Best Birding Spots in Uganda

Best Birding Spots in Uganda. Uganda, often referred to as the Pearl of Africa, is not only known for its incredible Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Tracking safaris but also for its spectacular birdwatching opportunities. With over 1,065 recorded bird species—representing nearly 50% of Africa’s bird species and about 11% of the world’s total—Uganda is a true haven for bird lovers. Nestled in East Africa, this small country of approximately 90,041 square miles (roughly the size of the United Kingdom) offers one of the highest concentrations of birds per square kilometer on the continent. For both seasoned ornithologists and amateur birdwatchers, Uganda promises a rich and rewarding birding experience that can easily be combined with Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Gorilla Habituation, or a classic wildlife safari.

From vibrant wetlands and dense tropical rainforests to soaring mountains and savannah plains, Uganda’s diverse ecosystems support an impressive range of avifauna. Whether you’re embarking on a Rwanda Safari, a Gorilla Trekking Rwanda adventure, or an extended Gorilla trekking safari across the region, adding birding to your itinerary elevates your African safari experience to a whole new level. In this article, Tubale Safaris provides a detailed guide to the Best Birding Spots in Uganda, highlighting key habitats, endemic species, cultural encounters, and the seamless integration of Gorilla tours into your birding safari.

Mabamba Bay Wetland – The Shoebill’s Stronghold

Situated along the northern shores of Lake Victoria, the Mabamba Bay Wetland is a globally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) and arguably the best place to spot the elusive and iconic Shoebill Stork in Uganda. This vast papyrus swamp, just an hour’s drive from Entebbe, is a magnet for birders—especially those seeking to check off rare species from their lists. Mabamba is home to over 300 species of birds including the African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Papyrus Gonolek, and Lesser Jacana.

Birding in Mabamba is done by canoe, offering a tranquil and immersive experience through the waterways. This destination is ideal at the beginning or end of a Uganda Safari, and it is often paired with Gorilla trekking safaris for travelers flying into Entebbe. While tracking the Shoebill, visitors are also treated to sights of frogs, butterflies, and swamp-dwelling reptiles. Mabamba is a perfect prelude to deeper adventures like Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale or a Gorilla Trekking Rwanda journey. With its accessibility and birding richness, it remains one of the Best Birding Spots in Uganda and an ideal add-on to Uganda Gorilla Trekking safaris.

Queen Elizabeth National Park – Birding Among Big Game

Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited protected area, is not only a gem for game drives and boat safaris but also a paradise for bird lovers. Spanning diverse ecosystems—from volcanic crater lakes and expansive savannahs to papyrus swamps and riverine forests—the park supports over 600 bird species. This extraordinary biodiversity includes species such as the Martial Eagle, African Skimmer, Pink-backed Pelican, White-winged Tern, and the famous Shoebill, especially in the Ishasha sector.

For those on a Gorilla trekking safari who wish to experience big game and birdlife in one destination, Queen Elizabeth offers an unmatched dual experience. Boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel are particularly rewarding, allowing birders to spot African Fish Eagles, Pied Kingfishers, and Great Cormorants while elephants and hippos linger nearby. The Mweya Peninsula and the Maramagambo Forest provide excellent forest birding, including sightings of forest flycatchers and sunbirds.

Visitors often combine their visit to Queen Elizabeth with Uganda Gorilla Trekking in nearby Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, making this park a strategic stop on longer gorilla tours. The cultural experiences around the park—like community walks, traditional music, and dance performances—add to the richness of your Uganda safari.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Birding with Gorillas

Globally renowned for Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also a top birding destination, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s richest forests for avian species. The park is home to over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics, which are highly sought after by birders worldwide. Key species to look out for include the African Green Broadbill, Short-tailed Warbler, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and Grauer’s Rush Warbler.

This ancient rainforest, which is also a hub for Uganda Gorilla Trekking and gorilla habituation experiences, allows travelers to blend primate and avifauna encounters seamlessly. Guided birding walks along the Buhoma, Ruhija, and Mubwindi Swamp trails offer exceptional sightings, especially for forest specialists. Whether you are undertaking a Gorilla trekking safari or exploring gorilla tours in Rwanda and Uganda, Bwindi is a must-visit.

Cultural activities such as village walks, Batwa pygmy experiences, and local crafts demonstrations complement your birding and trekking journey. As one of the Best Birding Spots in Uganda, Bwindi offers a deeply immersive and ecologically rich safari that blends nature, wildlife, birds, and culture—all curated by Tubale Safaris.

