Kenya camping:Bird watching in Uganda – the unmatched spectacle

Uganda is immensely endowed with over 1,000 bird species; some of which are endemic to the country; mainly in the Albertine region. These constitute 67% of Africa’s and 11.1% of the world’s total population which makes the country a must visit for birding lovers. Such a huge population of birds makes Uganda one of the great bird watchers paradise in Africa.

Whether you have several hours or a whole month to go for bird watching expeditions, Uganda will present to you unmatched choices of birding safari packages to choose from. There are long definitive birding tours which are designed to fulfill your ultimate dreams about birds and wildlife in Uganda. Such long tours have more time and exposure to the wild ensuring you get the best out of your safari.

Such packages include itineraries that guide you through the most spectacular and productive birding sites such as Mabamba Wetland (home of the iconic Shoebill stork bird), Budongo Forest, Semuliki Forest, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and of course, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is ranked as the No. 1 African birding spot by members of the African Bird Club.

Most of bird watching safaris focus on customized bird watching tours around Uganda and sometimes Rwanda's hot birding spots. Such safaris can be done solely, in pairs or small groups. There are experienced bird experts professionally trained in the art and science of wildlife guiding in Uganda but the real experience depends on the choice of your safari.

Birding tours range from weekend excursions to extensive birding tours. Each tour has an exceptional purpose and intent. Some are more comprehensive survey birding tours; visiting a number of sites in order to get an overall impression of the country's birds and other wildlife. Others feature only one or two sites and are intended to allow plenty of time to absorb a site's bird life and natural history at a relaxed place.

There are also safaris that focus on the endemics or rare birds of Uganda in a particular area, and other tours combine bird watching with other interests like culture, nature photography, religion, and scenery viewing. In most bird watching tours, you will be treated with panoramic encounters with several bird species such as; Shoebill, Nahan's Francolin, Purple Breasted Cuckooshrike, African Green Broad bill, Green Breasted Pitta, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Chocolate Backed Kingfisher, African Piculet, Red Rumped Tinkerbird, Red Throated Alethe, Rufous Breasted Sparrowhawk, Pels Fishing Owl, Pennat Winged Night Jar. Also along the way, you are likely to see land mammals such as: African Elephant, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Jackal, Baboons, Chimpanzees, Warthogs, and Giant Forest Hog to mention but a few.

Uganda is an equatorial country with astonishing contrasts. 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 every traveler including those with least interest in birds.

Peter K. Philip

Adventure Kenya camping safaris,

Natural Track Safaris