Uganda Birding Safaris – Go Bird-watching in Africa’s Avian Paradise
Planning for Uganda birding safaris? Birding in Uganda is a truly awesome experience that numerous tourists engage in. Uganda bird-watching tours are the best in East Africa. The presence of lakes, rivers, swamps, forests, and mountains hosts a number of bird species from around the world.
Uganda boasts some of Africa's finest bird-watching safari destinations, including the Mabamba Swamp and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Besides these two bird-watching tour destinations in Uganda, there are many other places where you can spot birds while in Uganda. Let's take you bird-watching in Uganda. Check out our Uganda birding safari tours below and start planning your Uganda safari trip off the right foot.
In recent years, a total of over 1,030 species have been recorded to exist in the country.
This is a record that translates to half of the bird species found in the whole of Africa.
Research indicates that 20% of Uganda’s land is occupied by water bodies like lakes, rivers, wetlands, and swamps covered by papyrus plants, which are home to approximately 210 bird species, including the endemic fox weaver, African skimmer, the sought-after shoebill, papyrus yellow warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, and Papyrus Canary, among others.
Book our Uganda birding safaris above and enjoy the best bird-watching experiences in Uganda at the best cost.
Bird Watching in Uganda
The Shoebill Stock in Uganda
There are over 800 resident bird species, accompanied by 150 pale arctic migrants and some Afro-tropical asylum seekers who have come to breed.
In addition to that, there are over 28 globally endangered species, of which two are prevalent in Uganda: the Entebbe weaver and Fox’s Weaver residing in Northeastern Uganda, areas of Lakes Opeta and Bisinia in Pallisa district, whereas the Entebbe Weaver can be found in the Entebbe peninsula.
In the company of the most wanted bird species in the world, Uganda is home to a few, namely the African Green broadbill found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Rwenzori Turaco residing in the Albertine rift valleys, the shoebill, African Green-breasted Pitta in Kibale National Park.
Guided birding experiences are mainly done in the 10 different national parks in Uganda besides the swamps.
First is Queen Elizabeth National Park, which ranks at the top of most birders’ birding lists as per recent statistics, with roughly 606 bird species.
Murchison Falls National Park has 451 bird species, Kidepo National Park with 475 bird species, 350 bird species in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mburo National Park with 350 bird species, 441 bird species in Semliki National Park, while Kibale National Park has 375 species of birds, among others.
All you need is a good camera to take the photos home, good hiking shoes to help you during the hiking process in the wilderness, insect repellent to protect you from insect bites, a good hiking outfit, an umbrella, and a raincoat since you can’t tell when the rains will pour.
Then, bring binoculars to observe some of the birds that might be far from you, yet they are tiny.
Do you need bird photos, or do you need the rare colors of birds? Are your ears itching to listen to the sweet melodies of birds? Are your eyebrows ready to open up for the birds resting upon the tree branches? Uganda is the perfect destination for the most memorable birding safaris in Africa.
The Two Red necked Spurfowls (Pternistis afer)
Uganda is a true birder’s paradise, boasting an estimated population of about 1080 bird species.
This makes it one of the most sought-after birding safari destinations in Africa.
Birding in Uganda is an amazing experience that allows every avid birder on safari to enjoy sightings of diverse bird species that Uganda boasts of.
Fifty percent of Africa’s estimated bird species and 11% of the world’s bird species are in Uganda – The Pearl of Africa.
Interestingly, Uganda is by far a great birding destination.
Tourists on a Uganda birding tour stand a chance to spot the country’s huge profusion of bird species within a small territory range of only 90,041 square miles.
Uganda protects a variety of bird species that range in its distinct habitats, including tropical/afro-montane forests, high/lowlands, swamps/wetlands, and many more.
Bird Species in Uganda
The King Fisher Bird in Uganda
Uganda has stood as one of the leading birding destinations in Africa due to its rich avifaunal species.
These can be spotted in different habitats/sites across the country.
The list of bird species in Uganda is endless, but the notable ones include the shoebill stork, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, African harrier hawk, black bee-eaters, African pied hornbill, red-throated bee-eaters, helmeted guinea fowl, ostriches, pelicans, saddle-billed stork, goliath heron, flamingos, short-tailed warblers, Rwenzori turacos, black and white casqued hornbills, giant kingfishers, African jacanas.
