If you are a birder and searching a destination to go for unique species in Africa, Uganda should be your first priority. It is recorded with a total number of 1090 bird species.
This amazing country is located in the eastern region of the continent. It welcomes thousands of tourists from various parts of the world per year. The list includes bird lovers who come in to see the rarely seen species. For those who wish to visit Uganda mainly for the birds, here are the top hot spots for you.
Mabamba Swamp
Situated along the shores of Lake Victoria, Mabamba is a must go for bird watching excursions in Uganda. This swamp is home to various species of birds. Most tourists visit this place to see the rare shoebill, but there are other species to see.
Make sure to come with a camera of good quality to take photos of birds and surrounding scenery. A tour to Mabamba starts from Entebbe and it is only by boat.
Budongo forest
Located on the escarpment northeast of Lake Albert, Budongo is part of the Murchison falls conservation area. This prominent forest reserve invites a lot of travelers from different parts of the world including researchers and conservationists.
It is mostly known for chimpanzees but it is a good home to other wildlife species including the birds. Adding to the 260 butterflies, 24 mammals and 470 tree species, Budongo shelters about 360 birds including species which are only endemic to this place.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Found in the south western part of Uganda, this protected area is formed by the impenetrable Bwindi forest and other sceneries like the Mubwindi Swamp. It covers a total area of 331 square kilometers with diverse flora and fauna.
Its biodiversity includes 160 tree species, 100 species of ferns, 370 species of birds and more. Besides gorilla trekking, tourists especially birders visit this place to see the different unique species of birds it shelters.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
If you are in Uganda for Wildlife, you have no reason to ignore Queen Elizabeth National Park on your bucket list. This medley of wonders spans four districts. These are Kamwenge, Kasese, Rukungiri and Rubirizi.
Moreover it lies against the backdrop of Mountain Rwenzori. Queen invites tourists with its appealing wildlife found in the four different parts such as the Kyambura gorge, Ishasha sector, Maramagambo forest and the Kasenyi plains.
Apart from the big game, primates, crater lakes and boat cruise, tourists have another reason to visit the park and it’s the bird species.
Lake Mburo National Park
This is the nearest park when you are travelling from Kampala. It is located in the western region, Kiruhura district near Mbarara town. A drive from the capital via Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara highway takes about 4-5 hours depending on speed used and traffic along the route.
Wildlife and boat cruise are the main reasons for safaris to this Park. Not like Queen, Lake Mburo has no elephants and lions. It is a great habitat to leopards, zebras, buffaloes, bush bucks, elands, topi, impala and various birds.
Semliki National Park
Located in Bundibugyo district, Bwamba County, Semliki is Uganda’s newest national park. It was declared a park in 1993. It is home to over 53 mammals. The list includes buffaloes, elephants, crocodiles, and several primates like red cheeked Mangabey, red colobus, chimpanzees, birds and many reptiles.
Expect to see species like Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinker bird, African Piculet, and yellow-throated Cuckoo, piping Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, and White-crested Hornbill.
Murchison Falls National Park
For a mix of birding excursions, boat cruise and game viewing, Murchison Falls National Park is for you. It is located in the northwestern region of the country. Covering a total area of 3893 square kilometers, this protected area is the largest national park in Uganda.
It is known for wild animals, scenic views of landscapes and escarpments, primates in Budongo and Murchison falls, a notable fall which differs itself with great flows of water. Visitors to this park include a stopover in Nakasongola for the white Rhinos in Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
