Enjoy bird watching in Uganda, as one of the many bird watching safari destinations in Africa, usually ranking as one of the most rewarding, exotic and breathtaking destination. The diverse habitats, ranging from open spaces to savannah plains, woodlands, thickets, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and forests, have shaped the jaw-dropping variety of bird species. These are presently estimated at about 1,080 species – that is about 60% of Africa’s and 10% of the world’s total bird species.
Enthusiastic bird watchers from across the world are regularly mesmerized by the beautiful sights and melodies of Uganda’s bird species as well as the once in a lifetime opportunity of photographing them in their natural environments. It is therefore undeniable that Uganda is one of the awe-inspiring safari destinations when it comes to unmatched bird watching experiences.
Uganda is one of the few places to watch shoebill storks, Green-breasted Pittas and Albertine Rift endemics as they soar across different magnificent places. With numerous bird species spread across stunning and diverse natural environments including savannah grasslands, tropical rainforests, woodlands and thickets, wetlands and marshes, it is little wonder why the ‘Pearl of Africa’ is recognized across the African Continent as a bird watcher’s paradise.
Most popular bird watching destinations in Uganda
Are you wondering where the crème de la crème of bird watching experiences are found in Uganda? There are currently about 33 important birding areas in this beautiful country. All you need is a good camera and a pair of binoculars to enjoy your tour as well as sharing knowledge and passion on your bird watching safaris in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the best birding areas in Uganda, with over 350 bird species that include 23 Albertine Rift endemics. It is common to see the African green pigeons, African Emerald Cuckoo, Shelley’s Crimson wing, Black-billed Turaco, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Regal sunbirds and so much more.
Mabamba Wetland Bay is another unmissable Bird watching destination in Uganda with over 300 bird species that include the elusive shoebill storks. There are also lesser jacana, Great blue Turaco, Goliath herons, Papyrus gonolek and many others.
No bird watching experience in Uganda is complete without the beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park, owing to its 600 bird species that comprise more than half of what Uganda offers. Expect to see Papyrus gonolek, White-tailed Larks, grey-headed kingfisher, African mourning doves, Croaking cisticola, to mention but a few.
Other amazing birding areas in the country are Lake Mburo, Mgahinga Gorilla, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley and Semliki Valley National Parks. The best bird watching experiences are derived during wet seasons of March to May and October to November, when migrant bird species are in large numbers.