Birdwatching in Uganda: Best Spots to See Rare and Endemic Birds

Birding in Uganda: A Paradise for Birdwatchers

Uganda is a birding haven and one of Africa’s top birdwatching destinations, boasting an incredible 1,090 bird species—50% of Africa’s bird species and 11% of the world’s total. Often described as a "Hidden Eden and a wonderland for birds" by Sir Frederick Jackson, Uganda offers an unrivaled diversity of habitats, from lush rainforests and vast savannahs to wetland ecosystems with avian life.

Uganda has only 1 endemic bird species, the Fox Weaver which is found in the Eastern part of Uganda.

There are also 25 Albertine Rift Endemic Bird species as below. Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Dusty Crimson wing, Rwenzori Turaco, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Stripe-breasted Tit, Grauer’s Broadbill, Red-throated Alethe, Dwarf Honeyguide, Black-faced Apalis, Rwenzori Apalis, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Neumann’s Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Stuhlmann’s Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Blue-headed Sunbird, Yellow-crested Helmet Shrike, and African Green Broadbill.

Why Birdwatching in Uganda?

Diverse Bird Species – Uganda hosts a remarkable variety of birds, including Albertine Rift endemics, forest birds, savannah dwellers, and wetland species.
Shoebill Stork Encounters – Uganda is one of the few places in Africa where you can spot the rare and prehistoric-looking Shoebill Stork.
Unique Endemic Birds – The Fox’s Weaver, Uganda’s only endemic bird species, can be found in the wetlands of eastern Uganda.
Exceptional Birding Hotspots – The country boasts multiple Important Bird Areas (IBAs), including national parks, wetlands, and forests.

The Top 10 Birding Destinations in Uganda

Mabamba Bay Wetland on the edge of Lake Victoria.

Located on the edge of Lake Victoria, Mabamba Bay Wetland is a prime spot to observe the elusive Shoebill Stork, one of Africa’s most sought-after bird specie.

A canoe ride through the Mabamba Bay Wetland offers sightings of the rare Shoebill Stork. Other bird species include Malachite Kingfisher, Swamp Flycatcher, Pied Kingfisher, Papyrus Gonolek, Black-headed Heron, African Open-billed Stork, Black Kite, African Marsh Harrier, black-headed weaver, northern brown-throated weaver, Clarke’s weaver and Carruther’s cisticola among many others.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Beyond its famous mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a top destination for montane forest birding. The Buhoma and Ruhija sectors are particularly rewarding, hosting over 350 bird species, including 24 Albertine Rift endemics, with 14 found nowhere else in Uganda. Some of the bird species include; Grauer’s broadbill, Fraser’s eagle-owl, Chapin’s flycatcher, white-browed crombec, Neumann’s warbler, black-faced Prinia, handsome Francolin, Jameson’s Antpecker, Abyssinian, Kivu ground thrush, White-bellied Robin-chat, Equatorial akalat, Grey-chested iladopsis, Red-throated alethe, White-bellied crested flycatcher, White-eyed slaty flycatcher, Black-faced rufous warbler, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Willcock’s honeyguide, Black bee-eater, Black-billed Weaver, Magpie Mannikin and Willard’s sooty boubou.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The park is a birders’ haven and has about 600 bird species. Birding is done in the Northern part ( Kasenyi Plains) and Southern part of the park ( Ishasha Sector). The Kazinga Channel along the boat cruise is also a hot spot for birding. The bird species include; Swamp Flycatcher, African Skimmer, Malachite, Pied Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Black-headed Gonolek, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Sedge Warbler, White-winged Terns, Grey-capped Warbler, Gabon and Slender-tailed Nightjars among others.

Murchison Falls National Park.

