Interesting bird watching spots in Uganda

Entebbe Botanical Gardens

This place is generally good for the viewing of water and forest birds. The gardens also host a variety of open country and woodland species. In addition, the tall trees near the main entrance are the favorite day-roost of a pair of Verreaux’s eagle owls. The key birds of the gardens include; Red chested sunbirds, Orange weaver, etc. The latter breed in the bushes on the shores of Lake Victoria include; yellow backed kite, Jackson’s Golden-backed, Vieillot’s black weavers etc.

Additionally, on the lake and around the shore look out for; long tailed Cormorant, Common Squacco, Black-headed herons. Hamerkop, African Open-billed Stork , Yellow billed duck, Grey headed gull, Terns, Giant and pied Kingfishers. Swamp flycatcher, Black headed Gonolek, Red-chested Sunbird, Great blue and Ross’s turacos. Woodland Kingfisher, Broad-billed roller, Black and white casqued horn bill, Splendid starling. African fish eagle, Eastern grey plantain-eater, Hadada Ibis , Palmnut and Hooded Vultures, Lizard buzzard. Long-crested eagle, Grey kestrel, Blue-cheeked bee eater, Angola swallow not to mention but a few.

Lake Mburo National Park

The park is best for water as well as acacia associated birds. However, there are  different species observed at different locations. These include; the Rufous-bellied Heron, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Grey Crowned Crane. Black-bellied bustard, Brown-chested lapwing, Emerald-spotted wood-dove, Brown parrot. Red-headed lovebird, Ross’s turaco, Bare-faced go-away-bird. Green wood-hoopoe, White-headed barbet, Red-faced barbet (only seen in Lake Mburo). Nubian woodpecker, Long-tailed cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, White-winged tit and Fin foot. Papyrus yellow warbler, Saddle-billed stork, Blue-breasted kingfisher, Hairy-breasted barbet etc.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The park generally contains over 600 bird species making it a must visit destination in Uganda for birders. Besides, migratory birds are seen from November to April, however, birds can be seen throughout the year. There are various hot spots for the birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park. These include; Kazinga Channel, Kasenyi area, Mweya Peninsula, Maramagambo Forest, Ishasha Sector, etc.  While here, watch out for the Shoebill, Martial eagle, Black-rumped buttonquail, African skimmers. Verreaux’s eagle-owl, Black bee-eater, White-tailed lark, White-winged warbler. Papyrus gonolek, Papyrus canary, Resident African mourning dove, Grey headed kingfisher, Swamp flycatcher. Grey-capped warbler, Black headed gonolek, Red chested sunbird, Yellow-backed and lesser masked weavers, Pin-tailed whydah. Red-capped lark, Lesser  flamingos, African broadbill, Pink backed pelican, Bar-tailed godwit etc.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls is among Uganda’s best birding spots with over 451 bird species. These include; Albertine rift endemic birds, water birds as well as savannah birds. The park is also one of the best places in Africa to find the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. In fact, sightings of this bird are almost guaranteed on a boat trip on the Victoria Nile towards the Lake Albert delta.

However, there are very many birds in the park of which some are rare, common and occasional.  Bird species here include; Grey crowned crane, Giant kingfisher, Giant heron, Shoebill stork, Abyssinian ground hornbills. Standard-winged nightjar, Marabou stork, Black headed lapwing, Back-bellied bustard, Goliath heron. Long-toed plover, White backed night heron, Black headed gonolek, Saddled-billed stork. Chestnut-crowned sparrow weaver, Spotted morning thrush, Silver bird, Bluff-bellied warblers, Hamerkop. Flycatchers, Red-throated bee eaters, Malachite kingfishers, Hornbills, Cuckoos, Francolin, Woodpeckers among others.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo park has a very impressive bird list of over 470 species. In fact, the park has the second highest bird record of any Ugandan protected areas after Queen Elizabeth National Park. Therefore, it’s  best for viewing Northern semi-desert specials. In addition, 60 birds on its list haven’t been recorded in any other Ugandan park. Besides, migratory birds are present from November to April. Apoka Rest Camp and Park Headquarters overlooking Southern Narus Valley is a great spot to begin your birding experience.

