Best Birding Destinations in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park  is most famous for being a home to roughly half of the world’s remaining population of endangered Mountain Gorillas. The park is located on a  321 square kilometer of land and is  a superb bird watching site for any birder touring Uganda. Located in the far southwestern corner of the country near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a biodiversity hotspot and is home to over 320 species of birds, many of which are listed below and 23 of which are endemic to this particular area of the Albertine Rift.

Birding enthusiast should be sure not to miss this great destination. The key species here are: Handsome Francolin, African Wood Owl, Rwenzori Nightjar, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black Bee-eater, Western Green Tinker bird, and Dwarf Honey guide, Fine-banded Woodpecker, African Green Broad bill, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Shelly’s Greenbul, Yellow-streaked Greenbul Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat and White-bellied Robin-Chat.

Echuya Forest Reserve

Echuya Forest Reserve is a fantastic bird watching destination located in the southwestern part of the country near the Rwandan border. It is home to roughly 150 species of birds, eighteen of which are endemic to the reserve, including the elusive Grauer’s Swamp warbler. The forest is ranked as Uganda’s most important forest habitat due to the rarity of its flora and fauna and has much potential for sustainable tourism initiatives due to the dense human population of the area and the growing interactions between these people and the forest.

Any birder heading to this reserve should be sure to use to local guides to help find and identify birds as they are the true experts of this environment. A few birds located in this area include: Dwarf Honey guide Red-throated Alethe,Archer’s Robin-Chat,Kivu Ground Thrush, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Collared Apalis,Mountain Masked Apalis,White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis,Strip-breasted Tit,Regal Sunbird, Doherty’s Bush-Shrike,Montane Oriole, Strange Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver and Strange Weaver.
Kibale National Park & Bigodi Wetland

Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary are two prime African birding destinations located in the western part of the country. Created in 1993; Kibale National Park is home to about 350 species of birds, six of which are endemic to the region.  The rare and beautiful bird species of the park can best be spotted on the guided forest walks offered by the park’s experienced and friendly staff or by one of the many tour operators in the region.

Aside from birding, visitors to Kibale National Park can enjoy unrivaled sightings of chimpanzees and various species of other primates, as the park has the highest density of primates in East Africa. Birders also shouldn’t miss Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary in Magombe swamp , a superb community development enterprise located on the fringe of Kibale National Park . The Sanctuary itself has 138 species of birds that can be easily seen on any of the guided tours along the boardwalk trail or from the many viewing platforms situated throughout the Sanctuary.

Key species found in Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary include: Green-breasted pitta, African pitta, Abyssinian ground thrush,Crownedeagle,Dusky,crimsonwing,Black,capped,apalis,Collared,apalis,Purple-breasted sun bird, Black bee-eater, Yellow spotted nicator,Littlegreenbul,Black-eared ground thrush,Brown-chested alethe,Yellow-rumped tinker bird and Blue-breasted kingfisher.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Situated in the extreme southwestern corner of the country along the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, this 33 km2 park, Uganda’s smallest park and also the  most scenic park, is home to 115 species of birds. There are a number of guided forest and mountain hikes to participate in that allow birders wonderful views of the rare and beautiful species residing here.  Perhaps the best hike is along the Gorge Trail, which winds half-way up Mt. Sabinyo, where you’ll be exposed to all the various montane habitats within the park and their avian inhabitants over the course of 3-4 hours.

The key species that can be found here are: Handsome Francolin, Dusky Turtle Dove, Rwenzori Turaco, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, White-starred Robin, Equatorial Akalat,Red-throated Alethe,Archer’s Robin-Chat,Kivu Ground Thrush, Banded Prinia,Grauer’s Warbler, Chestnut-throated Apalis,Collared Apalis,Mountain Masked Apalis,White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis,Strip-breasted Tit,Blue-headed Sunbird, Regal Sun bird, MacKinnon’s Fiscal,Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Montane Oriole, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsoning,Shelly’s Crimsoning, among others

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park, covering approximately 4,000 km2, and is unique in the fact that it is Uganda’s only national park that is home to all of Africa’s “big five” game species (elephants, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard).  Located in northwestern Uganda, the varied habitats of this park make it home to a variety of superb birds as well.