If you are interested in nightjars or allies, Uganda should be a must-visit for birding.
There is a wide range of nightjars and allies to spot out, and these are mostly medium-sized nocturnal species.
They include Abyssinian nightjars, freckled nightjars, long-tailed nightjars, square-tailed nightjars, Bates’s nightjars, standard-winged nightjar, Rwenzori nightjar, pennant-winged nightjar.
Uganda is also a great destination to visit if you are interested in identifying several plovers or lapwings.
They include Pacific golden plovers, black-headed lapwing, spur-winged plovers, black-bellied plover, greater sand plover, little-ringed plover, white-fronted plover, common ringed plover, Caspian plover, lesser sand plover, brown-chested lapwing, crowned lapwing, Senegal lapwing, three-banded plovers, to mention but a few.
Where to See the Shoebill Stork Bird in Uganda
The Shoebill Stock, a highlight of every Uganda Birding Safari
The shoebill is a rare bird species, and most tourists come to look for this unique species on a Uganda birding tour.
Besides the shoebill stork, there are also several stork species Uganda protects, including, among others, the open-billed stork, marabou stork, yellow-billed stork, and saddle-billed stork.
The top birding sites to see shoebill storks in Uganda include Makanaga swamp, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mabamba swamp, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Entebbe), Lwera Swamp & Kyabakuza swamp.
1. Mabamba Swamp
This is one of the best places in Uganda enthusiastic birders can visit to spot the shoebill storks.
The Mabamba swamp is one of the largest wetlands on Lake Victoria, an extensive freshwater lake shared by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
This wetland is reachable from Entebbe, and tourists can take a canoe/boat ride while on a Uganda birding tour.
2. Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is not only popular for game drives to see the tree-climbing lions but also a diversity of bird species, including the unique shoebill storks.
The shoebill storks in Queen Elizabeth National Park can easily be spotted along the shores of Lake Edward on the Ishasha sector side.
For travelers on a Uganda tour to Murchison, there is also an opportunity to branch off to Lugogo swamp via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to sight the shoebill stork.
The swamp has over 300 bird species, and you can combine your birding tour with game viewing experiences in Murchison Falls National Park or rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
7. Semuliki National Park
Boasting an estimated population of over 400 bird species, Semuliki also provides an amazing opportunity for tourists to see shoebill storks.
While the park is famous for its powerful hot spring-Sempaya hot springs, a birding tour to sight the shoebill is also a must-do.
You can get to Semuliki via Fort Portal tourism city and incorporate birding tours with chimpanzee tracking safaris in Kibale Forest National Park, game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or adventures in Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
8. Makanaga Swamp Bay
This bay is rated among the top shoebill sites in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
It is found along Lake Victoria and reachable from Kampala/Entebbe using a canoe or boat.
Best Places for Bird-watching in Uganda
Mabamba Wetlands Sanctuary
With over 1080 bird species, Uganda is undoubtedly a prime destination for any avid birder in Africa and is a must-visit.
This country features a variety of habitats, offering many opportunities for tourists to embark on a birding tour.
You can choose to visit nearby birding sites close to Kampala/Entebbe or more remote national parks/reserves located away from the city center.
Some of the nearby birding sites to Kampala include Mabamba Swamp/Bay, Lutembe Bay, Mabira Forest, and Makerere.
Here are some of the best places for birding in Uganda:
Gazetted in 1991, Bwindi is also a designated UNESCO Site and occupies 331 sq. km of land area.
It boasts over 350 bird species, including 23 bird species of Albertine rift endemics, 14 of which aren’t found in any other part of Uganda.
Expect to get excited with interesting bird species on a Uganda birding tour, including the yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Kivu ground thrush, hairy-breasted barbet, African green broadbill, equatorial akalat, black-faced rufous warblers, montane oriole, archer’s robin chat, and grey-throated barbet. Others include regal sunbirds, mountain masked apalis, chapin’s flycatcher, handsome francolin, black-billed turaco, western bronze-naped pigeon, blue-headed sunbird, Shelley crimson wing, white-bellied robin chat, short-tailed warblers, and Rwenzori batis.
Bwindi offers several birding trails to explore, such as the Buhoma waterfall trail and Mubwindi swamp trail in Ruhija.
