EXCLUSIVE Birding SafarisIN EAST AFRICA

Top Birding Hotspots in Uganda:

Mabamba Swamp

Located in Entebbe, a short distance from Entebbe International Airport, Mabamba Wetland is an important birding area in Uganda. The wetland is highly famous for sheltering the rare shoebill stork and other bird species. A canoe ride in the swamp gives travelers the best spot for the elusive bird species. In good days, a shoebill is seen eating on small fish caught with its long mouth. Superfine birding guides will help you spot the shoebill and other bird species in the Mabamba wetland such as papyrus genolek, long-toed lapwing, African marsh harrier and blue swallow, among others.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Whereas Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is known for gorilla trekking, the dense forest is also a birding spot in Uganda. The park is home to over 350 bird species, 14 of which are not recorded anywhere else in the whole of Uganda.  The notable birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include bar-tailed trogon, Regal sunbird, Mackinnon’s shrike, Ruwenzori Turaco, Black bee-eater, many coloured bush shrike, Fraser’s Eagle Owl, and great blue Tuco among others. Birding in Bwindi forest is in March and September, while migratory bird species are present between November and April. The Mubwindi swamp and the waterfall trail are the best places for birding in Bwindi Forest Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

In addition to being Uganda’s second-largest park, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a premier tourism destination in the Pearl of Africa. The park is home to over 610 bird species favored by the diverse habitats comprised of grasslands, wetlands, and forests.  Kazinga channel is a popular birding spot in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and birding is best done on a boat cruise.

The notable birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Hamerkop, African goshawk, yellow-billed stork, Great white pelican, Long Crested Eagle, Yellow-throated long-tailed cuckoo, African finfoot, African hobby, Black bee eater, Lesser Flamingo, Palm nut Vulture, Broad billed roller, Caspian Plover, shoebill, great white pelican and potted redshank among others.  Late May to September is the best time for bird watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Kibale Forest National Park

Also known as “primate capital of Africa,” Kibale Forest National Park is another birding destination in Uganda. The rain forest is home to over 3790 bird species, 4 of which ( Masked aplis, Headed Blue bee eater, Cassin’s spinetail, and Nahan’s francolin) have not been recorded anywhere else in the country. Birding is done in the main Kibale forest and the Bigodi wetland during a nature walk. The notable birds in Kibale Forest National Park include African grey parrot, Red-headed bluebill, Green-breasted Pitta, little greenbul, Afep pigeon, Green-headed sunbird, blue-throated roller, brown chested alethe, and crowned eagle, among others. June to September is the best bird-watching season in Kibale Forest National Park

Semuliki National Park

Known for her diversity of central African birds, Semliki Valley National Park is a must for any birder to Uganda. Over 460 bird species are believed to dwell in Toro Semliki wildlife reserve. Some of the common birds seen include African Crake, Palm nut Vulture, Grey Kestrel, Black coucal, shoebill, piapiac, Leaf Love, Double-toothed barbet, African Pygmy goose, and Red-necked falcon, among others

Murchison Falls National Park

Home to over 450 bird species, Murchison Falls National Park is another best spots for bird watching in Uganda. The park is one of the few places to see the iconic shoebill stork. The rare bird is normally seen along the Delta River on the morning boat cruise to the bottom of the falls.  Some of the notable bird species in Murchison Falls National Park include Abyssinian ground hornbill, Black headed lapwing, Red-throated bee-eater, Malachite Kingfisher, African fish Eagle, African Jacana, Silver bird, Black billed barbet, and swamp flycatcher, among others.

Lake Mburo National Park

Home to over 310 birds, Lake Mburo National Park is a popular birding area in Uganda.   The park is known for sheltering the woodland and water birds, best seen on nature walks and a boat ride on Lake Mburo. The common birds in Lake Mburo National Park include African wattled lapwing, African finfoot, black bellied bustard, shoebill, pink-backed pelican, mosque swallow, and hairy-breasted barbet. Birding in Lake Mburo is done year-round

Rwanda Birding Safaris

Rwanda is yet another interesting place for bird watching in East Africa. Superfine Safaris Limited offers you guided birding safaris to different parts of the country. The best places  for bird watching in Rwanda include

Nyungwe Forest National Park located in south-western Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a birder’s paradise in Rwanda. The rainforest is home to over 300 bird species, 27 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Birds in Nyungwe Forest National Park include Black Saw Wing, Regal Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe, Ruwenzori Turaco and African hill babblers among others. Volcanoes National Park in north western Rwanda is another birding spot in Rwanda.

The bamboo forest National Park is home to over 200 bird species, 17 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley. The notable birds in Volcanoes National Park include Black crowned waxbill, common stonechat, Ruwenzori Turaco, African Long-eared Owl, Dusky turtle dove, and brown necked parrot. Akagera National park, located in Eastern Rwanda, is home to over 480 bird species and is the second popular birding spot in Rwanda after Nyungwe Forest National Park. The notable birds in Akagera National Park include African fish eagle, Maroub Stork, Sooty chat, Amur falcon, Ruaha chat, Botted eagle, Crested barbet, Lesser Moorhen, Striped pipit, and lesser jacana among others. Umusambi village in Kigali city is another birding spot sheltering over 100 bird species

Kenya Birding Safaris

In addition to classic game drives, Kenya is also known for offering lifetime birding tours.  The combination of arid plains, montane forests, swamps, grasslands, and rift valley lakes favors the habitation of various bird species. The great rift valley lakes for birding safaris in Kenya include Lake Nakuru, famous for the lesser and greater flamingoes, Lake Naivasha, Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo.

These lakes shelter various bird species, which you must see on your Kenya birding safari. Kakamega forest, home to the great Blue Turaco, Wattle eyes, and Turner’s Eremomela, is another birding haven in Kenya.  Other birding destinations in  Kenya include Nairobi National Park, Mount Kenya, Samburu National Park, Taita Hills, and Arabuko Sokoke forest, which hosts localized endemic birds, offering you the best Kenya birding safari

Tanzania Birding Safaris

With over 1102 bird species, Tanzania guarantees you the best birding experiences. SuperFine Safaris is your reliable guide for customized birding safaris to all top birding spots in the country.  The popular birding areas in Tanzania include Serengeti National park, home to over 500 bird species, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Usambara Mountains, Udzungwa Mountains, Arusha National park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara and Mererani Maasai Steppe.

Some of the birds to see on your Tanzania birding safari include flamingoes, sunbirds, Hamerkop, Maroub Stork, African Jacana, Kori bustard, Grey crowned crane, tawny eagle, African fish eagle, African scared ibis, Black heron, Malachite kingfisher, Heron openbill and woodland kingfisher among others.

Best Time for Birding Safaris in East Africa

Dry season between June and September and December to February is regarded the best time for birding safaris in east Africa. The season is generally dry with less vegetation cover, which makes it easy for birders to spot birds from a distance. Also, most birds gather on water sports for refreshment in the dry season, which makes it easy to view them. November to April is the best time to see migratory birds in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania

Conclusively, birding is an interesting experience you should not miss on your East African safari. Contact Superfine Safaris Limited for a customized and affordable birding tour to Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania

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