Budget Birding Trip In Uganda

Booking a budget birding safari and trip in Uganda requires a guest to prepare him or herself in advance since some birdwatching areas involve staying out for long hours as well as hiking for a good time such as birding in Rwenzori Mountains, Mt Elgon, Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, among others.

Uganda hosts over 1050 bird species and makes it a leading birding destination in Africa for budget trips and safaris. The total number of birds in Uganda contribute 10% of the world’s population.

The Uganda also hosts 24 Albertine rift endemics; with the rest found in Rwanda, DR Congo, and Burundi.

Budget birding trips and safaris are done mainly in Uganda’s protected areas and a few private areas. These areas include; agricultural lands, wetlands and papyrus swamps, Savannah, woodlands, forests, rocky ridges and Afro-pine moorland.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best birding area to spot 23 of the 24 Albertine rift endemics found in Uganda.

Places to go budget birding trips in Uganda

Uganda is endowed with a number of places where you can go for birdwatching however; the following are the best areas you can go for budget birding trips and safaris; Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Kidepo valley national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Semuliki national park, Murchison falls national park, Lake Mburo national park, Kibale national park, Mt Elgon national park, and Rwenzori mountains national park.

More birding sites in Uganda include Mabamba Swamp, Maramagambo forest, Budongo forest, Mabira forest, Kalinzu forest, Echuya forest, Katonga game reserve, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Pian Upe game reserve, Nyamuriro swamp, and several agricultural lands.

The following are the top bird species that you can see in Uganda during a budget trip; Crested Crane, Shoebill Stork, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Great Blue Turaco, Marabou Stork, African Green Broadbill, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Saddle-billed Stork, Green-Breasted Pitta, Standard-Winged Nightjar, Black-Breasted Barbet, Bar-tailed Trogon, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Long-crested Eagle, Black Bee-Eater, Short-tailed Warbler, Black-breasted Barbet, Chocolate-Backed Kingfisher and African Grey Parrot.

Where to stay on your birding tour In Uganda

Birding can be done in several places and below are some of the lodges and camps you can book during your budget birdwatching trip in Uganda;

In Murchison Falls National Park, you can stay at Red Chilli Rest Camp, Global Village Guest House, Kalalo Cottage Inn, Uganda Wildlife Campsite, Parkside Safari Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, Shoebill Campsite, Bwana Tembo Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Boomu Women’ group bandas, ziwa Rhino Camp

In Queen Elizabeth national park, you can book a night at Pumba safari cottages, Kazinga channel view resort, Mweya hostels and cottages, Simba safari camp, River ishasha safari camp, Tembo safari lodge and Engiri game lodge

For those booking budget trips in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park Uganda, consider staying a night at ‎Gorilla valley lodge, Broadbill Forest Camp, Nshongi campsite, ‎Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ride 4 a Woman, Wagtail Eco safari camp, Way gorilla resort, Kisoro travellers rest among others

In Kibale forest national park, look out for Kitojo guest cottages, Rwenzori view guest house, Nyinalibulitwa country resort, Rweteera Safari Park, Lake Nkuruba nature reserve and community campsite.

Best time to book Budget Birding Trip In Uganda

Budget birdwatching safaris can be booked throughout the year however; the best time to book a birding trip in Uganda is during the wet season that runs from Late march, April to May and late October to November. During that time, Uganda receives the lowest number of tourists. Consequently; lodges and camps offer progressive discounts on accommodation. Also, this is the period when the country hosts several migratory birds from Europe and north Africa.

The main nesting season in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks which are the key sites for the Albertine Rift endemics happens in May and June but from mid-April to mid-May the rains tend to be heavy and at times affects operations.

But if you want to combine wildlife and birdwatching experiences, the best time for this safari in Uganda is during the dry season that happens from June to August and December to February.