Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited and second largest National Park with an area cover of 1,978 square kilometers situated southwest of Kampala.
The Park is not only known for its abundant wildlife but also a plethora of birdlife due to its rich variety of habitats that range from the savannah plains to humid rainforests, euphorbia bushes, lowlands and wetlands, salty water, and freshwater lakes to mention a few.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is classified as an Important Birding Area by Birding International as its diversity is reflected in the bird list of more than 600 bird species which is the biggest of any protected area in Uganda. This National Park can be accessed from Kampala by a road drive which lasts for about 7 and a half hours. The Park is also connected by daily domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport to Mweya Airstrip, Kihiihi Airstrip, and Kasese Airstrip for those who are not comfortable with long drives.
Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park just like in any birdwatching destination is preferably done in the morning or afternoon starting with a briefing about what is expected of one during this activity as well as what one should expect in the due course of the activity.
An experienced and knowledgeable bird guide will initiate the activity to a preferred birding destination within the Park as you look out for several bird species. Bird species to look out for include aquatic bird species, forest dwellers, savannah and woodland birds, migratory bird types, and many more. Bird types that can be spotted on a birdwatching safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park include little bee-eater, blue napped mouse bird, grey capped warbler, yellow backed weaver, pin tailed whydah, black crake, shoebill stork, long tailed cormorant, red-chested sunbird, scarlet-chested sunbird, black-headed Gonolek, African morning dove, swamp nightjar, pygmy kingfisher, grey-headed kingfisher, slender-billed weaver, giant kingfisher, lesser-masked weaver, Nubian woodpecker, red capped lark, Diederik cuckoo, verreaux’s eagle owl, pink-backed pelican, African broadbill, chapin’s flycatcher, white-winged warbler, African emerald cuckoo, red-tailed bristle, ross’s cuckoo, black headed batis, African green pigeon, Rwenzori turaco, bat hawk, fawn-breasted waxbill, dark-capped warbler, white-napped pigeon, forest flycatcher, palm nut vulture, white-tailed lark, African wattled eagle, long crested eagle, African crake, yellow throated long crow, grey crowned cranes, brown snake eagle, crowned lover, black lured babbler, grey-backed fiscal, red throat spur fowls, double toothed barbet, hooded vulture, white-headed barbet, broad-billed roller, helmeted guinea fowl, lappet-faced vulture, green woodpecker, greater honey guide, striped kingfisher, Senegal plover, papyrus canary, martial eagle, papyrus Gonolek, African skimmer, flamingoes, common squaco heron, saddle-billed stork, knob-billed ducks, yellow wagtail, sacred ibis, caruther’s cisticola, malachite kingfisher, marabou stork, sitting cisticola, croaking cisticola, black-bellied bustard, grey kestrel, martin’s, brown-backed scrub robin, secretary bird, snake eagle to mention but a few. The Park’s best birdwatching spots where this magnificent activity can be done include the following;
This is a 40km long water channel that joins Lake Edward with Lake George. This is a perfect spot for bird enthusiasts where one can see a variety of bird species. The bird life along the shores of the Kazinga channel is exceptional evidenced by its impressive vast colors dotted along the shores captured from a distance. Birding along the Kazinga channel is best done during a boat cruise either in the morning or afternoon hours.
Maramagambo forest
The Maramagambo forest is one of the Park’s largest forests that stretches from the Kichwamba escarpments up to Lake Edward. Birding within this mighty forest is done through several trails within the forest as one looks for most preferably forest dwellers. This forest is not only home to forest birds but also other animals and primates such as L’Hoest’s monkey, olive baboons, chimpanzees, and pottos to mention but a few.
Mweya peninsular
The Mweya peninsular is situated on the northern bank of the Kazinga channel at a point where it connects to Lake Edward. This is a birding spot within Queen Elizabeth National Park due to its vegetation cover that is favorable for several bird species. It is also a perfect place for game viewing where one can see a variety of animals such as warthogs, buffaloes, elephants, leopards, hippopotamuses, and many more.
Ishasha sector
Ishasha sector occupies the southern region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This sector is not only a habitat for tree-climbing lions but also a haven for a large number of bird species. Other than viewing lions lazily lying up in acacia tree and fig tree branches, multiple bird species are easily seen roaming its savannah grasslands, woodlands, and swamps.
Kasenyi Plains
The Kasenyi plains are located in the Park’s northern region on the western shores of Lake George famous for game sightings. These plains are also best for birdwatching where savannah bird species are easily sighted.
Lake Kikorongo
Lake Kikorongo is one of the crater Lakes situated in the eastern region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This Crater Lake is a habitat for several bird species more so water birds. Birding around Lake Kikorongo is done on foot through several trails as you spot vast bird types.
Katwe Salt Lake
This is a salt Lake where rock salt is extracted using traditional salt mining methods by local people within the Park. This Lake is situated close to Mweya peninsular in the northern section of the Park famous for hosting seasonal or migratory bird species such as flamingoes. This is a perfect spot for viewing several water birds
The cost of birdwatching in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Birdwatching in Queen Elizabeth National Park costs 25 USD per person for foreign nonresidents, 20 USD per person for foreign residents, and 20,000 shillings per person for East African citizens. These costs exclude Park entrance fees and other activity fees. The Park entrance fees are 40USD for foreign nonresidents, 30USD for foreign residents, 25USD for the rest of Africans, and 20,000Ug shillings for East African citizens.
What to carry with you on a birding safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Comfortable light hiking shoes
- A pair of binoculars
- Camera and extra batteries
- Long-sleeved light clothes
- Hat and sunglasses
- Energizing snacks and drinking water
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Backpack
- Insect repellant and first aid kit
Best time for birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best time is from May to September. During this period of the year, less rainfall downpours implying that the birding trails are accessible and passable. Birding can also be done in the wet season in March and April since during this period of the year, there is abundant food, and the perfect period for breeding and nesting in birds. During this period which is the rainy season, the Park receives migratory bird species that shouldn’t be missed out on one’s birding safari. However, one should be ready for slippery roads and birding trails as well as heavy downpours in the rainy season.
