The fact that Uganda is the place where the East African savannah
meets the West African Jungle makes it possible for a birder to enjoy watching a wide variety of bird species. Such species range from the West African forest species, to the African bird, the Albertine rift endemic species, Congo basin endemics, to the savannah specialists among others. The Shoebill is massive prehistolic- looking swamp dweller which is rated by many as the most sought after African bird. This bird can especially be found in Mabamba swamp, near Entebbe – for a 1 Day bird watching tour, although it also exists in other places in the wilderness.
The savannah specialists can be found in the savannah grasslands and woodlands of L. Mburo, Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth national parks among others. Such specialist include the; Crested Francolin, Emerald Spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Bare faced Go-away Bird, Blue Naped Mouse Bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Green Wood Hoopoe, Common Scimitar Bill , African Grey Hornbill, Spot Flanked Barbet, and the Nubian Woodpecker among others.
Among the forest and Albertine rift endemic species that the country habits are the; Great blue Turaco, Green Broadbill, Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill, Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin Chat, Kivu Ground Trush, Montane Masked Apalis, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis. To add on that, there is also the; Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Dusky and Olive Long-tailed Cuckoos. Others include the; African Morning Dove, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Swamp Flycatcher, Grey-capped Warbler, the beautiful Black-headed Gonolek, Red-chested Sunbird, Lesser Eurasian Honey Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Amur Falcon.
The best birding places in Uganda include( but not limited to); Mabamba swamp, Bigodi wetland sanctuary, Lake Bisina, Murchison falls, L. Mburo, Semuliki, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks, Makerere University, around Sheraton hotel in Kampala.
What is very special is the fact that bird watching in Uganda can be done either in the city or in the wilderness and it can take on a number of days, from one to any that you may wish to carry out the trip.