In the Ruhija region, you can expect to come across birds like the slender-billed greenbul, white-browed crombec, grey cuckoo shrike, white-starred robin, chapin’s flycatcher, grey kestrel, African skimmer, brown snake eagle, African white-backed vulture, hooded vulture, and rufous-napped lark, among others.
2. Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
With an estimated population of 620 bird species, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the premier birding destinations in Uganda.
It is an amazing place not only to see big game, including tree-climbing lions, but also to come across many interesting bird species.
Some of the birds you can expect to spot include the shoebill stork, red-necked falcon, pelicans, black-billed barbet, white-headed barbet, papyrus gonoleks, kingfishers, African skimmer, black-chinned quail finch, blue-breasted bee-eater, white-winged warbler, yellow bishop, and African pygmy-goose, among others.
3. Birding in Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Although Rwenzori Mountains National Park is popular as a premier mountaineering destination, it also offers amazing birding experiences.
The park boasts about 177 bird species, including 19 endemic Albertine rift bird species.
You can search for birds like the golden-winged sunbird, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, slender-billed starling, Rwenzori turaco, archer’s robin chat, long-eared owl, and others.
4. Birding in Kibale Forest National Park
With an estimated number of 375 bird species, Kibale Forest National Park is undoubtedly an incredible birding place in Uganda.
While on a birding tour, the rare bird species most avid birders come to look for here is the African green-breasted pitta.
But there are other countless bird species to enjoy great sight, including the black-bellied seed cracker, scaly-breasted illadopsis, blue-shouldered robin chat, grey-winged robin, black bee-eaters, purple-breasted sunbird, white-bellied crested flycatcher masker, Uganda woodland warbler, Abyssinian ground thrush, and many more.
You may also come across the black-billed turaco, red-headed malimbe, dusky blue flycatcher, little greenbul, red-chested owlet, and others.
5. Birding in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Set close to Kibale National Park, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, also known as Magombe Swamp, is a stunning wetland sanctuary and an important birding area worth visiting on a bird-watching tour in Uganda.
The wetland is rich not only in primates but also in a variety of bird species.
Some of the species you may encounter include the black-billed turaco, Great blue turaco, white-spotted crake, black-faced rufous warblers, and scaly-throated honeyguide.
Tourists can also come across birds such as brown-crowned tchagra, white-breasted Negrofinch, hornbills, black-capped apalis, Bocage’s bush shrike, purple-breasted sunbird, and western nicator.
Bigodi Wetland is best explored while engaging in various activities, including primate and butterfly spotting, birding, village/cultural walks, and more.
6. Birding in Budongo Forest
Budongo Forest Reserve offers an amazing Uganda birding experience, especially for those interested in forest birds.
Over 350 bird species exist in Budongo, and you have a chance to come across birds such as Nahan’s francolins, blue-breasted and African dwarf kingfishers, chestnut-capped flycatchers, Cassin’s spine-tail, Ituri batis, and brown twin spot.
Others include the red-tailed anthrush, chocolate-backed kingfisher, Cameroon somber green bull, rufous-crowned eremomela, grey longbills, and black bishop, to mention but a few.
7. Birding in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park boasts a bird species record of about 451, most of which can easily be spotted on a game drive, boat cruise, guided nature walks, or a normal birding tour.
This is a popular birding spot where avid birders can spot the shoebill storks.
In addition, tourists can sight Abyssinian ground hornbill, Northern red bishop, African quail finch, giant kingfishers, malachites, and more.
8. Birding in Mabamba Swamp
If you are around Kampala or Entebbe and birding is on your bucket list, then look no further than Mabamba Swamp.
This is one of the best places to look for shoebill storks.
However, you also have a chance to identify other bird species, including the hairy-breasted barbets, black-billed turacos, malachite kingfisher, papyrus gonoleks, grosbeak, sooty boubou, dusky long-tailed cuckoo, blue-breasted kingfisher, olive-green bull, grey parrot, blue-shouldered robin chat, black-headed weaver, black-headed heron, African marsh harrier, and more.
An estimated 300 bird species have been recorded in Mabamba Swamp.
These include the world’s threatened species, with 7 of them being part of the 12 Lake Victoria biome restricted species, mostly based in Uganda, along with several wetland dwellers.
From October to March, you can also spot migrant birds, especially palearctic species.
