Bird watching Tours in Uganda – Best Bird-Watching Tours & Holidays

Uganda is a popular destination for Bird watching Tours and Safaris. With over 1,070 different bird species, Uganda is home to about 50% of Africa’s bird species and 11% of the world’s total bird species population. This makes it an ideal birding safari destination for all birding enthusiasts. Uganda’s diverse ecosystems, including dry savannahs, forests, wetlands and urban centres, provide an opportunity to spot rare, endemic and migratory bird species during you Bird watching Tours in Uganda.

Acacia Safaris Limited provides rewarding birding tours all year round. You can plan your Uganda birding safari with us and experience the best bird-watching experience the country has to offer. You won’t miss out on the amazing and rare bird species found in specific destinations in Uganda. Choose us for the best birding experience.

Uganda’s top bird species (most thought of by bird enthusiasts) – What to look out for during birding tours in Uganda

Shoebill
Green Breasted Pitta
Kingfisher
Blue Turaco
Rwenzori Turaco
African Green Broadbill
Brown-chested Lapwing
Jameson’s Antpecker
Nahan’s Francolin
Black Bee-eater
Karamoja Apalis
Puvel’s Illadopsis

Bird Checklist for Uganda for Uganda Birding Tours – Bird watching Tours

Uganda is a birding haven and home to an incredible diversity of bird species. Bird enthusiasts can spot a wide range of birds in the country, including the Handsome Francolin, a plump bird that can be found hiding in the grasslands and savannas. The Stripe-breasted Tit is another bird species that is often found in Uganda’s wooded areas. Shelley’s Crimson-wing, with its vibrant red plumage, is a rare bird species that is found in the high altitude forests of Uganda.

Grauer’s Broadbill is a stunning bird species known for its bright green plumage and is found in the forested areas of Uganda. The Red-faced Woodland Warbler, with its yellow and red plumage, is another bird species that can be found in Uganda’s forested areas. The Dusky Crimson-wing, a bird species with striking crimson and gray plumage, is one of the rarest birds in Uganda and is found in the bamboo forests of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Rwenzori Turaco is another bird species that birders can spot in Uganda. This bird species is known for its vibrant blue and green plumage and can be found in the high altitude forests of the Rwenzori Mountains. The Red-throated Alethe is a small bird species that is found in the forested areas of Uganda and is known for its melodious singing.

Other bird species found in Uganda include the Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Archer’s Robin-chat, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Dwarf Honeyguide, Rwenzori Batis, Blue-headed Sunbird, Grauer’s Warbler, Neumann’s Warbler, Black-faced Apalis, Rwenzori Apalis, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Yellow-crested Helmet Shrike, African Green Broadbill, and Stuhlmann’s Sunbird.

During birding safaris in Uganda, bird watchers can also spot other bird species such as Marabou storks, Long Crested Eagles, Black Bee-Eater, African Spoonbill, Knob-billed ducks, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Chocolate-backed Kingfishers, Saddle-billed Stork, Green-Breasted Pitta, Helmeted guineafowl, Vulturine guineafowl, Standard-Winged Nightjar, Karamoja Apalis, Black Breasted Barbet, Rock pigeon, Bruce’s green-pigeon, African green-pigeon, Bar-tailed Trogon, White-backed duck, Stone Partridge, Nahan’s Francolin, and many more..

Ugandan Endemic birds – The Albertine Endemic species

The Albertine Rift region is well-known for its diverse range of bird species, especially the Albertine Rift endemics. These birds are exclusively found in this specific area of the Albertine Rift Valley, which includes several national parks and protected areas, such as Murchison Falls National Park. Some of the notable species include the Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Purple-breasted Sunbird, and African Dusky Flycatcher, among others. These birds have adapted to the unique habitat and ecological conditions found within the Albertine Rift and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Best Uganda birding tour destinations (birding sites) – Where to go for Bird watching Tours

Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Bird watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park provides an excellent opportunity to observe a vast range of avian species in diverse habitats. Although renowned for its large population of animals, the park is also home to over 600 bird species, making it one of the best destinations for Uganda birding safari tours. Safaris to this park are highly rewarding due to its unique blend of ecosystems, including savannah, wetlands, forests, and lakeshores, all of which support a diverse array of bird species.

While on your birding safaris to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you are guaranteed sightings of several sought-after bird species such as the African hobby, great blue turaco, black bee-eater, martial eagle, African fish-eagle, malachite kingfisher, pink-backed pelican, saddle-billed stork, shoebill stork, and many more. The diverse range of habitats within the park offers refuge to a wide diversity of birds, allowing for sightings of both forest-dwelling and open-savannah species. Birding safaris to Queen Elizabeth are truly rewarding.

