Birding sites of Uganda
Uganda is tucked in the heart of Africa, blessed with many beautiful rivers and lakes, the ever-green environment, and its compositions have won it the name pearl of Africa because nowhere in Africa is as lovely as Uganda is. The country is gifted with large biodiversity containing unique mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds, it boasts over 1000 species of birds recorded to date, these are distributed in different ecosystems dotted around the country. Birds are everywhere in Uganda and no matter where you go you will at least be next to a reserve, or river or swamp, or even a protected national game reserve which are habitats to several birds. In the country there are key areas that have been named important birding adventure sites, each of these presents endemic species, most of the sites lie along the floor of the great Albertine forest, notable species can be sighted in the Semiliki national park along with the extension of the Ituri forest of the democratic republic of congo. Some of the most important birding sites include
Birding sites of Uganda
Mabamba swamp in Entebbe, is the most popular birding area in Uganda, it’s one of the most sought of birding places in Uganda, the wetland is an area of ecological importance hosting over 300 bird species, the Birdlife international recognizes the swamp as an important birding area, the endangered common species to see is the shoebill stock, the best chance to see the bird is in the morning times, Mabamba is assessed on canoe rides along with the papyrus and Lilly corridors on the swamp. And is situated a few kilometres from Entebbe town. Examples of birds to look out for after the shoebill stock include the swamp flycatcher, African fish eagles, Blue-breasted bee-eater, malachite kingfisher, African jacana.
Queen Elizabeth National Park – Birding sites of Uganda
Queen Elizabeth national park in western Uganda, hosts the largest population of Uganda birds, the park contains over 600 birds, it is the second-largest conservation area in the country, majority of birds are spotted in April and November, the places to spot birds include the Maramagambo forest, Katuguru bridge area, Kikorongo area, Kasenyi area, Ishasha area, Mweya peninsular, Katwe area. Popular sights of birds include swallows, cisticola, martial eagles, African green pigeon, little bee-eater, brown-backed scrub robins, yellow wagon, saddle bellied stock. The park has got the biggest population of birds compared to other national parks.
Endemic Species
The Bwindi impenetrable national park is a known destination for Mountain gorillas, however, besides these species, the park hosts an accountable bird list over 400 bird types have been recorded in the conservation area to date, birding is done along trails of Buhoma waterfall trail, Bamboo zone, and Mubwindi swamp trail, some species are endemic to a particular point, for example, the African green broadbill in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi, birds like white-tailed blur flycatchers, impressive African emerald, common bulbul, montane oriole. To mention a few.
Forest Birds In Uganda
Kibale forest national park in the western part of Uganda placed with an extensive forest area in Kabarole district, birding takes place within the park and its surroundings, best points to spot beautiful birds include the Bigodi swamp, Bird lovers to the park lookout for Nahan’s francolin, forest ground thrush, yellow spotted Nictor, Black-shouldered Nightjar, white collared olive. The months of June to September are the best to visit for birding because it is a fruiting season, abundant food for the birds in the park. Birds
Mabira forest is a hub of birds over 300 species, the reserve hosts 312 species of trees, the birds of the forest live within the trees, singing soft beautiful melodies, sights include rare birds like the Nahan’s francolin, yellow and grey hornbills, Jameson’s wattle eye, of the 1040 species of Uganda, most of them can be easily sighted in Mabira forest. Activities like Ziplining can be accompanied together with Birding for more adventure in the forest.
Intra – Migration
Semilki national park is a haven for birds, it’s one of the most sought birding regions in Uganda, travellers who want to experience unique endemic birds need not miss the park, its bird list contains most of the Albertine endemics, along the 6km road between the Sempaya and Ntandi gives clear views of the forest canopy, over 400 species are found in Semiliki national park, including the dwarf honeyguide and the Purple breasted sunbird, dwarf hornbills, congo serpent eagle, Gabon woodpecker to mention a few.
