Another superb birding spot in Uganda- Murchison Falls National Park
Grey crowned crested cranes sighted during a Uganda birding safari
Did anyone ever imagine that a park that has for long been known for Uganda adventure safaris because of the fact that its home to the world’s most powerful waterfall is the third best spot for a Uganda birding safari? Murchison Falls National park is the largest park in Uganda (4,000) and is home to more than 450 bird species including the Albertine rift endemics, Savannah birds and water birds. The diversity in the bird species are a result of the large land mass ranging from forest, swamps, riverine woodland, Savannah and plains of acacia trees.
Bird species that any birder should watch out for, to tick on their bird list during a birding safari in Uganda include the elusive Shoebill, Goliath heron, Northern red bishop, red-throated bee-eater, African quail Finch, Pied malachite, Giant kingfisher, Denham’s Bustard, Long-toed Plover, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Veracious Dove, Black-headed Lapwing, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rock Pratincole, Yellow-fronted Tinker bird, Black-billed Barbet, Long-tailed Nightjar, Weaver Birds, Yellow-billed Stork, Martial Eagle, Silver bird, Gray crowned crested crane, Giant Heron, African Jacana, Secretary Bird, Saddle-billed stork, Senegal Thick-Knee, Red winged Grey Warbler, Sandpipers, Pied Kingfishers, Standard-winged Nightjar, Malachite Kingfishers, Blue-headed Coucal, Swamp Flycatcher.
Still during a Uganda birding tour at Murchison Falls National Park, the birder will have a glimpse on the Nile River water birds including the pelicans, Darters and various heron species. In the adjacent Budongo forest there are about 59 “restricted range” species like the dwarf kingfisher, white thighed hornbill, Goliath heron and the great blue turaco to be sighted.
Birding in Murchison Falls National park is interesting all year round but the best time of the year for an exceptional birding safari Uganda trip is during the dry months of January to March when there no heavy rains to make the trails slippery for birders. The breeding season however, is during the month of June and this is when the birds are very colorful. Migratory birds can be sighted in the months of November-March.
When planning to have a birding safari in Uganda, a birder should carry a birding guide book, sun glasses, hats for protection from the scotching sun, a pair of binoculars, sturdy shoes for hiking as you find the bird.
There’s nothing more rewarding like having a very colorful birding experience with an array of birds in diverse habitats within a park that hosts the world’s most powerful waterfall, the “big four” animals which are the lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes.
