Birds of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi is one of the top birding destinations in Africa, drawing tourists, including conservationists, ornithologists, and birding enthusiasts. Birds of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are over 360 species, including 23 birds endemic to the Albertine Rift and 14 species to the park. Located in southwest Uganda near Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi covers 331 square kilometers of bamboo and tropical rainforest. Despite being a premier haven for the endangered mountain gorillas, the park is also excellent for birdwatching.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, with more than 21 families, of which 2 are open for habituation, particularly in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Besides ornithologists, avid birders and travelers on gorilla trekking safaris often enjoy birding activities before or after seeing the gorillas. The best birding spots are in the Buhoma and Ruhija sectors, where visitors can see birds along popular trails like the Buhoma waterfall trail, the Bamboo zone, and the Mubwindi swamp trail. Birdwatching is guided by armed ranger guides who know the trails and ensure safety from wild animals.
Birds of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bird species in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest include African Dusky Flycatcher, Dwarf Honeyguide, Angolan Swallow, Common Sand Piper, Brown-capped Weaver, White-headed Saw-wing, African Hill Babbler, African Citril, Alpine Swift, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Blue-headed Sunbird, Klaas’s Cuckoo, African Paradise Flycatcher, Luhder’s Bush-shrike, Magpie Manikin, Great Blue Turaco, Yellow Streaked Greenbul, Many-coloured Bush-shrike, Olive-breasted Greenbul, Lizard Buzzard, Giant Kingfisher, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Zebra Waxbill, Rwenzori Nightjar, Carruthers Cisticola, Woolly-necked Stork, Banded Prinia, Red Chested Fluff Tail, Willcocks Honey Guide, Black Swift, Dwarf Honeyguide, Jameson’s Antpecker, Scarce Swift, Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Red-capped Robin-chat, Marabou Stork, Shikra, Green Combec, Scaly Francolin, Died Erik Cuckoo, and Purple Breasted Sunbird.
Other birds to see in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Red-throated Alethe, Crested Guinea Fowl, Grauer’s Broadbill, Regal Sunbird, Pink-footed Puff Back, Tambourine Dove, Rwenzori Turaco, Grey Crowned Crane, Mountain Oriole, African Wood-owl, Black-billed Turaco, Waller’s Starling, Blue Spotted Wood Dove, Black Bee-eater, Kivu Ground Thrush, African Olive Pigeon, White-throated Greenbul, Barred Long Tailed Cuckoo, Rwenzori Batis, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Cape Wagtail, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Neumann’s Warbler, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Yellow -streaked Greenbul, Cape Wagtail, Mountain Wagtail, Dusky Twinspot and yellow-fronted canary, European Honey Buzzard, Archer’s Robin-chat, Pin-tailed Whydah, and Grosbeak Weaver.
Other notable birds to see include Black Crake, Fine-banded Wood Pecker, Short-tailed Warbler, Speckled Mouse Bird, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Mottled Swift, African Pygmy King Fisher, Horus Swift, Cistchestnut -throated Apalis, White-spotted Fluff Tail, Buff-spotted Wood Pecker, Western Green Tinkerbird, Arrow Marked Babbler, Icterine Warbler, Brown illadopsis, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Ross’s Turaco, Oberlaenders Ground Thrush, Wood Houses Anti Pecker, Hairly breasted barbet, Western Nector, among others.
Best Time to See Birds in Bwindi- Birds of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can be enjoyed year-round, but some months are more ideal than others. The ideal months for birding in Bwindi are June to September and December to March, with less rain and more sunshine. During these times, migratory birds visit the park, and there is plenty of food for them. The birding trails are also dry and easy to navigate. While birders can find opportunities in the rainy season from March to May and October to November, conditions are generally not as good. Heavy rain makes trails muddy, tall vegetation obstructs views, and fewer migratory birds are present.
What to carry on a birding safari to Bwindi
When planning for your bird-watching safari in Bwindi dare not miss out on the following a brimmed hat, camera, binoculars, waterproof shoes, rain jacket, hiking shoes, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, gardening gloves, water bottle, insect repellents, face mask, a pen, voice recorder, notebook, birding book, extra batteries, backpack, energy-giving snacks, and others.
Accommodation in Bwindi
Ruhija sector- Birds of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Trekkers Tavern, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Uganda Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, and others.
Rushaga sector
Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, and Gorilla Valley Lodge, among others.
Nkuringo sector- Birds of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Campsite, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, and Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, and many others.
Buhoma sector
Mahogany Springs Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Neck View Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Silverback Lodge, Haven Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, and Buhoma Rest Camp, among others.
