With species found all around the nation, Uganda is one of the most sought-after birding destinations in Africa. The sound of birds will greet you as soon as you touch down at Entebbe International Airport. Approximately 1030 different bird species have been identified in the nation to yet. The majority of Uganda’s bird species may be found at the nation’s prime birding locations and gazette protected areas. The limited areas where people may observe birds has led to a large concentration of birds not only in Africa but around the world. The top popular birding locations in Uganda include the Mabamba Swamp, Semuliki National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Murchison Falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park. There are many significant locations for Bird Watching in Uganda, including gazette biodiverse environments.
Birding at Mabamba Swamp
The Mabamba Swamp is located in Entebbe near Lake Victoria. The swampy papyrus area, which is reachable by wooden boats and where you may see the nation’s most well-known bird, the shoe bill stock, is a significant birding sight. There are 300 birds recorded in the area, including, among others, grey herons, papyrus gonolex, African fish eagles, pallid harriers, sunbirds, kingfishers, and swamp flycatchers. This is one of the critically endangered species; it lives in the swamp due to its high concentration of lungfish, a favourite food for the shoebill. Mabamba is one of the best places for Bird Watching in Uganda.
Birding in Semuliki National Park
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda’s western region are shared by Semuliki National Park. It reaches to the bottom of the Albertine rift valley and is recognised as a bird sanctuary that is home to unique species of the Congo basin. The national park is home to a variety of birds, including riverine species, woodland birds, and Savanah birds, totaling 441 species as of this writing. Popular bird species in the national park include the black dwarf hornbill, sunbirds, African martial eagles, yellow-throated cuckoo, purple-breasted sunbirds, dwarf honey guide, maxwell’s back weaver, shoe bill along the shores of Lake Albert, herons, and Abyssinian ground hornbill.
Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Southwest of the nation is the location of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is renowned for housing one of the two populations of mountain gorilla species. The Albertine rift valley’s endemic species are mostly found in the dense forest. 23 of the 24 endemics found here have been identified. Examples of these species include the African green wide bill, which is unique to the Ruhija area of the national park. You can also see many other species of birds, such as the Shelley’s crimson wing, regal, and black collared Aapalis, as well as the Chapin’s flycatcher, to name a few. You will be able to witness a variety of birds throughout the forest’s nature trails. This tour may be completed in the national park in a 2- to 3-day visit and integrated with other forest activities like mountain gorilla trekking and the Batwa Cultural Experience.
Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
60% of Uganda’s bird species can be found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is located in the western part of the country. More than 600 bird species have been identified in the park, which is located along the Kazinga channel, Mweya peninsula, Kasenyi plains, the lake Katwe region, and Kyambura gorge. Examples of these merged species include the grey-headed kingfisher, martial eagles, and slender-tailed night heron. Contact us to know more about Bird Watching in Uganda.