Birding Safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Birding Safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park are one of the most exciting safaris to enjoy in Uganda, located in the southwestern region of the country. It’s one of the best bird-watching destinations in East Africa, classified as an Important Birding Area by Birdlife International due to its rich birdlife. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most sought-after by travellers planning their safaris in Uganda. It has a rich biodiversity, up to 12 primate species, 200 butterfly species, 96 mammal species and 610 bird species, including the water birds, forest-dwelling birds, savannah birds, migratory birds and those endemic to the park. This rich biodiversity is supported by the presence of various ecosystems like wetlands, tropical forests, woodlands and savannah grasslands that provide habitats to different wildlife species.
The park has different sites with unique bird species, which are suitable for bird watching, including Maramagambo Forest, Kazinga Channel, Katungulu Bridge, Kyambura Gorge, Mweya Peninsula, and Katwe areas. This is a guided safari led by an experienced park birder who gives more in-depth information about the bird species that you might encounter in the park. Bird lovers or ornithologists are encouraged to prepare a birding checklist for their safari. This will ensure that they explore the rich birdlife and have exceptional birding experiences.
Birds to see on Birding Safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Nature and bird lovers will find the park a haven for birding with over 610 bird species that reside in the park, making it the best destination in Africa with the highest number of bird species. The species to encounter on the safari include the Shoebill Stork, Great Blue Turaco, Grey-crowned crane, Long-crested Eagle, Black and white Casqued Hornbill, Bateleur, Pied Avocet, White-backed Duck, Black-bellied Plover, Knob-billed Duck, Egyptian Goose, Spur-winged Goose, African Pygmy-Goose, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, Blue-billed Teal, Blue-billed Teal, African Black Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, Red-billed Duck, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Helmeted Guineafowl, Western Crested Guineafowl, Nahan’s Partridge, Crested Francolin,Coqui Francolin,Harlequin Quail, Common Quail,Blue Quail, Red-winged Francolin,Ring-necked Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, Scaly Spurfowl, Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl, Handsome Spurfowl ,Rock Pigeon, Speckled Pigeon, Afep Pigeon, Rameron Pigeon, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Red-eyed Dove, Mourning Collared-Dove.
Others include, Tambourine Dove, African Green-Pigeon, Black-bellied Bustard, Denham’s Bustard, Eastern Plantain-eater, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Rwenzori Turaco, White-crested Turaco, Black-billed Turaco, Dusky Turtle-Dove,White-naped Pigeon, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Ring-necked Dove, Vinaceous Dove, Laughing Dove, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Black-billed Wood-Dove, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-throated Coucal, Blue-headed Coucal, White-browed Coucal, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Dideric Cuckoo, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Plain Nightjar, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Nubian Nightjar, Common Cuckoo, Red-chested Cuckoo, Pied Cuckoo, Freckled Nightjar, Dideric Cuckoo, Blue-headed Coucal, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Montane Nightjar, African Emerald Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Dideric Cuckoo, Alpine Swift, Cassin’s Spinetail, Alpine Swift, Mottled Swift, among others.
Best Time for Birdwatching Safaris in the Park.
Birding safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be done year-round, and the best time depends on an individual’s interests. The park receives two seasons, the wet season and the dry season, both of which provide memorable birding experiences. The wet season is the most liked period by bird enthusiasts, it runs from October to November and March to May. During this period, the park receives enough rainfall, plant and tree species bear fruits which provide abundant food for the birds. This attracts various bird species, including the migratory birds that travel from Europe in search of food. This is a breeding season for most birds in the park, which makes it easy to spot them. However, bird lovers should be aware that the park is always muddy in this period. Bird lovers can also enjoy birding during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. There is little to no rainfall in this season; the park is dry, making it easy to penetrate .
