Uganda is a birding paradise boasting a massive bird list of more of than 1073 recorded bird species making up 50% of Africa’s bird species and 11% of the world species. This huge bird list is contained within a small territory of only 90041 square miles (about the size of Britain), hence having one of the highest concentration of birds per square kilometers in Africa. Birding in Uganda rewards with easy spotting of many birds by covering just a small area or birding for a short period of time.
The incredible diversity of habitats that no other area in Africa can match is the reason Uganda harbors such a huge diversity of birds and collects so many migrant birds during the year. Uganda lies in a unique position where she shares Africa’s major ecological zones (apart from the sea) and each has associated bird species, including many that are range restricted.
Top birding spots in Uganda
Uganda has up to 34 Important Bird Areas (IBA) many of which have been developed for birdwatching and birding tours. Also, the birding community in Uganda continues to identify other new bird-rich spots across the country and establishing birding trails. Found at most of the birding spots throughout Uganda are local site guides that have been trained in bird identification and can identify all the site’s resident species.
Below are the most visited spots for birding tours in Uganda:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Africa’s number one birding spot according to the African Bird Club
Mabamba Bay Wetland – Best spot to see the Shoebill in Africa
The Entebbe Peninsula
Lutembe bay wetland – bird hotspot near Kampala and Entebbe
Makanaga wetland – another Shoebill spot and great wetland birding
Lazarus Forest, Bethany Land Institute – a birding gem not for from Kampala. Though the forest which is under restoration is at the center of attention, it is the environs of bushland, swamp, garden and woodland, that make this a rare place near Kampala where someone wanting to see a variety of local birds can go birding comfortably.
Kibale Forest National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Kidepo Valley National Parka
Lake Mburo National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Semuliki National Park
Budongo Forest – The Royal Mile trail and Busingiro
Murchison Falls National Park
Mabira Forest Reserve
Mpanga Forest Reserve
The top ten Birds of Uganda (Most sought after on birding trips in Uganda)
Shoebill
Green Breasted Pitta
Rwenzori Turaco
African Green Broadbill
Brown-chested Lapwing
Jameson’s Antpecker
Nahan’s Francolin
Black Bee-eater
Karamoja Apalis
Puvel’s Illadopsis