Birding in Uganda:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Located in the western region of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, boasting over 350 recorded bird species. Recognized by the Africa Bird Club as the premier birding destination in Uganda, the park features well-defined birding routes. Notable species in Bwindi include the Collared and Mountain Masked Apalis, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and Black-billed Turaco.
Semliki National Park
Semliki National Park is home to an impressive diversity of avifauna, with over 441 bird species documented. Among the notable species are the Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Piping Hornbill, Nkulengu Rail, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Dwarf Honey Guide, Yellow-throated Nicator, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Red-billed Dwarf, African Piculet, Orange Weaver, and Blue-billed Malimbe, alongside many additional species.
Rwenzori National Park
Situated in the Rwenzori region of southwestern Uganda, this national park supports a remarkable array of approximately 177 bird species. While there are designated birding locations, visitors may also engage in birdwatching while hiking the mountain ranges. Species found in Rwenzori National Park include the Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, various swifts, Archer’s Robin Chat, Long-eared Owl, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Blue-headed Sunbird, Golden-winged Sunbird, Slender-billed Starling, Bearded Vultures, Rwenzori Turaco, and several rare species.
Lake Mburo National Park
Located in western Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park is a prominent destination for bird enthusiasts, featuring a recorded inventory of 315 bird species. Birdwatchers may particularly enjoy viewing species from the Warukiri and Rwonyo swamps. Highlighted species in the park include the Red-necked Spur-fowl, Nubian Woodpecker, Crested Francolin, Pied Kingfisher, Shoebill, Trilling Cisticola, various bee-eaters, Blue-naped Mousebird, Lilac-breasted Roller, Common Quail, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, African Fish Eagle, and the Greenwood Hoopoe.
Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga National Park, situated in the southern part of Uganda, is primarily recognized for housing the largest population of gorillas in the country. In addition to its primate inhabitants, the park is also home to a diverse array of bird species, including the Kivu Ground Thrush, White-starred Robin, Olive Pigeon, Rwenzori Batis, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Western Green Tinkerbird, Black-headed Waxbill, and Cinnamon Warbler.
Birding in Rwanda:
Kigali City
Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, may initially appear to lack bird species; however, the city is home to several notable birding destinations that host a diverse array of avian life. The prominent sites within Kigali include:
Nyabarongo River Wetland
Located in the southwestern region of Kigali, the Nyabarongo River Wetland serves as a critical habitat for various bird species, primarily due to its extensive swamp vegetation. Notable species observed in this area include the Little Egret, African Marsh Harrier, Common Snipe, Spur-winged Goose, Long-toed Lapwing, African Openbill, Caruthers’s Cisticola, African Jacana, Yellow Wagtail, Black-headed Heron, Papyrus Gonolek, White-collared Olive Babbler, Madagascar Squacco Heron, White-winged Scrub-Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, among others.
Mountain Kigali Forest
Mountain Kigali, recognized as the largest hill in Rwanda, encompasses the Kigali Forest, which offers exceptional opportunities for birding. Species recorded in this forest include the Thick-billed Seedeater, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Yellow-fronted Canary, Green-backed Camaroptera, Red-chested Cuckoo, Common Bulbbul, and African Paradise Flycatcher.
Nyarutarama Lake
Nyarutarama Lake, situated within Kigali, attracts numerous birdwatchers due to its rich diversity of avifauna. Species present in this locale include the Paradise Flycatcher, Pygmy Kingfisher, Black Egret, Grey-capped Warbler, African Fish Eagle, Black Kite, Swifts, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Swallow, and the Winding Cisticola.
Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe Forest, located in the country’s southwestern region and bordered by Lake Kivu, boasts montane forests that provide an ideal habitat for various bird species. This forest is home to over 275 bird species, including the Archer’s Robin-Chat, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Grauer’s Warbler, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Handsome Francolin, Mountain Sooty Boubou, and the Stripe-breasted Tit.
