3 Days Uganda Birding Safari

6 Days Bird watching Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park

6 Days Gorilla Trekking and Birding Safaris Uganda.         

8 Days Africa Best Birding Spot Bird Watching Safari

8 Days Birding Murchison Falls and Budongo Forest in Uganda

10 Days Best of Uganda Birding Safari

14 Days Uganda Birding Safari Experience

20 Days Best of Uganda Bird Watching Safari

23 Days Uganda Birding Safari the Best of Albertine Endemics

The best time for birding in Uganda is during the dry seasons, which typically run from December to February and June to September. During these periods, the weather is more predictable, and the birds are more visible as they come out in search of food. The early mornings are particularly ideal for spotting the shoebill stork, especially when there is less fishing activity.

Some of the Uganda birding destinations include Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Mpanga Forest, Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Musambwa Island, Mabamba Swamp, Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Mabira Forest, Kidepo Valley National Park, Sango Bay Area, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Lutembe Bay, Semuliki National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bisina, Mountain Elgon National Park, Bugoma Forest Reserve. Lutoboka point and others.

A few of Uganda’s birds include the shoebill stork, Saddle bill stork, Rwenzor Turraco, Handsome Francolin, Greater and lesser flamingos, Pelicans, Black-billed Turaco, African Green Broadbill, Grey Cuckoo shrink, White napped Raven, Dusky’s blue Flycatchers, Pink-footed Puff back, White Beilled Robin-Chat and others

During the birding safari in Uganda, it is best to start early morning when most birds are still closer to their overnight spots as during the other times of the day, they disperse to find a meal for the day.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

While Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is renowned for its gorilla safaris, it is also a premier birding destination in Uganda. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 350 bird species, including many Albertine Rift endemics. Among the notable species are the African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and the Rwenzori Turaco.

The Ruhija sector of Bwindi boasts the highest bird diversity, although access can be challenging due to poor road conditions. The Mubwindi Swamp area is particularly rich in birdlife, offering excellent opportunities to spot a variety of species.

Starting your birding safari early in the morning increases your chances of seeing birds such as the Handsome Francolin, Western Tinkerbird, Collared Apalis, African Hill Babbler, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, and White-browed Crombec.

In addition to birding, Bwindi offers gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences, making it a versatile destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

Makanaga Swamp

Makanaga Swamp located in Mpigi district is renowned for its rich birdlife, making it a prime destination for birdwatching. The swamp provides a perfect habitat for the shoebill stork, a rare and prehistoric-looking bird that draws birders from around the world. The shoebill, known for its large, shoe-shaped bill, can often be seen standing motionless in the swamp, waiting to catch fish.

In addition to the shoebill, Makanaga Swamp is home to over 300 bird species, including the Yellow-billed Duck, Spur-winged Goose, White-faced Whistling Duck, and Malachite Kingfisher. The swamp’s diverse ecosystem supports a variety of other bird species, making it a rewarding spot for avid birders.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is not only a haven for wildlife but also a top birding destination in Uganda. The Park is home to over 450 bird species, thanks to its diverse habitats.

The Nile corridor is a prime area for water birds, including the rare shoebill stork. The Kaniyo Pabidi forest is another excellent spot for forest birds. During a boat trip to Murchison Falls, you can spot various birds along the banks of the Victoria Nile. A boat trip from Paraa to the papyrus delta at the Nile’s entrance into Lake Albert offers a good chance to see the shoebill stork.

Game drives along the Buligi trail provide opportunities to see grassland birds. Early morning birding in Murchison Falls can yield sightings of the Vitelline Masked Weaver, Green-winged Pytilia, Silver Bird, Blue-naped Mousebird, and Black-headed Gonolek.

The park’s rich birdlife is complemented by its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes. Murchison Falls is also a great destination for game viewing, chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest, and the iconic boat trip to the world’s most powerful waterfall.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located in the Rift Valley, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a birding hotspot with over 605 bird species. The park’s habitats range from savannah and wetlands to gallery and lowland forests.

The Kazinga Channel is a magnet for a variety of birds, including migratory species from Europe. Notable birds in Queen Elizabeth include the Black-rumped Buttonquail, African Skimmer, Papyrus Gonolek, Grey-capped Warbler, Red-chested Sunbird, Slender-billed Weaver, Red-capped Lark, Shoebill Stork, and Saddle-billed Stork.

The Edward Flats and the magnificent Crater Lakes area north of Katwe Road are excellent birding spots. The Maramagambo Forest is another superb location for forest birds.

While on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can also enjoy game drives and spot animals like the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.

These destinations offer a rich and diverse birding experience in Uganda, making them must-visit locations for any birding enthusiast.

Kibale National Park

Kibale Forest is renowned for its large population of chimpanzees, but it is also a prime birding destination in Uganda, boasting over 325 bird species. This tropical rainforest is a haven for a diverse array of rainforest birds.

Walking along the main road from the Kanyanchu Visitor Center to the bridge, you can spot a variety of birds. Common sightings include the scarce Grey-headed Oliveback, Green-backed Twinspot, Handsome Francolin, and Black-and-white Mannikin, among others.

A visit to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary offers additional opportunities to see the shoebill stork and other bird species.

Kibale Forest is home to about 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, pottos, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and bush babies.

Lake Mburo National Park

Birding in Lake Mburo National Park is exciting as you get the opportunity to spot some of the small birds. At the moment, the bird population of Lake Mburo National Park is estimated to be 315 species. This bird diversity in Lake Mburo National Park is awed to the variety of habitats in this park including moist acacia Savannah, woodland, aquatic habitats and others.

