Republic of Uganda

Shoebill Balaeniceps rex ©Guy Smith
Birding Uganda

Uganda (officially the Republic of Uganda) is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is located on the East African Plateau, lying mostly between latitudes 4°N and 2°S (a small area is north of 4°), and longitudes 29° and 35°E. It averages about 1,100 metres (3,609 ft) above sea level, sloping very steadily downwards to the Sudanese Plain to the north. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, shared with Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda is in the African Great Lakes region. Uganda also lies within the Nile basin, and has a varied but generally a modified equatorial climate.Although landlocked, Uganda contains many large lakes. Much of the south of the country is heavily influenced by one of the world’s biggest lakes, Lake Victoria, which contains many islands. Most important cities are located in the south, near this lake, including the capital Kampala and the nearby city of Entebbe. Besides Lakes Victoria and Kyoga, there are Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and the smaller Lake George. Uganda lies almost completely within the Nile basin. The Victoria Nile drains from Lake Victoria into Lake Kyoga and thence into Lake Albert on the Congolese border. It then runs northwards into South Sudan. An area in eastern Uganda is drained by the Suam River, part of the internal drainage basin of Lake Turkana. The extreme north-eastern part of Uganda drains into the Lotikipi Basin, which is primarily in Kenya.It has a great variety of habitats, packed into a fairly small area, and has a bird list nearly on a par with neighbouring Kenya. Uganda has 60 protected areas, including ten national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites[59]), Kibale National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Semuliki National Park. There are many less-visited ones, such as Kidepo Valley and Semliki, which offer a good variety of more-widespread African bird species, as well as a good variety of large mammals.Uganda’s main attractions are in its forests and swamps, where many species with restricted range can be found. Whilst it only has one endemic species, Fox’s Weaver, which occurs in swamps north of Kampala, it has several species which are endemic to specific habitat areas, shared with other countries.

One such area is the Albertine Rift, an area of lakes, mountains and forests, which stretches from northern Uganda along its borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Several species endemic to this area are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Semilki National Park, Rwenzori Mountains and Mgahinga. These include Green Broadbill, Grauer’s, Grauer’s Swamp and Neumann’s Warblers, Shelley’s and Dusky Crimsonwings, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Strange Weaver, Rwenzori Double-collared, Regal, Purple-breasted and Blue-throated Sunbirds, Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Stripe-breasted Tit and several others.In the papyrus swamps around Lake Victoria and other lakes, the enigmatic Shoebill can be found, as well as specialities including Papyrus Yellow and White-winged Warblers, Carruther’s Cisticola, Papyrus Gonolek, Swamp Flycatcher and Orange Weaver.

There are also several highland and lowland forests spread across the country, which offer species which are generally West African. Great Blue and Black-billed Turacos, African Grey Parrot, Green-breasted Pitta, several Woodpeckers, Barbets and Greenbuls, and scarcities such as Weyn’s Weaver, Nahan’s and Forest Francolins all occur.In addition to the birdlife, a great attraction is the opportunity of trekking for Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga, as well as Chimpanzees in Kibale.Even if you are only passing through Uganda, a good range of species can be seen within a few hours of Kampala, in Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Mabamba Swamp and Mabira Forest, including several of the sought-after species above. Add to this the fact that there is a very active community of local birding guides, and the tourist board actively encourages birding tourism, and this is a must-visit locality.

This page is sponsored by Avian Safaris

This page is sponsored by Birding Ecotours

Contributors
Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 1065

    (As at April 2020)

    National Bird - Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum

Endemics
  • Number of endemics: 1

    Fox's Weaver Ploceus spekeoides
Checklist
  • iGoTerra Checklist

    iGoTerra Checklist
    Fatbirder Associate iGoTerra offers the most comprehensive and up to date birds lists on the web
Useful Reading

  • Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa

    | (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda & Burundi) | By Terry Stevenson & John Fanshawe | Christopher Helm | 2019 | 604 pages, 287 colour plates, distribution maps. | ISBN: 9780713673470 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Important Bird Areas in Uganda

    | By Achilles Byaruhanga, Pantaleon Kasoma and Derek Pomeroy166 pages, line illus, tabs, maps.RSPBDistributed by NHBS 2001 ISBN: 9789970714001 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Photographic Guide to Birds of Prey of Southern, Central and East Africa

    | By David Allan, Peter Hayman (Illustrator) Paperback 2nd Edition New Holland Publishers (UK) ISBN: 9781868725212 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • The Bird Atlas of Uganda

    | By Margaret Carswell, Derek Pomeroy, Jake Reynolds & Herbert Tushabe BOU See Fatbirder Review ISBN: 9780952286646 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Where to Watch Birds in Uganda

    | By Jonathan Rossouw and Marco Sacchi110 pages, col photos, tabs, maps.Uganda Tourist Board 1998 See Fatbirder Review ISBN: 9781898665786 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Useful Information
  • Uganda Bird Guides

