Must See Places
Birding in Uganda -
Uganda is an equatorial country with astonishing contrasts. No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habitats and this richness is reflected in its bird list of over 1000 species.
From the Source of the Nile on Lake Victoria to the snow capped Rwenzori Range, the montane forests of the Virunga volcanoes to the desert plains of Karamoja, bird watching is an exciting experience for the traveler. Uganda birding safari tours give exposure to most of these birds
Top Birding Spots in Uganda
Mabamba Swamp: Famous spot for the Shoe bill stork. Located 30 km’s west of Kampala Opposite Mpanga Forest.
Kibale Forest National Park: Red winged francolin, red chested fluftail, white napped pigeon, African pita, white-naped pigeon, Joyful greenbul, grey winged pigeon, Abyssinian ground thrush, grey throated fly catcher, white bellied crested flycatcher masker ,Uganda woodland warbler ,chestnut-winged starling.335 species.
Queen Elizabeth national park: Over 550 bird species, includes 11 types of king fisher, several falcons eagles and other raptors, flamingoes,shoebill,African skimmer,white-winged warbler,papyrus Gonolek,black bee eater.
Kidepo National Park Bird enthusiasts will enjoy the Parks 472 bird species comprising about 47% of all Uganda's recorded bird species with several new species that were recently added to the list. The extensive bird list is second to Elizabeth National Park. A few species of note at least in the Ugandan context are the Ostrich, KoriBustard, Secretary bird, Carmine, Little green, and Red throated bee eaters, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Abyssinian roller and Abyssinian scimitarbill, Yellowbilled and Jacksons hornbills and the Karamoja apalis.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park:This is one of the richest flora and fauna forests of East Africa.It has over 357 bird species.See the Albertine rift Endemics,Arhcer’s Robin chat,Kive gorund thrush,Collared apalis,yellow-eyed black flycatcher,rwenzori batis and strange weaver, Buhoma- Ruhinja Black Bee eater, African Green Broadbill.
Murchison Falls National Park: 370 birds including giant shoebill, bee eater,giant kingfisher,shoebill stork and other species.
Budongo Forest: Kaniyo Pabidi-Purvels IIIdopsis, Shinning blue kingfisher, White crested Turaco.
Mabira Forest: Nahan’s Francolin and various forest birds.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary:Whitespotted crake and the black billed Turaco.
Mgahinga National Park: A few birders will be able to resist the attraction of some of Uganda’s most spectacular birds such as the Scarce Rwenzori Turaco , Lagden’s Bush Shrike and scarlet- tufted Malachite sunbird .
Rwenzori Mountains National Park: The fabled “MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON†lie in the western Uganda on the Congolese border, with snow –covered, equatorial peaks rising
Entebbe Botanical Gardens: They offer a superb introduction to Ugandan birds and are situated conveniently close to the capital and International Airport.
Mpanga Forest: Mpanga Forest is a stunning patch of remnant medium- altitude evergreen and swamp forest that lies 37 km from the round about in Natete along Masaka road.
Kampala and Environs: Kampala is Uganda’s largest and modern capital city. It lies on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. It’s well- wooded outskirts supporting a wide variety of birds.
Kajansi Fish Farm : It is situated between Kampala and Entebbe. The Kajansi fish farm, with it’s several artificial ponds attracts a variety he of water birds.
