For the past two weeks Tony and our Belgian/English visitors were out on a birding tour in Uganda. Meanwhile, the tour started off with a search for the Great shoebill stork in Mabamba wetlands. It’s really an adventure to go out in the small wooden boats looking for this prehistoric looking bird. The group then continued southwards to Lake Mburo national park where a highlight was a boat trip on the lake searching for the African fin foot. It took several tries but they finally saw it as well as other birds and a big crocodile.
Looking for the Shoebill Stork at Mabamba swamp
A sight of the Shoebill Stork
Catching the African Fin foot on camera
Boat-trip on Lake Mburo
The birding tour of Uganda then continued on to Kibale Forest where they went for a walk looking for interesting birds. The top tick here is the Green breasted pita, this time our team didn’t have luck on their side and missed this top tick. When dealing with wildlife there are no guarantees and that for sure is part of the excitement. Furthermore, next on the itinerary was Semuliki national park for birding along Kirumia trail, which is one of the best birding spots in Uganda with Congo-forest species. Here Tony and our birders ticked off the Black dwarf hornbill as well as the White crested hornbill.
Briefing before setting of for a birding walk in Semuliki national park
After spending some days in forests it was time for the savanna with birding, a game-drive and boat-cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park. However, along Kasenyi track they ticked off Black faced quail finches, White tailed larks and the rare Dwarf bittern. Next day they continued through the southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park with a lunch stop at beautiful Topi lodge and then on towards Bwindi impenetrable national park.
In Bwindi the coming days were spent birding and gorilla trekking. The journey then went on to the last highlight of the trip, Mgahinga gorilla national park. Here the team entered the forest for a last hike ticking off the Rwenzori turaco with its 7 stunning colors, an endemic in the Albertine rift walley and the impressive White-tailed crested flycatcher as well as seeing the sought after Rhinocerous viper. The birding tour in Uganda was now reaching its end and our team made the journey back to Entebbe having time for some last ticks at the Botanical garden before catching an evening flight.
Zooming in on a tick in Queen Elizabeth NP
Savannah birding in Queen Elizabeth NP
Come for a Uganda Birding safari with us.
Take a look at our Uganda bird-watching safari itineraries for well tested routes including top IBA’s.
