Travel Company: Dav Safaris Website: www.davsafaris.com Email: info@davsafaris.com Tel: +256757795781 or +256701412430 The best bird watching tours in Uganda are majorly in destinations like Mabamba Swamp, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mabira Forest, Kibale Forest National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Semuliki National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mpanga Forest and more. Where to Do Birding in Uganda Uganda is a birding paradise with numerous hotspots across the country. Here are some of the best places for bird watching in Uganda: Mabamba Swamp Mabamba Swamp, located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda, is a birdwatcher’s paradise. This extensive wetland is renowned for being one of the best places in the world to spot the elusive shoebill stork. With its prehistoric appearance and unique behaviors, the shoebill is a must-see for any avid birder. But when is the best time to see this magnificent bird in Mabamba Swamp? Murchison Falls National Park Birding in Murchison Falls National Park is always a rewarding experience, enhanced by the park’s diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes, including the iconic Murchison Falls. As you walk through the dry thorn shrub between Red Chilli Rest Camp and the ferry crossing, you might spot birds such as the Blue-bellied Warblers, Black-headed Gonolek, Vitelline Masked Weaver, and Green-winged Pytilia. During a boat trip on the Victoria Nile, you can see various birds along the shore, including African Skimmers, African Fish Eagles, and Grey Crowned Cranes. There is also a good chance of spotting the elusive shoebill stork near the Nile Safari Camp, just outside the park boundary. Murchison Falls National Park is one of the premier destinations for a Uganda game safari. The boat cruise to Murchison Falls is a highlight, offering mesmerizing views as you approach the world’s most powerful waterfall. Additionally, the park offers activities like chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, making it a versatile and exciting destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Makanaga Swamp Makanaga Swamp located in Mpigi district is renowned for its rich birdlife, making it a prime destination for birdwatching. The swamp provides a perfect habitat for the shoebill stork, a rare and prehistoric-looking bird that draws birders from around the world. The shoebill, known for its large, shoe-shaped bill, can often be seen standing motionless in the swamp, waiting to catch fish. In addition to the shoebill, Makanaga Swamp is home to over 300 bird species, including the Yellow-billed Duck, Spur-winged Goose, White-faced Whistling Duck, and Malachite Kingfisher. The swamp’s diverse ecosystem supports a variety of other bird species, making it a rewarding spot for avid birders. Queen Elizabeth National Park: Nestled within the floor of the Rift Valley, Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts one of the longest lists of bird species in the world. With over 605 bird species recorded and counting, this park is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The diverse habitats, ranging from savannah and wetlands to gallery and lowland forests, contribute to this impressive variety. In the southern part of the park, the Edward Flats provide an excellent opportunity to see saddle-billed storks and other bird species. The Kazinga Channel Swamp is another prime location where you might spot the elusive shoebill stork. The Kazinga Channel itself is a natural magnet for a wide variety of birds, including foreign migrants and Albertine Rift endemics. During a launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, you can spot birds such as the African Open-billed Stork, African Fish Eagle, Great and Long-tailed Cormorants, Common Squacco Heron, Swamp Flycatcher, and Yellow-backed Weaver. From Baboon Cliff, you have a good chance of spotting raptors like the Lanner Falcon, Temminck’s Courser, Collared Pratincole, Snake Eagle, and Bateleur. While exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can also enjoy game drives with opportunities to see lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, hyenas, and more. The scenic crater lakes region within the park adds to the rewarding experience of visiting this remarkable destination. Kibale National Park Kibale Forest is renowned for its large population of chimpanzees, but it is also a prime birding destination in Uganda, boasting over 325 bird species. This tropical rainforest is a haven for a diverse array of rainforest birds. Walking along the main road from the Kanyanchu Visitor Center to the bridge, you can spot a variety of birds. Common sightings include the scarce Grey-headed Oliveback, Green-backed Twinspot, Handsome Francolin, and Black-and-white Mannikin, among others. A visit to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary offers additional opportunities to see the shoebill stork and other bird species. Kibale Forest is home to about 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, pottos, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and bush babies. Mabira Forest Mabira Forest is another excellent birding destination in Uganda. Despite challenges from human encroachment, deforestation, and agriculture, this vast natural forest remains a birding hotspot. Birdwatchers in Mabira Forest may encounter species such as the Red-faced Woodland Warbler and Western Green Tinkerbird. From Mabira Forest, you can visit the source of the River Nile in Jinja. The dramatic point where the Nile’s waters surge from the calm Lake Victoria is a sight to behold. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi Forest is famous for its mountain gorillas but is also a birding paradise in Uganda, with over 350 bird species, including Albertine Rift endemics. The Ruhija sector is particularly popular for birding, offering a chance to combine gorilla trekking with birdwatching. Birding in Bwindi Forest may reveal species such as the Red-faced Woodland Warbler, African Hill Babbler, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Chestnut-throated Apalis, and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four gorilla trekking areas: Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo. A gorilla permit is required for trekking. The Park also offers a gorilla habituation experience, allowing visitors to spend four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family, for which a special permit is needed. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Located in southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga National Park is home to mountain gorillas and is an emerging birding destination with over 115 bird species identified. Birding in Mgahinga can be particularly rewarding along the gorge trail, which loops halfway up Mount Sabyinyo. Bird species you might encounter in Mgahinga include the Malachite Sunbird, Montane Double-collared Sunbird, Alpine Chat, and Rwenzori Turaco. Mpanga Forest Mpanga Forest, situated along the Kampala to Masaka Road, is a great birding spot on the outskirts of Kampala. Birdwatchers in Mpanga Forest may see species such as the Red-faced Woodland Warbler and Vitelline Masked Weaver. Contact Us for more information about the best bird watching tours in Uganda. Book your Uganda safari packages today and experience the thrill of spotting unique birds like the shoebill stork in their natural habitat.