Birdwatching in Bwindi National Park : Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is truly a birder’s hoven and offers some of the best montane rainforest in Africa for birdwatching. They are approximately 350 bird species and 14 are not recorded anywhere else in Uganda and 23 bird species are of all Albertine Rift endemics including Neumann’s warbler and blue-headed sunbird among others. Also, migratory birds are present from November to April.
List of bird species to see in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park;
African broadbill
Black-billed turaco
African broadbill
Black-faced warbler
Cinnamon-chested bee-eater
Blue-headed sunbird
Grauer’s broadbill
Many -coloured bush -shrike
Mountain masked avails
Neumann’s warbler
Olive-breasted greenbul
Handsome francolin
Yellow-streaked greenbul
Western green tinkerbird
Purple-breasted sunbird
Regal sunbirds
Ruwenzori apalis
Shelley’s crimsoning among others species.
Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an interesting recreation activity- tourists like to experience in addition to trekking mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This can be done with our sightseeing or use of visual enhancement device such as binocular and telescopes.
In general, Bwindi National Park is one of the top birding sites in Africa. In 2011 it was voted as Africa’s number one birding site which is an ideal habitat for various birds, the recorded bird species are 350 with 14 of these are not recorded elsewhere in Uganda and 90% of these are known to be Albertine rift endemics like short tailed warbler and blues headed sunbirds and seven IUCN red data listed species of birds.
The beauty of doing birding in Bwindi is that birding can also be watched while on mountain gorilla trekking and other wildlife species makes your safari more memorable.
Uganda is known among the top birding destination in Africa with more than 1100 species of birds that birding enthusiasts can spot while on Uganda Birding Safaris. Most of Uganda National Park ranks a big number of birds that co-exist with other wildlife. Some inhabitant of birds include; savannah and rainforests. While on your Uganda Safari you will not miss to see birds around.
Unlike primates and other wildlife species, you don’t need to struggle to see birds because birds are everywhere in Uganda and you will definitely be excited to see these notable species.
Best time for Birdwatching;
The birdlife in Bwindi National Park is done throughout the year but the best time to spot various beautiful bird species occur in March and September. June and July receive the least rain while March to Mid-May receive the heaviest rain. Heavy rains might interfere with your birding time.
The main nesting season happens in the month of May and June with food being plenty from late May through September. Migratory birds are present to the park from the month of November to April.
NB; Birdwatching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is perfectly done along the main trails like; Buhoma waterfall trail, Bamboo zone and Mubwindi swamp train in Ruhija.
What item needed for packing for Birdwatching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park;
Pair of Binoculars or telescopes
Water proof bags to protect your gadgets
Warm clothing
Pack enough water and snacks
Comfortable hiking boots
Well, apart from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park -Uganda has got plenty of birding spots teeming with vast species of birds hence making Uganda one of the top birdwatching destinations in Africa.
Other birding site in Uganda include Mabamba swamp most famous for the rare shoebill stork, Kibale National Park also a home to variety of forest bird species including; Red -winged francolin, Red-chested flufftail, African pita many more other bird species. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a truly birding paradise with over 600 bird species and in addition to that a rich wildlife species like the rare tree climbing lions. Come along – Murchison Falls National Park a home to more than 450 bird species including the Shoebill stork, bee eaters, giant kingfisher among other bird species.
Get started now! To enjoy a combined Gorilla trekking safari with Birdwatching or even other activities like Visiting the Batwa people, Nature walks among others.