The key species of Murchison Falls National Park include: African Darter, Goliath Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, Abdim’s Stork, Shoe bill, White-faced Whistling Duck, Secretary Bird, Osprey, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Martial Eagle, Hugli’s Francolin, Denham’s Bustard, Spotted Thick-knee, Senegal Thick-knee, Rock Pratincole,Black-headed Plover, Long-toed Plover, Black-billed Wood-Dove, Veracious Dove, Long Tailed Nightjar, Standard-winged Nightjar, Pennant-winged Nightjar,Blue-naped Moose bird, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater and Red-throated Bee-eater, Northern Carmine Bee-eater and Black Scimitar bill, Abyssinian Ground Horn bill, Yellow-fronted Tinker bird, Black-billed Barbet, White-fronted Black Chat,Silverbird, Beautiful Sunbird,Piapiac.

Speckle-fronted Weaver, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Vaseline Masked Weaver, Bar-breasted Firefinch,White-rumped Seed eater, Saddle-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis and Spur-winger Geese, Black Crake,Grey-crowned Crane,Blue-naped Moosebird, Spotted Morning Thrush,NothernCrombec,Red-winged Grey Warbler, Black-headed Batis,Black-headed Gondola,Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Double-toothed Barbet Yellow-throated Greenbul, Whistling Cisticola ,Black-loredBabbler,Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Black-faced Waxbill.

Nile River around Jinja

The area around Jinja serves as a great birding destination along Africa’s majestic Nile, the longest river in the world! One of our unique attractions this year is a birding tour along the Nile on the renovated African Queen Steam boat.  The relative quiet of the steam engine and the beauty of this section of the river will ensure that we are able to offer a truly one-of-a-kind wildlife viewing experience.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic film, the original African Queen will be launched back into the Nile at Kalagala Falls. The boat will offer an incredible means on which to view the wonderful bird species Uganda has to offer. To date there have been about 60 species sighted on the route of the boat cruise.

For more details about the upcoming launch of the African Queen, see  Jinja is one of the adventure hot spots of Uganda, and in addition to birding, visitors can kayak, fish, bunjee jump, horseback ride, go whitewater rafting, or just simply relax at one of the boutique lodges or campsites along the river. Key species found along the boat cruise route include: Rock Pratencols, African Open-billed Storks, Great Blue Turacos, Giant Kingfisher, Green-backed Herons and many, many others

Birding: A Focus on Queen Elizabeth National Park

Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park is an incredible treat as this is Uganda’s most popular and most scenic National Park that contains a variety of habitats that range from savanna to wetlands to lowland forests. This diversity is reflected in the list of over 600 bird species, the biggest of any protected area in Uganda. A majority of the birds found in this area are regarded as famous birds of East Africa and are a must see for birdwatchers in Africa.

Kasenyi Area

This wildlife hotspot is where almost every tourist vehicle heads in the morning because of the big game viewing, but it also has many Africa bird species, making it a must-see wildlife destination.  In this open, grassy area dominated by savanna, birders can see species like: Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture, African White-backed Vulture,Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle,Wahlberg’s Eagle and Bateleur,Long-created Eagle, Martial Eagle,Grey Kestrel, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard,Temminck’s Courser, African Wattled Plover, Crowned Plover, Senegal Plover,Kittlitz’s Plover,Rufous,napped Lark, lappet Lark, White-tailed Lark, Brown-backed Srub-Robin, Zitting Cisticola, Croaking Cisticola,Grey-capped Warbler, Black-lored Babbler,Grey backed Fiscal, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, Fork-tailed Drongo and Pin-tailed.

Semuliki National Park

This 220 km2 park is an extension of the Ituri Forest and is one of Africa’s youngest national parks.  Its more than 400 species of birds, including nine different species of hornbill, make it one of the best sites for forest birding in Africa.

