Birding in Uganda

Uganda Birding Sites

Best Birding sites in Uganda

Africa is an amazing continent for bird watching. The mainland has recorded around 2250 species, of which about 1500 are found nowhere else. On top of this, Madagascar adds about another 100 endemic species, with a further 40 if you include the Indian Ocean islands. Uganda is a fantastic country for bird life, with more than 1000 species recorded in a country the size of Britain . It is one of the best bird-watching destinations in Africa .

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest , Uganda

After troubles a few years ago this area is now considered safe, but it is worth checking the latest travel advice before embarking on your trip. No fewer than 23 of Uganda ’s 24 Albertine Rift endemic species are found here including globally threatened species such as African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, plus others such as Kivu Ground-thrush, Dwarf Honey guide, Oberlaender’s Ground-thrush, Lagden’s Bush-shrike and Chapin’s Flycatcher. The area lies in the rugged Kigezi Highlands near the borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The habitat is mainly forest covering both mountain and lowland areas between 1190-2600m. This altitudinal variation gives Bwindi some of the richest birding in Africa . Covering 33,100 ha, this is one of the largest forest areas in East Africa .

Murchison (Kabalega) Falls NP, Uganda

Situated 250km north-west of Kampala , this park is the best place in the world to see the Shoebill – an incredible stork-like bird with an enormous boat-shaped beak. A launch makes regular trips 11km upstream to the spectacular waterfalls where the Nile is forced through a gap merely 10m wide. Below the Falls, there is a narrow strip of papyrus on both banks and two pairs of Shoebill regularly inhabit this area. Few people miss them and many ordinary tourists also get to see this much sought-after species that is actually in a genus of its own. There are plenty of other birds to see including Rock Pratincole, and away from the river there is lush forest and river plains.

Budongo forest reserve.

Lies at the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley to the south of Murchison falls and protects the largest natural area in East Africa . It boosts an impressive bird list of over 350 species and is the best site in Uganda for a number of sought-after birds such as Nahan’Francolin, Cassin’s Spinetail, Ituri Batis and Chestnut-capped Flycatcher. The forest’s Royal mile is thought by many to offer the best bird –watching in the whole of Uganda .

Birding in Tips Africa

Get good bird identification guides. Africa is well-covered by bird books with excellent illustrations, so to travel there without a bird book is pointless. To find the best guide for your destination look for the organization concerned with tourism in that country and they will provide you with the necessary information.

Also there are many bird sound CDs and cassettes. Identifying bird calls will still be a challenge, but these will make the task easier. Using these recordings to attract a bird to you should only be undertaken in moderation to avoid unnecessary disturbance. A wide selection of recordings can be seen at www.wildsounds.com

Use our bird guides to show you around. In many African countries there are local birdwatchers who will help you to find the birds. Some of these do this for a living while others do so voluntarily. Using a local guide will get you a bigger list – and quicker!

Finally – give yourself enough time! There are many places where you can see 100 species before breakfast – but be prepared to wait much longer for those hard-to-see forest skulkers.

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