Semuliki National Park – The Congo Forest Birding Experience

Semuliki National Park, located in the far western corner of Uganda, shares ecological characteristics with the vast Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin. This lowland tropical rainforest is unique in Uganda and is home to over 440 bird species, including 35 found nowhere else in East Africa. Notable birds include the White-crested Hornbill, Congo Serpent Eagle, Nkulengu Rail, and the elusive Lyre-tailed Honeyguide.

Birders seeking a taste of Central African avifauna will find Semuliki exceptionally rewarding. Its hot springs, both male and female geysers, add a touch of natural wonder to the experience. Cultural interactions with the local Bamba and Bakonjo tribes provide authentic insights into forest life and traditions.

Semuliki is also easily combinable with a visit to Kibale National Park for Chimpanzee Tracking, or Queen Elizabeth for big game. As part of a broader Uganda safari, travelers can weave in Semuliki birding with Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi or even cross into Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking Rwanda experiences. Tubale Safaris customizes such trips to ensure seamless, personalized experiences.

Kibale National Park – Chimpanzees and Forest Birds

While Kibale National Park is famed for its exceptional Chimpanzee Tracking and gorilla habituation extension safaris, it is also one of Uganda’s premier birding destinations. The park hosts more than 375 species of birds, including the Green-breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Yellow-spotted Barbet, and Blue-headed Bee-eater. The forest’s dense canopy and tranquil trails make for perfect birdwatching.

Most visitors to Kibale are drawn by the opportunity for up-close encounters with our closest relatives—the chimpanzees. However, combining this experience with birding enriches the overall adventure. Whether during early morning treks or afternoon nature walks, sightings of birds, butterflies, and monkeys are frequent. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, located just outside the park, is a birder’s paradise with over 200 bird species and is also rich in primates.

Kibale forms part of the Albertine Rift’s biodiversity corridor, linking it to Semuliki, Queen Elizabeth, and ultimately to Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi. Tubale Safaris offers flexible itineraries that integrate Kibale birding with Uganda Gorilla Trekking or Gorilla Trekking Rwanda packages for a holistic wildlife safari.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park – Birding at Altitude

Known as the Mountains of the Moon, the Rwenzori range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that shelters a unique montane ecosystem rich in endemic bird species. With over 217 bird species recorded, the park is a lesser-known but rewarding birding destination. Birders can expect to see the Rwenzori Turaco, Strange Weaver, and Long-eared Owl among others.

Trekking through the Rwenzori is not only a physical adventure but also a deep nature immersion. The park’s altitude zones—ranging from montane forest to alpine meadows—provide unique habitats that support specialized birdlife. This makes it one of the Best Birding Spots in Uganda, especially for birders who also enjoy mountain hiking.

Adding a cultural layer to your visit, encounters with the Bakonzo people offer insight into traditional mountain life, herbal medicine, and folklore. Tubale Safaris can link your Rwenzori experience with Gorilla tours in Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park for a rich Rwanda Tour.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Birding and Cultural Harmony

Nestled in Uganda’s southwestern corner, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is not just for Gorilla Trekking and golden monkey tracking—it’s also an excellent birding site with over 180 recorded species. Key sightings include the Rwenzori Turaco, Dusky Turtle Dove, and Olive Pigeon. Birding trails wind through bamboo and montane forest zones, offering breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Mgahinga also provides rich cultural experiences with the Batwa Trail—a historical and educational walk guided by former forest-dwelling Batwa pygmies. This is a powerful complement to birding and primate safaris. For travelers looking to combine Gorilla trekking safari options with off-the-beaten-path birdwatching, Mgahinga is ideal.

Visitors often integrate Mgahinga into a larger Uganda Gorilla Trekking itinerary or connect across the border into Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking Rwanda tours. Whether as part of a standalone Uganda safari or a broader East African journey, this park exemplifies why it’s one of the Best Birding Spots in Uganda.

Conclusion: Plan Your Birding and Gorilla Safari with Tubale Safaris

From wetlands and savannahs to rainforests and volcanic slopes, Uganda offers unrivaled diversity in birdlife, making it a premier destination for avian adventures. Each of the Best Birding Spots in Uganda can be tailored to fit seamlessly with Gorilla trekking safaris, gorilla habituation experiences, Chimpanzee Tracking, and enriching cultural encounters.

With expertly crafted itineraries by Tubale Safaris, you can combine Uganda Gorilla Trekking with immersive birding in Bwindi, Mabamba, Kibale, and more. Whether you’re exploring on a Uganda safari or extending your journey into a Rwanda safari or Rwanda Tour, our team ensures an unforgettable African experience. Embrace the call of the wild and the song of the birds with a customized safari that truly has it all.