Located along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the extreme western portion of the country, Semuliki National Park is a birding destination not to be missed. The key species here are: Spot-breasted Ibis, Long-tailed Hawk, Nkulengu Rail, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Black-throated Coucal,White-bellied Kingfisher, Piping Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill,White-thighed Hornbill, Black-Casqued wattledHornbill,Red-rumpedTinkerbird,Lyre-tailed Honey Guide, African Piculet,GabonWoodpecker,Rufous-sided Broadbill, Yellow-throated Nicator,IcterineGreenbul Xavier’s Greenbul, Leaf-love, Green-tailed Bristlebill,Swamp palm Bulbul, Fire-crested Alethe, Northern Bearded Scrub Robin, Blue-headed Crested-flycatcher, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe,Red-bellied Climbable-billed Malimbe,Grant’s Bluebill, Orange-Cheeked Waxbill.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established in 1997 as a means to help protect the endangered rhinoceros in Uganda and function as a reserve for other Ugandan wildlife species. While the rhino is the Sanctuary’s main attraction, it is also home to a variety of birds and is a great spot for avid birders interested in finding those rare African species.

Many clients who have birded with us enjoyed their experience and were able to spot a number of spectacular bird species, including the Shoe bill, with the help of our two experienced bird guides. Birding tours on the sanctuary are approximately five hours depending on the guests’ schedule.

Abdim’s Stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, African Black Crake, African Black-headed Oriole, African Blue Flycatcher, African Broad Bill, African Citril,African Crowned Eagle, African Darter, African Fish Eagle, African Golden-breasted Bunting, African Golden Oriole, African Goshawk, African Green Pigeon, African Grey (domestic),African Grey Horn bill, African Hawk Eagle, African Hoopoe, African Jacana, African Marsh Harrier, African Morning Dove, African Open-billed Stork, African Paradise Flycatcher, African Pied Wagtail, African Pygmy Kingfisher, African Scop’s Owl, Augur Buzzard

Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Barn Swallow, Barred Warbler, Bat Hawk,Bateleur,Black-and-white Shrike Flycatcher, Black-and-white Casqued horn bill, Black-and-white Cuckoo and Black-and-white Manikini, Black-bellied Bustard, Black-crowned Tchagra, Black-crowned Waxbill, Black Cuckoo, Black-headed Gonolek,Black-headed Heron, Black-headed Weaver, Black Kite, Black-shouldered Kite, Black-winged Bishop, Black-winged Stilt, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Blue-paned and Mouse Bird.

Blue-spotted Dove, Booted Eagle, Broad-billed Roller, Bronze Manikini, Brown-backed Srub Robin, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Brown Parrot, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Buff-spotted Flufftail,Cardinal Woodpecker, Cattle Egret, Chinspot Batis,Common Bulbul, Common Chat, Common Fiscal Shrike, Common Greenhawk,Common House Martin ,Common Kestrel, Common Ringed Plover, Common Wax bill,Coqui Francolin, Crested Francolin, Crowned Hornbill, Curlew Sandpiper and Dark-caped Yellow Warbler, Double-toothed Barbet, Dusky Tit Eastern Grey Plantain Eater, Egyptian Goose, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Nightjar, European Bee-eater, Fan-tailed Widow Bird, lappet Lark, Fork-tailed Drongo, Foxes Weaver, Giant Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Grassland Pipit, Great Blue Turaco, Great Egret, Great Reed Warbler, Great Sparrow Hawk, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Greater Honey Guide, Green Crombec,Green Wood Hoopoe,Grey-backed Camaroptera,Grey-backed Fiscal Shrike,Grey-crowned Crane,Grey-headed Kingfisher,Grey-headed Sparrow,Grey Heron,Grey Kestrel,Grey Woodpecker and Hadada Ibis.

Ruwenzori Mountain hiking

In case you are seeking an adventure safari about mountain hiking, Ruwenzori Mountain provides you with an exciting safari on the continent of Africa. Unlike many mountain hiking safaris, the Mountains of the Moon/Ruwenzori Mountains will offer you one of the most daring mountain climbing experiences in Africa along with a thrilling view of Ugandan Wildlife. The Ruwenzori is the highest mountain range in Africa with its loftiest peaks Margherita (5,109m) & Alexandra (5,083m) on Mount Stanley.

The mountain stands as a unique in that even though they arose from the Rift Valley floor like Mount Kilimanjaro & Mount Kenya, they are not volcanic in origin like their counterparts. The mountain has a park gazetted around it and it covers 996 km sq. and it protects the upper slopes of the mountains which run for almost 120 km along the Uganda – Congolese border west of Kasese and Fort portal.