    Website
    Welcome to Uganda Bird Guides, the ultimate guide to bird watching in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Hands-down the best free bird field guide prepared for birders by fellow birders! This is the most trusted authoritative field guide for Uganda. This online bird watching guide is designed to fulfill your wildest dreams of learning about Uganda birds and wildlife. Find out the best places to go birding including the most popular and less known destinations, how to get there, travel tips and recommendations for prospective birders.
  • Uganda Bird Guides Club

    Facebook
    Uganda Bird Guides Club was formed one and half years a go by the local bird guides. Our main activities so far have been carrying out sensitisation seminars on bird conservation to the local community living around birding sites outside the protected area. This happened after rescuing 3 shoebill storks from peoples' homes which were hunted and kept for sale. The club has already sent 2 members to attend a course of Trainers of Bird Guides in South Africa. Also from the experience of members, we have designed itineraries that we believe are the best so far for Uganda. These include: Birding Uganda in 7 days, 14 days, 17 days best forest birding, 22 days western circuit, birding the big 6 for Uganda, Birding the small 6 for Uganda, and also Birding special for the Albertine Rift Endemics. Once informed in advance, the members will organise transport, accommodation for any one wishing to bird Uganda. The Club aims at satisfaction for any birder who comes to bird Uganda with its members.Also the Club is now making it easy for birders who come to Uganda for short workshops and meetings. We have established birdwatching trails in and around Entebbe and Kampala. Early this year, the club carried out a Birding Big Day activity in and around Kampala. 270 species were recorded in 24 hours. This gives us hope that once birders are here for any period of time, birding is a must. The life lists of members range from 800+ species to the new beginners. Our website which was designed by a volunteer is now down. We hope when we raise money in the next season we will have it back. It is important for birders around the globe to know that our focus is to make birding a possibility for any budget of any birder. Accommodation here especially in the birding areas, is African traditional banda, ( Round huts); Luxury tented camps, and Hotels. Vehicles used here are 4WD Landcruisers that can take 6 birders to a 4WD matatu min bus, which can carry 10 birders. 6 birders per one guide. The hospitality is the arguably the best in East Africa.
Organisations
  • African Bird Club

    Website
    There can be few destinations with a species list of over 600; Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park is one. 350 species have been recorded in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. These two parks alone are among the richest protected areas to be found anywhere on Earth. Accolades for Uganda's birding delights are rarely understated. Nigel Wheatley, in Where to Watch Birds in Africa says: In terms of its size, Uganda is the richest country for birds in Africa.
  • Nature Uganda

    Website
    The EANHS, P0 Box 27034, Kampala. + 25641 540719 eanhs@imul.com
  • Uganda Tourist Board

    Website
    Uganda is an ideal destination for a voyage of discovery into the most enthrolling continent in the world. Our country presents a captivating combination of the wonders of nature and cultural diversity which is a result of numerous ethnic entities. - The place to start when contemplating a trip
  • Uganda Wildlife Authority

    Website
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • IBAs

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Three endemic bird areas (EBAs) lie partly within Uganda: the Albertine Rift mountains; the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo lowlands; and the Kenyan mountains as well as three secondary areas: dry woodlands west of Lake Victoria; north Ugandan swamps and north-east Uganda. Uganda has over 30 restricted range species of which 24 are found only in the Albertine Rift mountains. Uganda has 30 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) covering some 7% of the area of the country…
  • NP - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

    WikiSatellite View
    The birds are Fraser's eagle owl Bubo poensis, dwarf honeyguide Indicator pumilio (LR); African green broadbill Pseudocalyptomena graueri (VU); white-bellied robin chat Cossypher roberti , Kivu ground thrush Zoothera tanganjicae (LR); Grauer's rush warbler Bradypterus graueri, Grauer's warbler Graueria vittata, short-tailed warbler Hemitasia neumanni, yellow-eyed black flycatcher Melaenornis ardesiaca, Chaplin's flycatcher Muscicapa lendu (VU); montane double-collared sunbird Nectarinia ludovicenis and dusky twinspot Clytospiza cinereoinacea; the primate is the mountain gorilla; and the butterflies are cream-banded swallowtail Papilio leucotaenia (VU); Graphium gudenusi and Charaxes fournierae. Bwindi is an important locality for the conservation of Afromontane fauna, in particular those endemic to the mountains of the western rift valley. At least 70 of the 78 montane forest bird species occurring in the Albertine Rift region are found in the forest, including 22 of the 27 endemic species.
  • NP - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Welcome to Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda. This information portal guides you on how to get there, attractions, where to stay, securing a gorilla safari permit, prominent Uganda gorilla safari companies, travel tips, what to wear, when to go ? and recent news about the Mountain gorillas in Uganda.
  • NP - Kibale

    WebsiteSatellite View
    The most accessible of Uganda's major rainforests, Kibale is home to a remarkable 13 primate species, including the very localised red colobus and L'Hoest's monkey…
  • NP - Kidepo Valley

    WebsiteSatellite View
    The Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda's most spectacular parks. It is 1,442 square kilometres and harbours scenery unsurpassed in any other park in East Africa…
  • NP - Lake Mburo

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Lying in the one part of Uganda covered in extensive acacia woodland, Mburo has markedly different fauna to other reserves…
  • NP - Mgahinga Gorilla

