Birding experience in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania
Birding is the act of viewing birds and learning more about their characteristics using cameras and binoculars, and most people who go birding do so in their natural environments There are various bird species that may be observed in these nations, but it is important to know that the ideal time to go birding is during the rainy season, as well as in the morning and evening hours, when the lighting is optimal for binoculars and cameras.
There are various items and necessities that you will need when birding in any of the following nations, and I have taken the liberty of listing them here so that you are prepared before venturing into the wilderness for birding.
Birding in Uganda
Uganda boasts a variety of bird species that may be seen at many birding places and attractions in the area, some of which include the following.
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi National Park is located in the western part of the nation and has over 350 bird species documented. The Africa Bird Club ranked it the finest birding place in Uganda, and it features well-marked birding trails.
The collared and mountain-masked Apalis, Chapin’s flycatcher, Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s crimsoning and black billed Turaco, and many more bird species may be spotted at Bwindi.
Semiliki National Park
The Maxwell’s black weaver, piping hornbill, Nkulengu rail, black dwarf hornbill, yellow throated cuckoo, dwarf honey guide, yellow throated Nicator, swamp palm bulbul, red billed dwarf, African piculet, orange weaker, blue billed malimbe, and many other species can be found in Semiliki National Park.
The Rwenzori Mountains National Park
This is located in the Rwenzori area of Uganda’s southwestern region and is said to be home to approximately 177 bird species. There are various birding places nearby, but you may as well bird while trekking up the mountains.
The cinnamon Chested bee-eater, swifts, Archer’s robin chat, long eared owl, Lagden’s bush shrike, blue headed and golden winged sunbird, slender billed starling, bearded vultures, Rwenzori Turaco, and other unique bird species may all be found in the Rwenzori Park.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park, located in western Uganda, is a popular location for birders. It includes 315 known bird species, which may be seen from the Warukiri and Rwonyo marshes.
The red necked spur fowl, Nubian woodpecker, crested francolin, pied kingfisher, shoebill, trilling Cisticola, bee-eaters, blue napped moosebird, lilac breasted roller, common quails, emerald spotted wood dove, bare faced go away birds, African eagle fish, and Greenwood hoopoe are among the famous bird species seen at Lake Mburo.
Mgahinga gorilla National Park
Mgahinga National Park is located in the country’s south and is noted for having the highest concentration of gorillas. Other bird species found in the park include the kivu ground thrush, white starred robin, olive pigeon, Rwenzori Batis, larger doubled collared sunbirds, brown capped tchagra, western green tinker bird, black headed wax bill, and cinnamon warbler.
Birding in Tanzania
Tanzania is recognized to be one of the greatest sites for birding when taking an African safari due to the numerous outstanding birding spots situated across the country. There are several birding hotspots in Tanzania where one may view a variety of bird species, including the following.
Lake Manyara Forest
Numerous bird species may be seen sunbathing in the park near Lake Manyara, which is home to over 400 bird species. The best times to go birding in Lake Manyara are in the morning and evening, and some of the bird species that you will be able to see include the little bee-eater, Black Heron, Martial eagle, sacred Glossy ibis, pink backed pelican, ground dwelling crested guinea fowl, crowned Hornbill, silvery cheeked Hornbill, Schawlow’s turacos, Narina Trogon, Bagla
Selous Game Reserve
The Selous game reserve boasts over 440 bird species and is a popular destination for birders. Thick-billed cuckoo, white-backed night heron, Brown-headed parrot, yellow-billed stork, Green-headed oriole, Knob billed duck, Bataluer Eagle, Southern Ground Hornbill, crested lark, geese, spur winged lapwing, The African spoonbill, African skimmer, White-fronted plover, and the Boehm’s bee eater are the most common birds seen here.
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is regarded for being a superb birding destination since it is heavily forested and boasts over 500 bird species. The Bataluer eagle, guinea fowls, yellow throated long claws, light billed Hornbill, Hoopoes, wood Hoopoes, Shelley’s sunbird Marabou stork, black bellied bustards, and Racket Tailed Roller are among the bird species found in the area.
