Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park : Bwindi national park is a remarkable safari destination popular for several Uganda safari activities including the famous and exciting gorilla trekking, forest walk, batwa encounter and of the fascinating birding (bird watching).
Bwindi impenetrable is one of the most popular birding sites in Africa and the world, in 2011, the park was voted Africa’s one birding site and this is attributed to the fact that the park is a habitat to a variety of birds. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is located in the South western part of Uganda on the rim of the Rift Valley, the park an area of 321 square kilometres comprising of mist covered hills sheltered by one of the ancient and very biologically varied rainforest in Uganda which dates back to more than 25,000 years comprising of about 400 varied plant species.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is an ideal habitat of a variety of birds with over 360 recorded bird species, 14 of these bird species are not recorded elsewhere in Uganda and 90% of these species are known to be Albertine Rift endemics such as short tailed warbler and blue headed sunbird as well as 7 IUCN red date listed species.
This is a thrilling experience and the beauty of it is that you many have an opportunity to catch a sight of mountain gorillas, various species of butterflies and other primate species such as chimpanzees monkeys and forest elephants among others.
BIRDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a great birding destination which should be included on every birder’s itinerary, the park covering an area of 321 square kilometres is a home to over 320 bird species with 23 species which are endemic to the area.
Some of the birds to lookout for during birding in Bwindi Impenetrable national park include
- Western Green Tinker bird
- African Wood Owl
- Archer’s Robin-Chat
- Red-throated Alethe
- Fine-banded Woodpecker
- Grauer’s Rush Warbler
- Handsome Francolin
- Chestnut-throated Apalis
- Regal Sunbird
- Collared Apalis
- Montane Oriole,and Shorttailed Warbler
- Kivu Ground-Thrush
- Chapin’s Flycatcher
- African Green Broadbill
- Black bee-eater
- Black-billed turaco
- Black-faced rufous warbler
- Black-faced warbler
- Blue-headed sunbird
- Cinnamon-chested bee-eater
- Many-coloured bush-shrike
- Mountain masked apalis
- Neumann’s warbler
- Olive-breasted greenbul
- Purple-breasted sunbird
- Ruwenzori apalis
- Shelley’s crimsonwing
- Western green tinkerbird
- Yellow-streaked greenbul
BIRDING EXPERIENCE IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Birding in Bwindi Impenetrable national park is done along several trails, the commonly used trails include
- The Buhoma Waterfall Trail
- Bamboo Zone
- Mubwindi Swamp Train in Ruhija
BEST TIME FOR BIRDING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK AND UGANDA AT LARGE
Birding in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Uganda is a great experience, however for a fascinating birding experience. The best time to visit is during the following seasons of the year
- November – April
In this period, migratory bird species arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Uganda from the Northern region of Africa and other areas of the World.
- December – February
This period is best birding time in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Uganda, in this period less rains are received.
- May and June
This period is great for birding this is because of abundant food supply attracting numerous specie of birds, this is also the main nesting season for birds in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Uganda.
The period of the year to avoid going for birding in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Uganda is from March – May, in this period there usually heavy rains and the hiking trails to be slippery and the mist may also be too much.
PARKING LISIT FOR BIRDING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
When going for a birding safari to Bwindi Impenetrable national park, there are essential items which should not miss in your packing list. These include
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Enough water and snacks (energy giving snacks preferably)
- Warm clothing including sweaters, jacket and a hat
- Water proof bags to protect your gadgets
- Binoculars or telescopes
OTHER FASCINATING DESTINATIONS TO DO BIRDING IN UGANDA
Uganda – The Pearl of Africa is recognized among the best birding destinations in Africa and the world at large, apart from Bwindi impenetrable national park, the country has plenty of other birding spots teeming with abundance of species of birds worth making Uganda a birder’s haven.
Uganda is a famous birding paradise harbouring over half of the population of bird species found in Africa which makes Uganda the best birding destination in Africa and in the world at large, most of the bird species in Uganda migrate from the shores of Lake Victoria, Source of the Nile and from the Albertine Rift. Uganda has got only one endemic bird species called the Fox’s Weaver and many other Albertine endemic species.
The other Uganda bird watching destinations include
- Mabamba Swamp
Mabamba Swamp is a famous birding spot for the rare Shoe bill Stork, this swamp is located
- Kibale national park
Kibale national park is a heavily forested national park located in the western region of Uganda, this park inhabits over 350 species of birds.
- Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is one of the most popular savannah national park in Uganda located in the western Uganda covering an area of 1,978 square kilometres, the park is a habitat to over 600 bird species.
- Murchison Falls National park
Murchison Falls National Park is considered the largest national park in Uganda covering an area of 4,000 square kilometres, the park is a habitat to approximately 451 bird species.