    WebpageSatellite View
    Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in the south western part of Uganda in Kisoro district and it is the smallest National park of the 3 national parks in the Virunga conservation area the other two parks are Virunga National park in DRC and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and all form 434-sq.km of this conservation area.
  • NP - Mount Elgon

    InformationSatellite View
    Mount Elgon National Park is a national park 140 kilometres (87 mi) northeast of Lake Victoria. The park covers an area of 1,279 square kilometres (494 sq mi) and is bisected by the border of Kenya and Uganda. The Ugandan part of the park covers 1,110 km2 (430 sq mi) while the Kenyan part covers 169 km2 (65 sq mi).
  • NP - Queen Elizabeth

    WebsiteSatellite View
    From open savannah to rainforest, from dense papyrus swamps and brooding crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward, it is little wonder that QENP boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world…
  • NP - Rwenzori Mountains

    InformationSatellite View
    The 120km Rwenzori chain is regarded to be the legendary snow-capped Mountains of the Moon, described by Ptolemy in AD150. Reaching an elevation of 5,109m, it is also Africa's tallest mountain range, exceeded in altitude only by the free-standing Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro…
  • NP - Semuliki

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Semuliki National Park is an eastern extension of the vast Ituri Forest and forms part of the forest continuum during the climatic upheavals of the Pleistocene, this is one of the richest areas for both flora and fauna in Africa. (Especially for birds)…
Guides & Tour Operators
  • FEATURED

    Gorilla Tours Africa

    Featured Tour Operator
    Gorilla Tours Africa helps put together amazing gorilla trekking tours and birding excursions in the different parts of Uganda. Are you planning to observe the mighty Shoebill Stork at the vast Mabamba wetlands? Do you want to visit all of Uganda’s famous birding spots while also encountering other wildlife? Explore the Pearl of Africa with us!
  • Acacia Safari

    Tour Operator
    With over 1000 bird species, Uganda has almost half of the bird species already recorded on the African Continent.From the source of the Nile on Lake Victoria to the snow capped Rwenzori Range, the montane forests of the Virunga volcanoes to the desert plains of karamoja, bird watching is an exciting experience for the traveller…
  • Advantage Safaris

    Itinerary
    This albertine birding safari offers you the opportunity to get the most out of your Uganda experience. You will visit Mabamba swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria, the best place to see the legendry Shoebill, Queen Elizabeth National Park with a bird list of over 600 species and abundant wildlife,.Bwindi impenetrable National Park famous for Mountain gorillas and Alberline Rift Endemic species ,Echuya forest, arguably the best place to see the Grauers - rush Warbler in Uganda. Our safari will end with a visit to Lake Mburo targeting the African Finfot, Papyrus Gonolek other species.
  • Adventure Uganda Safari

    Tour Operator
    rrival at Entebbe International Airport. Meet Pearland guide and transfer to your hotel. For the Birders who arrive in the early hours of the day will have a welcome birding afternoon around Entebbe Botanical Gardens or in The Uganda wild life education center. Look out for Slender-billed Weaver, Brown-throated Weaver¸ Golden-backed Weaver, Yellow-backed Weaver, Grey-headed Gull, Long-tailed Cormorant, ,Yellow-billed Duck, Pied Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, , Broad-billed Roller, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Orange Weaver, Red-chested Sunbird, Ross's Turaco, Pied Hornbill, , Open-billed Stork, Great Reed Warbler, Grey-capped Warbler and many others
  • African Birding Expeditions

    Tour Operator
    Uganda is a beautiful state and is located in East Africa. It is one of the countries Africa highest number of coming into the country for birding which includes bird watching, and also research. Uganda is blessed with so many graphical features and an amazing ecosystem which is pivotal in the survival of these birds. Besides the geographical features in Uganda, there's also a high concentration of fauna and flora.
  • African Pearl Safaris

    Tour Operator
    …We had a wonderful time not only seeing plenty of big game and fabulous selection of bird life but also the gorillas at Bwindi…
  • Age Safaris

    Website
    AGE Safaris who are an indigenous East African safari company based in Kampala specializes in Uganda safaris and tours and with a commitment to conservation and presenting the beauty of Uganda in its various forms
  • Baksimba Tours

    Facebook Page
    Uganda is one of the top birding destinations in Africa with in excess of 1,050 species in protected areas alone
  • Beads Safaris Collection

    Tour Operator
    Beads Safaris Collection is a Destination Management Company operating tours and travel services all over Eastern Africa destinations including: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Zanzibar. We specialize in offering the best and most unique properties and locations for our guests’ safety, enjoyment and tailor-made to their needs.
  • Bird Uganda Safaris

    Tour Operator
    We have a proven record of successful tours. We pride ourselves in our good organisation and we are pleased that clients appreciate the flexibility we offer when running our tours
  • Birding Ecotours

