Uganda Birding Tours

Uganda birding tours with Greenway Nature Tours is a dream come true for bird watchers! Despite its relatively small size (241,038 square kilometers) —about the same as Great Britain—Uganda is home to over 1,080 bird species. 

This incredible variety of birds is due to the country’s unique location, nestled between savannah, rainforest, and semi-desert ecosystems. Many of Uganda’s bird species are found exclusively in its tropical rainforests, with some rare sightings often described as “mythical.” There’s even speculation that some of Uganda’s birds, particularly in its remote rainforests, may not even be classified as of yet. 

While Fox’s weaver is the country’s only endemic species, Uganda hosts 150 species that can’t be found anywhere else in East Africa. It’s also considered the best place in the world to see the iconic shoebill. We absolutely love Uganda and are excited to offer Uganda birding tours throughout the year. Reach out to us for more details on our Uganda birding tours and other East African birding experiences. 

Uganda birding tours

Uganda Birding Tour Packages

At Greenway Nature Tours we plan unique Uganda birding tours and bird photography tours. Explore our sample bird watching tours below or contact us if you would like assistance in customizing your upcoming birding or bird photography tour.  Scroll below to check out some of our favorite birding and photography tours.

Why Choose Us To Craft You Uganda Birding Trip?

  • Experienced Local Guides: Greenway Nature Tours team of knowledgeable guides has extensive expertise in the region’s birdlife and will lead you to the top birding locations.
  • Customized Birding Itineraries: At Greenway Nature Tours offer a variety of carefully crafted itineraries designed to suit different interests and schedules, ensuring you can spot the bird species you’re most eager to see.
  • Eco-friendly Tourism: We are dedicated to promoting responsible and sustainable birdwatching, ensuring our tours support the conservation of Uganda’s rich biodiversity.
  • Comfort and Safety: Your comfort and safety are our highest priorities. We provide well-maintained vehicles and accommodations to ensure a smooth and secure experience throughout your journey.

The most iconic birds of Uganda

Here are some of bird species to watch for during your Uganda birdwatching safari. Their unique sizes, beaks, and plumage will make your birding trip to Uganda even more memorable.

1. Shoebill

1 Day Mabamba Shoebill Birdwatching tour

Spotting a shoebill will make you feel as though you’ve stepped into Jurassic Park. With its towering height, large bill, and yellow human-like eyes, this slate-grey bird gives off a dinosaur-like vibe. Shoebills can grow to more than 1.2 meters tall, boast a wingspan of up to 2.4 meters, and can weigh as much as 7 kilograms. Their huge beak, which resembles a shoe, is the inspiration behind their name.

1 Day Mabamba Shoebill Birdwatching tour
Uganda birding tours

2. Grey-Crowned Crane

The grey-crowned crane stands around 1 meter and weighs about 3.5kg. This bird has an elaborate mating ritual, which includes dancing, bowing, and jumping. With its grey body, white wings highlighted with brown and gold feathers, white cheeks, bright red pouch, and impressive crown of stiff feathers, the crane is truly a breathtaking sight. It also holds the honor of being Uganda’s national symbol, proudly featured on the country’s flag.

3. Great Blue Turaco

The Great Blue Turaco is also a stunning bird. However, its beauty comes with a tragic consequence. Unfortunately, it this bird is actively hunted for its striking feathers and meat. You will likely notice its unique bill first – a bright yellow color with a red tip. The Great Blue Turaco isn’t a great flier due to its short, round wings, so you’re more likely to see it gliding or hopping from one tree to another.

Uganda birding tours

Top Destinations For Birding in Uganda

  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: As home to many endemic and rare bird species, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the soul of Uganda birding. About 350 species, including 24 Albertine Rift endemics, can be found within Bwindi Forest.
  • Kibale Forest: 6 Albertine Rift endemics occur in Kibale, and about 375 bird species can be seen across the area’s wetlands, tropical forests, woodlands and savannah.
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park: Home to over 610, in fact, a number that, according to BirdLife International, no protected area in Africa can beat.
  • Murchison Falls National Park; over 450 bird species and 76 mammal species, including four of the Big And the world’s strongest waterfall.
  • Lake Mburo National Park: Offers epic birding at its lake swamps. Other habitats include dry hillsides, rocky outcrops and dense savannah. A total of 320 bird species occurs here, including papyrus gonolek and shoebills.
  • Lake Victoria and Mabamba Swamp: Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater body in Africa and is home to about 260 bird species. From Entebbe and Lake Victoria, travelers can easily access Mabamba Swamp and its papyrus-lined marshes – for excellent sightings of shoebills.
  • Kidepo Valley: This remote park stretches across the Karamoja region of northeast Uganda and is home to over 450 species of birds.
Uganda bird watching tours

Rare And Special Bird Waching in Uganda

For avid birders, the Uganda birding destinations listed below are sure to capture your attention, providing chances to spot some of the most rare and elusive birds of Uganda.

  • Semuliki Valley: Semliki is one of Uganda’s most secluded wilderness areas, untouched by mass tourism and regarded by many, especially passionate birders, as one of the country’s best-kept safari secrets. Home to Semliki National Park—East Africa’s only true lowland tropical forest—the valley is a haven for birdwatching.  Over 440 bird species have been recorded here, including many that belong to the Guinea-Congo forest biome, not found elsewhere in East Africa.
  • Budongo Forest: Located in northwestern Uganda, Budongo is a pristine sanctuary within the expansive Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Once a royal hunting ground for the kings of Bunyoro, its rich history predates the modern necessity of protecting special habitats. Within the forest confines are several wild chimpanzee troops, totaling upwards of 600 individuals. But it’s the forest’s incredible bird diversity that truly sets Budongo apart. It has over 360 bird species including 60 from West or Central Africa that are found in fewer than five locations in East Africa.

FAQs About Uganda Birding Tours

Uganda is home to an impressive variety of over 1,080 bird species, making it one of Africa’s top birdwatching destinations. Keep in mind that this number may change slightly over time as new research and taxonomic revisions are conducted.

We provide a range of birding tours in Uganda, from short day excursions to extended safaris, as well as specialized trips targeting endemic species. Additionally, we offer extensive birdwatching and wildlife tours throughout Uganda and East Africa.

Indeed, we offer personalized birding tours designed to suit your unique interests and timeline. Our knowledgeable guides will collaborate with you to craft an itinerary that optimizes your birdwatching experience.

We suggest packing binoculars, a field guide for East African birds, comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera. A detailed packing list will be provided once you book your tour.

The best time for bird-watching safaris in Uganda typically aligns with the dry season, which runs from December to February and from June to August. These months provide excellent conditions for birding, as the dry weather improves visibility and allows for better observation of a wide variety of bird species. 

Additionally, the arrival of numerous migratory birds during this period enhances the experience. However, Uganda’s diverse and abundant birdlife makes bird watching rewarding year-round. To ensure enriching birding itineraries across East Africa, we work with a network of expert bird guides from Greenway Nature Tours, located throughout Uganda and the region.