Uganda is endowed with a rich diversity of over 1,000 bird species, most of which are endemic to the country–mainly in the Albertine region–and “several of which are found nowhere else on the planet.” These make up “67% of Africa’s and 11.1% of the world’s total bird population”.
The enthusiast birder will have the opportunity to see birds like the crested crane (recently named ‘Gray crowned crane’); Shoebill, Rufous-bellied Heron; Wattled plorer; Africa Fish Eagle; African Jacana; Saddle Billed Stock; Pelican; African Pigmy Geese; Narina’s Trogon; Bateleur; Coqui Francolin; Grey Crowned Crane; Black-bellied Bustard and Brown-chested Lapwing; African Goshawk; Chubb’s Cisticola, White-chinned Prinia and African Blue Flycatcher–to name a few.
Birding safaris in Uganda are typically carried out in national parks, where visitors will at the same time see a whole array of other wildlife–from chimpanzees to warthogs.
Here is where you will head for a birdwatching excursion:
– Bwindi National Park: 350 bird species and 23 endemics
– Kibale National Park: 138 bird species
– Queen Elizabeth National Park: 600 bird species
– Rwenzori Mountains National Park: 217 bird species
– Kidepo valley National Park: 475 bird species
– Lake Mburo National Park: 313 bird species
– Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: the smallest of all national parks in the country (only 33.7km2) and one of only two national parks that are home to the endangered mountain gorilla> The park has so far recorded 79 bird species
– Mountain Elgon National Park: 296 bird species
– Murchison Falls National Park: 450 bird species (and 76 species of mammals)
– Semuliki National Park: 350 species