    Tour Operator
    Uganda is only half the size of Kenya and yet has almost the same number of bird species (about 1000!). During our 23-day birding adventure, we look for the over 20 Albertine Rift endemics inhabiting Uganda and Rwanda, spectacular birds such as African Green Broadbill, African Grey Parrot and Shoebill and literally hundreds of other bird species.
  • Birding In Paradise Safaris

    Facebook Page
    Professional tour guides, conservationists and eco-tourism
  • ConQuest Adventures

    Tour Operator
    ConQuest Adventures Ltd is a specialist tour operator in East Africa, offering top class bespoke, birding safaris, bird photography, and wildlife tours in Kenya , Uganda and Tanzania We are well-known for great birding in East Africa; we offers and organize unrivaled Day Birding tours, as well as wholly-inclusive multi-day birdwatching, wildlife and photography safaris across East Africa.
  • Credit Uganda Tours

    Facebook Page
    Credit Uganda Tours is run by Miriam Magada, a very experienced tour and safari guide and an expert on Ugandan wildlife, especially the birds. Miriam spent 1 year working with Uganda National Parks before spending 3 years with the Uganda Wildlife Authority followed by 6 years experience working as a bird guide. Experienced in conducting tours and safaris for both budget and luxury travelers in Uganda and Rwanda the company offers a first class service. Itineries shown are examples of what we offer, we will be pleased to tailor safaris to your requirements. Our values are integrity, trust and customer satisfaction…
  • Epic Uganda Vacation

    Tour Operator
    Bird watching safaris in Uganda are thriving with a vast gemstone of over 1,000 bird species that have attracted attention in recent years.
  • Insight Safari Holidays

    Tour Operator
    Uganda is home to over 1000 bird species, visit Mabamba Bay, Lutembe, Bwindi forest, Kibale National Park as well as other birders hot spots that mark this country a birder’s paradise. We are an indigenous company, run by locals with vast experience in the tourism sector. Since its inception in 2000, Insight Safari Holidays has grown to handle clients of both large and small groups. Our specialty is in arranging private tours for our client…
  • Lakato Safaris

    Tour Operator
    Choose from our top Uganda safaris (Gorilla Safaris,Uganda safari adventures etc) on this list. Uganda is one of the best safari destinations in Africa, home to the endangered mountain gorillas as well as the source of the Nile. Parks like Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls has great and amazing safaris with the best wildlife encounter whether you go visit the forests and have a game drive through the Savannah.
  • Magic Safaris

    Tour Operator
    Uganda is considered by some specialists to be the richest country for birds in Africa. Nigel Wheatley, for instance, in Where to Watch Birds in Africa (1995) said: In terms of its size, Uganda is the richest country for birds in Africa. And this immense volume and diversity occurs miraculously in a space which keen birders can cover in a relatively short visit
  • Magical Gorilla Adventures

    Tour Operator
    Uganda birding safaris, bird species and birdwatching destinations...
  • Mission Africa Safaris

    Tour Operator
    Mission Africa Safaris is a leading tour company registered in Uganda. We help put together exciting safaris in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Our expereinced and knowledgeable guides/office personnel will ensure you have a memorable time while on your tour. Our packages include bird watching, game drives, nature walks, mountain hiking, gorilla tracking. cultural visits among many other. We give affordable rates to our clients and incorporate a personal touch and quality while dealing with our clients - You can be one of them.
  • Nkuringo Safaris

    Tour Operator
    With over 1.000 bird species found in Uganda, bird watching has brought in growing numbers of hobby ornithologists from around the world but even within has ‘birding’ found new friends.
  • Rainbow Tours

    Tour Operator
    With 1008 recorded bird species, Uganda provides the richest birding on the continent. The country has the greatest variety of primates anywhere in Africa, including chimpanzees and the famous mountain gorillas…
  • Rockjumper

    Tour Operator
    Uganda is an equatorial country of astonishing contrasts. No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habitats, and this richness is reflected in its incredible bird list of over 1,000 species. Amongst these are many highly sought-after birds, such as the unique Shoebill and the numerous endemics of the Albertine Rift Valley. The huge bird list is even more remarkable given the small size of the country making it, arguably, the richest African birding destination. Rockjumper is proud of our incredible depth of experience in Uganda; we have successfully arranged and guided over 30 tours to this country in the past ten years.
  • Shoebill Safaris

    Facebook Page
    Welcome to the Uganda Travel guide & Directory! Please notice that we are not a travel agency. This comprehensive resource of hundreds of pages, provides assistance to anyone planning travel to Uganda or aiming at Uganda Safaris and tours
  • Standard Safaris

    Tour Operator
    Birds being met by each twist of the eye; Uganda and Rwanda are one of the top birding destinations in the continent of Africa; together with over 2060 unique bird species; and 10% species of the world’s total bird population. Think of the rare; Shoebill stock, sitatunga, Ostrich, cranes, Turacos, falcons, caracaras, eagles, buttonquails, kites, papyrus yellow warbler, and so much more; Uganda; the pearl of Africa is the Place to be; located east of the continent of Africa, neighbored by Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
  • Travel Hemispheres

