Uganda Birding Safari

Uganda Birding Safari

Uganda has over 1,300 different bird species. The country's unique and conducive climate has favored both native and migrant bird species from other regions of the world especially Europe. So if you are planning a birding safari in Africa just get your binoculars ready and descend to Uganda, the Haven for birds and you will have the real birding experience. On reaching Uganda, you can visit any of these game parks depending on the bird species you would like to watch.

Birding in Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the North eastern tip of Uganda and covers a land area of 1,442 Km sq. This area is semi-arid due to the dry winds that blow southwards from the Ethiopian highlands giving rise to semi desert scrubs, long and short grass and thorny bush type of vegetation. Kidepo with its wilderness climate and rivers such as Kidepo River has attracted numerous bird species with the figures reaching 475 recorded bird species both natives and migrants.

In this game park you can watch the Ostriches that are exciting flightless birds. The Ostrich is very fast running at a speed of 70 km/hr. They usually have height of 2-2.5 metres, the adult male can weigh up to 120kg and the female 100kg. These birds are usually silent but can make sounds in periods of mating. While there make sure you don't go near the eggs as the Ostrich can easily harm you with a kick. You can also watch other bird species like the Karamojong Apalis, African swallow tailed kite, Black headed Plover, yellow necked Spur fowl and many others. You can do game drives as you watch the cheetahs, hyenas, herds of Zebras and also visit the Karamojong community residing near Kidepo National Park.

Birding in Murchison Falls National Park.

This is Uganda's largest game park covering 3,840 km sq. and the section of the great Nile River called the Victoria Nile flows through this park with sparkling waters. It is boarded by Karuma game reserve to the south east, Bugungu game reserve in the south west, Lake Albert to the west and Pakwach to the North West. Murchison Falls National Park has 450 recorded bird species which can give you an interesting birding experience while on your Safari holiday in Uganda. This park happens to bare the world’s most powerful waterfall that are great for sightseeing adventures.

The Abyssinian Ground Horn bill is an interesting bird to spot out in this Murchison Falls Park. As the name suggests these birds majorly spend a lot of time on ground and walk for long distances looking for food. They only fly in case of danger from predators and also during mating. They usually live in groups and the adult males have larger wattles than the females. They have black feathered bodies and long eye lashes. Other bird species present includes Shoe bills, Bat Hawk, Red necked Falcon, Turacos among others. Gaze at the majestic herds of Giraffes as you drive through the park and you can also do Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on your way back to Kampala city.

Birding in Semuliki National Park.

Semuliki National Park covers a total land area of 586 km sq. and it is located at the southern section of Lake Albert, a rift valley lake. The park is vastly covered by savanna grassland characterized by tall grasses and some wetlands near the Lake Albert. These together with the Semuliki River have made the park a haven for 350 bird species including the water birds. The Sempaya hot springs in the north east of the park are just amazing and good for sightseeing.

At this park one of the most endangered bird species is the prominent Shoebill. These birds live in pairs, male and female in the murky waters. They fly with retracted necks and the powerful wings enable them to dive in and get the prey. Adult Shoe bills can weigh more than 11 pounds, they are usually grey and white in color but the young juveniles are brown. Shoebills are sluggish in behavior, walk very slowly with their bills in water as they patiently wait for the prey to come their way. Apart from the Shoebills, Semuliki National Park also offers you African pygmy Goose, Red necked Falcon, Blue breasted Bee eater, Black billed Barbet, Quail Finch among other bird species for you to enjoy your birding safari. Don't miss out on interesting primates such as the Vervet monkeys, Red tailed monkey, black and white Columbus. All these and very many others will make your safari in Uganda amazing.

Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park lies within the western arm of the Great Rift Valley covering an area of 1,978 km sq. with lakes Edward and George. The park has 550 recorded bird species both migrants which usually come in February and March and the native species. The two lakes Edward and George have attracted water loving bird species like the African Skimmers. As the name seemingly suggests, African Skimmers feed in calm water skimming the surface with the flexible lower beak partially submerged and snap the small prey with accuracy. African Skimmers have long wings, white tail which is short forked while the legs are bright red. The beak is long orange and ends with a yellow tip and this make these birds so beautiful that your binoculars may not have to miss out. The Martial Eagle, Black bee eater, White winged Warner, Verreaux's Eagle owl, Papyrus Gonolek and many other bird species are available for your birding safari, all you need is time and binoculars. Being near the Kazinga channel, this park offers you boat rides across the channel as you watch hippos show casing their talent on water. Game drives are not to be left out as you will enjoy seeing the elephants, tree climbing lions, herd of giraffes and other wild game. To see the park from the air you can enjoy hot air ballooning which will give you good view of the two lakes Edward and George and the Kazinga channel joining them together. The Kyambura gorge at this park offers you an opportunity to track chimpanzees which is a rewarding experience.

Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is really thick and impenetrable forest as the name may sound commonly famous for Mountain Gorilla Safaris. It covers a land area of 321 km sq. together with Ruhija and Buhoma regions which are the birding areas. The Buhoma area where the park headquarters are found lies in the valley of River Munyega, is a good birding haven for numerous Albertine Rift endemics such as the Alethe. They are found in forest interiors from altitudes of 700-2800 m above sea level and usually inhabit dense undergrowth and quiet trails in mornings and evenings or after a heavy rain. Alethes are medium sized forest thrushes which are brown above and pale grey or white below. They are fond of following ant worms and you will be able to hear series of whistling sounds as the Alethe follow the ant worms. Kivu ground Thrush, Montane masked Apalis, short tailed Warbler, yellow eyed black Flycatcher, and Collared Apalis among others are some of the Albertine Rift Endemics. Other bird species are found in the Ruhija area such as regal sun bird, Black faced Rufous Warbler and others. You can also track primates such as the Gorillas at Bwindi and do the Batwa community trail.