While on Birding Safari in Lake Mburo National Park, you may spot birds like African fin foot, Papyrus Gonolek, black collared Barbets, White tailed and pennant winged nightjar, Northern brown throated Weavers, brown chested Plover and others.

Lake Mburo National Park is also famous for game drives where you have chance to spot the giraffes, waterbucks, reedbucks, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, elephants, buffaloes, elands, impalas, zebras and others.

A boat trip on Lake Mburo is relaxing and an opportunity to search for some water birds in this park. horseback riding can also be arranged in Lake Mburo National Park but on private arrangement.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Birding in Mgahinga National Park is one of the new Uganda birding locations. Mgahinga forest has been less visited but with the new discoveries, this forest hosts about 115 bird species and the list are expected to expand.

When you take the gorge trail in Mgahinga National Park, you may spot a number of birds including Rwenzori turaco, handsome Francolin, Alpine Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Montane Double Collared Sunbird and others.

The long list of birds in Mgahinga forest that is expanding all the time is awed to different habitats like montane forest, bamboo belt, lower slopes of heath and Afro Alpine moor Land and others.

Mgahinga National Park is home to a number other activities with gorilla trekking as the highlight. At the moment only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi is open to public booking in this park. one need a gorilla trekking permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority to have access to this activity.

Hiking the mountains that make up Mgahinga National Park’s topography is exciting. Three of the six Virunga Volcanoes are located in Mgahinga National Park including Mountain Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. By taking an excursion hike on these highlands, you may get the opportunity to simultaneously stand at the border of Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo at the same point.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in North Eastern Uganda a semi-arid Park but very rich with wildlife including birds. At the moment Kidepo Valley National Park is home to about 463 bird species. During a birding safari in Kidepo Valley National Park, you may spot birds like Ostriches, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Secretary birds, Karamoja Apalis, Egyptian Vultures, Pygmy Falcon, Abyssinian Roller. Yellow Billed and Jackson Hornbills, Verreaux’s Eagle and others.

Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park may give you an opportunity to spot animals like lions, leopards, Buffaloes, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, zebras, hartebeest, cheetahs, striped hyenas, aardwolf, dikdik, warthogs, klipspringer, elephants, oribi, bat eared fox and others.

Semuliki National Park

This remote Uganda National Park lies on the southern shores of Lake Albert with various bird habitats. On a birding safari in Semuliki National Park, you may spot Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black chinned Quail finch, Blue Breasted Bee eater, African Scops Owl, African White tailed night jar, Red necked Falcon, African pygmy Goose, Black Billed Barbet and others.

Mountain Elgon National Park

This mountain area hosts a variety of birds that you may have chance to see while on a walk. During birding adventures in this park, you may spot birds like the Green Tinkerbird, Golden winged Sunbird, African Citril, Northern Double Collared and Bronze Sunbird, Yellow crowned Canary, Whilst Cinnamon Chested Bee eater and others.

The Mountain bamboo trails which is about 7 kilometers loop gives an opportunity to various montane habitats. This birding adventure may last about 5 to 6 hours to complete. This trail crosses the Chebonet River to the southern rim with impressive frugivores. While on birding adventure in this area, you may spot birds like the olive pigeon, black and white casqued Hornbill, slender billed and others

A visit to Mountain Elgon National Park offers chance to enjoy the magnificent Sipi Falls, hike on Mountain Elgon with its peak as Waggagai.

Yes, birding in Uganda Swamp is safe. The local communities have embraced conservation efforts, and many locals have been trained as bird guides. These guides are knowledgeable about the birding spots and its inhabitants, ensuring a safe and informative birding experience. Additionally, the most birding spots are Ramsar-listed spots of international importance, highlighting their significance and the efforts to protect them. 

The time it takes to locate the birds can vary. On average, it takes about 1 to 2 hours to spot the birds, depending on the bird’s location and the time of day. Early mornings are generally the best time to increase your chances of a sighting.

Birding in Uganda is relatively easy and accessible to birders of all levels. The bird spots are navigated by boat and road, and the local guides are skilled at manoeuvring through the channels to find the best birding spots. The terrains are flat, and the boat and road rides are generally smooth, making it a comfortable experience for most visitors.

Bird guide book just in case you have to refer back for better knowledgeable on the different bird species you spot.

• A Camera to keep memories of the birding safari experience in Uganda.
• Binoculars to bring closer the far-ranging features in the park.
• Rack sack or backpack to carry with your belongings and keep them from scattering.
• Raincoat or waterproof gear in case it is the rainy season
• Swimming costume in case you wish to relax by the pool after the long day in the jungle
• First aid kit with properly prescribed medication in case of an emergency.
• Warm clothes as temperatures get colder in the morning and late afternoons.
• A torch to use for lighting in the night in case power runs out
• Extra fully charged batteries in case one runs out of power
• Travel adapter and charger in case you need to recharge your gadgets
• Water bottle to carry drinking water in case you need it.
• Safari shoes to protect your feet from the harsh conditions in the jungle in case you have to walk in the jungle
• Insect repellent to keep away stinging insects that may hurt your skin.
• Large brim safari hat to protect your head from buzzing insects.
• Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t supply them or just to be sure of them
• Some cash in case you need on ground purchases as credit cards are not a common means of exchange in Africa,
• Sunglasses to use as Uganda is a tropical country where the sun shines so bright
• Sunscreen to apply to your skin while sunbathing by the poor side after the birding safari
• Flip flops to change into after a long day on the birding experience or while on a game drive in most of the Uganda game parks.
• Extra clothes to change into after a long day in the wilderness searching for the birds.

Contact Us for more information and explore the wonders of birding in Uganda. Book your Uganda safari packages today and experience the thrill of spotting multiple birds in its natural habitat.