    Tour Operator
    In terms of size, Uganda is the richest country for birds in Africa. No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habitats and this richness is reflected in its ever-burgeoning bird list of over 1000 species. Amongst these are many special endangered birds such as shoe bill stork, standard winged Nightjar, the great blue Turaco, the Green broad bill and numerous endemics of the Albertine Rift Valley that are rare to find elsewhere.
  • Twinspot Tours

    Tour Operator
    Twinspot Tours and Travel specializes in providing exceptional birdwatching experiences in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda showcasing the diverse avian life that our beautiful region has to offer.
  • Uyaphi

    Tour Operator
    The Uganda birding safari at Murchison Falls National Park and the Queen Elizabeth National boasts a staggering site bird list of 615 species with specialities such as such as Black-headed and Papyrus gonoleks, Blue-breasted and White-throated bee-eaters, Blue-breasted Kingfisher Black Coucal, Swamp Flycatcher and Finfoot…
  • Volcanoes Safaris

    Tour Operator
    There are about 2,300 bird species in Africa. Uganda, a country the size of Britain, with more than 1,000 species recorded is one of the richest African birding destinations and has remarkable avian diversity. This is due to its location near the East African savannah, the West African rainforest and the semi-desert of the north.
Trip Reports
  • 2014 [08 August] - Michael Mills

    PDF Report
    Our “highlights” tour of Uganda and Rwanda was once again a resounding success, with greatviews obtained of the four main target birds: Shoebill at Mabamba Swamp, Green-breasted Pittaat Kibale, Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill at Mabwindi Swamp in Bwindi and Red-collared [Mountain] Babbler atNyungwe...
  • 2014 [08 August] - Michael Mills

    PDF Report
    Our “highlights” tour of Uganda and Rwanda was once again a resounding success, with greatviews obtained of the four main target birds: Shoebill at Mabamba Swamp, Green-breasted Pittaat Kibale, Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill at Mabwindi Swamp in Bwindi and Red-collared [Mountain] Babbler atNyungwe...
  • 2015 [01 January] - Dr Michael Zieger

    PDF Report
    Scope: Not only to see as much wildlife as possible but to get (good) photographies of birds! 371 species seen and photographed,
  • 2015 [01 January] - Dr. M. Zieger

    PDF Report
    Not only to see as much wild-life as possible, but to get (good) photographies of birds! 371 species seen and photographed, thereoff 53 mere „documented“ quality (not mentioned in the text)
  • 2015 [11 November] - Dries Van de Loock & Sybryn Maes

    PDF Report
  • 2016 [01 January] - Alex Gabiito

    PDF Report
  • 2016 [06 June] - Dr Michael Zieger

    PDF Report
    Scope: Not only to see as much wildlife as possible but to get (good) photographies of birds! 417 Species seen and photographed, thereof 25 mere documented quality (not mentioned in the text).
  • 2016 [06 June] - Dr. M. Zieger

    PDF Report
    Not only to see as much wild-life as possible, but to get (good) photographies of birds! 417 Species seen and photographed, thereoff 25 mere documented quality (not mentioned in the text). 177 new species compared to our first trip to Uganda:
  • 2016 [07 July] - Markus Lilje

    PDF Report
    Highlights included the prehistoriclookingShoebill, fabulous encounters with theendangered Mountain Gorillas, the highlysought-after Grauer’s Broadbill, sensationalGreen-breasted Pitta, bizarre Pennant-wingedNightjar, secretive White-spotted Flufftail,Brown-chested Lapwing, Joyful Greenbul,African Finfoot, White-headed Wood Hoopoe,exquisite Brown and Green Twinspots,Lagden’s, Many-colored and Luehder’sBushshrikes, rare and seldom-seen WhitebackedNight Heron and a wealth of ultra-localised Albertine Rift endemics...
  • 2016 [08 August] - Henk Hendriks - Uganda & Rwanda

    PDF Report
  • 2016 [08 August] - Henk Hendriks - Uganda & Rwanda

    PDF Report
  • 2016 [08 August] - Jason Boyce

    PDF Report
    ...The gardens were excellent, and we enjoyed some plain-looking species such as African Thrush, Speckled Mousebird, Northern Black Flycatcher, and Dark-capped Bulbul (which we eventually saw every single day of the trip). There were also some spectacularly colourful species around the gardens; these were Black-headed Gonolek – a firm favourite, White-browed Robin-Chat, Red-chested Sunbird, Double-toothed Barbet, Meyer’s and Grey Parrots, and the extravagant Eastern Plantain-eater...
  • 2016 [12 December] - William Young

    PDF Report
    The bird I most wanted to see on the trip was a Shoebill, and I saw them on two days. On the Nile, we found a female who was about 50 meters away and then moved to within about 25 meters. The bird was cooperative and stayed relatively still for a long time.
  • 2016 [12 December] - William Young

    PDF Report
    On Christmas Day, 2016, I left my home in Arlington, Virginia, to fly to Uganda for a three-week birding trip. My friend Lori Price, who does a lot of elephant conservation work in Africa, made all of the arrangements. Most people planning birding and nature trips to East Africa focus on Kenya and Tanzania, which have many more large mammals. But Uganda is a better destination to search for birds.
  • 2017 [01 January] - Mathias D’haen - Lake Bunyonyi

