Top 10 Birds to Spot on a Birding Safari in Uganda

Uganda is a birdwatcher’s paradise boasting over 1,060 recorded bird species, making it one of the most diverse birding destinations in Africa. With its unique blend of wetlands, forests, savannahs, and highland ecosystems, Uganda provides bird enthusiasts with the opportunity to see both endemic and migratory species in their natural habitats.

At Hillary Uganda Trips, we specialize in birding safaris led by Hillary, a local guide and wildlife photographer from Lake Bunyonyi. Our birdwatching experiences take you through Uganda’s most scenic locations, including Mabamba Swamp, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi, among others.

In this guide, we highlight the top 10 birds to look out for on your birding safari in Uganda.

1. Shoebill Stork (Balaeniceps rex) – The Star of Ugandan Birding

Why It’s Special:

The Shoebill Stork is one of the most sought-after birds in Uganda due to its prehistoric appearance and elusive nature. This bird, standing over 4 feet tall, is famous for its massive, shoe-shaped bill used to catch lungfish in Uganda’s wetlands.

Best Places to Spot the Shoebill:

• Mabamba Swamp (near Lake Victoria)

• Murchison Falls National Park

• Semuliki Wildlife Reserve

• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

At Mabamba Swamp, Hillary Uganda Trips organizes boat excursions that take you deep into the papyrus wetlands for an up-close sighting of the Shoebill.

2. African Green Broadbill (Pseudocalyptomena graueri) – The Jewel of Bwindi

Why It’s Special:

This small, bright-green bird is an Albertine Rift endemic found in only a few locations in East Africa. The African Green Broadbill thrives in montane forests, and its vibrant green colour helps it blend into the thick vegetation.

Best Places to Spot the African Green Broadbill:

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Ruhija sector)

• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Hillary, a local guide and wildlife photography expert, will help you locate this rare species in Ruhija, one of Uganda’s premier birding spots.

3. Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) – Uganda’s Most Beautiful Bird

Why It’s Special:

With its vibrant blue, yellow, and green plumage, the Great Blue Turaco is one of Uganda’s most beautiful birds. It is a common sight but remains a favourite among birdwatchers.

Best Places to Spot the Great Blue Turaco:

• Lake Bunyonyi

• Kibale Forest National Park

• Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

• Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Great Blue Turaco is often spotted in local communities around Lake Bunyonyi, where Hillary Uganda Trips organizes guided birding walks.

4. African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) – The King of African Waters

Why It’s Special:

Known for its majestic call and powerful hunting skills, the African Fish Eagle is often seen swooping over lakes and rivers, hunting for fish. It is one of Africa’s most iconic raptors.

Best Places to Spot the African Fish Eagle:

• Lake Bunyonyi

• Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth National Park)

• Lake Mburo National Park

• Murchison Falls National Park

During boat safaris with Hillary Uganda Trips, you can photograph the Fish Eagle in action as it hunts over Lake Bunyonyi.

5. Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) – Uganda’s National Bird

Why It’s Special:

This elegant bird, with its golden crown, is Uganda’s national symbol, found on the country’s coat of arms. Despite its beauty, the Grey Crowned Crane is endangered due to habitat destruction.

Best Places to Spot the Grey Crowned Crane:

• Lake Mburo National Park

• Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Murchison Falls National Park

Many local communities around Lake Bunyonyi and Kabale protect these birds, ensuring their survival.

6. Doherty’s Bushshrike (Telophorus dohertyi) – The Forest Specialist

Why It’s Special:

With its vivid green, black, and yellow plumage, this shy bushshrike is a top target for birders looking for forest specialties.

Best Places to Spot Doherty’s Bushshrike:

• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

• Lake Bunyonyi forest trails

Hillary Uganda Trips leads custom birding tours in these forests to find Doherty’s Bushshrike.

7. African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ispidina picta) – A Tiny Beauty

Why It’s Special:

Despite its tiny size, this brilliantly coloured kingfisher is a joy to photograph with its bright blue back and orange underparts.

Best Places to Spot the African Pygmy Kingfisher:

• Bigodi Wetlands

• Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Lake Mburo National Park

Local communities around Lake Bunyonyi often spot these tiny kingfishers near water bodies and swamps.

8. Bar-tailed Trogon (Apaloderma vittatum) – A Rare Forest Gem

Why It’s Special:

The Bar-tailed Trogon is a stunning forest bird with a blue-green back, red belly, and black-and-white striped tail.

Best Places to Spot the Bar-tailed Trogon:

• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Ruhija sector)

• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Hillary Uganda Trips offers expert-guided birding tours in these montane forests, helping you spot this rare species.

9. White-throated Bee-eater (Merops albicollis) – A Migratory Beauty

Why It’s Special:

The White-throated Bee-eater is one of Uganda’s most colourful migratory birds, arriving in the dry season.

Best Places to Spot the White-throated Bee-eater:

• Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Murchison Falls National Park

• Lake Mburo National Park

These birds can be found in open savannahs, near local communities, and along riverbanks.

10. Rwenzori Turaco (Gallirex johnstoni) – The Albertine Rift Endemic

Why It’s Special:

The Rwenzori Turaco is an Albertine Rift endemic found only in high-altitude forests of western Uganda.

Best Places to Spot the Rwenzori Turaco:

• Rwenzori Mountains National Park

• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

With Hillary Uganda Trips, you can trek into the Rwenzori Mountains to see this stunning bird.

Plan Your Birding Safari with Hillary Uganda Trips

Uganda’s birdlife is incredibly diverse, making it a must-visit destination for bird lovers. Hillary Uganda Trips offers custom birding safaris, ensuring that every experience is educational, rewarding, and ethical.

 Need a birdwatching around lake Bunyonyi, Kisoro or one of the national parks in Uganda? Let me know we plan together!
🌍 www.hillaryugandatrips.com
📞 +256 726 436 969
📧 hillary@hillaryugandatrips.com

Join me for a birding adventure that supports conservation and local communities!