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Despite its small size, Uganda is Africa’s richest country for birds; over a thousand bird species have been recorded. Nestled in East Africa, Uganda is a spectacular country of misty mountains, lush forests, and immense papyrus-fringed lakes. From the source of the River Nile on the huge papyrus-emblazoned Lake Victoria to the snow-capped Rwenzori mountain, and the luxuriant montane forests of the Virunga volcanoes; Uganda is an equatorial country of significant divergences. No other country in Africa can match Uganda’s amazingly diverse range of habitats and this is reflected in a phenomenal bird list of over one thousand species. Optional budget birding tour extensions to the Semliki National Park, Kibale Forest, Budongo Forest, or Bwindi National Park for the Mountain Gorillas
Uganda, with its very rich avifauna, has quickly emerged as a top birding destination in the world. Ease of expedition is key in the budget birding tour in Uganda. The country’s excellent infrastructure makes traversing the many birding hotspots a breeze ensuring maximum time engrossed in the magical world of birds. In our budget Uganda birding trip prepare to be fascinated by the glimpses of the elusive Shoebill searching for its favorite Lungfish in Mabamba Swamp, marvel at the vibrant plumage of the Ross’s Turaco, and enjoy elegant views of the Red-faced Barbet and African Finfoot in Lake Mburo National Park. The Uganda budget birding tour offers excellent bird photography opportunities with two delightful boat rides that give us outstanding views of exciting birds and mammals with minimum effort, an important part of the birding safari
Our Uganda short birding tour can be combined with a 22-day Uganda Birding tour. Read our latest Uganda Birding tour report
Our exciting and exclusive Uganda budget birding tour starts at Entebbe International Airport, most of Uganda’s birding holidays commence in Entebbe. If time allows we shall visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens for a birding tour; the gardens are a few minute’s drive from the Airport, and birdwatching here is conducted on foot; birding in Entebbe Botanical Gardens offers a superb introduction to Uganda’s birds.
Birds we expect to see in the Entebbe botanical gardens include; Papyrus Gonolek, Southern White-faced Scops-Owl, African Wood-Owl, Grey Kestrel, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Orange Weaver, Bat Hawk, Plain Greenbul, Lesser Jacana, Green-throated Sunbird, Green-headed Sunbird, Weyns’s Weaver
Early morning rise and continue with the Uganda Budget birding tour by visiting the greatest and most popular Mabamba Swamp, birding in Mabamba wetland shall involve the use of the small wooden canoe which comfortably accommodates 4 birders and the community guide.
The birding in this glorious swamp shall primarily focus on the iconic Shoebill that inhabits the swamp, Mabamba Swamp is the favorite hotspot for day birding tours in Uganda. Other notable birds in the swamp are Purple Starling, Blue-headed Coucal, Goliath Heron, Hooded Vulture, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Slender-billed Weaver, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Splendid Starling, Red-chested Sunbird, Blue Malkoha, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Carruthers’s Cisticola, Allen’s Gallinule, Western Citril. Mabamba Swamp is a breeding ground for the Blue Swallow– an intra-African migrant. Later in the afternoon transfer to Mabira Forest
On this day we will spend the better part exploring the nature trails in Mabira Forest. The forest has well-established and maintained trails which include; Buttress, Red-tailed Monkey, and Turaco nature trails. The Mabira Forest is a rainforest area covering about 300 square kilometers in Uganda, the forest boasts more than 300 bird species including rare species such as the skulking Nahan’s Francolin, Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Tit Hylia, and Grey Longbill. Mabira Forest is close to Kampala city and one of the best day birding tours in Uganda. Birdwatching in the forest is done on foot which allows for fresh air and exercise plus exploring the vast forest ecosystem. Other notable birds in Mabira Forest include the Forest Scimitarbill, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Western Nicator, Green Crombec, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Grey Greenbul, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Grey-headed Sunbird, Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher, Lowland Sooty Boubou, Green Hylia.
Breakfast will be served early, and then we leave for Lake Mburo National Park the smallest national park and one of the best birding destinations in Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park covers an area of 260 kilometers square. We shall arrive at our accommodation in time for a hot lunch, in the afternoon conduct a birding tour within the large lodge compound we shall be looking for the clattering Trilling Cisticola on top of bushes, Pygmy Kingfisher, Red-necked Spurfowl, African Green Pigeon in a fruiting fig close to the lodge, Senegal Lapwing, Mosque Swallow, Southern Red Bishop, Black Bishop, Red-headed Lovebird, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, in the lodge’s dining in the evening we shall search for the Fiery-necked, Freckled, Swamp, Pennant-winged, and Slender-tailed Nightjars, Egyptian Toad may be seen trodding in the restaurant’s floor
We shall have an early morning drive to the Park, where birding is confined in the vehicle. Lake Mburo National Park is home to more than 300 bird species, Some of the top birding areas within the park include; the swampy valleys of Warukiri and Miriti. Bird species to keep an eye on; Wattled Lapwing, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Black-headed Gonolek, Moustached Grass-Warbler, Crested Barbet, White-winged Black-Tit, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Lowland Sooty Boubou, Flappet Lark, African Crake, and Red-faced Barbet.
In the afternoon we shall drive to Lake Mburo for a boat ride to search for the area specialties’; African Finfoot and White-backed Night Heron plus many waterbirds such as the numerous pairs of African Fish Eagles perching on trees along the bank, Water Thick-knee, Striated Heron, Lesser Masked Weaver, White-headed Sawwing, Green Woodhoopoe, Red-faced Cisticola, Brown-chested Lapwing, Rufous-bellied Heron, and Greencap Eremomela
End of the budget birding tour in Uganda will do the transfer to the Airport for your flight back home
Ruma National Park has diverse and rich wildlife; coupled with some of the finest birdwatching, and spectacular scenery. A truly delightful birding hotspot with a sensational array of distinct habitats and an excellent birding location to see the rare Montane Blue Swallow and the famed Roan Antelope. Birdwatching in Ruma Park is productive throughout the year, thanks to the natural landscape and the glowing climate. Ruma National Park birdwatching tour may be combined with Lake Victoria, Busia Grasslands, Mount Elgon, and Kakamega forest to cover Kenya’s western birding circuit.
