To enjoy bird watching in Uganda you need to be prepared to stay out for long hours and have some considerable hiking is certain areas. For example, while birding in Rwenzori Mountains, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Mt Elgon, Bwindi Impenetrable national park, there is a considerable amount of hiking up and down the mountainous areas.
Uganda is home to over 1050 bird species making it a preferred destination for bird watching in Africa. The number of species make up 10% of all of the worlds bird species. It is also home to 24 of the Albertine rift endemics with the rest found in DR Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. Birds were protected over the years because of the cultural norms attached like being totems for clans or believed to communicate messages from the gods and seasons.
Uganda spans Central Africa and East Africa making it home to species from both areas. Birding happens both in protected areas and in private areas, with habitats for birds being wetlands and papyrus swamps, forests, Savannah, agricultural lands, woodlands, rocky ridges and Afro-pine moorland. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a great birding spot with 23 of the 24 Albertine endemics found in Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best locations for birding in Africa. A birding trip to Uganda is sure to leave you with a memorable experience.
Some of the major sites for birding in Uganda include; Bwindi impenetrable national park, Kidepo valley national park, Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Semuliki national park, Mt Elgon national park, Rwenzori mountains national park and Kibale national park. More birding sites include Maramagambo forest, Mabira forest, Budongo forest, Kalinzu forest, Echuya forest, PianUpe game reserve, Katonga game reserve, Mabamba Swamp, Nyamuriro swamp, and several agricultural lands.
