malachite Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier, Northern Brown-throated Weather, Orange Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, Pied Kingfisher among others.
Birding in Mabamba swamp can be done in the morning or evening all year round but is best done in the months between September and March when migratory bird species from Europe can be seen.
Nile River Birding in Jinja
This activity is done on a boat cruise. Here you are able to see Green-backed Herons, African Open -billed Storks, White – spotted Flufftail, White Crested Turaco, Western Banded Snake Eagle, African Grey Parrot, the Great Blue Turaco and many more. More than 60 bird species can be spotted in this location
Echuya Forest Reserve
Echuya Forest Reserve is located in in the South Western region of Uganda in the Districts of Kabale and Kisoro. It is a recognized important birding area covering an area of 34km2. The Forest hosts over 152 bird species including 18 Albertine Rift Endemics. Expect to see the endangered Grauer’s swamp wablers, Kivu ground thrush, Purple breasted sunbird, Handsome Francolin, Archer’s robin chat, Red throated alethe, Dwarf honeyguide, Rwenzori batis, red faced woodland warblers among others.
Budongo Forest
Budongo forest is a birding area of interest. The Forest is known to have over 360 bird species 60 of which are considered of West or Central African origin. It is the only other location other than Semuliki National Park where birds from the Guinea – Congo Forest region can be seen. Species of birds exclusive to Budongo forest in East Africa include the Yellow footed fly catcher and Puvel’s Illadopsis. Other notable birds within Budongo forest include: the African pied Wagtail, Black kite, Crested guineafowl, Fork-tailed drongo, Olive breastel greenbul, The African dwarf Kingfisher, Black-eared ground thrush, White-thighed hornbill, Yellow-crested wood pecker and many more.
Best locations for birding in Budongo Forest include The Royal Mile at Busingiro and the Kaniyo Pabidi Forest.
Birding in Budongo Forest can be done all year round but is best done in the months from February to April and in September. September is part of the main fruiting season when there is plenty of food and many birds are in breeding plumage. Migratory birds are in the Forest, from November to April.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch is a conservation area home to the only southern white rhinos in Uganda. The Ranch is known to host over 300 bird species in its savannah, woodland and wetland habitats. Some of the birds found here include the Shoebill Stork, Grey-Crowned Crane, African Fish Eagle, Grey Kestrel, African Jacana,Pied Kingfisher, Red-headed Bluebill, African Grey Hornbill, African Pygmy Kingfisher, White Egret, Nubian Woodpecker and many others
Lutembe Bay Wetland
This swamp is located 25km from Kampala along Lake Victoria. Over 108 water bird species can be seen in this location 26 of which are from the regions of Eurasia north of the Himalayas, North Africa and the temperate part of the Arabian Peninsula. The bay also supports thousands of roosting water birds. It is a habitat for more than 200 bird species including the African Pygmy Kingfisher, White Winged Black Tern, African Green Pigeon, Tropical Boubou among others.
What to carry along on Birding Trips!
- A pair of Binoculars: A good pair of binoculars is essential for spotting distant birds.
- Be Patient: Birdwatching often requires patience, take your time and enjoy the surroundings.
- A map
- Long sleeved Trousers and Shirts
- Enough drinking water
Bird activity is usually highest in the early morning, so expect your trips to start very early in the morning.
