The 10 best birding hubs in Uganda.

Uganda is a bird sanctuary, with about 10 birding hubs. The country offers varying forest cover throughout the year, making it one of Africa’s best birding destinations.

Throughout the year, a large number of bird species fly in from all over the world, with over 1,080 reported.
Bird viewing can be done in Uganda’s many national parks and forests, as well as on boat cruises where birds can be spotted along the banks of various bodies of water throughout the country.
Our Uganda birding excursions are meticulously arranged to provide birdwatchers with an unforgettable experience. Here are the ten top bird-watching places in Uganda.

1. Mabamba Bay wetland.

Seeing the Shoebill Stork at Mabamba Bay Wetland would make your Uganda birding trip even more enjoyable. Mabamba’s proximity to Lake Victoria provides ideal conditions for birds, particularly species that prefer to reside near water.
A canoe ride through Mabamba Bay Wetland is an excellent way to see the abundant bird species, which include the Shoebill Stork, Malachite Kingfisher, Swamp Flycatcher, Pied Kingfisher, Papyrus Gonolex, Black-headed Heron, African Open-billed Stork, Black Kite, and African Marsh Harrier, among others. Mabamba Bay Wetland is one of Uganda’s 10 best birding hubs.

2. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi impenetrable park is home to over 350 bird species. Gorilla trekking safaris are more popular in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, but bird watching ranks second due to the abundance of rare bird species such as the Black-billed Turaco, African Green Broadbill, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Fraser’s Eagle, Handsome Francolin, Collared Apalis, and White-bellied Robin Chat, among many others.

3. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

In addition to observing the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family in Mgahinga, visitors can enjoy bird watching as well.
Over 180 bird species may be found in Mgahinga National Park, including the White-starred Robin, Rwenzori Batis, Greater Double-collared Sunbirds, Cape Robin, White-starred Robin, Brown Woodland Warbler, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Archer’s Robin Chat, and many others.

4. Murchison Falls National Park.

Murchison Falls National Park has over 450 bird species, which are best seen during a wildlife game drive through the park or on a boat ride to the bottom of Murchison Falls.

The park is the country’s largest, and its bird species include the Red-throated Bee Eater, Northern Red Bishop, African Quail Finch, Giant Kingfishers, Goliath Heron, Swamp Flycatcher, and Abyssinian Ground Horn Bill, among others. Bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park is a must-do activity on any Uganda wildlife tour.

5. Kibale Forest National Park.

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the most famous activities in Kibale National Park.

However, the park is also home to over 375 bird species, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.
The extensive foliage cover that encourages avian life makes it a sanctuary for these species, which build their nests in the forest.
These bird species include the Red-chested Owlet, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, Little Greenbul, and Black Bee-eater, among many others. Kibale Forest is not only home to primates, but it is also one of Uganda’s top 10 best birding hubs.

6. Semuliki National Park.

Semuliki’s riverine forest, which is known for its sempaya hot springs and is located in the Albertine region, is home to approximately 441 bird species, including Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed Malimbe, Yellow-throated Nicator, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Nkulengu Rail, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Dwarf Honey Guide, Great Blue Turaco, and Purple-breasted Sunbird.

7. Budongo Forest.

Budongo Forest, located near the border of the Albertine Rift valley in Murchison Falls National Park, is home to more than 350 bird species.

The forest is also a famous location for chimpanzee tracking.

Birds found in Budongo Forest include the Blue-breasted Kingfisher, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Cassin’s Spine Tail, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, and Nahan’s Francolin, among others.

8. Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park, in Western Uganda, is home to over 177 bird species, the majority of which may be seen when hiking in the mountains. Birds found in Rwenzori Mountains National Park include 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, among others.

9. Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The majority of these bird species can be seen when on a wildlife game drive through the park or on a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most frequented national parks, home to a diverse range of animal and bird species.

With over 600 bird species, birdwatchers can see even the rarest birds such as the Swamp Flycatcher, African Skimmer, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, Martial Eagle, Gabon and Slender-tailed Nightjars, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Black-headed Gonolek, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Sedge Warbler, White-winged Terns, Grey-capped Warbler, Collared Pratincole, and others.

10) Lake Mburo National Park.

Lake Mburo National Park is also home to over 351 bird species, ranking it among Uganda’s top ten birding destinations.

The park is the only place in Uganda where horseback riding safaris are available, and several bird species can be viewed while riding.
The park also features several zebra. Bird species in Lake Mburo National Park include: Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola, Bee-eaters, Cheeky Bronze-tailed Starling, Crested Francolin, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot and  African Fish Eagle

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