Best Birding Spots in Uganda

By, MabambaShoebill

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Best Birding Spots in Uganda. Uganda is a true paradise for birdwatchers. With over 1,080 bird species recorded, representing more than 10% of the world’s total bird population, Uganda is one of the richest birding destinations on the African continent. Its varied habitats—ranging from lush forests and expansive wetlands to savannahs, lakeshores, and mountains—provide a haven for both resident and migratory species. Whether you are an enthusiastic beginner or an expert birder, Uganda offers unmatched opportunities to spot rare, endemic, and sought-after birds.

In this blog, we explore the best birding spots in Uganda, highlighting what makes each destination unique, the bird species you can expect to encounter, and why Uganda should be your next birding destination.

1. Mabamba Bay Wetland

Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, just west of Entebbe, Mabamba Bay Wetland is perhaps the most famous birding site in Uganda. It is best known for being the prime spot to see the elusive Shoebill Stork, one of the most sought-after birds in the world.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat: Vast marshes, papyrus swamps, and waterways accessed mainly by canoe.
• Bird Species: Apart from the Shoebill, expect to see species like the Malachite Kingfisher, African Jacana, Swamp Flycatcher, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Warbler, and Blue-breasted Bee-eater.
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning boat rides are ideal, as the Shoebill is most active while fishing for lungfish and mudfish.

Mabamba Bay is also recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, making it a must-visit for any birder visiting Uganda.

2. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is more than just the home of the endangered mountain gorillas—it is also a birding paradise. The park lies within the Albertine Rift Valley, which is globally significant for its high level of bird endemism.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat: Dense montane rainforest with varying altitudes between 1,160m and 2,600m.
• Bird Species: Over 350 species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics such as the African Green Broadbill, Regal Sunbird, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Handsome Francolin, and Rwenzori Batis.
• Best Birding Trails: The Mubwindi Swamp trail, Buhoma trail, and the Ruhija sector are highly recommended for birders.

Bwindi is often described as Africa’s finest birding forest, and for many birders, a visit here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

3. Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most biodiverse parks and an excellent birding hotspot, with over 600 recorded bird species—the highest of any protected area in East Africa.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat: Open savannah, crater lakes, wetlands, forests, and Lake Edward’s shores.
• Bird Species: Grey-crowned Crane (Uganda’s national bird), Martial Eagle, African Skimmer, Black Bee-eater, Papyrus Gonolek, African Finfoot, and White-winged Tern. Migratory species are abundant between November and April.
• Special Areas for Birding: Kazinga Channel (famous for waterbirds), Maramagambo Forest, and Ishasha sector.

With its variety of habitats, Queen Elizabeth offers birders a chance to enjoy a blend of game viewing and birding in one destination.

4. Murchison Falls National Park

As Uganda’s largest and oldest national park, Murchison Falls is a top birding site combining spectacular scenery with incredible biodiversity.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat: Riverine forests, savannah grasslands, wetlands along the Nile, and rocky cliffs.
• Bird Species: Over 450 species including the Shoebill, African Darter, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Goliath Heron, Secretary Bird, White-crested Turaco, and Red-throated Bee-eater.
• Unique Birding Spots: The Nile Delta boat ride is one of the best ways to encounter both waterbirds and raptors.

Murchison Falls’ combination of large mammals and diverse birdlife makes it an ideal safari destination for mixed wildlife and birding experiences.

5. Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale is primarily famous for chimpanzee tracking, but it also ranks among Uganda’s top birding destinations. The park is home to over 370 bird species, many of which are forest specialists.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat: Moist evergreen rainforest and woodland fringes.
• Bird Species: Green-breasted Pitta (a globally sought-after species), African Pitta, Nahan’s Francolin, Grey Parrot, Black-capped Apalis, and Blue-headed Sunbird.
• Best Birding Trails: The Kanyanchu area and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary nearby provide excellent birding opportunities.

Kibale Forest is particularly rewarding for those who enjoy combining primate tracking with forest birding.

6. Semuliki National Park

Semuliki is often referred to as the “True Birders’ Haven” due to its unique location along the Congo Basin, which allows for Central African forest species to be seen in Uganda.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat: Lowland tropical rainforest, swamps, and riverine areas.
• Bird Species: Over 440 species, including rarities like the Congo Serpent Eagle, Nkulengu Rail, White-crested Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black-wattled Hornbill, and Piping Hornbill.
• Specialty: More than 40 species found here are not recorded elsewhere in Uganda, making it one of the most unique birding sites.

Semuliki is ideal for birders looking to tick off rare Central African species without venturing deep into the Congo.

7. Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The mystical Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” are not just for hikers and climbers. They also host a wealth of birdlife, including numerous Albertine Rift endemics.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat: Montane forest, bamboo zones, heath, and alpine vegetation.
• Bird Species: Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Nightjar, Long-eared Owl, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Slender-billed Starling, and Golden-winged Sunbird.
• Specialty: The park has 217 recorded species, and the high-altitude birding experience is both challenging and rewarding.

For adventurous birders, trekking the Rwenzoris offers a chance to combine breathtaking scenery with rare bird encounters.

8. Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo is Uganda’s smallest savannah park but a birding treasure with more than 350 species recorded.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat: Lakes, swamps, open savannah, and acacia woodland.
• Bird Species: African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, Brown-chested Lapwing, Red-faced Barbet (a Uganda rarity), and Emerald-spotted Wood Dove.
• Best Birding Activities: Boat rides on Lake Mburo and guided savannah walks provide excellent birding opportunities.

Its accessibility (just four hours from Kampala) makes Lake Mburo a great stopover for birders traveling to or from western Uganda.

9. Kidepo Valley National Park

Situated in Uganda’s remote northeast, Kidepo is often described as Uganda’s most scenic national park. While known for its wild beauty and large mammal populations, Kidepo is also excellent for birding.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat: Semi-arid savannah, hills, and seasonal rivers.
• Bird Species: Over 470 species, including Kori Bustard, Ostrich (Uganda’s only population), Black-breasted Barbet, Karamoja Apalis, and Secretary Bird.
• Specialty: Kidepo is home to several dry-country species not found anywhere else in Uganda, making it a must for serious birders.

Its remote location ensures fewer visitors, offering birders a more exclusive and intimate experience.

10. Budongo Forest

Located near Murchison Falls, Budongo Forest is Uganda’s largest natural forest reserve and an important birding site.

Key Highlights:

• Habitat: Moist semi-deciduous tropical forest.
• Bird Species: Over 360 species, including Puvel’s Illadopsis (a Budongo specialty), Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, African Dwarf Kingfisher, White-thighed Hornbill, and Yellow-footed Flycatcher.
• Best Trails: The Royal Mile is renowned as one of the best forest birding sites in the whole of East Africa.

Budongo offers excellent opportunities for spotting forest specialists while enjoying a quieter experience compared to Bwindi or Kibale.

Why Bird in Uganda?

Uganda’s birding appeal lies not only in its diversity of species but also in the accessibility of birding sites. Within just a few hours’ drive from the capital, one can move from wetlands to savannahs, forests, and highlands. Moreover, birding in Uganda can be easily combined with other activities like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and classic wildlife safaris.

Professional bird guides and well-established birding tours ensure that both novice and expert birders have rewarding experiences. With its rich culture, hospitable people, and breathtaking landscapes, Uganda offers more than just birding—it provides a holistic African adventure.