The best way to access Mabamba Wetland is from Kampala/Entebbe, navigating through Nakiwogo Landing Site in Entebbe, which takes about 10 minutes on a ferry crossing.
Uganda also has a number of other birding sites, including Lake Opeta, Lake Bisina, Mt. Elgon National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Semuliki National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mabira Forest Reserve, Musambwa Islands, Echuya Forest Reserve, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, and others.
The Crested Crane – Uganda National Bird
The Crested Crane, Uganda’s National Bird
The crested crane is the national bird of Uganda, and while on a birding safari, there are higher chances of spotting it.
There are many grey crowned cranes in Africa, especially south of the Sahara, and in Uganda, its sub-species, ‘the crested crane,’ is particularly the national bird seen on the country’s national flag.
This makes Uganda a distinct country with a bird on its flag.
Most Common Birds in Uganda
A great blue heron perched on a dead tree branch.
Uganda is known for its remarkable avian diversity with only 2 endemic species and several immigrants usually recorded from November to April.
This makes Uganda an attractive nation in Africa for birders to explore.
On this Uganda birding tour, you will enjoy sights of common birds such as the common Squacco heron, blue-breasted bee-eaters, African fish eagle, African finfoot, African dwarf kingfisher, African paradise flycatcher, Abyssinian ground hornbill, emerald cuckoo, African darter, skimmers, pygmy kingfishers, pied hornbill, bateleur, black bee-eaters, black-billed turacos, bar-tailed trogon, black and white strike flycatcher, black-faced rufous warblers, black and white casqued hornbills, broad-billed rollers, brown-throated wattle eye, black-winged red bishop.
There are also several silver birds, spotted mourning thrush, snowy-headed robin chat, secretary bird, white-winged warblers, weaver birds, white-browed robin chat, cinnamon-breasted bunting, golden-breasted bunting, ortolan bunting, brown-rumped bunting, yellow-spotted barbet, to mention but a few.
Uganda Bird-watching Tips
Birding is one of the most challenging tourist activities but also one of the most rewarding adventures.
For a successful birding safari, you will need some tips to have a memorable experience, and some of these tips are as follows:
Look all around: While birding, you should always be on the lookout, even when observing another flock, as you might miss another flock flying overhead.
Stay quiet: Birds are easily startled by even the smallest noises. This is because they have a very acute sense of hearing compared to humans.
Study habitat: Most birds prefer to stay within their habitat range. For example, woodpeckers prefer certain trees, Southern Ground Hornbills prefer the ground, and flamingoes love water. Therefore, it’s important to first study the birds and their preferred habitats for a successful birding trip.
Try Pishing: Sometimes, when you’ve tried all possible ways to get a bird to stay put for a good look and it suddenly flies away, you can try out pishing. Some birds are attracted by the sound and may turn back to investigate the source of the noise.
Right Binoculars: Equipping yourself with the right pair of binoculars will help you spot hidden birds and identify them from a distance.
Birding at the Right Time: Although birding can be done throughout the day, some birds are active during specific hours. For example, owls, nightjars, and other nocturnal birds can be seen at night. Songbirds and foragers tend to be active at dawn and in the morning hours. Eagles and hawks prefer to come out mid-morning and afternoon because they rely on warm currents to soar.
Four-Step Bird Identification Process: Birds aren’t always easy to identify, as many look alike and can sometimes be hidden in thickets or far away. Even when you have a clear view of a bird, don’t forget to take the four-step bird identification process to avoid misidentification. The steps are: habitat, behavior, size and shape, and then coloration and pattern.
Identify by Ear: Learning to identify birds by sound is very helpful because you will be able to recognize a bird even before seeing it.
Wear the Right Clothing: Brightly colored clothes stand out in a bird’s habitat; for example, white makes you easily noticeable because birds can see contrast, even though their vision is not as good as humans’. Consider wearing green, black, or brownish clothes to blend into the birds’ environment.
Use Bird Hides: Bird hides are human-made structures created specifically for birding. Watching birds from inside these hides allows you to remain concealed, as the hide is designed to blend with the natural environment. This way, you won’t startle the birds, enabling peaceful observation.
Follow the Crowd: As the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” It’s common to find birds that feed in the same habitat and seek the same type of shelter congregating together.
