Uganda is known to be the most attractive country in Africa for bird lovers, not only because of the unusually number of species but also because easy access to several birds around Uganda. Most of these Uganda specials are Congolese and are western Africa which would be not easy to see them elsewhere in Africa. Basically, Uganda was known to for wildlife and primate safaris until the eyes of tour birders opened up and the realized beautiful birding experiences in Uganda. Uganda has 3 major places for doing birding safaris .
1.Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National park is located in the western part of Uganda, covering over 400km approximately. Over 600 species waiting to be spotted and recorded. While there are famous species like the Shoebill stork, pelican and flamingo have the attention, Yellow throated cukoo, great blue turaco, broad billed roller, common sand martin, Shoebill, White winged tern, Papyrus gonolek, Crab plover, African Skimmer, African hobby, Palm nut vulture, black bee eater, pel’s fishing owl and may more .Of course apart from the birding experience in Queen Elizabeth National park there also other activities that can done including;
Game drive
Game drive involves viewing wildlife, sometimes when feeding, mating, going out to search for prey. Queen Elizabeth National Park has a remarkable game drive due the several wildlife animals including African, buffaloes,waterbucks,lion,leopards,spotted hyena,Giant forest hog,Uganda Kob .
Boat cruise
This is a moment that every tourist would never want to miss during the visit in Queen Elizabeth National park. During the experience you have a chance to see crocodiles, birds, bathing hippos along the shore; this usually takes place at Kazinga Channel.
2. Bwindi impenetrable National park .
Bwindi impenetrable National park is located in the southwest of Uganda and it covers over 321 square kilometers suited along democratic republic of Congo border next to Virunga national park .
Bird Watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one remarkable activity that tourists like to do apart from from gorilla tracking, Batwa cultural experience. Its important to carry binoculars to give the upright view of the birds.
Bwindi impenetrable National is known be one the most popular birding homes in Africa, in 2011 Bwindi was voted as Africa’s number one birding site recorded with over 360 bird species and close 15 are not recorded elsewhere in Uganda.
- Birds like African blue, White tailed blue, Giant king fisher, crown hornbill, African Emerald, cinnamon chest bee eater, African green pigeon, African harrier hawk, Kiev gerund thrush.
3.Murchison falls national park
Murchison national park is the largest national park in Uganda and yet rich park for several birding species and wildlife. It was gazetted in 1927 as Kabalenga national park and popularly known for having the most powerful waterfall. The pain Uganda covering an area of 3840 sq km / 1483 sq miles.
Birds in Murchison falls national Park
Murchison falls national park is habitat of over 451 bird species in the savannah, woodland of the park.
- Eastern Grey Plantain-eater
- African Quail-Finch.
- Speckle-fronted Weaver
- White-browed Sparrow Weaver
- Piapiac, Silver bird
- Throated Bee-eater
- Malachite Kingfishers
- Denham’s Bustard
- Swamp Flycatcher
- Sliver bird
When to see the birds?
The bird life in Murchison Falls is good all around the year, The most favorable time is January-March. During that season in Uganda its known to be a low season and there is low rain December, January, February, while April to May and August to October have the most rain.
4.Kibale National Park.
Kibale National park is located in the western part of Uganda commonly known for Chimpanzees tracking safaris. About 348km, it’s a 5 hrs drive from Kampala Uganda’s most memorable place to experience in Uganda. Kibale is close to the serene Ndali Kasenda crater area having neighbouring areas parks like, Rwenzori Mountains & Semuliki National Parks and the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve. Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Birding .
Kibale National park is truly among the best national parks to have a beautiful bird safari experience , is a home to 325 different bird species .
- the crowned eagle
- yellow rumped tinker bird
- blue-breasted kingfisher brown chested alethe
- Abyssinian ground thrush,
- black-capped apalis
- red-faced woodland
- African pitta
- black bee-eater
- collared apalis,
- headed sunbird
- black-eared ground thrush
- green breasted pitta.
Kibale national park is also blessed with other activities ;
Crater Lakes Tour .
Kasenda area found in Fort Portal districts a home close to 40-50 crater lakes which are surrounded by steep sided volcanoes. A visit to this place are will give you an opportunity to appreciate the unique crater world in Fort portal.
Chimpanzee trekking .
This is one best activity that is sought by many visitors who tour to Kibale national park . This involves trekking through the forest searching out of the chimpanzees . Chimpanzee tracking takes 2-3 hrs depending.
Uganda has many areas that keep chimpanzee though Kibale National park is most visited among other places including the Kyambura gorge in the Queen Elizabeth National Park in western part of Uganda, Budongo forest which is found in the Murchison Falls National park, Kalinzu forest found in Busenyi
During the trekking you be able to see other primates Black and White monkey,L’honest,Olive Baboons,Blue monkeys,Grey Cheeked mangbey,Uganda Red Colobus,the pottos and among others.
Our tours .
3 days gorilla tracking Uganda .
3 days Murchison falls national park .
3 days Queen Elizabeth national Park.
