Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-Bwindi should be your choice. It is easily accessible for birding with birding trails in the forest leading to the different areas including the waterfall trail. It is home to about 350 species of birds which include 23 Albertine Rift endemics and 14 of which are recorded nowhere else in Uganda. There are excellent site guides in the communities who are very knowledgeable about the birds in the area especially the endemics. These join you as you take your trip into the forest re-enforcing the team you will have started with on your trip.

The Albertine Rift endemics.

Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Nightjar, Dwarf honeyguide, African green broadbill, Kivu ground Thrush, Red throated alethe, Archer’s robin-chat, Collard apalis, Mountain Masked apalis, Grauer’s scrub warbler, Grauer’s warbler, Neumann’s warbler, Red faced woodland warbler, yellow eyed black flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Rwenzori batis, stripe breasted tit, Blue headed sunbird, regal sunbird, purple breasted sunbird, dusky crimsonwing, Shelley’s crimsonwing and strange weaver.

Where to go for birding in Bwindi forest.

Popular birdwatching spots include the Neck main trail, the Buhoma Waterfall Trail, Bamboo Zone, and Mubwindi Swamp Trail in Ruhija.

Northern Bwindi forest (Buhoma park gate)

Buhoma is one of the most developed parts of Bwindi forest, this area provides excellent bird watching in the famous Munyaga river trail which is a 3 -4 hours trail excellent for birding.

The Eastern Bwindi forest (Ruhija park gate)

This is one of the key birding areas in Uganda, the famous Mubwindi swamp is one of the best places to see the Albertine rift endemics.

Best time for birdwatching in Bwindi Forest.

Dry Seasons (June-September & December-February):

Trails are less muddy and easier to walk, making birdwatching more comfortable.

Bird activity is generally higher during the dry seasons.

June to August is considered the peak time for gorilla trekking, but also a good time for birdwatching.

Rainy Seasons (March-May & October-November):

While trails can be slippery, the rainy season is also a good time to see migratory birds.

The rainy season can bring more mosquitoes, and the misty conditions might cloud some of the spectacular views.

Conditions for gorilla trekking aren’t great during heavy rains, but it is a popular time to go bird watching as the rains bring migratory birds to the park.