Bird watching in Uganda is spectacular, the country is a gem for ornithologists and a birders' ultimate destination. Uganda has more bird species per square kilometer than any other country of Africa and has a national list of over 1010 species. This figure represents more than half the bird species that can be found in the whole of Africa!

The key to Uganda's diversity is its variety of habitants: arid semi-dessert, rich savannahs, snow capped mountains, lowland and montane rainforests, vast wetlands, volcanoes and an Afro-alpine zone. Uganda covers an altitude from 650 to 5000 meters above sea level.

Forests:
Situated on the equator Uganda has an area contiguous with the great Guinea /Congo basin Rain forests on its western border. Subsequently there are a number of west and central African bird species occurring in Uganda that are not found else where in East Africa.

The country boasts some of the best remaining natural forests in Africa and one particular region is the Albertine Rift Endemic area (ARE), which has 38 species of birds confined to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo. Of these ARE's Uganda has 25 mostly confined to the forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Ichuya forest, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks in the southwest.

Wetlands:

• Uganda has 30000 square kilometers of wetland.
• 210 species from the Shoebill and African skimmer to the endemic Fox's weaver.
• 5 papyrus endemics; papyrus gonolek, papyrus canary, white-winged warbler, papyrus yellow warbler, and the Fox' weaver
• A white –winged black tern roost of 2-3 million birds in the Entebbe area.
• Savannah varies from the remote, semi-desert, dry thorn-scrub region of Karamoja in the north east, to the richer fertile savannah of the western rift valley.
• Queen Elizabeth National park has a bird list of 604 species the highest for any protected area in Africa.

Advantage Safaris Africa 10 most sought after birds:
Our birding groups are always looking forward to pursuing the BIG 10. This represents a subjective grouping of the 10 most desired bird species that visitors to Uganda should not miss;

• Shoebill
• Nahan's Francolin
• Rwenzori Turaco
• Green-breasted pitta
• Brown chested plover
• Black bee- eater
• African Green Broadbill
• Fox's weaver
• Purvell's illadopsis
• Red fronted Antpecker

Advantage Safaris Africa Top Birding Spots in Uganda:
Our specialized professional bird guides in this niche industry will take you to the most productive birding spots. Our approach is unique; we target the richest and most unique areas in Uganda and we do it thoroughly.

• Mabamba Swamp:The Shoebill.
• Ichuya Forest: Grauer's rush warbler
• Lake Bisna: Fox's weaver
• Semliki National park: Nkurengu Rail, Congo Serpent Eagle, white crested Hornbill, Red Dwarf Hornbill, and Red Rumped Tinker Bird.
• Rwenzori Mountains: Rwenzori Turaco
• Kibale Forest: Green Breasted pitta
• Lake Mburo: Papyrus Gonolek, Finfoot
• Bigodi Wetland sanctuary: Black Billed Turaco, White sported crake
• Murchison Falls: Red Fronted Bee Eaters, Denham's bustard, Shoebill
• Mabira Forest: Nahan's Francolin Toro Olive Greenbul and various forest species
• Mgahinga National park: Kivu Ground Thrush, Scarlet- tufted Malachite sunbird
• Budongo Forest: The Royal Mile –Chocolate Backed, Dwarf , Blue Breasted king fishers
• Budongo forest; Kaniyo Pabidi- Purvels illadopsis, Shinning Blue Kingfisher, White Breasted Turaco.
• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: Buhoma-Ruhija- Black Bee –eater, African Green Broadbill, Ituri Batis.

Migration:

• Uganda is situated in a major flyway between the Albertine and great rift valleys.
• Of Uganda's 1010 species, 137 are pale arctic migrants.
• At times of peak spring passage, Waders congregate at all muddy lagoons around the Entebbe peninsular with mixed flocks of thousands of birds.
• Thousands of steppe Buzzards and Migrant Black kites head south with smaller numbers of Honey Buzzard, steppe and Booted Eagles each October.
• Flocks of European Hobbies moving through join their African counterparts to feed at dusk in flocks of up to 30 or more around the hills of Kampala.
• Barn swallow and sand martins congregate in the millions feeding on the even larger swarms of lake flies.
• The yellow wagtail over winters with an estimated 1million birds roosting in the reed beds along the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Conclusion:
With us a 10-15 day trip in Uganda a birder could probably see in the region of 400-500 species and have had the experience of birding in some of the most exciting and beautiful scenery in Africa . A variety of numerous bird species and an added advantage of viewing big game.

Its no wonder Uganda is recognized as one of the best birding destinations in the world, with the Albertine Rift Endemic Area as the birding Mecca of Africa.

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