Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Looking for Birding safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda? Queen Elizabeth is one of the most popular birding destinations in East Africa. It also has some of the best scenic views. The park has a variety of since it also has a variety of habitants, from the savannah to the wetlands and the low land forests. The park boost of an average of 600 bird species and this is the biggest number of any protected wildlife area in Uganda. The bird in this area are regarded as the must see birds I Uganda for any bird watcher. This is what this park is best for among bird watcher in Africa.

Here are some of the best birding spots in queen Elizabeth National Park:

Katunguru Bridge Areas

This is the bridge that helps one cross the Kazinga channel from kasese district to Rubirizi District. Below this bridge is a swampy and be on the lookout for species like;

Lesser Swamp Warbler, Greater Swamp Warbler, White-winged Tern, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, White-winged Warbler, Carruther’s Cisticola, Papyrus Gonolek, Pink-backed Pelican, Gull-billed Tern

Ishasha Sector

If you opt to go birding in Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park, expect to see the following bird species:

Shoebill, Palm-nut Vulture,Hooded Vulture, African White-backed Vulture, African Crowned Eagle, Grey Kestrel, Senegal Plover, African Green Pigeon, Grey-backed Fiscal, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Bateleur, Long-created Eagle, Martial Eagle, Striped Kingfisher, Broad-billed Roller, Double-toothed Barbet, Helmeted Guineafowl, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, African Wattled Plover, Ross’s Turaco, White-headed Barbet, Greater Honeyguide, Grey Woodpecker, White-browed Robin-Chat, Brown-backed Scrub-Robin, Green Crombec, Cisticolas

Marabigambo Forest

Here you are likely to find species like:

Little Grebe, African Finfoot, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Honeyguide Greenbul, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Dark-capped Warbler, Green Crombec, Broad-tailed Warbler, Black-headed Batis, Black-and-white Shrike Flycatcher, Chestnut Wattle-eye, African Paradise Flycatcher, Brown Illadopsis, Brubru, Black Coucal, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Black Bee-eater, Blue-throated Roller, Barbets, Red-throated Wryneck, White-breasted Negrofinch, African Moustached Warbler, Croaking Cisticola, Marsh Tchagra, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Western Black-headed Oriole, Black Bishop, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Yellowbill

Lake Kikorongo

This lake is an extension Lake George. The species likely to be seen here include:

The Common Squacco Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Shoebill, Greater Swamp Warbler, White-winged Warbler, Carruther’s Cisticola, Papyrus Gonolek, Sacred Ibis, Knob-billed Duck, Black Crake, African Jacana, Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Swamp Warbler.

Katwe Area

This area is comprised of many caters. Lake Munyanyange is the best around this area for water bird especially the lesser Flamingos. Other bird species you are likely to see are:

Lesser Flamingos, Montagu’s Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Avocet, Common Greenshank, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Southern Red Bishop, Greater Flamingos, Red-capped Lark, Broad-tailed Warbler, African Moustached Warbler, Croaking Cisticola, Eurasian Mash Harrier.

Kasenyi Area

This is not just a good birding spot but also a good wildlife spot and its always crowded with vehicles. Birders can see species like:

Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture, White-tailed Lark, Brown-backed Srub-Robin, Brown Snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Bateleur, Long-created Eagle, Martial Eagle, Grey Kestrel, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck’s Courser, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-crowned Tchagra, African White-backed Vulture, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Crowned Plover, Senegal Plover, Kittlitz’s Plover, Rufous napped, Flappet Lark

BEST TIME TO VISIT QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK FOR BIRDING

Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the best time for viewing game is during the two dry seasons: from June to August and from December to February with most precipitation expected in April and November with passable tracks while in the rainy season the tracks are slippery, muddy and impassable.

WHAT ELSE TO DO IN QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK AFTER BIRDING.

BOAT CRUISE ON KAZINGA CHANNEL; This cruise runs for about three hours and it runs three times a day. It will give you a chance to see animals while you cruise, such animal will include Buffalos, Hippos, crocodiles, and other water birds.

CHIMPANZEE TRACKING; If you miss tracking chimpanzees in kibale forest national park, you have an opportunity to track them in Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth.

TREE CLIMBING LIONS; these lions are rare to find in Africa and can easily be spotted in this national park. You will find swarms of tourists trying to track these lions. There are some unlucky days when you won’t be able to see the lions since they are wild animals, they are so unpredictable.