Best Time to Go Birding in Uganda
The Heron, Uganda
Birding tours in Uganda are enjoyable all year round.
However, the best months of the year to travel to Uganda for bird watching are during the rainy/wet season.
In every year, there are two different wet/rainy seasons recorded: one from March to May and the other from October to November.
These months are good as they give you a chance to come across migratory birds that come to different birding sites in Uganda.
Being an all-year-round birding destination, it is possible to explore Uganda’s birders even during the dry season, from June to September or December to February.
No matter the season, if you plan to go on a birding tour in Uganda, ensure you have packed well.
We recommend that you come along with a good camera, a pair of binoculars, snacks, insect repellent, a birding book, a voice recorder, plenty of drinking water, and others.
Popular Uganda Bird-watching Safari Questions & Answers
Below are some of the most popular Uganda bird-watching safari questions and answers.
How many bird species have been recorded in Uganda? Uganda is home to an estimated 1,080 bird species.
What percentage of Africa’s bird species are found in Uganda? Uganda hosts 50% of Africa’s bird species.
What habitats support bird life in Uganda? Birds thrive in Uganda’s tropical forests, swamps, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and savannahs.
Which bird species are endemic to Uganda? The Fox’s Weaver and Entebbe Weaver are endemic to Uganda.
What is the shoebill stork, and where can it be found in Uganda? The shoebill stork is a rare bird species found in Mabamba Swamp, Murchison Falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.
Which national parks in Uganda are best for birding? Top birding parks include Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, Murchison Falls, Kibale, and Lake Mburo National Parks.
How many bird species are in Queen Elizabeth National Park? Queen Elizabeth National Park has approximately 620 bird species.
What are the key birding spots in Uganda? Notable spots include Mabamba Wetlands, Bigodi Wetland, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Semuliki National Park.
What are Uganda’s migratory bird seasons? Migratory birds visit Uganda between November and April.
What bird species can be seen in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park? Bwindi hosts species like the African Green Broadbill, Rwenzori Turaco, and Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher.
What equipment is recommended for birding in Uganda? Binoculars, a camera, hiking shoes, insect repellent, and a bird guidebook are essential.
What are the best months for birding in Uganda? Birding is great year-round, but the rainy seasons (March-May and October-November) attract migratory birds.
What birding trails are available in Uganda? Popular trails include Buhoma Waterfall Trail and Mubwindi Swamp Trail in Bwindi.
Which birds are unique to Kibale National Park? The African Green-breasted Pitta and Black-bellied Seed Cracker are highlights in Kibale.
What is special about the Mabamba Swamp? Mabamba Swamp is a key spot for shoebill storks and many wetland species.
How many bird species does Murchison Falls National Park host? Murchison Falls National Park is home to about 451 bird species.
What makes Semuliki National Park ideal for birding? It has over 400 bird species and unique habitats like hot springs.
What are some common water birds in Uganda? Common species include pelicans, African jacanas, and Goliath herons.
Are there nocturnal birds in Uganda? Yes, species like nightjars and owls can be spotted at night.
Can I find the crested crane, Uganda’s national bird? Yes, the crested crane is commonly seen and symbolizes Uganda.
What are the Albertine Rift endemic birds? Birds like the Rwenzori Turaco and Shelley’s Crimson Wing are Albertine Rift endemics.
What bird species are common in Bigodi Wetland? Species include the Great Blue Turaco and Black-capped Apalis.
What birding opportunities does Lake Mburo National Park offer? Boat cruises on Lake Mburo allow sightings of shoebills and other species.
How can I prepare for a birding safari in Uganda? Wear muted colors, pack water, snacks, a voice recorder, and a birding book.
What are the must-see birds for avid birders? The shoebill, African Green Broadbill, and Karamoja Apalis are must-sees.
Are there birding opportunities near Kampala? Yes, Mabamba Swamp and Lutembe Bay are accessible from Kampala.
What bird species are seen in Semuliki National Park? Species include the Red-billed Helmet Shrike and Black-chinned Quail Finch.
How many bird species are found in Lake Mburo National Park? Lake Mburo has about 350 bird species.
What are the top birding accessories? Binoculars, a good bird guidebook, and an umbrella are essential.
Why is Uganda a top birding destination? Uganda’s diversity, hosting 11% of the world’s bird species, makes it a top choice for birders.
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