Birds in this park include; Abyssinian roller, Purple heron, Abyssinian ground hornbill.  Clapperton’s Francolin (only in Kidepo), Yellow-necked spurfowl, Long-tailed and Standard-winged Nightjars. Common ostrich, African grey flycatcher, Karamoja Apalis, Little green bee-eater, Red-winged Lark. African swallow-tailed kite, Bruce’s green pigeon, Eastern pale chanting goshawk. White headed and white billed buffalo Weavers, Violet-tipped courser, Superb starling, Ethiopian swallow. Secretary bird, Brown-backed woodpecker, Red billed oxpecker, Northern white-crowned and Yellow-billed shrikes. Eastern yellow and Jackson’s hornbills, White-crested turaco, Singing bush lark etc.

Lutembe Bay

This is known as one of the biggest breeding sanctuaries for migratory birds. It also stands as one of the remarkable bird watching sites in the Lake Victoria Basin. Surprisingly, birds live nine months of the year here and only go back to Europe to breed. However, when it is time to go back and breed, the young ones fly as black birds. After breeding, they come back to Lutembe when they are white. As a matter of fact, migration here takes place in September and October annually and leave from February to March. While here, watch out for; Hamerkop, Grey heron, Long toes plover, Greater cattle egrets, African skimmer, Greater cormorant, Papyrus gonolek, Madagascar squacco, Papyrus yellow warble, White winged black terns, Yellow-browed camaroptera, Whiskered tern, Purple starling, Common waxbill, Black-necked weaver, Grey-backed fiscal, Broad-billed roller, African Green pigeon, Senegal lapwing, African-pygmy Kingfisher, Common waxbill, Blue-spotted wood-dove and much more.

Mabamba wetland

Mabamba swamp is a great spot for bird watching safaris in Uganda. Apart from Murchison Falls National Park, Mabamba is the only place where the elusive Shoebill can be spotted at any time of the day. However, you can spot out different bird species in this place. These include; Malachite kingfisher, Papyrus gonolek, White-winged black terns, Blue swallow. Yellow-backed weaver, Goliath herons, White-winged warbler, Northern brown-throated weaver. Pygmy geese, Papyrus canary, Gull-billed terns, Blue-headed coucal, Grey-headed gulls, Carruther’s Cisticola and many more.

Musambwa Island

The island is a recognized Ramsar site and it’s classified as one of the 6 IBAs (Important Birding Area) in Uganda. Besides, it harbors the largest breeding colony of the grey headed gull in Africa. The island has over 2000 snakes and reptiles of all sizes as well as very large bird species. This place is also a breeding site for long-tailed Cormorant, Little Egret, etc. Other species include; African marsh harrier, White-winged black tern, Egyptian goose, Black crake. Pink-backed pelican, Spur-winged plover, Cattle egret, Grey heron, Yellow-billed duck. African fish eagle, Common moorhen, Open-billed stork, Water thick-knee, Herring gull. Common sandpiper, Blacked-headed heron, Lesser black-backed gull, Lesser flamingo. Green-backed heron, Squacco heron Pied kingfisher, Sacred ibis, not to mention but a few.

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is blessed with a unique bird fauna whereby some of these species are endemic to the Albertine Rift Mountains. Here, bird watching can be done all year round in the park. More so, there are migratory birds in the park between the months of November to April. Birding species include; Black kite, Rwenzori turaco, Doubled-collared sunbird, Paradise flycatcher, Crowned hornbill. White-tailed blue flycatcher, White-necked raven, Dusky turtle dove, Grey capped warbler. Archer’s robin-chat, Kivu ground thrush, Handsome francolin, Olive woodpecker, Rwenzori nightjar. Olive pigeon, Dusky crimsonwing etc.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The park generally offers some of the best montane-forest bird watching in Africa. There are an estimated 350 bird species, with 14 not recorded anywhere else in Uganda. In addition, migratory birds are present from November to April. However, in Bwindi birding is most done at Buhoma visitor centre on many trails near the River Munyaga. Birds in Bwindi include; African broadbill, African wood owl, Dusky crimson-wing. Yellow-streaked greenbuls, Handsome francolin, African green pigeon, White-tailed crested flycatcher.  Yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Crowned hornbill,  Regal sunbird, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater. Rwenzori batis, Western green tinkerbird, Fine-banded woodpecker, Strange weaver, Western green tinker. Red-faced woodland warbler, Dwarf honey guide, Rwenzori turaco, Blue-headed sunbird, Rwenzori nightjar, Yellow-crested helmet shrike, etc.

