UTB Launches a Project to Promote Bird Watching
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB)-an organ that promotes and markets Uganda’s safari tour products has launched a campaign which is aimed at boosting birding safaris in Uganda. The campaign involves conservation of the country’s unique species of birds. Birding is by far one of the most famous safari activities most travelers across the world come to take part and remarkably, Uganda is becoming the most sought-after birding safari destination for bird lovers around the world today. Tapping into bird watching tours in Uganda, in turn, will boost the country’s tourism sector and revenue earning.
Currently, over 1.5 million tourists visited Uganda in 2018 alone translating into 7.4% growth from tourist arrivals recorded in 2017. Due to increasing tourist arrivals, Uganda earned about $1.6 billion in 2018 alone compared to $1.45 billion in 2017. With over 60% of all the bird species in Africa and 11% of the bird species in the world all confined in Uganda, there is potential to develop bird watching safaris to feature among the best-performing tourist products and more efforts should be put to tap into it. Looking at the popular birding destinations in the world, for instance, North America and Europe when combined together, Uganda remains an exceptional bird-watching destination when it comes to bird count but birding as Uganda’s tourism product has not been fully utilized yet others reap big from what they have.
UTB together with other associations is set to host the third African Birding Expo which is scheduled to take place from 6th to 8th December 2019 in Entebbe. The expo includes a number of activities right from post and pre-expo tours, exhibitions, talk shows among others. The African Birding Expo has turned into a meeting point for bird enthusiasts within and outside the African continent.
The birds to spot out in Uganda
Uganda is a home to over 1080 bird species and the birds to look out while on birding tour include the elusive shoebill stork, African green breasted pitta, African green broadbill, great blue turaco, pelicans, flamingos, cormorants, Hammerkop, ostriches, hawks, kites, eagles, secretary bird, guineafowl, woodpeckers and allies, larks, swallows and martins, wagtails and pipits, sandpipers and allies, nightjars, cisticolas and allies, swifts, mousebirds, kingfishers, bee-eaters, woodhoopoes, barbets, honeyguides to mention but a few.
Where to go for bird watching in Uganda
Most bird watching safaris in Uganda are conducted in the national parks, wetlands, forests, and lakes among others. The popular birding sites to visit on Uganda birding safari include Mabamba Bay Wetland, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Budongo Forest, Mabira Forest, Maramagambo Forest, Mount Elgon National Park, Lutembe Bay, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Semuliki National Park and many more.
In summary, tapping into bird watching will help boost Uganda’s tourism sector and also increase revenue earnings. Visit Uganda and get the best of birding safari experiences that will leave lasting memories in you.