Volcanoes National Park
Situated in the Virunga region, Volcanoes National Park is notable as the first national park established in Africa. The park is surrounded by several volcanic mountains and bamboo vegetation, creating a conducive environment for birding. It is home to over 187 bird species, including the Dusty Crimson-wing, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Archer’s Ground Robin, Francolin, Rwenzori Batis, Strange Weaver, and the Collared Apalis.
Birding in Tanzania:
Lake Manyara Forest
Lake Manyara is renowned for its rich avifauna, boasting over 400 recorded bird species. The optimal times for birdwatching in Lake Manyara are early morning and late evening. Among the notable bird species that can be observed in the park are the Little Bee-eater, Black Heron, Martial Eagle, Sacred Glossy Ibis, Pink-backed Pelican, Ground-dwelling Crested Guinea Fowl, Crowned Hornbill, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Schalow’s Turaco, Narina Trogon, Baglafecht Weaver, African Hawk Eagle, Emerald Cuckoo, and Lesser Flamingo, the latter of which is best seen when water levels are favorable.
Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve is home to more than 440 bird species and is particularly favored by ornithologists. The area is characterized by an abundance of weavers and warders, along with other species such as the Thick-billed Cuckoo, White-backed Night Heron, Brown-headed Parrot, Yellow-billed Stork, Green-headed Oriole, Knob-billed Duck, Bateleur Eagle, Southern Ground Hornbill, Crested Lark, African Snipe, various geese, Spur-winged Lapwing, African Spoonbill, African Skimmer, White-fronted Plover, and Boehm’s Bee-eater.
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is predominantly characterized by its woodland vegetation and hosts over 500 bird species, making it a premier location for birdwatching. The diversity of bird species present in the park includes the Bateleur Eagle, Guinea Fowl, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Pale-billed Hornbill, Hoopoe, Wood Hoopoe, Shelley’s Sunbird, Marabou Stork, Black-bellied Bustard, and Racket-tailed Roller.
Serengeti National Park
While Serengeti National Park is primarily recognized for the Great Migration, it also supports various bird species. Notable avian inhabitants include the Secretary Bird, Black-headed Heron, Purple Grenadier, Darnaud’s Barbet, White-bellied Go-away Bird, Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Kori Bustard, Fischer’s Lovebird, White-crowned Shrike, Variable Sunbird, Grey-headed Sparrow, and the Red-backed Scrub Robin.
Birding in Kenya
The Turkana River Delta
The Lake Turkana delta is home to an impressive array of over 20,000 water bird species, which become particularly visible during the rainy season. Notable species include the Sur winged plover, the Violet wood Hoopoe, the African skimmer, the Little stint, and several geese, shorebirds, egrets, pelicans, flamingos, and storks. One can also observe the Pel’s Fishing owl, the Southern banded snake eagle, the Scaly babbler, the Tana River cisticola, the East Coast akalat, the Basra reed warbler, and numerous other avian species.
Kakamega Forest
Located in the western region of Kenya, Kakamega Forest is recognized as a crucial habitat for endangered species, such as Turner’s Eremomela, making it a premier destination for birdwatching. Other notable bird species within this forest include the Banded snake eagle and the Least honeyguide.
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest serves as a vital habitat for various endangered bird species in Kenya, including the critically rare Sokoke scops owl, which is nearly extinct and can only be observed during visits to this forest. Other species seen in Arabuko-Sokoke include the Southern banded snake eagle, the Plain-backed sunbird, Fisher’s turacos, Clarke’s weaver, and many other avian species.
The Masai Mara
The Masai Mara is one of Kenya’s largest and most renowned national parks, famously associated with the Great Migration. Various bird species inhabit the Masai Mara, including the Martial eagle, the Crowned eagle, the Madagascar squacco heron, the Lilac-breasted roller, the Yellow-billed oxpecker, the Corncrake, the Secretary bird, the Saddle-billed stork, the Ostrich, the Grey-crested helmet shrike, and the Lesser kestrel.