Uganda is one of the best birding destinations in Africa boasting a massive bird list of more of than 1,073 recorded different 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 hence having one of the highest concentrations of birds in Africa. The incredible diversity of habitats like no other in Africa is the reason Uganda harbours such a huge diversity of birds and collects so many migrant birds during the year. The birds of Uganda chirp by the waters of Lake Victoria, they fly over the current of the River Nile and wade through the swamps of Mabamba Island.
A safari in Uganda would be incomplete without engaging in birding. The tropical rain forests, the savanna, the swamps and lakesides are a home to many birds. The famous shoebill is one of the must see birds, a glimpse of which may be caught at Mabamba Island. A visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National park would lead you to the Albertine Rift Endemics; the Bigodi wetlands could allow you the sight of a Great Blue Turaco, the Murchison falls national park for the savanna endemics such as Denham’s Bustard; Mabamba Swamp for the shoebill and the central Africa species at the Semuliki National Park.
| Some of the birds to see include; the Capuchin, white-tailed/Piping hornbill, blue headed, crested flycatcher, Orange Weaver, and Red-billed Malimbe, the Papyrus Gonolek, Caruther’s Cisticola, Black-wattled hornbill, Congo Serpent Eagle, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Nkulengu Rail, Long-tailed Hawk to mention a few including seasonal birds. However, most visitors travel to Uganda to see the Shoe Bill stork bird which is actually the most sought bird in Africa. |
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. Despite the fact that Uganda has about 34 birding destination, some of the top birding spots in Uganda including; Mabamba swamp, Semuliki national park, Entebbe botanical gardens, Mabira forest, Lake Bunyonyi and all the other forests and national parks and reserves including the Bugoma and Katongo reserves.