    PDF Report
    Lake Bunyonyi: Byoona Amagura (GPS: -1.300855, 29.939169); an excellent place to take holiday. I stayed two nights in my tent (4$/night) and watched birds on the island the guesthouse was located on. Food is cheap and really good. Staff is nice. I was glad to see some tourists (after all these months).
  • 2017 [05 May] - Paul Kaggwa Kibirango & Richard Baxter

    PDF Report
    "...The mountains along the Albertine Rift Valley form an endemic bird area of considerable importance for being a home to 37 range restricted range species and these the “Albertine Rift Endemics”.
  • 2017 [06 June] - Catherine McFadden

    Report
    A trip to Ethiopia in 2016 had whetted our appetite for some more African birding. Uganda seemed like an interesting destination where we could conceivably see as many as 200 new species, including about 25 of the Albertine Rift endemics (AREs) that are found only in the mountainous border region between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighbors Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
  • 2017 [06 June] - Crammy Wanyama (Avian Safaris)

    PDF Report
    We recorded 551 bird species for which the guide and either one or both participants saw 507, 29 heard and 15 seen by guide only. 57 mammals seen, 2 heard and 1 seen by guide. Reptiles and a number of butterflies were also identified.
  • 2017 [06 June] - Wayne Jones - Uganda & Tanzania

    PDF Report
    Africa is blessed with an incredible range of birdlife and unrivalled megafaunal diversity. On this trip of a lifetime we witnessed life as it once was, with thousands of mammals roaming freely across the plains of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and Maasai still living traditional lives. In Uganda, a country renowned for its birdlife, we saw one of the world’s strangest birds the Shoebill...
  • 2017 [07 July] - Crammy Wanyama

    PDF Report
    This was a 22 day Uganda birding and Nature customized trip for three. We covered the African continent’s most important birdlife biomes – Albertine Rift Montane Forest, East Sudanian Savannah, Northern Acacia-Commiphora Bushlands and thickets, Northern Congolian Forest-Savanna Mosaic, Victoria Basin Forest-Savannah Mosaic, and Zambezian Flooded Grasslands, among others. We did well with local specialities; getting some of Africa’s most sought-after species- Shoebill, Grauer’s Broadbill, Green-breasted Pitta, Eastern Mountain Gorilla and Common Chimpanzee.
  • 2017 [07 July] - Crammy Wanyama (Crammy Wanyama)

    PDF Report
    Covering Africa's most important biomes – Albertine Rift Montane Forest, East Sudanian Savannah, Northern Acacia-Commiphora Bushlands and thickets, Northern Congolian Forest-Savanna Mosaic, Victoria Basin Forest-Savannah Mosaic, and Zambezian Flooded Grasslands, among others.
  • 2017 [09 September] - Daniel Watson

    PDF Report
  • 2018 [01 January] - Ella Maria

    PDF Report
    We chose Uganda because of the rich wildlife and birdlife of East Africa. Two years earlier we went on a classic safari in Kenya’s highland with focus on the big mammals of Masai Mara and the birds at the big lakes. This time we wanted to enjoy the very rich birdlife of neighbouring Uganda’s forests and lakes.
  • 2018 [01 January] - Leif Bisschop-Larsen

    PDF Report
    This time we wanted to enjoy the very rich birdlife of neighboring Uganda’s forests and lakes. The wish list included Shoebill, Skimmer, Chimpanzee and the endemic bird species of the Albertine Rift.
  • 2018 [07 July] - Chris Lotz

    PDF Report
    This private, comprehensive tour of Uganda focused on the main sites of the central and western reaches of the country, with the exception of the Semliki Valley and Mgahinga National Park. Taking place during arguably the best time to visit the country, July, this two-and-a-half-week tour focused on both the birds and mammals of the region.
  • 2018 [07 July] - Dylan Vasapolli

    PDF Report
    This private, comprehensive tour of Uganda focused on the main sites of the central and western reaches of the country, with the exception of the Semliki Valley and Mgahinga National Park. Taking place during arguably the best time to visit the country, July, this two-and-a-half-week tour focused on both the birds and mammals of the region.
  • 2018 [08 August] - Crammy Wanyama

    PDF Report
    The diversity of habitats we covered produced a successful twenty-six days customised birding and nature tour for a group of enthusiastic American birders. We were delighted to encounter 564 bird species and an impressive mammal record of 66 species among other treasures of nature.
  • 2018 [08 August] - Crammy Wanyama (Avian Safaris)

    PDF Report
    With simple words, our twenty-six days customised birding and nature tour of four plus me, as the leader was very successful. We saw lots of great birds, forest wildlife and the various small and big game of the African savannah and woodlands.
  • 2018 [08 August] - Dani Lopez-Velasco - Uganda & Rwanda

    PDF Report
    ...a good selection of Albertine Rift endemics, with such megas as Grauer´s Broadbill or Green-breasted Pitta, as well as other difficult western African forest species.
  • 2018 [08 August] - Jason Boyce