Serengeti National Reserve
Serengeti National Park is best known for the great migration that occurs there, but it is also home to numerous bird species such as the secretary bird, black headed heron, purple grandier, Darnaud’s-barbet, white bellied goaway bird, grey breasted spur fowl, Rofous-tailed weaver, Kori Bustard, Fischer’s lovebird, white crowned shrike, variable bird, grey headed sparrow, and red backed scrub robin.
Birding in Rwanda
Rwanda has about 750 distinct bird species that may be viewed in numerous birding hotspots, including the following.
Kigali city.
Kigali is Rwanda’s capital city, and while it may appear that there are no bird species within, the city contains a number of bird destinations that house a variety of bird species, including:
Wetland on the Nyabarongo River
Nyabarongo is located in Kigali’s southwestern region.
The swamp vegetation in the area is a major habitant for the birds, and some of the bird species found there include the little Egret, African Marsh Harrier, common snipe, spur-winged geese, long-toed lapwing, African open bill and Caruthers’ Cisticola, African jacana, yellow wagtail, Black headed Heron, the papyrus Gonolek, white collared olive bark, Madagascar squacco heron, white
Kigali Mountain Forest
Kigali Mountain is Rwanda’s biggest hill, and it is home to the Kigali forest, where birding activities may be enjoyed. The thick-billed seedeater, white-eyed slaty flycatcher, yellow-fronted canary, Green-backed camaroptera, Red Chested cuckoo, common Bulbul, African paradise flycatcher, and many more bird species can be found in the Kigali forest.
Lake Nyarutarama
The paradise flycatcher, pygmy kingfisher, black Egret, grey capped warbler, African fish Hawk, black kite, swifts, Tawny bordered prinia, swallow, and winding Cisticola are some of the bird species that can be seen in Nyarutarama Lake in Kigali.
The forest of Nweyung
The Nyungwe forest is located in the country’s south-western corner, flanked by Lake Kivu. The area’s montane woods provide a suitable environment for birdwatching and serve as bird habitat. The forest is home to around 275 bird species, including the Archer’s robin’s chat, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Graurer’s warbler, Chapin’s flycatcher, Rockefeller’s sunbird, odd weaver, Red collared mountain Babbler, Handsome Francolin, Mountain sooty Boubou, and stripe-breasted tit.
The National Park of Volcanoes
This park was the first in Africa and is located in the Virunga area. The volcanoes park is bordered by many volcano ranges and bamboo forest, making it a safe sanctuary for birdwatching. The park is home to around 187 different species, including the Dusty crimson wing, Red faced woodland warbler, Archer’s ground Robin, francolin, Rwenzori Batis, odd weaver, collared Apalis, and many more.
Birding in Kenya
Kenya boasts around 1089 bird species that can be found in various birding places. I will walk you through some of the top birding destinations in Kenya and the many bird species that can be found in those areas.
The delta of the Turkana River
The Lake Turkana delta has over 20,000 water bird species that are easily seen during the rainy season and some of these include the sur winged plover, the violet wood Hoopoe African skimmer and the little stint, the Geese, shorebirds, Egrets, pelicans, Flamingos and storks, the pel’s Fishing owl, southern banded snake Eagle, scaly babbler, Tana River Cisticola, East coast Akalat, Basra Reed Warbler and many more other bird species.
The Kakamega Forest
Kakamega forest is located in western Kenya and is home to the endangered Turner’s Eremomela, making it a prominent birding destination, as well as other bird species such as Banded snake Eagle and least honeyguide.
Forest of Arabuko-Sokoke
The Arabuko-Sokoke forest is home to numerous endangered species in Kenya, including the Sokoke scops owl, which is nearly extinct and can only be seen when visiting the Arabuko-Sokoke. Other bird species that may be spotted in the forest include the southern Banded snake Eagle, plain-backed sunbirds, Fisher’s Turacos, Clarke’s Weaver, Amani, and many more.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara is one of Kenya’s biggest parks and is famed for the Great Migration. Martial and crowned Beagles, Madagascar squacco Heron, Lilac Breasted Roller, Yellow billed ox Roller, corncake, secretary bird, saddle billed stork, ostrich, Grey crested Helmet shrike, and lesser kestrel are among the bird species that may be spotted in the Masai Mara.
