Birding Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda
You can’t book a birding tour in Queen Elizabeth national park and miss out a visit to the Kazinga channel! The Kazinga Channel in Uganda is 40-kilometre long natural channel that joins Lake George and Lake Edward; forming one of the key attractions in Queen Elizabeth national park and featuring a number of activities including birdwatching and boat cruises.
Birding is vibrant on this channel because it attracts hundreds of bird species and a varied range of animals including hippos and numerous Nile crocodiles.
Lake George is a small water body with an average depth of about 2.4 metres (7.9 Ft.) and fed by numerous streams from the Rwenzori mountains. Its outflow is through the Kazinga Channel which pours its water into Lake Edward.
The wildlife biodiversity in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda is amazing with 95 mammal species and over 600 avifauna. The Kazinga Channel is well known for having the world’s largest concentration of hippopotamuses. Other wildlife in the park include; Uganda kob, lion, buffalo, rare aquatic sitatunga antelope, topi, waterbuck, warthogs, giant forest hog, elephant and leopard.
Bird species long Kazinga Channel Queen Elizabeth national park
If you are looking to explore the Kazinga channel on your birding trip in Queen Elizabeth national park, we recommend to take a boat cruise along the channel to see over 60 bird species including; Black Crake and Jacana, Raptors, African Mourning Dove, Diederik Cuckoo, Squire-tailed Nightjar, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Swamp Nightjar, Blue-naped Mouse bird, Grey-Headed Kingfisher, Pygmy Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-capped Lark, Martins, Yellow Billed Stork, Swallows, Swifts, Grey-capped Warbler, Swamp Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Black-headed Gonolek, African Shoebill, Great and Long Tailed Cormorants, Lesser Masked Weaver, Darters, Slender-billed Weaver, Yellow-backed Weaver, Pin-tailed Whydah, Saddle Bill Stork among others.
Best time to go birding on kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Birdwatching on Kazinga Channel Queen Elizabeth national park is good throughout the year however; the best time to go birding on Kazinga channel is from late May to September, when the park experiences less rains and food is in abundance. From June to July, these are dry months and park receives the least rain, while April to May and September to November, Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda receives the most rains; consequently, birders may experience delays due to impassable roads and slippery hiking trails hence limiting their birdwatching time. From November to April, Kazinga channel hosts several migratory birds.
Where to stay on birding safari along the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park?
Queen Elizabeth national park has a number of accommodation properties ranging from budget to luxury safari lodge. Below is a list of accommodation you can book during your birdwatching tour at the Kazinga Channel;
Katara Lodge, Irungu Forest Safari Lodge, Parkview Safari Lodge Kyambura, Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge, Mazike Valley Lodge, Kingfisher Lodge, The Baboon safari resort, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge Uganda, Kasenyi Safari Camp, Pumba Safari Cottages, Elephant HAB Lodge, Simba Safari Camp, Albertine valley lodge, Kazinga Channel View Resort, Kyangabi Crater Resort, Little Elephant Camp among others.
What to pack for birding tour long the Kazinga Channel?
Are you ready for your birding safari along the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth national park Rwanda? Check on what to pack for your birdwatching experience in Uganda with Africa Adventure Vacations. These include the following;
- Binoculars for zooming small birds from a distance
- Good camera to enable you take as many photos as possible
- Field Clothes such the rain gear, gardening gloves, hiking boots/shoes among others. We strongly encourage birders to pack light, closed and waterproof shoes.
- Several toiletries like tissues, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, hair gels and sanitary wear for the case of women.
- Pack insect repellants to protect you from dangerous insect bites
- Extra batteries and power bank to avoid your gadgets from blacking out in the middle of the experience
- Several toiletries like tissues, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, hair gels and sanitary wear for the case of women.