Mt. Rwenzori National Park

Rwenzori Mountain National park has a record of over 217 species of birds recognized. However, and 8 of these are limited to species of the Albertine endemics. Birds include; Dwarf honey guide, Rwenzori turaco, Red faced woodland warbler, Bamboo warbler. Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Golden winged sun bird, Purple breasted sunbirds. African long-eared owl, Olive woodpecker, Strange weaver, Guinea Congo, Kivu ground thrush. Rwenzori nightjar, Ribon chat, Rwenzori batis, Barred long-tailed cuckoo, Handsome francolin, Western green tinker bird etc.

Bigodi Wetland 

Bigodi wetland is one of the areas of interest in Kibale Forest National Park whereby bird watchers are advised to visit this paradise. While here, look out for; Great blue turaco, Black and white shrike-flycatcher. Blue breasted kingfisher, Crowned eagle, Superb sunbird, Grey-winged robin-chat, Green breasted pitta. Black bishop, Yellow spotted barbet, Papyrus gonolek, Yellow billed barbet, Purple breasted sunbird. Dusky crimson-wing, White-tailed ant-thrush, Brown-backed scrub-robin. Abyssinian ground thrush, Brown throated wattle eye, White-breasted Negro-finch, Black crowned waxbill. Black bee-eater, White-spotted fluff-tail, African pitta, Yellow rumpled tinker bird, Hairy breasted barbet and more.

Semliki National Park

Semliki National Park is one of the top birding destinations in Uganda with over 441 recorded species.  In fact, there are 46 Guinea-Congo biome bird species which cannot be found anywhere else in East Africa. On the other hand, 35 of these are only found in 2-3 other parts of Uganda. Species include; Maxwell’s black weaver, Yellow-throated cuckoo, Red-billed dwarf hornbill. Black dwarf hornbill, Great blue and Ross’s turaco, White-crested hornbill. Black-winged starling, Wattled hornbill, Long-tailed hawk, Red-rumped tinker bird. African piculet, White-throated blue swallow, Black wattled hornbill, Yellow-throated nicator. Swamp palm bulbul, Maxwell’s black weaver, Crested malimbe, Red-bellied malimbe. Blue-billed malimbe, Chestnut-breasted negrofinch, Orange-cheeked waxbill, Congo serpent eagle, etc.

Lake Bunyonyi

Meaning “the place of little birds”, Lake Bunyonyi takes its name from the abundant birdlife that call it home. Above all, the 6 Islands around it have got many bird species that can be enjoyed by many bird watchers that visit the Lake. As a matter of fact, over 200 species are found here. These include; African harrier hawk, Pied kingfisher, Cinnamon-chested bee eater, Grey crowned crane. Malachite kingfisher, Black heron, Great cormorant, Cardinal woodpecker, Bronze manikin, Streaky seed eater. Pied wagtail, Fan-tailed widow bird, Bronzy sun bird, Hadada ibis, Speckled mouse, etc.

Mabira Forest

This is generally the most significant forest reserve closest to the city centre. Additionally, the forest boasts over 315 bird species with a record of 74 bird species of Guinea-Congo forests biome that occurs in Uganda. While here, be ready to sight out different bird species. These include; White-billed kingfisher, Yellow-spotted barbet, Grey and Buff-spotted woodpeckers. Red-capped robin-chat, African dwarf-kingfisher, Yellow-throated tinker bird. African pied hornbill, Grey parrot, Hairy-breasted barbet, African shrike-flycatcher. Dusky long-tailed cuckoo, Black-shouldered nightjar, Black and white casqued hornbill, Yellow billed barbet. Cassin’s hawk eagle, Blue-throated roller, Cassin’s honey guide. Grey-green bush shrike, Green-breasted pitta, Speckled tinkerbird, not to mention but a few.