As Uganda’s oldest and largest national park, Murchison Falls National Park offers diverse birding opportunities across savannah grasslands, riverbanks, and wetlands. The iconic Nile Delta is one of the best places to spot the rare Shoebill Stork. Birdwatching in Uganda is done on a game drive, nature walk, or boat trip. Bird species include White-crested Turaco, Double-toothed Barbet, Red-throated Bee-eater, Heuglin’s francolin, Brown babbler, Silverbird, Buff-bellied Warbler, Black-headed Batis, and Bar-breasted firefinch. The Nile Delta is also home to the rare Shoebill Stork and the savannah plains offer excellent sightings of Abyssinian ground-hornbill, Senegal lapwing, and Shelley’s rufous sparrow.

Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.

Budongo Forest comprises of Kaniyo Pabidi, the Royal Mile, and the Busingiro areas. It lies at the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley and is home to about 360 bird species. These include Nahan’s francolin, Cassin’s spinetail, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, African Dwarf Kingfisher, African Pied Hornbill, Banded Snake-eagle, Black Bishop, Black-bellied Firefinch, Black-capped Apalis, Brown Twin sport, Brown-backed Scrub-robin, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher and Crowned Eagle among others.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

The park is one of the smallest in Uganda. It has about 180 bird species of which some are Albertine Rift endemics as it borders Rwanda and DR Congo. Some of the bird species include; Kivu ground thrush, Handsome Francolin, Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-throated alethe, Blue-headed coucal, Rwenzori nightjar, Rwenzori batis, Archer’s robin chat, Black-headed waxbill, western green tinkerbird and stripe-breasted tit among many others.

Semuliki National Park.

The park is in the Albertine Rift Area and hosts Guinea-Congo biome species in its lowland forest. There is a record of 441 species in its riverine, forest, and grassland habitats. The bird species include the Congo serpent-eagle, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Blue-billed Malimbe, Yellow-throated Nicator, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Nkulengu Rail, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Dwarf Honeyguide, Great Blue Turaco, Purple-breasted Sunbird among others.

Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Kibale Forest has over 375 bird species, including 6 endemics to the Albertine Rift. The bird species include; Green-breasted Pitta, Brown-chested alethe, Blue-headed Sunbird, Black-capped Apalis, Collared Apalis, Dusky crimsoning, Purple Breasted Sunbird, and Red-faced woodland warbler. The Bigodi wetland has 138 bird species recorded such as the speckled tinkerbird, speckle-breasted woodpecker, and white-spotted flufftail among others.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The park has 220 bird species, including 19 Albertine Rift endemics. Birding within the forest zone has sightings of the Rwenzori Turaco, Blue-headed Sunbird, Golden-winged Sunbird, White-starred Robin, Long-eared Owl, Archers’ Robin-chat, Lagden’s Bush-Shrike, Slender-billed Starling among others.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo is home to 320 bird species and birding can be done near the lake swamps at Warukiri and Rwonyo. Other habitats include dry hillsides, rocky outcrops, and the savannah. Bird species along the woodlands include Red-faced Barbet, Nubian Woodpecker, Trilling Cisticola, Bee-eaters, Cheeky Bronze-tailed Starling, Crested Francolin, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, African Fish Eagle, Red-necked Spurfowl, Tabora cisticola, green-capped eremomela, Golden-tailed woodpecker and spot-flanked barbet among others. The swamp harbors the African Finfoot, Papyrus gonolek, White-winged Warbler, African water rail, and White-backed night heron among others. The night game drives offer sightings of the Verreaux’s eagle owl, African Scops Owl, Marsh Owl, and Pennant-winged nightjars.

Best Time for Birding in Uganda

Uganda is a year-round birding destination, but the best time for birdwatching is during the dry seasons (June–August and December–February) when the trails are more accessible. Migratory birds arrive between March - May and September - November offering even more diversity.

Tips for a Successful Birding Safari in Uganda

Hire an experienced birding guide to help identify species.
Carry a good pair of binoculars for better sightings.
Dress in neutral-colored clothing and wear comfortable shoes for long treks.
Bring a field guide such as "Birds of East Africa" for reference.
Start early in the morning when birds are most active.