Bird watching safaris

Bird watching safaris in Uganda and Rwanda are very popular because both countries, are special with some endemics. However, in terms of number and variety of species, Uganda is the best destination as the country has variety of species and most of its bird watching sites are well developed for tourism, with a great number of Important bird watching sites.

Rwanda is located in the Albertine rift and the it is open for bird watching all year round. Although during Dec to Feb Rwanda receives some migrant species, making this time the best time for bird watching safaris in Rwanda.

Bird watching safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. Go search and look for different bird species on a safari to search for birds in Uganda and Rwanda. Birding can be organised as a combo in Uganda and Rwanda, or you can opt to concentrate on each country at a time.

Listed below are some of the sites you should consider visiting whilst on a bird watching safari.

Africa Skimmer — 7 Days Bird watching Safari

Sites for bird watching in Uganda.

Uganda has over 1000 different species of birds, with half of the Africa’s birds. Uganda has diverse biomes that contribute to the existence of these birds to include; savannah, wetlands, forests, and so much more. Below have listed some of the best birding spots in Uganda.

Mabamba wetland in Entebbe

Mabamba wetland is the very first place you can visit once you land in Uganda. The wetland is located in Entebbe best known to be a home to the rare Shoebill Stork bird. One of the most sought after birds worldwide. More to the shoebill stork, there are so many other different bird species especially wetland endemics.

The wetland has 260 different species of birds including some migrant species. In addition to the elusive shoebill stork you can watch out for the birds like the white winged warbler, grey herons, the goliath heron, the Jacanas, among so many others.

There are also some migrant species like blue swallow, there are also ducks. The wetland is also home to the sitatunga antelope and migrant birds like the Blue swallow. The wetland is just perfect if you have one day to spare. Click here to check out our 1 day bird watching safari Mabamba wetland.

Queen Elizabeth national park.

Although Queen Elizabeth park is known for wildlife, this is also classified as an important bird area. The park has a variety of habitats, which contribute to the large numbers of birds, with 600 different species. Making Queen Elizabeth one of the best places to spot as many as 200 different species of birds in a day.

While in Queen Elizabeth national park, you should check out sites like the Kazinga channel, Maramagambo forest, Ishasha sector, Lake Kikorongo, Katwe area and the Kasenyi area. You will need about 4 full days to explore all the above mentioned sites.

Check out our 4 days bird watching safari in Queen Elizabeth park. Read more

Bird watching Sites Rwanda

Birding sites in Rwanda.

Rwanda is an array of lakes, volcanoes, mountains, rivers and forest and so much more. Therefore, providing a range of habitats of plenty of birds to survive. Despite being a small country Rwanda has over 700 different resident and visiting bird species.

Of the 700 bird species 27 are Albertine rift endemics and some of the important birding sites are Nyungwe national park, volcanoes national park and Akagera national park, Cyamudongo, Rugezi swamp and so much more.

Sites for bird watching safaris in Rwanda

Nyungwe national park,

Nyungwe forest national park is one of the oldest forests in the worlds and thus hoem to 310 different species of birds. Hence making it the best place to go whilst on a bird watching safari in Rwanda.

Some of the birds to watch out for are the Rwenzori Turaco, the Rwenzori batis, the blue-headed sunbird, the Grauer’s swamp-warbler, red-collared babbler, and plenty of other birds including the rarely spotted Albertine owlet,

Akagera national park

Akagera national park is the place to go for the tradition wildlife safari because of the recent introduction of lions, and rhinos thus increasing the variety and numbers of wildlife in the park. The park has a number of habitats including savannah, forest and wetlands and this explains why there are 525 different species of birds in Akagera national park.

Some of the most sought after species in Akagera include; Sousa’s shrike, the white-collared oliveback, and the red-faced barbet. Along River kagera and the different wetlands and lakes, you can spot the Carruther’s cisticola and papyrus canary. Read more.