Where are Shoebills Found in Uganda? Uganda the Pearl of Africa is one of the top most destinations for birding in the whole world. Uganda is a home to over 1063 bird species, which occupy a large area big as Great Britain. The Shoebill stork is one of the rare bird species that many visitors who come to Uganda for birding activities are always interested most in seeing it. In addition, the other birds sought about during a birding safari in Uganda include the following; the Red fronted ant pecker, Rwenzori Turaco, the Karamoja Apalis, Brown chested pullover, the Nahans francolin, African green broadbill and Purcell’s illadopsis and many others.
Therefore, with the help of our trusted tour companies such as Achieve global safaris or Explore Rwanda tours, which are responsible for organizing birding safaris in Rwanda and Uganda for visitors to spend the best and memorable adventurous time during their birding tour in Uganda.
Uganda has about 1000 shoebill storks and these bird species have been the top and most attractive bird to many birders during their Uganda Birding safari and there are a number of the best birding spots where shoebill storks can be sighted and these destinations include the following;
The Shoebill stork in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Bird lovers interested in sight seeing the shoebill stork can spot them at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is famous for being the good destination in the country where tourists can trace Rhinos in the wild and it is situated in Murchison Falls National Park, which is about 125 kilometers. It is best for tourists to go for a boat cruise to Lugogo Swamp in order to get a beautiful sight of the rare shoebill stork. Besides the shoebill stork, there is a variety number of birds that can be seen while in the park and these include; Blue-napped mouse bird, Blue- breasted kingfisher, the black-winged Bishop, African paradise flycatcher, the Curlew sandpiper, Emerald-spotted wood dove and Grey-backed fiscal shrike and many others, Where are Shoebills Found in Uganda?.
Mabamba Swamp.
Tourists on a birding safari in Uganda can get too the shoebill stork in Mabamba swamp which is located in Entebbe along Lake Victoria. The best time to spot the shoebill stork is early in the morning as they parade searching for food along the swamp close to Lake Victoria.
Mabamba swamp has a variety number of shoe bill stork and over 300 bird species seen alongside the swamp and these other birds include; Malachite Kingfisher, Blue-headed Cauca, whiskered terns, gull-billed terns, yellow-backed weaver, white-winged black terns, Northern brown- throated weaver, pygmy geese, Blue swallow, Carruthers’s Cist cola, Spur-winged white-winged warbler, papyrus canary, Goliath Herons, Pallid Harrier, papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus yellow warbler, white-winged warbler, Pallid Harrier, and Grey –headed gulls.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Shoebill stork can easily be spotted in the Bigodi wetland Sanctuary that is located in Kibale National Park. Bigodi Swamp is a home to over 138 bird species like; the Black-crowned waxbill, Grey-winged Robin chat, Western Nictor, white- spotted fluff tail, Hairy-breasted Barbet, the yellow spotted barbet, the grand blue turaco among others.
During the birding activity, Birders always get a chance to see other animal species like; Black and White colobus monkeys, Blue monkeys, Red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, Sitatunga, Bush pigs, Mongoose and bush bucks among others, Where are Shoebills Found in Uganda?.
The Ishasha Sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The rare bird specie known as the shoebill stork can also best be spotted in Queen Elizabeth National found in the Ishasha sector. The Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park is is famous for its tree climbing lions and other various wildlife animals such as; Impala, topi, and antelopes.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in Kasese district and it is known to be the best ideal place to trace the shoebill stork. More so, it is a home of over 600 bird species. Apart from the shoebill stork, there are other variety number of bird species that visitors can get to see while in the ishasha sector and these birds include; Red- necked Falcon, African skimmer, the Black-billed Barbet, Abyssinian Ground and the yellow-fronted Tinker bird and many others.
Lake Mburo National Park.
The Shoebill stork can easily be spotted in Lake Mburo National Park, which is located in Mbarara district in the western region of Uganda. Visitors get an opportunity to sight see other bird species in lake mburo alongside the shoebill stork and these include; Black-winged Bishop, Grey Woodpeckers, African-grey Hornbill, Yellow-throated long claw, Goliath heron, Pink-backed pelicans, Rufous-Chested swallow, and Blue kingfishers and many more.
Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve.
The Toro-Semliki wildlife reserve is a good spot for visitors to view the shoebill stork during the birding safari in Uganda. This wildlife reserve is located near Semuliki national park and the best way for birders to view the shoebill stork is by taking a boat cruise ride on Albert in order to be able to see a large number of them along the shore.
There are other bird species that can be captured in Toro- Semliki reserve and these bird creatures include; Abyssinian, African Pygmy goose, Red throated bee-eaters, Pennant-winged nightjar, Green wood-hoopoe, Blue-breasted bee-eater, Broad-billed roller, Double-toothed barbet, Mustached grass-warbler, Black-billed barbet, Red-necked falcon, standard-winged nightjar and many others, Where are Shoebills Found in Uganda?.
Murchison Falls National Park.
Murchison Falls National park is another best destination for birding activities in Uganda. This national park is located in Masindi district, which is found in the northern part of the country. Visitors in this park get to see the shoebill stork during their bird safari and other bird species which include; Abyssinian ground hornbill, Blue-headed Cauca, Speckle-fronted weaver, Grey crowned crane, Silver bird, Palm-nut Vulture, White-browed sparrow-weaver, Fish eagles, Malachite kingfisher, Swamp flycatcher, Black-billed barbet, Goliath Heron, king fishers, bee- eaters among others.
In conclusion, to Tourists who are bird lovers, Uganda is the best destination to plan and visit for a safari. Though birders should take note that birding tours last for long hours that there is a high possibility of taking a whole day hence they are encouraged to pack drinking water because it is good to keep hydrated. Therefore, book with our tour operators for a birding safari in Uganda where visitors are granted a chance to spot the rare shoebill stork.