Birding in Kibale National Park.

Kibale National Park is located in the northern part of Lake George and it has been named a National Park since 1993. It covers an area of 560 km sq. and its forest nature has attracted over 335 recorded bird species that thrive in the luscious branches and leaves of the different tree species. The 77 percent of the forest cover gives an ultimate opportunity for nature walks as you feel the joy of spending your time with nature.

This park is famously known for Chimpanzee trekking Safaris and a suitable natural habitat protecting a large number of rain forest birds like the Masked Apalises. Both sexes have red eyes and adults have height of 11 cm. They usually move in pairs or in small families. Masked Apalises feed on beetles, small grasshoppers and other smaller insects. Other bird species in this park include: Red winged Francolins, Red chested Fluff tail, White napped Pigeon, Uganda woodland Warbler among others and this can give you a real birding experience. Kibale National Park also harbors greatest variety of primates like Black and White Colobus monkey, L’hoest’s monkey, Blue monkey, Grey cheeked Mangabey and Red tailed monkey, Bush baby and Potto.

Birding in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park forms the Virunga region together with the Volcanoes of Rwanda and the Virunga of DRC. Mgahinga covers an area of 33 km sq. and its vegetation is basically montane making it a habitat ideal for birds and primates. The game park is well known for harboring primates especially Gorillas and Golden monkeys, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be your number one Gorilla Tracking Safari destination. The Golden monkey is another primate you can enjoyably track.  Being a terrestrial rain forest, the park is a home to many bird species with the number reaching 115 recorded species that are suitable for your Birding Safari in Uganda. Species such as the Handsome Francolins are available. These birds have grey heads, red bill and legs, the iris is brown and the skin is red and orbital. They have a length of 35 cm and the male is slightly bigger than the female. Other bird species that can catch your eyes are; White tailed Blue Flycatcher, Alpine Chat, Malachite Sun bird, Kivu Ground Thrush, and Lagden’s Bush Shrike among others. You can also do the Batwa trail in this park where you will explore the livelihood of the pygmy community.

Birding in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is a convenient park for you to start your Birding safari in Uganda as it is a three hours’ drive from the Capital, Kampala. The park covers 260 km sq. the grasslands and papyrus swamps favor the co-habiting of both animals and bird species reaching 315. The lake in the park has attracted many water birds that seemingly appear on the wish list of many bird watchers. Lake Mburo National Park is well known for the charming African Fin foot, a water bird. The adult male has a thin white strip from the eye down to the side of the neck. The female has a dull brown head, white eye ring and throat. They are 65 cm in height and don't usually move in pairs. They are found in quiet lakes and rivers with over hanging vegetation on which they feed on. When they realize that people are watching them, they swim low and disappear in the hanging vegetation. Other bird species that you can watch include; Southern ground horn bill, Spot flanked, Red faced and black collared barbets, Brown chested plover, White winged warbler and many others. Lake Mburo also offers you exciting wild game such as the Impala, Topi, Bushbuck, Buffalo and the largest herd of Zebras which can make you appreciate the Pearl of Africa, Uganda.

Birding in Mountain Elgon National Park

Mountain Elgon National Park covers 1,145 km sq. and is found on the Elgon Mountain with a forest and bamboo stands. This type of montane vegetation has attracted bird species with the number reaching 300 recorded species including the Jackson's Francolin. This bird has a short small orange beak, black back with brownish wings. The brown chest with whitish spots makes this bird extremely gorgeous making your birding an interesting one. The park also offers you birds like the Eastern Bronze naped Pigeon, Red fronted Parrot, Grey chested Illadopsis, Black collared Apalis, and Purple throated Cuckoo shrike and many more so you can have a remarkable birding. While there you can also sight see the cascading Sipi falls in the Sebei region. The Bagisu community on the mountain slopes carry out circumcision while displaying the "Imbalu dance" which is an amazing traditional dance. Their traditional cuisine “Malewa" which consist of young bamboo shoots is just mouthwatering. Try it out as you go on your birding Safari on this game park.

Birding in Rwenzori Mountain National Park.

Rwenzori Mountain National Park is located in western Uganda and it is 996 km sq. in land area. Mountain vegetation is present here and it is a habitat to 195 recorded bird species which will make your birding safari in Uganda a rewarding experience. The Rwenzori Turco is present in this park. It is a mountainous bird which feeds on fruits and berries. It is 45 cm and fairly common in the heath. Albertine Rift Endemics the handsome Francolins, Archer's Robin Chat, Red throated Alethe, Strange Weavers and many others will make your birding in park amazing. The three horned Chameleon is an interesting animal you can see in the Rwenzori. You can hike the snow capped mountain and reach the Margherita peak which is 5,109 metres. The Rwenzori mountain trail will give you an interesting birding experience as you hike through different vegetation types such as bamboo, Heath and moorlands among others.

Apart from national parks, you can also have a birding safari in these areas as you have a city tour around Kampala;

Birding at Entebbe Botanical Gardens

These gardens are on the shores of Lake Victoria and are just a stone throw from Entebbe international Airport and can take you 10 minutes’ drive on a perfect tarmac road. As you jet in this can be your immediate litmus test of the birding safari in Uganda. Birds such as the Great Blue and Ross's turco, African fish eagle, wood land king Fisher, White casqued Hornbill will give you a "welcome to Uganda" birding experience.

Birding in Mabamba wetland

If you are a Shoebill bird watcher make a stopover at this wetland and have an experience of this amazing bird. A day trip to Mabamba wetland is quite amazing to encounter.