Uganda Birding Tours
Birding With Orugano Safaris
Join one of our exciting Uganda birding tours and experience the amazing bird species in Uganda. Uganda is best birding destinations in Africa, with over 1,080 bird species, including many rare and endemic ones that can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. From colorful forest species to birds of the open savanna, every location offers something special.
At Orugano Safaris, we design Uganda birding tours to all the top birdwatching destinations in Uganda as well as Rwanda. Whether you’re looking for a private, custom-made trip or prefer joining a guided group, we have the perfect option for you. We work with the best lodges to make sure you are comfortable, and we handle all transportation so you can enjoy your trip without worry.
Our expert local birding guides will lead you through the best areas to spot the birds you’re hoping to see. With our deep knowledge of the region, we’ll help you get the most out of your birding adventure. If you’re interested in a birding tour in Uganda, browse our sample trips or contact us to create a custom plan. Let Orugano Safaris help you experience the beauty and diversity of Uganda’s birdlife in a truly unforgettable way.
Uganda & Birding Safari Itineraries
Our birding itineraries in Uganda include opportunities to see great apes, rare Albertine Rift bird species, and many other exciting birds, all as part of a classic African wildlife safari that will leave you wanting to explore more of this amazing country.
Uganda, officially known as the Republic of Uganda, is an East African country with a rich history. Although it’s often remembered for its troubled past, Uganda has been politically stable for nearly 40 years. It was named one of the top African countries to visit and one of the best in the world by Lonely Planet. Since then, tourism has grown quickly over the last eight years. Uganda is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, with all the iconic African animals, including gorillas, and a bird list of 1,080 species (on our regular birding tours, we usually see around 500 of them). It’s also probably the easiest place to spot the rare Shoebill.
Uganda is landlocked and part of the East African Community. It shares borders with Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Kenya). It lies in the African Great Lakes region and is part of the Great Rift Valley. The capital city is Kampala, and English is one of the two official languages and is widely spoken.
Birds You'll See on a Uganda Birding Safari
Uganda is a birdwatcher’s dream, home to 50% of Africa’s total bird species, including some of the rarest and most beautiful in the world. Bright birds like the Great Blue Turaco and the powerful African Fish Eagle are easy to spot, while the national bird—the Grey Crowned Crane—dances through wetlands with grace.
Deep in quiet forests, you might hear the call of the rare Pel’s Fishing Owl. Uganda is also home to birds found nowhere else on Earth, especially in the Albertine Rift, a region rich in unique species.
But the most exciting bird of all is the Shoebill Stork. With its giant beak and ancient look, it feels like a creature from another time. Birders travel from far away hoping to see one in the papyrus swamps of Mamba, near Lake Victoria. A close-up view of this strange, majestic bird is a memory that makes birding in Uganda truly unforgettable.
Best Places To Visit On A Uganda Birding Tour
1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the heart and soul of Uganda’s birding scene. With over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics, this ancient rainforest is a must-visit for serious birders. It is especially famous for rare species like the African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and Handsome Francolin. The park also offers the chance to combine birding with gorilla trekking—making it one of the most unique wildlife destinations on Earth.
2. Kidepo Valley National Park
Remote and wild, Kidepo National Park boasts almost 500 bird species, many of which are not found elsewhere in Uganda. Its semi-arid savannah landscape, rocky hills, and the Lorupei River valley provide diverse birding habitats. Notable species include the Karamoja Apalis, Black-breasted Barbet, and Ostriches—Uganda’s only park where ostriches roam wild.
3. Lake Victoria & Mabamba Swamp
Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, hosts around 300 bird species. Just a short drive from Entebbe, Mabamba Swamp is one of the best places in Africa to see the legendary Shoebill Stork. Birders paddle through papyrus channels in canoes for a chance to encounter this prehistoric-looking bird, along with others like the Papyrus Gonolek and Blue-breasted Bee-eater.
4. Kibale National Park
Known for chimpanzees and monkeys, Kibale Forest National Park is also rich in birdlife, with 375 species, including 6 Albertine Rift endemics. Its varied habitats—wetlands, tropical forest, grasslands, and woodland—host species like the Green-breasted Pitta, African Pitta, Black Bee-eater and African Grey Parrot. The nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a community-run birding haven teeming with forest and swamp species.
5. Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s most biodiverse park for birds, with over 600 species recorded—making it one of the highest totals of any protected area in Africa. Birders can explore savannahs, forests, lakes, and wetlands. Highlights include the African Skimmer, Martial Eagle, and Shoebill, particularly in the Kazinga Channel and Ishasha sector.
6. Lake Mburo National Park
Despite being Uganda’s smallest savannah park, Lake Mburo offers excellent birding, with 320 species recorded. Its lake swamps, Warukiri and Rwonyo, support birds like the Papyrus Gonolek, African Finfoot, and White-winged Warbler. The park’s mix of dry hills, acacia woodland, and wetlands makes it ideal for both water and dryland species.
7. Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park and a birding hotspot with over 450 species. Highlights include the Goliath Heron, Shoebill, and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. The Nile River, delta, and waterfall area offer superb waterbird viewing, while Budongo Forest within the park adds rich forest bird diversity.
8. Budongo Forest Reserve
Located in the southern section of Murchison Falls Park, Budongo Forest is a prime birding destination in its own right. It hosts over 360 species, including the Puvel’s Illadopsis (only found here in East Africa), the Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, and Yellow-footed Flycatcher. The Royal Mile, a wide forest trail, is considered one of the best birding spots in Uganda.
9. Semuliki National Park
This lowland tropical forest is part of the Congo Basin and supports over 440 bird species, many of which are West African forest specials not found elsewhere in East Africa. Key sightings include the Nkulengu Rail, White-crested Hornbill, and Lyre-tailed Honeyguide. Semuliki is a must for birders chasing rare and hard-to-find species.
10. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Although small, Mgahinga is important for high-altitude species and is home to about 180 bird species, including several Albertine Rift endemics. The Ruwenzori Turaco, Scarlet-tufted Sunbird, and Dusky Crimsonwing can be found here. Birding can be combined with gorilla or golden monkey tracking for an unforgettable mountain adventure.
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About Us
Our warmth and extensive safari knowledge allow us to offer authentic, immersive, and remarkable experiences that leave a positive impact on Africa’s crucial wilderness areas.