Birdwatching in Uganda: Where to Go and What to See

Birdwatching in Uganda is a reason to travel in its own right. The country sits where savanna, forest, wetland and mountain habitats meet, and that mix produces a bird list that few countries match. You do not have to be an expert. A good guide, a pair of binoculars and an early start are enough to see dozens of species in a morning.

The numbers by park

The Uganda Wildlife Authority lists these approximate counts for the parks on our western circuit.

• Queen Elizabeth National Park: more than 600 species
• Murchison Falls National Park: 556 species
• Kibale National Park: about 370 species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: more than 350 species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics
• Lake Mburo National Park: more than 315 species
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: more than 180 species, including 14 Albertine Rift endemics

The shoebill

The shoebill is the bird many visitors want most. It is a tall, grey, prehistoric-looking wader that stands motionless in papyrus swamps. UWA says shoebills are commonly spotted along the Albert Delta in Murchison Falls, reached by the downstream boat trip from Paraa. Mabamba swamp, near Entebbe, is also widely visited by birders hoping to see one. Go early, move slowly and ask your guide where birds were seen recently. Our Murchison Falls visitor's guide explains the boat trips.

Albertine Rift endemics

The Albertine Rift is a chain of mountains and forests along the western edge of Uganda, and many of its birds are found nowhere else. Bwindi and Kibale each list 23 of these endemics, and Mgahinga lists 14. A local bird guide is essential here, because many of these birds live in dense forest and are heard before they are seen.

Habitat by habitat

• Savanna and acacia woodland at Lake Mburo, for open-country birds, raptors and waterbirds on the lakes
• Channels, lakes and plains at Queen Elizabeth, for pelicans, kingfishers, bee-eaters and waders
• Forest and wetland at Kibale, including the community-run Bigodi wetland walk
• Mountain forest at Bwindi, for forest specialists and endemics
• Highland lakes at Bunyonyi, with more than 200 species around the shore. See our Lake Bunyonyi guide

Plan a birding route from Mbarara

A well-paced route might begin at Lake Mburo, move to Queen Elizabeth, continue through Kibale or Bwindi and finish at Lake Bunyonyi. Our 6 day Uganda birding safari is built on that idea, and you can adjust it to your list and your pace. Our 7 day western Uganda itinerary shows how to mix birding with gorillas.

Tips for beginners and experts

• Start at first light. Bird activity is highest in the first hours of the day
• Carry binoculars and a field guide or app, and learn a few calls
• Hire a local bird guide for forests and swamps
• Move quietly and avoid sudden gestures
• Pack for mud and rain. See our packing list

Seasons

Birding is good all year, with extra migrants arriving from the northern hemisphere between about November and April, so many birders combine a trip with the rains. Read our seasons guide for details.

Start planning

Tell us your target species, your pace and the time you have on the plan your trip page and we will suggest a route.