Uganda is a hot spot for travellers that love to do birding, the paradise of birds has recorded more than 1073 bird species to date, most of the birds recorded here are endemics of the Africa wildlife species,24 of which are endemics to the great Albertine region. With the one of the biggest concentration of birds in the world, there are birds every where in the country but mostly the protected ecosystems have got quite a number, the incredibly diverse conservation areas collect so many birds including migratory species. The lovely country has approximately 34 birding spots, there are new several birds recorded in the country.
Enjoying birding in the country you will need to be patient to stay out for longer hours, the trails along which the birds are found some are hilly so prepare for hike, bird life in Uganda has been protected over years, this come out of the historical importance of the birds in the country for example the Uganda crested crane is a national bird symbol on the Uganda court of arms, some of them represent cultural meanings and were known to send messages like owls. Popular habitats of birds include the wetlands, papyrus swamps, forests, African savannah, woodlands, montane forest, Major birding destinations include the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rwenzori National Park, Mabamba Swamp in Entebbe, Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park straddling along the floor of the East African rift valley region.
As you arrive in Entebbe take a chance to do the bird watching at the Mabamba swamp, it is a place to see the critically endangered shoe bill stock for reasons of the swamp constant Lung fish a preferred meal to the birds, they have been threatened to extinction, the habitat is home to other bird species like the black billed Turaco,, blue breasted king fisher, grey parrot, lemon dove, the hair-breasted barbet, to mention a few. Birding is done on canoe boats together with an experienced guide, you will meet the local fisher men around the swampy marshy regions of the park.
The Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park, it is a known forest placed on the southern bank of the park, it is a place to find the Chimpanzee, but home to several bird species these include the black bishop, forest francolin, yellow bellied barbet, yellow footed flycatcher, ituri batis, crowned eagle, African fish eagle, birding in the forest will lead you to other parts of the northern part of the park, the Para region is where the boat cruise begins and the game drive in search of the many animals including Rothschild’s giraffes, African buffaloes, leopards, lions, through the well distributed game tracks of the forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a beautiful forest to catch a glimpse of birds besides the Mountain gorilla species, there are popular birding species including the endemic species to the Ruhija region the African green broad bill, the common trail is the Buhoma water fall trail, mubwindi swamp, bird species to spot include the African harrier hawk, cinnamon chested bee-eater, crown hornbill, giant king fisher, black bellied turaco, handsome francolin, olive breasted green bul, Rwenzori Apalis, the best time to go birding is during the month of march and September, it is a time when there are migratory species to the national park.