Uganda offers a diverse range of bird watching hotspots, each with its unique species and ecosystems. Whether you are exploring mist-shrouded forests or cruising through tranquil waterways, the country’s top birding destinations promise rich and varied experiences. Here’s a guide to some of the best birdwatching locations in Uganda. There are several bird watching spots in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
Top Birding destinations in Uganda:
Below I have highlighted some of the best destinations (plus some bird species found there) you can go bird watching while in Uganda.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; Black Bee-eater, African Green Broadbill
- Mabamba Swamp; Shoebill Stork
- Budongo Forest; Blue-Kingfisher and White-Crested Turaco
- Kibale Forest; Green Breasted Pitta
- Budongo Forest; the Blue-Breasted Kingfishers
- Lake Mburo; Papyrus Gonelek and Finfoot
- Mgahinga National Park; Ruwenzori Turaco and Red-tufted Malachite Sunbird
- Semliki National Park; White Crested Hornbill and the Red-Rumped Tinker Bird
- Murchison Falls; Red-Fronted – Bee – Eaters, Denhams Bustard and the Shoebill
- Rwenzori Mountains; Sunbird species
- Mabira Forest; Nahan’s Francolin plus forest bird species
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary; Black-Billed Turaco and White-Spotted Crake
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Renowned as one of Africa’s premier birding sites, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwestern Uganda. The park is part of the Albertine Rift, a hotspot for bird endemism. It houses over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics such as the African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and the Handsome Francolin. Bwindi’s dense montane forest provides a sanctuary for these rare species, making it a must-visit for serious birdwatchers. The park’s network of trails, such as the Buhoma and Ruhija sectors, are excellent for guided birding walks.
Famous for gorilla tracking encounters, Bwindi is also a crucial birding destination. It harbors over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics like the African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimson wing, and Rwenzori turaco.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is a mosaic of savanna, bushland, wetlands, and forest, making it one of Uganda’s most diverse birding destinations. It is home to over 600 bird species, including the African Skimmer, Papyrus Gonolek, and the Great White Pelican. The Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George, is a birdwatching haven, particularly during boat cruises where you can observe large congregations of waterbirds. The park’s diverse habitats attract migratory species, making it an ideal year-round birding destination.
The diverse ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth support a vast array of birdlife. The Kazinga Channel attracts waterbirds like African skimmers, African fish eagles, and pied kingfishers.
Murchison Falls National Park
Located in northwestern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is known for its dramatic landscapes and high bird diversity. The park is famous for the iconic Shoebill Stork, often spotted in the Nile Delta area. Other notable species include the Goliath Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, and Red-throated Bee-eater. Boat cruises along the Victoria Nile offer excellent opportunities for observing waterbirds, while game drives in the savanna provide sightings of raptors like the Martial Eagle and Bateleur.
The Nile River bisects this park, creating a variety of habitats. Shoebills, Abyssinian ground hornbills, and Goliath herons are among the notable species found here.
Kibale National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is celebrated for its affluent primate population, but it is also a hidden gem for birdwatchers, with over 375 recorded bird species. The forest is home to forest-dwelling birds like the Green-breasted Pitta, a prime birdwatcher target. Other notable species include the Yellow-billed Barbet, Abyssinian Thrush, and various types of sunbirds. The park’s well-maintained trails make it an excellent site for forest birding.
Famous for chimpanzee tracking, Kibale also offers excellent bird watching opportunities. Species like green-breasted pitta, African pitta, and yellow-spotted barbet inhabit its forests.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park, located in the remote western corner of Uganda, is a biodiversity hotspot with strong influences from the Congo Basin. Situated in the Albertine Rift, Semuliki is home to over 400 bird species, including the rare shoebill.
The park is home to over 441 bird species, many Central African species rarely seen elsewhere in East Africa. Notable birds include the Nkulengu Rail, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, and the White-crested Hornbill. The park’s hot springs area is excellent for spotting forest birds. Other highlights include African piculet, Nkulengu rail, and orange weaver.
Mabamba Swamp
Situated near Lake Victoria, Mabamba Swamp is one of the best places in Uganda to spot the iconic shoebill stork, along with a variety of other waterbirds such as herons, egrets, and papyrus gonoleks.
Mabamba Swamp, located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, is one of Uganda’s prime wetland birding sites, particularly for the iconic Shoebill Stork. This vast papyrus swamp can be navigated by canoe, allowing birdwatchers to glide silently through the channels in search of the Shoebill and other wetland species like the Blue-headed Coucal, Papyrus Gonolek, and African Marsh Harrier. The early morning is the best time to visit Mabamba for optimal bird sightings.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Located in the remote northeastern corner of Uganda, Kidepo Valley is renowned for its scenic landscapes and diverse wildlife, including over 470 bird species such as the Karamoja apalis, golden pipit, and Abyssinian roller.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is one of Uganda’s smaller parks, but it punches above its weight in terms of bird diversity, with over 350 species. The park is known for species like the Red-faced Barbet, which is difficult to find elsewhere in the country. The savanna, woodland, and lakes provide varied habitats for species such as the African Finfoot, Brown-chested Lapwing, and Ross’s Turaco. Boat trips on Lake Mburo are particularly rewarding for birdwatchers.
This small park is home to over 350 bird species, including the rare African finfoot, shoebill stork, and various species of raptors, waterfowl, and grassland birds.
Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, the Entebbe Botanical Gardens offer excellent birdwatching opportunities, with species such as the African fish eagle, palm-nut vulture, and various species of kingfishers, weavers, and sunbirds.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Though primarily known for its mountain gorilla population, Mgahinga also offers rewarding birdwatching experiences. Located on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, the park hosts species such as the Ruwenzori Turaco, Scarlet-tufted Sunbird, and Alpine Chat. Birding here can be combined with hikes to higher altitudes, providing a unique opportunity to spot montane species.