Top Birding Destinations in Uganda

Discover the top birding destination in Uganda to explore the elusive birds in the Pearl of Africa with Superfine Safaris Limited.  Embark on our customized Uganda birding safaris to the top birding destinations in the pearl of Africa. Sheltering over 1000 bird species, scattered into different parts of the country, Uganda is a must-visit for birders in Africa. The diverse vegetation, comprised of swamps, forests, and grasslands, favors the habitation of various birds in Uganda. Our 20 Days exclusive Uganda birding safari reward you with the best of Uganda birding experience

The top places for bird watching in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Whereas Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is widely famous for gorilla tours, the Impenetrable Forest is an important birding area in Uganda. The dense forest shelters over 350 bird species 23 of which are endemic to the Albertine region.  The African bird club rated Bwindi Forest as the top birding area in Africa. 14 bird species in Bwindi Forest are not found anywhere else in the whole of Uganda! The notable birds seen in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include Ruwenzori Turaco, Regal Sunbird, Bar-tailed trogon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Mackinnon’s shrike, African Broadbill, African Bee-eater, Greta Blu Turaco, and Yellow Yellow-streaked Hornbill, among others. March and September are the best times for bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. May to June is the time for nesting, while November to April is a good time to see migratory birds. Bird watching, mountain gorilla trekking, nature walks and visits to local communities are the top travel experiences in Bwindi Forest National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Also known as Uganda’s second-largest park, Queen Elizabeth National Park shelters the highest population of birds in East Africa. The high numbers of birds in Queen Elizabeth are favored by diverse vegetation, including swamps, forests, and savannah grasslands, which favors the habitation of numerous bird species. Kazinga channel, Lake Munyanyange and Kyambura gorge are some of the key birding spots in Queen Elizabeth.

The birds in Queen Elizabeth Park include Lesser flamingo, African Fish Eagle, African Hobby, Papyrus canary, Black bee eater, Palm nut vulture, Caspian plover, Hammerkop, African jacana, shoebill, papyrus gonolek, and water thick-knee. Later, May to September is the best time for bird watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The common travel activities in the park include game viewing, chimpanzee trekking in kymabura gorge, bird watching, community tours, lion tracking, and boat cruising at Kazinga channel, among others

 Mabamba Bay Wetland

Home to the elusive shoebill, Mabamba Wetland is a must-visit for every birder in Uganda. Travelers embark on a canoe ride through the swamp in search of the shoebill stork and other bird species, such as the Malachite kingfisher, papyrus genolek, and African billed stork, which live there. Our 1 day Mabamba birding excursion is a golden opportunity to see and learn about this elusive bird.

Murchison Falls National Park

Located in northwestern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is yet another key birding spot in Uganda. The park is home to over 450 bird species, some of which are endemic to the Albertine region.  The common birds in Murchison Falls National Park include African darter, shoebill stork, African fish eagle, African jacana, Malachite kingfisher, Palm nut vulture, black billed barbet, piapiac, Goliath heron, Silverbird, and white crested turaco, among others. A boat cruise on the Nile River offers you scenic views of birds.

January to March is the best time for bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park. Besides bird watching, the park is a Centre for game viewing, chimpanzee trekking, nature walks, community visits, and boat cruising, among others.

Kibale National Park

With over 350 bird species inhabiting the area, Kibale Forest National Park is undeniably a paradise for birders. The rain forest park is globally known as the “primate capital of Africa” and a center of chimpanzee trekking in East Africa. 13 primates call this montane forest their home. Birding is best done during a nature walk in Bigodi wetland and also on the road sides. The notable birds in Kibale Forest National Park include the African Grey parrot, Great Blue Turaco, the Red-headed bluebill, Afep pigeon, Black bee-eater, the Little greenbill, Black capped apalis, Blue-throated roller, Western Nicator, the Double-toothed barbet, and the Red-chested owlet, among others. June to September is regarded as the best time for bird watching in Kibale Forest National Park.

Semuliki National Park

Semuliki Valley National Park located in western Uganda, is a must-visit for all birders in Uganda.  The park is home to 46 Guinea-Congo forest biome species that cannot be found anywhere else in East Africa. Birds in the park include yellow-throated cuckoo, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, White thighed hornbill, white White-tailed Alethe, African Piculet and black casqued hornbill, among others. Other travel activities in Semuliki include visiting the Sempaya hot springs, nature walking, and wildlife viewing, among others.

Lake Mburo National Park

For birders yearning to see Arcadia dwellers, Lake Mburo National Park is your best place to visit. Located in Lyantonde district, southwestern Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park offers lifetime birding experiences to the birders. Rubanga forest and the shores of Lake Mbuo are the key spots for bird watching in the park. Some of the popular birds to see in Lake Mburo Park include the shoebill stork, African finfoot, Blue-headed coucal, Blue-breasted kingfisher, Grey Crowned crane, Mosque swallow, Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, and Lilac-breasted roller, among others. Birding is done all year round but June and July are the best months for bird watching in Lake Mburo National Park. Other activities in the park include forest walking, horseback riding, game viewing, and community tours, among others

Budongo Forest, Lake Bunyonyi, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwenzori Mountains, Mabira Forest, Entebbe Botanical Gardens, and Kidepo Valley National Park are other common places for Uganda birding safaris

What to pack for birding safaris in Uganda

For birders, make sure you pack essential things to ensure a peaceful and enjoyable birding safari. The things to carry for bird watching include:

• Binocular
• Camera with an extra battery
• Spotting scope and Tripod
• Note book
• First aid kit
• Toiletries
• Field bag
• Neutral colored clothes
• Insect repellents
• Bottled drinking water