Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park: The most visited park in Uganda is Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is situated in the southwest and offers a wide range of activities and attractions. The park’s varied vegetation and distinctive characteristics, like its freshwater and saltwater lakes, like Lake Katwe, make birdwatching a must-do activity here. Birding International has designated the park as an Important Birding Area, and with more than 600 bird species, it is the best place to go birdwatching in East Africa. Both migratory birds and Central African species are included. To study these birds, an observatory area was established in 1997. Any African trip must include a visit to the park, which provides outstanding birding opportunities.
Where to do birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kasenyi Plains
The Kasenyi plains are a top wildlife destination for anyone on an African safari due to their status as a prime habitat for the Big Five, making them ideal for big game viewing. This area is also a great spot for birdwatching because of the many bird species found there. The landscape mainly consists of savannah grasslands with scattered trees. Birdwatchers should look for various species, including the hooded vulture, palm-nut vulture, brown snake eagle, and many others, like the African crake and black-headed gonolek, all of which should be included on their birding checklist.
Marabigambo Forest
The Marabigambo Forest, located in the Kicwamba escarpment of the western Rift Valley, is home to over 60 bird species. It is part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and offers birding experiences through trekking. Birders can explore nearby lakes like Kamunzuku and Nyamusingire, which attract various bird species and primates like chimpanzees. Some of the birds frequently seen in Marabigambo Forest include the Marsh Tchagra, Black Bee-Eater, and African Paradise flycatcher, among others.
Mweya Peninsula
The Mweya Peninsula, located in Queen Elizabeth National Park between the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward, is a well-known birding spot that attracts many tourists. It is home to various bird species, including the Black-headed Gonolek, Red-chested Sunbird, Pin-tailed Whydah, Blue-napped Mousebird, Lesser Masked Weaver, African Fish Eagle, Swamp Flycatcher, Pygmy Kingfisher, African Morning Dove, and several types of nightjars, weavers, and sunbirds, among others.
Ishasha Sector
The Ishasha sector, located on the southwestern rim of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, is a popular birding destination known for its rare tree-climbing lions. The sector also houses various bird species such as Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture, Grey Kestrel, Helmeted Guineafowl, Long-crested Eagle, Black-bellied Bustard, Ross’s Turaco, Broad-Billed Roller, Double-toothed Barbet, Striped Kingfisher, Greater honeyguide, Brown snake Eagle, Grey-backed Fiscal, Green Crombec, and Lappet-faced Eagle cisticolas.
Birding in the Katwe Area
The Katwe Area is home to numerous bird species, including Croaking Cisticola, Lesser and Greater Flamingos, Avocet, Montagu’s Harrier, Little Stint, Common Greenshank, Southern Red Bishop, African Moustached Warbler, Broad-tailed Warbler, Pallid Harrier, Curlew Sandpiper, and Gull-billed Tern, and Eurasian Marsh Harrier, all found in their habitats, including small lakes like Lake Munyanyange.
Lake Kikorongo
This lake is commonly known for its water birds, also called Waders. This water body is an extension of Lake George, which connects to Lake Edward through the Kazinga channel. Notable bird species include Yellow Wagtail, White-winged Warblers, Papyrus Gonolek, African Jacana, Lesser and Greater Swamp Warbler, Common Squacco Heron, Carruthers Cisticola, Saddle-billed Stork, African Jacana, Sacred Ibis, and Shoebill, among others.
Katunguru Bridge Area
Following birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park, this is one of the top sites for birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park, with several bird species attracted by the swamp vegetation and fish species along the Kazinga channel. The Katunguru Bridge Area is located at the point where you cross the Kazinga channel from Kyambura-Rubirizi district to Kasese and vice versa. The bridge is surrounded by swamp vegetation, a habitat that attracts birds such as the Papyrus Gonolek, Great Swamp Warbler, Pink-backed Pelican, Malachite Kingfisher, Carruthers Cisticola, and Pied Kingfisher, among others.
What to pack on a birding safari
Birders visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park should remember to bring essential items for a great experience. These include binoculars, a brimmed hat, a birding vest or pack, comfortable hiking shoes, a water bottle, insect repellent, a notebook, cameras, energy-boosting snacks, and a pen. Successful birding requires professionalism, passion, and skilled guides. Nakra Safaris offers excellent birdwatching safaris, and birders are encouraged to book with them for a satisfying experience.
What is the best time to do birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Birding excursions in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be done throughout the year, although the best time for birding in Uganda is during the two dry seasons, from June to August and December to February. This season is ideal due to dry birdwatching trails, short vegetation with clear views of the birding sites, and many other factors. However, during the wet season, birding is very possible despite the heavy rains that lead to delays in time during birdwatching excursions, slick and slippery trails, tall vegetation that obstructs the birding sides, and many other factors.
Getting to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You can access Queen Elizabeth National Park by either road or air as a means of transportation. By road, one can drive for about 7-8 hours from Kampala, the capital of Uganda, to Fort Portal along Mubende Highway, about 410km. Alternatively, you can book a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield, taking 1 hour to Kasese Airfield, where our safari driver can pick you up and transfer you to the park.
Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Over the years, the park has undergone several transformations and developments with several accommodation facilities for travellers, especially wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, ranging from luxury, mid-range, and budget options. These accommodation facilities include Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness, Elephant Hab, Kyambura Lodge, Elephant Plains, Park View Safari Lodge, Enjojo Lodge, Enjojo Lodge, Topi Safari Lodge, and others.
