Ten Best Birding Spots in Uganda

Uganda is one of the top birding places in Africa due to its year-round favorable climate, numerous water resources, and diversified forest cover. Many bird species arrive from all over the world throughout the year, and there are currently 1,080 species of birds known to exist. Bird viewing is possible in Uganda’s several National Parks and forested areas, as well as on boat tours where birds can be spotted along the banks of the nation’s many bodies of water.

Our birding safaris in Uganda are thoughtfully designed to provide bird watchers with an exceptional bird viewing experience there. Here are our top 10 bird-watching locations in Uganda.

Mabamba Bay Wetland.

Mabamba Bay Wetland, one of the few locations where the rare Shoebill Stork may be found, is situated on the edge of Lake Victoria. A Shoebill Stork sighting at Mabamba Bay Wetland will add to the excitement of your Uganda birding expedition. The proximity of Mabamba to Lake Victoria offers ideal conditions for birds, particularly species that prefer to reside close to water. The Shoebill Stork, Malachite Kingfisher, Swamp Flycatcher, Pied Kingfisher, Papyrus Gonolex, Black-headed Heron, African Open-billed Stork, Black Kite, and African Marsh Harrier are just a few of the numerous bird species that can be seen when canoeing through Mabamba Bay Wetland. One of Uganda’s Top 10 Birding Sites is Mabamba Bay Wetland.

Murchison Falls National Park.

The largest national park in Uganda is called after the impressive Murchison Falls, where the River Nile rushes through a 7-meter-wide gorge before tumbling 45 meters to the downstream, forming one of the most magnificent waterfalls in the world. A boat ride to the base of Murchison Falls or a wildlife game drive around the park are the finest ways to view the 450 bird species that have been recorded in Murchison Falls National Park.

The Goliath Heron, Swamp Flycatcher, Abyssinian Ground Horn Bill, Red-throated Bee Eater, Northern Red Bishop, African Quail Finch, and Giant Kingfishers are just a few of the many bird species found at Murchison Falls National Park. Bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park is a great highlight of a wildlife safari in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Although Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris are more well-known, bird watching is a close second due to the quantity of uncommon bird species. The Black-billed Turaco, African Green Broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Fraser’s Eagle, Gorgeous Francolin, Collared Apalis, and White-bellied Robin Chat are just a few of the 350 bird species that may be found at Bwindi.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

About 180 different bird species can be found in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which located in the south-western region of Uganda. Tourists can track the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family at Mgahinga and observe birds as well. Cape Robin, White-starred Robin, Brown Woodland Warbler, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Greater Double-collared Sunbirds, Archer’s Robin Chat, and many other bird species may be seen in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Kibale Forest National Park.

One of the best places in Uganda to go bird watching is Kibale Forest National Park, which has over 375 different species of birds. Due to the high plant cover that benefits bird life, bird watching safaris are very popular in addition to chimpanzee tracking safaris. Red-chested Owlet, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, Little Greenbul, Black Bee-eater, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Grey-throated Flycatcher, White-napped Pigeon, among many more bird species, may be found in Kibale Forest National Park. In addition to being a haven for primates, Kibale Forest is one of Uganda’s top ten birding locations.

Queen Elizabeth National Park.

One of Uganda’s most popular national parks, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a wide variety of animal and bird species. With more than 600 different bird species, Queen Elizabeth National Park is among the best places for birdwatchers to see even the rarest bird species. The majority of these bird species can be seen while taking a boat tour along the Kazinga Channel or a wildlife game drive through the park. Swamp Flycatcher, African Skimmer, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Black-headed Gonolek, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Sedge Warbler, White-winged Terns, Grey-capped Warbler, Collared Pratincole, Martial Eagle, Gabon and Slender-tailed Nightjars are just a few of the bird species found in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Lake Mburo National Park

One of Uganda’s Top 10 Birding Sites is Lake Mburo National Park. One of the top ten birding locations in Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park is home to a large population of zebras as well as 351 different bird species. It is only in this park that it is possible to go on horseback riding safaris in Uganda and see some of the bird species. Nubian Woodpeckers, Trilling Cisticolas, Bee-eaters, Cheeky Bronze-tailed Starlings, Crested Francolins, Emerald-spotted Wood Doves, Brown Parrots, African Fish Eagles, and Red-necked Spurfowls are just a few of the bird species found in Lake Mburo National Park.

Semuliki National Park

One of the top ten birding locations in Uganda is Semuliki National Park, which is situated in Western Uganda in the Albertine Rift Valley. Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed Malimbe, Yellow-throated Nicator, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Nkulengu Rail, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Dwarf Honeyguide, Big Blue Turaco, and Purple-breasted Sunbird are just a few of the 441 bird species found in Semuliki’s riverine woodland. The Semuliki National Park is home to the well-known Sempaya Hotsprings.

Budongo Forest

More than 350 different bird species can be found in the Budongo Forest, which is located in Murchison Falls National Park on the edge of the Albertine Rift basin. The forest is a well-liked location for chimpanzee tracking as well. The Blue-breasted Kingfisher, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Cassin’s Spine Tail, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, and Nahan’s Francolin are just a few of the bird species found in Budongo Forest.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park-Hiking Rwenzori Mountains

Around 177 different bird species may be found in Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Western Uganda, and the majority of them can be seen while climbing Rwenzori Mountains. The Rwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed Sunbird, Golden-winged Sunbird, White-starred Robin, Long-eared Owl, Archers’ Robin-chat, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, and Slender-billed Starling are just a few of the bird species found in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.