Birding in Uganda is basically an experience which involves observation of different bird species in their natural habitats as a hobby.
In Uganda, birding is one of the most famous tourist activities and a number of birds are sought by tourists in different national parks and other sites. Notable species include but not limited to the following; Green Breasted Pitta, Rwenzori Turaco, African Green Broadbill, Brown-chested Lapwing, Jameson’s Antpecker, Nahan’s Francolin, Black Bee-eater, Karamoja Apalis and Puvel’s Illadopsis.
Top Five Birding Destinations in Uganda?
Mabamba swamp.
Located on the shores of the mighty Lake Victoria, Mabamba swamp offers one of the best birding experiences in Uganda. It is home to over 260 species of birds. While at Mabamba Swamp you can be rest assured to catch a glimpse of the dramatic shoebill stork as well as other birds such as palm-nut vulture, papyrus gonolek, pigmy goose, white-winged warbler, lesser jacana, northern brown-throated weaver, to mention but a few.
Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park.
With Buhoma and Ruhija sectors being the most prominent spots for avid birders, Bwindi forest national park is one of the most reliable birding destination Uganda has ever had. The park is a home to 348 bird species on record among which include; 25 restricted-range species, of which 23 are restricted to the Albertine Rift and 4 are globally endangered: Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Shelley’s Crimson-wing African Green Broadbill and Chapin’s Flycatcher.
Some of the notable species residing in this impenetrable forest include; Jameson’s Antpecker, Waller’s Starling, Pink-footed Puff back, Crested Guinea fowl, Grey Crowned Crane, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Yellow-rumped Tinker bird, African Olive-pigeon, White-headed Saw-wing, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Archer’s Robin-chat, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Ruwenzori Batis, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Helmeted guinea fowl, Mountain Wagtail, Yellow-fronted Canary, African Paradise flycatcher, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, Great Blue Turaco, Handsome francolin, Tambourine dove, African Goshawk, Sooty Falcon, African Wood-owl, and so many others.
On the other hand, Ruhija sector in the eastern part of Bwindi is home to a range of beautiful birds including Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori batis, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Mountain and yellow-streaked Greenbuls, white-tailed crested Flycatcher and red-faced woodland Warbler.
Murchison falls national park.
Located in the north-western part of the Pearl of Africa (Uganda), covering an area spanning 3,893 square kilometers – approximately 1,503 square miles making it the largest conservation area in the country, Murchison falls national park is undoubtedly #1 birding destination in Uganda. It offers homage to over 450 species of birds which dwell within forests, swamps, riverine woodlands, palm savannahs and acacia-dotted plains.
Some of the species found here include; Abyssinian ground-hornbill, buff-bellied warbler, white-crested turaco, red-throated bee-eater, double-toothed barbet, brown babbler, black-headed batis, strange-looking piapiac, Senegal lapwing, bare-breasted fire finch, Shelley’s rufous sparrow, shoebill stork (common along the Nile delta) and greyish eagle-owl, while the pennant-winged and standard-winged nightjars are usually seen during night game drives.
Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Located in western Uganda, Queen Elizabeth national park is Uganda’s popular and most visited of all savannah parks. The park is home to a multiple bird species visible at Kazinga channel, Mweya Peninsula, Lake Katwe, around the salty lakes, swampy areas of Ishasha sector, Kasenyi plains, Maramagambo forest and other parts of the park.
Some of the species available in Queen Elizabeth National Park include; Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture, African White-backed Vulture, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Bateleur, Long-created Eagle, Grey Kestrel, Black-bellied Bustard, Raptors, African Mourning Dove, Squire-tailed Nightjar, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Grey-Headed Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Little Grebe, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Black Coucal, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Blue-throated Roller, Barbets, Shoebill, Palm-nut Vulture, African White-backed Vulture, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Common Squacco Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Greater Swamp Warble, to mention but a few.
Mgahinga Gorilla national park.
The smallest national park in Uganda is home to quite a number of bird species, some of which include the following; Black Kite, Pin-tailed whydah, Double-collared sunbird, Speckled mouse bird, Paradise flycatcher, Ibis, Speckled Mouse birds, Fire Finch Stonechat, Waxbills, Grey Capped Warbler, Archer’s robin chat, Dusky crimson wing, Kivu ground-thrush, Olive pigeon, Ruwenzori batis, Ruwenzori nightjar, Ruwenzori turacos.
Mgahinga also hosts a number of migratory birds which can only be seen in specific months of the year, especially during November, May and April.
Uganda has quite a number of more birding sites which equally offer an adventurous and learning experience, ranging from Semuliki national park, Kibale forest national park, Lake Mburo national park, Rwenzori mountains national park and Budongo forest.