Best time to visit Uganda for a birding safari

Birding in Uganda is open all year however the dry season is most comfortable for most tourists. Uganda is an African birding hot spot hosting over 1000 bird species and an unrivaled position. The huge list of bird species in Uganda is supported by the various habitants that favor the survival of these birds. The list of birds in Uganda is ever changing when new species are discovered as residents of the country.

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17 day Uganda birding and wildlife

To do birding in Uganda, one needs a well tailored itinerary and ample holiday time to get the best of the huge list of birds in this country. 

The dry season in Uganda is mostly June to September and December to February when the conditions in the wilderness favor birders to walk in the forest. Most birds are in the open and preparing their nets for the cold wet weather.

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, 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.

Where to do Birding in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Although Bwindi in National Park is famous for gorilla safaris, it is one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. This biosphere reserve currently hosts over 350 bird species including Albertine Rift endemics. Amongst the numerous bird possibilities are not fewer than 23 bird species of the 24 Albertine rift endemics like the African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Turaco to mention but a few.

The Ruhija area of Bwindi forest is home to the largest birding list of Bwindi forest although it is limited by the poor road conditions. Birds of Ruhija area are plenty and easy to spot. The Mubwindi swamp area offers better chances to a variety of birds of Bwindi forest.

With an early morning birding safari starting in Bwindi forest, chances of spotting birds like Handsome Francoli, Western Tinkerbird, Collared Apalises, African Hill Babblers, Cinnamon Chested Bee Eaters, White Browed Crombec and others.

Other than birding in Bwindi forest, gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences top the list of activities common to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Murchison Falls National Park

Not only is Murchison Falls National Park a home to several animals but its long list of different bird species makes it a great Uganda Birding destination. At the moment, over 450 bird species have been recorded as residents of Murchison Falls National Park. This long bird list is awed to its varying vegetation zones that favor the survival of these birds.

The Nile corridor favors the survival of an array of water birds including the rare shoebill stork. Kaniyo Pabidi forest is home to several forest birds. During the Launch trip to Murchison Falls, there is a chance to spot several birds by the banks of Victoria Nile. By taking the boat trip from Paraa to the papyrus delta at the River Nile entrance into Lake Albert, there are open chances to spot the rare shoebill stork.

When taking a game drive through Buligi trail, chances of spotting the grassland birds are more available.

With an early morning rise in Murchison Falls National Park during the birding safari, you may have chance to spot birds like Vitelline Masked Weaver, Green winged Pytilia, Silver Bird, Blue naped Mousebird, Black Headed Gonolek and others.

The long list of birds of Murchison Falls National Park is enhanced by the variety of wild animals and amazing landscape of this Park. Murchison Falls National Park is a great game viewing destination in Uganda, can do chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest in this park, the launch trip to the world’s strongest falls is the highlight of safari activities of this park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Placed on the floor of the Rift Valley is Queen Elizabeth National Park with its huge list of birds of over 605 bird species. These parks stretch from the crater lakes dotted foothills of Rwenzori ranges in the N to North to the remote Ishasha River in the South with several bird habitats that are Savannah to wetland to gallery and lowland forest.

The Kazinga channel banks are the magnet to a variety of birds including foreign migrants that fly from as far as Europe. Some of the birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Black rumped Buttonquail, African skimmers, Papyrus Gonolek, Grey capped Warbler, Red chested Sunbird Slender billed, Lion day, Red capped Lark, shoebill stork, saddle bill stork and others.

The Edward flats also provide a good birding spot in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Matamagambo forest is a superb spot for forest birds in this park. The magnificent Crater Lakes area north of Katwe Road is a great spot for grassland bird species including Buttonquail, Croaking Cisticola, Marsh Tchagra and others.

While on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can engage in activities like game drives where you may have chance to spot animals like the tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector, elephants, a buffaloes. Waterbucks, bushbucks and others. The launch trip on Kazinga channel is one of the highlights of this park, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge, the crater lakes drive and others.

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 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 forests hosts about 115 bird species and the list is 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.

Gam 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 Nationalk 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.

What to Pack For a Birding Safari in Uganda

• 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 our team of experts to plan your birding safari visit to Uganda.