    PDF Report
    We then made our way to the Albertine Rift Endemic hotspots Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Highlights here included cracking sightings of Rwenzori Turaco, Archer’s Ground Robin, Regal Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, and Red-throated Alethe, as well as confiding Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, to name but a few. Queen Elizabeth National Park was our next stop, and we ended the tour in the home of Green-breasted Pitta, Kibale National Park.
  • 2018 [08 August] - Tjeerd Burger

    PDF Report
    Uganda offers some great central-Africa birding, including some really appealing species like Shoebill, Grauer’s Broadbill and Green-breasted Pitta. In addition, you can do some safari as well, and best of all, you get the chance to see Gorilla’s and Chimpanzees. It is also an ‘easy’ country to visit since eco-tourism is well developed, the country is in general quite safe and most people speak English.
  • 2019 [02 February] - Scott Kampmeier

    PDF Report
    Paul Tamwenya, African Birding Journeys, http://www.birdinginuganda.com/. My excellent experience began with quick and detailed responses to my e-mail inquiry.
  • 2019 [03 March] - Sue Greer

    Report
    Uganda is possibly the best country in Africa for birdwatching and seeing wild primates.
  • 2019 [03 March] - Sue Greer

    Report
    Uganda is possibly the best country in Africa for birdwatching and seeing wild primates. Sue Greer, the author of this report, was a participant on our tour there in February-March 2019.
  • 2019 [06 June] - Peter Fraser

    Report
    The four of us travelled from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth NP in just over two weeks. Peter and Ellen had a brief trip to the same area in November 2017, but it was a first trip for John and Christine with the obvious hope of seeing primates and endemic birds.
  • 2019 [07 July] - Crammy Wanyama (Avian Safaris)

    PDF Report
    We got to the Shoebill, that was a few feet away from us. This highly-sought-after African endemic has only a few spots where it can be found, and Uganda's places are trendy because of the 80% chances ability.
  • 2019 [08 August] - Birding Ecotours

    PDF Report
    Interestingly enough this was one of the “birdier” Uganda tours that I have been on. Birds were generally in good voice, and fair numbers of birds were seen at most of our hotspots. Cuckoos were a little less vocal, but widowbirds, bishops, and weavers were in full breeding plumage and displaying all over the place. There were really good numbers of waxbills, cisticolas, and other agricultural and savanna species throughout the trip.
  • 2019 [08 August] - Crammy Wanyama (Avian Safaris)

    PDF Report
    This is a report for one of our Eastern to North-eastern Uganda bird watching adventures, much of it is deferent from what we cover on the traditional Uganda birding tours that go to the western part of the country.
  • 2019 [08 August] - Paul Tamwenya

    PDF Report
    ...Early morning we set off for Mabamba Wetlands, 57km west of Kampala. Birds on the journey included Great Blue Turaco, Plantain-eater, Lizard Buzzard (below), Scaly Francolin, White-fronted Bee-eater, Black & White Casqued Hornbills, Ruppell’s Long-tailed & Splendid Starlings, Palm-nut & Hooded Vultures...
  • 2019 [08 August] - Peg Abbott

    PDF Report
    Early birding on the hotel grounds was productive, we added Gray-capped Warbler to our growing list for Bouma Lodge. The African Wood Owl was in his roost spot and seemed to enjoy soaking up the sun as it rose. A bird party was happening on the lawn with about twenty Northern Brown-throated Weaver, interrupted by White-browed Robin Chat and Black-headed Gonoleks, a species boldly patterned with a shocking crimson breast.
  • 2019 [09 September] - David Karr

    PDF Report
    Entebbe, Mabamba Swamp, Lake Mburo National Park & Mpanga Forest Reserve
  • 2019 [11 November] - Eduardo Ormaeche

    PDF Report
    We managed to travel to the Beni province and had a great week of birding there with a fine series of good species, such as Greater Rhea, Campo Flicker, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Red-billed Scythebill, Velvet-fronted Grackle, Plain Softtail, Grey-crested Cachalote, Blue-and-yellow, Chestnut-fronted, and Red-and-green Macaws, Sunbittern, Hoatzin, Bare-faced Curassow, hundreds of Jabirus and Wood Storks, Plumbeous, Green, Bare-faced, and Buff-necked Ibises, South American Snipe, White Monjita, White Woodpecker, Red-winged and Undulated Tinamous, and, most importantly, also our main target, the endemic and Critically endangered Blue-throated Macaw.
  • 2020 [02 February] - Pat Leuders

    PDF Report
    We gathered in the courtyard of the lovely Bona Guesthouse with Judith Mirembe and quickly found a beautiful pair of Ross’s Turaco, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, and Speckled Mousebirds. Male Northern Brown-throated and Village Weavers were busy building nests to attract a mate, and the brilliantly colored Scarlet-chested Sunbird fed amongst the beautiful plantings. What a wonderful introduction to the local birds of Entebbe!
  • 2021 [02 February] - Crammy Wanyama (Avian Safaris)

