Uganda is one of the few birders’ delights in the World where travellers can relish sights and sounds of numerous and beautiful feathered beauties, with a number of them endemic to different ecosystems of Uganda. Bird watching safaris in Uganda are most popular within National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and Wetland Sanctuaries.

The beautiful Tropical climate, spectacular landscapes of the Paradise of Uganda makes it a real Paradise for Bird enthusiasts who travel from across the World. This country is haven to over 1100 bird species (11% of the World’s confirmed bird species count or 50% of the Continent’s bird species count in Africa) with about 31 Albertine Rift endemics, several indigenous and migratory bird species from Europe, India, North America and many other places.

Top Bird Sanctuaries in Uganda

There are over 33 Bird Sanctuaries (referred as Important Bird Areas) Spread throughout Uganda but the most popular ones include;

Bird watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The diverse ecosystem of Queen Elizabeth National Park (including savannah grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, Lakes and Rivers as well as dense forest) are a perfect habitat for over 600 species of birds that include the African jacana, red-chested sunbirds, lesser black-backed gulls, pink-backed and great white pelicans, grey-crowned cranes, black and white shrike flycatcher, African skimmer, Slender-billed weavers and many others. Popular birding spots in this Park are Kazinga Channel (water body that links Lakes Edward and George), Ishasha sector and Mweya Peninsula among others.

Bird watching in Murchison falls National Park

Murchison falls National Park is located about 349 kilometers north-west of Kampala, in the districts of Nwoya, Masindi, Kiryandongo and Buliisa. Over 451 species of birds including African fish eagles, great white and pink-backed pelicans, pied and giant kingfishers, bar-breasted Firefinch, Heuglin’s francolin, black-headed batis, Shelley’s Rufous sparrow, black-headed batis, double-throated barbets, Puvel’s Illadopsis, red-throated bee-eater and shoebill storks are some of the interesting bird species in Uganda’s largest and oldest National Park.  The adjacent Budongo Forest also offers excellent Bird watching opportunities with sights of over 360 bird species that include Cassin’s hawk-eagles, African dwarf kingfishers, Illadopsis, Ituri batis, Blue-breasted kingfishers, black-collared lovebirds and Chocolate-backed kingfishers among others.

Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was established in 1991 and is an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 350 bird species that include 23 Albertine Rift endemics and 14 localized species. The dense-canopied forests, towering hills, wetlands and waterways of this Park make it haven for Grauer’s warblers, Kivu ground thrush, handsome francolin, red-throated alethe, African wood owls, black-faced prinia, red-faced woodland, Cassin’s honeyguide, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Rwenzori batis, thick-billed seed-eaters, Rwenzori nightjar, Pink-footed Puffback and many others.

Bird watching in Semliki National Park

A vast remnant of Uganda’s montane lowland forest is found within the remote and magnificent Semliki National Park. There are over 441 bird species including the Guinea-Congo Biome species. Look-out for the Capuchin babbler, Congo Serpent Eagles, Nkulengu rail, Dwarf honeyguide, Piping hornbill, White-crested hornbills, Maxwell’s black weavers, Yellow-throated Cuckoo and Orange weavers among others.

Bird watching in Mabamba Bay Wetland

Mabamba Bay is an area surrounded by a vast expanse of papyrus wetland and is a very wonderful habitat for aquatic and wetland bird species.  Expect over 260 species of birds that include the rare shoebill storks, northern brown-throated weavers, African jacana, Papyrus gonolek, lesser jacana, Clarke’s weavers, cattle egret, Blue swallow, Palmnut vultures and Pallid harrier, to mention but a few.

Bird watching in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, found in south-western Uganda is one of the best places for bird watching in Uganda and also haven to both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. There are over 200 bird species including a number of Albertine Rift endemics within its 34-square kilometer area. Unforgettable birding opportunities are achieved along the community trail, gorge trail and Bamboo trail with high expectation of spotting Rwenzori batis, blue-headed Coucal, handsome francolin, Archer’s robin chat, Dusky Crimsonwing, strange weavers, Kivu ground thrush, stripe-breasted tit and many others.

Bird watching in Kidepo Valley National Park

Within Uganda, the one particular safari destination that is underrated yet deserves special mention is Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda bordering Kenya and South Sudan. This Park is haven to 475 bird species (second most highest bird species count after Queen Elizabeth National Park) that include some of the country’s rarest species such as Pygmy falcon, Somali Ostriches, Karamoja Apalis, little green bee-eater, Kori bustard, red and yellow barbets, Abyssinian ground hornbills and popular birding spots are Apoka Rest Camp, Namamukweny and Narus Valleys.

Kibale Forest National Park

Thinking of spotting the green-breasted pitta, you may catch a glimpse of one within Kibale Forest National Park in western part of the country. While in this 795-square kilometer chimpanzee Sanctuary, you will also be able to spot over 375 species of birds such as Black bee-eater, black-bellied seedcracker, Abyssinian ground thrush, Great blue Turaco, Crowned eagles, Brown-chested alethe, African grey parrots and many others. Adding the nearby Bigodi wetland Sanctuary on your birding bucket list is worthwhile because views of Papyrus canary, Papyrus gonolek, Snowy-crowned robin chat, Speckle-breasted woodpecker and western nicator will be encountered.

Other remarkably beautiful Bird Sanctuaries in Uganda are the stunning Rwenzori Mountains National Park where over 220 bird species including Albertine Rift endemics will be spotted, Lake Mburo National Park offering chances of catching a glimpse of over 350 bird species, Mount Elgon National Park with over5 300 bird species, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, several irrigation Schemes (such as Doho) and others.

When is the perfect time for bird watching Safaris in Uganda?

The wet months of the year-March to May and October to November are the most perfect for bird watching, when fruiting is at its climax hence more food for birds. Additionally, masses of migratory bird species from North America, North Africa and Europe arrive Uganda between the months of October and early December with raptors, small waders, gulls and passerines being the commonest.

What to pack for Bird watching safaris in Uganda

Most of Uganda’s Bird Sanctuaries are rainforests, savannah and wetland that require packing long-sleeved shirts and breathable safari pants but avoid bright colors especially white, hiking boots, rain jacket, warm sweater, waterproof backpack in addition to pair of binoculars, camera equipment, flashlight, insect repellant, sunglasses, wide brim hat, sunscreen, first aid kit, medication, field guidebook, notebook/journal and pen, cables and chargers and others.