A Guide To Bird Watching In Bwindi: The Best Spots To Find Rare Species

Birding in Bwindi Forest; Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda at the edge of a rift valley and it’s a mist covered forest a rainforest which is the oldest national park in Uganda known to inhabit the mountain Gorillas left in the wild, Bwindi Forest lies in Kigezi a land of rolling hills and beautiful scenery.

Bwindi is a habitant of over 348 species of birds offering some of the best montane forest bird watching in Africa.

In here you will find 23 bird species endemic to the Albertine Rift. Examples include Short-tailed Warbler and Blue-headed Sun bird. Bwindi is equally a preferred habitat for seven IUCN red data listed species such as Common Bulbul, African Emerald Cuckoo, Red-headed Bluebill, African Blue and White-tailed Blue Flycatchers

Birding watching can be done along R. Muyanga toward magnificent waterfalls. Here you have the chance to see both water birds and mountain bird species. Among the most common bird species include Bar –tailed trogon, black bee eater, narrow tailed starling among others.

As you take a walk along Buhoma Waterfall Trail and Mubwindi Swamp trail, you will come across a profusion of finches, warblers and forest greenbul. Other notables include African broadbill, Shelley’s crimsonwing, Purple-breasted sunbird , Regal sunbird,  Grauer’s broadbill, Handsome francolin, Blue-headed sunbird, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater,  Black-faced rufous warbler, Rwenzori apalis, Yellow-streaked greenbul, Mountain masked apalis…the list is endless.

Birding is not only done in the Forest but will continue while at the lodge as you wake up to the sweet melodies of the different colorful bird species that you will see throughout the day in the airy gardens giving life to the lodge grounds.

What you need for Bird Watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

• Comfortable hiking boots.
• Pack enough water and snacks.
• Warm clothing.
• Water proof bags to protect your gadgets.
• Binoculars or telescopes.

Best time to visit

The breeding season that runs from March to September presents the most remarkable birding experiences. Migratory species can best be seen from November to April.