    PDF Report
    ...we were pleased to stop and observe a few uncommon sightings by the dustless roadsides. At one stop, we registered the third confirmed record of Red-footed Falcon for Uganda...
  • 2021 [07 July] - Crammy Wanyama (Avian Safaris)

    PDF Report
    This is a gorgeous nearly-orange breast with very lovely headlights. Around the same place, we had a couple of adults and a freshly fledged Yellow-lored and the Red-tailed Bristlebill.
  • 2021 [08 August] - Birding Ecotours - Dylan Vasapolli

    PDF Report
    Our annual 19-day set departure Uganda birding and primates tour covers some of the best birding regions in Uganda. Concentrating on the main birding circuit, that focuses on the western half of the country, this tour is specifically set up to maximize chances of finding as many of the Albertine Rift bird endemics as possible, along with making allowances for other highly prized and sought-after species such as Shoebill and Green-breasted Pitta. Of course, Uganda’s main mammalian attractions are not ignored, with this tour making time for them – namely Chimpanzee and Eastern (Mountain) Gorilla tracking. The country’s vast network of excellent savanna parks also adds to the mammalian attraction, and indeed the ‘Big 5’ are all possible along this routing. These are namely; Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhinoceros (White), and African Buffalo.
  • 2022 [07 July] - Allan Drewitt

    PDF Report
    This provided an ideal introduction to a number of the more familiar and widespread, though no less exotic and colourful, Ugandan bird species, including palm-nut vulture, hooded vulture, African open-bill, great blue and Ross's turacos...
  • 2022 [07 July] - Dominic Rollinson

    PDF Report
    2 | T R I P R E P O R T Uganda - July 2022 www.birdingecotours.com info@birdingecotours.com Overview This customized 17-day version of our set-departure Uganda tour took in most of the classic Ugandan birding and wildlife sites, however we did not visit Semliki Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Reserve, in the southwest. We were able to target (and find) many of the Albertine Riftbird endemics and then of course sought out a host of charismatic and iconic Ugandan birds such as Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta and Grauer’s Broadbill and then enjoyed ourselves as we focused on other classic Ugandan wildlife such asEastern (Mountain) Gorilla, Chimpanzee, various other primates and many more.
  • 2022 [09 September] - Naturalist Journeys

    PDF Report
    We had an amazing trip filled with laughs and close encounters with the pre-historic Shoebill and the mighty mountain Gorilla. We saw about 300 bird species and 35 mammal species. Our trip was mainly focused on birds and wildlife including big herds of Buffalo, the slender Impala, the massive Savannah Elephant and lots of Uganda Kob. We also saw birds of all shapes and sizes; from as big as the shoebill to as small as the red-cheeked cordon-bleu. The Shoebill and the Mountain Gorilla ultimately took the trip bird and mammal species respectively...
  • 2023 [02 February] - Erik Vikkelsø Rasmussen

    PDF Report
    Uganda gained their independence from UK in 1962 and became a republic. After the end of the Idi Amin regime president Yoweri Museveni took over in 1986 and since then Uganda has been one of the safest countries to visit in Africa with stability in the recent many years. Uganda is known as the “the pearl of Africa” and Uganda absolutely lives up to its reputation. In addition to the beautiful wildlife the country has a lot to offer birdwatchers too. Especially the Albertine Rift montane forest in East-Central Africa has a lot of bird species which a very difficult to find at other places.
  • 2023 [02 February] - VCrammy Wanyama

    PDF Report
    This is an outlined itinerary of a 22 days Uganda birding and Nature Tour. Only the days are outlined but the list of the birds and other wildlife seen on the trip are all listed.
  • 2023 [07 July} - Dominic Rollinson

    PDF Report
    This tour started in Entebbe, before we moved to the shores of Lake Victoria at Mabamba Swamp, where we had special views of the most-wanted bird of the trip, Shoebill. We then pressed on southwest to Lake Mburo National Park, where we spent two days birding the dry woodlands, with highlights including Red-faced Barbet, and enjoyed a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, which saw us adding African Finfoot and White-backed Night Heron. Next, was a long transit to the southwest corner of the country, where we had a full day’s birding in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and found our two main targets of the area; Rwenzori Turaco and Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, as well as a pair of the tricky White-collared Oliveback.
Places to Stay
  • Ndali Lodge

    Accommodation
    Ndali Lodge sits on a narrow ridge 1,524m (5,000ft) above sea level with outstanding 360-degree views of ancient volcanic landscape, set against the backdrop of the Mountains of the Moon (Rwenzori mountains)…
Blogs
  • Charlotte Beauvoisin - Diary of a Muzungu

    Blog
    My name is Charlotte “bampita Nagawa” and I’m the Captain for your tour of the Pearl of Africa, where we shall cruise at an altitude between 621 and 5,109 metres. Let me share my love of all things Ugandan. On our Uganda travels, we’ll encounter elephants, lions, birds, gorillas and chimpanzees.
  • Derek Kverno - Birding Uganda

    Blog
    During the last decade, the author has lived in some of the most bird-rich countries in the world, including Ecuador, Tanzania, and Brazil. He recently moved to Uganda, one of Africa's top birding destinations.

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