Best places to visit within Queen Elizabeth National Park for Birding

Kazinga Channel

The Kazinga Channel is a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This area is home to both diverse birdlife and wildlife species in the park (One of the prime location for birding within the park). It is home to a vibrant population of water birds such as numerous waterfowl, waders, and African skimmers. To explore the diverse birdlife in this region, you can take a boat ride.

The Mweya Peninsula, Maramagambo Forest, Kasenyi Plains, Kyambura Gorge, and Ishasha sector are the other best places for birding in the park. Each area showcases different ecological niches, allowing for a diverse birding experience during your Uganda’s Birding safaris.

Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an extraordinary experience for bird enthusiasts. The park is famous for its endangered mountain gorillas, but it also boasts over 350 bird species, making it one of the richest birding destinations in Africa. During a birding safari here, you can expect to see some of Uganda’s 23 out of 24 endemic bird species, which include the African wood owl, short-tailed warbler, African green broadbill, and handsome francolin, among many others. In addition, you will come across numerous Afrotropical Highland biome species. Bird watching Tours in Uganda do not only offer opportunities to spot bird life but however, you will also have plenty of animal sightings. In Bwindi during your birding tour, you may also come across a gorilla family.

The park’s dense forest provides a diverse habitat for birds, making it a natural haven for birds. The towering trees, thick vegetation, tangled vines, and moss-covered branches create an ideal environment for many bird species. You (Birdwatchers) can observe forest specialists in the canopy and sub-canopy levels, as well as various undergrowth dwellers on the forest floor.

Several well-established birding trails lead through different forest sections, allowing you to explore diverse niches and elevations. Some notable trails include Buhoma Waterfall Trail, Mubwindi Swamp Trail, Bamboo Trail, and Ivy River Trail. Each trail offers distinct birding opportunities.

You can spot various colorful turacos, African emerald cuckoos, Ruwenzori batis, yellow-eyed black flycatchers, African broadbills, and a variety of sunbirds and barbets while in Bwindi. Visit Bwindi for bird watching tours in Uganda.

Birding in Mabamba Wetland

Mabamba Wetland, located about 40 kilometers southwest of Kampala, is a popular destination for birdwatching safaris in Uganda. This wetland is well-known for its diverse bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. With over 300 bird species, Mabamba is considered one of the best birding hotspots in the country. During your birding safaris in Mabamba Wetland, you can expect to spot many notable species such as the African jacana, blue-breasted bee-eater, Malachite kingfisher, pied kingfisher, African fish eagle, African pygmy goose, and many more. It’s important to note that the Mabamba Wetland is a Ramsar site, which means it is an Important Birding Area (IBA).

Shoebill Stork inMabamba

Mabamba Wetland is a well-known destination in Uganda where enthusiasts can reliably spot the shoebill stork, one of the most sought-after bird species by bird watchers. The bird is often considered a “bucket list” item for by most bird lovers.

Birding in Semulik National Park

Semulik National Park is an ideal destination for bird watching safaris in Uganda. If you wish to explore and discover a variety of bird species in a natural and enchanting setting, a bird watching safari to this unique park is a must. The park is home to over 400 bird species, making it one of the popular destination for bird-watching in Uganda. Some notable bird species found here include the Long-tailed Hawk, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, African Gray Parrot, White-crested Hornbill, African Piculet, Great Blue Turaco, and many more. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced birdwatcher, Semulik National Park offers a rewarding experience for everyone.

The best time for birdwatching in Semulik National Park is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. However, it’s important to note that birdwatching can be enjoyed all year round as the park hosts both resident and migratory bird species.

Birding in Murchison Falls National Park

Birdwatching in Murchison Falls National Park is an exciting experience for bird lovers. This national park is renowned for its diverse ecosystem and remarkable birdlife that inhabit the various parts of the park. There are over 450 recorded species within the park’s diverse landscape which includes savannah, woodland, riverbanks, and wetlands. All these diverse ecosystems attracts a rich variety of birds.

Some of the notable bird species you may encounter during birding safaris in Murchison Falls include the iconic Shoebill stork, Goliath heron, African fish eagle, Secretary bird, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Marabou stork, and a vast array of colorful bee-eaters, kingfishers, and sunbirds.

The best time for birdwatching in Murchison Falls National Park is during the dry season, which runs from December to February and June to September. During these months, the park is easily accessible, and bird watching is easy. The dry season also coincides with the breeding season for many bird species, making it an ideal time to spot vibrant plumage and witness fascinating courtship displays.

Plan your Uganda birding safari with Acacia Safaris Limited and experience the best birding safaris. We also offer several other experiences in Uganda including gorilla trekking safaris, wildlife safaris, chimpanzee trekking safaris, day excursions among others.

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