Discounted and Cheap birding trips in Uganda
Are you looking for discounted and cheap birding trips in Uganda? Uganda hosts over 1050 bird species and is among the best destination for birding tours in Africa. This number of bird species make up 10% of the total birds of the world. 24 Albertine rift endemics are recorded in Uganda and the rest can be spotted in Rwanda, DR. Congo and Burundi.
To execute a very successful birdwatching safari in Uganda, you need to get ready to spend longer hours in the field; hiking in search for different bird species in areas like Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon, Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, among others.
Discounted and cheap birding trips are done in both protected areas and in private areas of Uganda. Such bird habitats range from agricultural lands, wetlands and papyrus swamps, Savannah, woodlands, forests, rocky ridges and Afro-pine moorland.
The key birdwatching sites in Uganda include; Kidepo valley national park, Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kibale national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Semuliki national park, Rwenzori mountains national park, Mount Elgon national park, Mabamba Swamp, Mabira forest, Budongo forest, Kalinzu forest, Maramagambo forest, Pian Upe game reserve, Echuya forest, Katonga game reserve, Nyamuriro swamp among others.
Top bird species in Uganda
The following are the key bird species in Uganda birders can see if they book discounted birding trips; Shelley’s crimsonwing, Archer’s robin-chat, Black-lored babbler, Yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Neumann’s warbler, Blue-headed sunbird, Chapin’s flycatcher, Dusky crimsonwing, Dwarf honeyguide, Fox’s weaver, Golden-winged sunbird, Grant’s bluebill, Grauer’s broadbill, Grauer’s cuckoo-shrike, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Ruwenzori nightjar, Jackson’s francolin, Karamoja apalis, Nahan’s francolin, Ruwenzori batis, Oberlaender’s ground thrush, Purple-breasted sunbird, Handsome francolin, Turner’s eremomela, Red-faced woodland warbler, Red-throated alethe, Regal sunbird, Ruwenzori apalis, Red-faced barbet, Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird, Strange weaver, Stripe-breasted tit, Hartlaub’s turaco, Uganda woodland warbler, Ruwenzori turaco. All the above listed birds are either endemics or near-endemic species in Uganda. Other species include; Shoebill, Ansorge’s greenbul, Black bee-eater, Blue-throated roller, Rufous flycatcher-thrush, Equatorial akalat, White-bellied robin-chat, Red-chested owlet, Great blue turaco, Pennant-winged nightjar, Ituri batis, Jameson’s antpecker, Lühder’s bush-shrike, Magpie mannikin, Masked apalis, Olive long-tailed cuckoo, Yellowbill, Red-tailed ant thrush, Papyrus gonolek, White-bellied crested flycatcher and White-naped pigeon.
Best time to book Discounted and Cheap birding trips in Uganda
From a birder’s point of view, Uganda can be visited for discounted and cheap birding trips throughout the year since most the bird species are residents. If you are choosing the best season to travel to Uganda, we focus our discussion on climate and the country has two seasons that is the dry and wet season.
During wet season, Uganda experiences heavy rains that makes connecting roads and forest trails muddy and slippery which at times interfere with your birding time.
Generally, the best time to book tailor-made birding safaris in Uganda is late May through September when the country receives less rains and food is in abundance.
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.
February and early March is the only period when Toro-Semliki national reserve is relatively dry however, it is uncomfortably hot in the northern part of the country including in Murchison Falls National Park.
December and January are also good months for birdwatching since the north is not always too hot and the southern part of the country experiences less rains.
The best time for primate trekking and wildlife viewing in Uganda’s national park is during the dry season of June to August and December to February.
What to pack for Discounted birding trips in Uganda?
If you are planning to book a cheap birding tour in Uganda, you need to carry a number of items to avoid disappointments during your safari. Please note that first step in executing successful birdwatching trips is packing right items however, what to pack depends on the time you wish to visit Uganda and particular birding destinations to travel to in search for birds. Therefore, below is a list of things to pack for birding tour in Uganda;
Valid passport
Valid Visa
Vaccination certificate against yellow fever
Travel Insurance
Long Trousers or long skirts (for women)
Short sleeved shirts/blouses and T-shirts
Shoes
Long socks
Sweater
Rain jacket/Poncho
Money belt
Gardening gloves
A Hat and Sunglasses
Swimsuit (Swimming costume)
Photographic Equipment
Insect repellant
First Aid kit
Toiletries and a toilet bag
Binoculars
Torches
