Birding Safaris

Birding Safaris refers to the act of watching birds and learning more about their characters. With the help of cameras and binoculars. Most People who go for birding observe these birds in their natural habitats.

But it is best to note that the best time for one to do birding is during the rainy season. And in the morning and evening hours. Because by then the lighting is good for the binoculars and cameras.

When birding, there are several equipment and requirements that you will need. If you are to enjoy your birding experience in any of the above countries. I have taken the liberty to note them down so that you are ready before you venture into the wilderness for birding.

 

Birding in Uganda

Uganda has a variety of bird species that can be viewed at the different birding spots. And destinations and they are found in the area and some of these include the following.

Bwindi Impenetrable National park

Bwindi National park is located in the western part of the country. Additionally it has a recorded number of bird species that amounts to over 350 bird species. It has been voted by the Africa Bird club as the best birding spot in Uganda.  However, it has clearly marked birding routes. Some of the bird species that can be seen in Bwindi. For instance the collared and mountain masked Apalis, Chapin’s flycatcher, Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s crimsoning, and black-billed Turaco, and many more bird species.

Semiliki National Park

Semiliki National park has over 441 bird species. These certainly include Maxwell’s black weaver, piping hornbill, Nkulengu rail, black dwarf hornbill, yellow-throated cuckoo, dwarf honeyguide yellow-throated Nicator, the swamp palm bulbul, red-billed dwarf, African piculet, orange weaker, blue-billed malimbe and many more other species.

The Rwenzori National Park

This is specifically located in the Rwenzori region in the southwestern part of Uganda. It is certainly believed to be home to over 177 bird species. There are several birding spots where you go. However you might as well do birding while hiking up the ranges.

Some of the bird species that are found in the Rwenzori Park. For example the cinnamon Chested bee-eater, the swifts, Archer’s robin chat, long-eared owl, Lagden’s bush shrike, blue-headed and golden-winged sunbird, slender-billed starling, bearded vultures, Rwenzori Turaco and other rare bird species.

Lake Mburo National Park

Located in western Uganda, Lake Mburo national park is a top destination for birders in Uganda. It has a recorded number of 315 bird species. Additionally, these can be viewed from the Warukiri and the Rwonyo swamps.

Some of the famous bird species that can surely be seen at Lake Mburo National Park. Such as the red-necked spurfowl, Nubian woodpecker, crested francolin, the pied kingfisher, shoebill, trilling Cisticola, bee-eaters, blue napped moosebird, lilac-breasted roller, common quails, emerald spotted wood dove, bare-faced go-away birds, the African eagle fish, and the Greenwood hoopoe.

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is located in the southern part of the country. Thus known to house the largest number of gorillas in the country. But besides the gorillas, the park is a home to various bird species. For instance Kivu ground thrush, white starred robin, olive pigeon, Rwenzori Batis, greater doubled collared sunbirds, brown crowned chakra, western green tinker bird black-headed waxbill, and the cinnamon warbler.

 

Birding in Tanzania

Tanzania  known to be one of the best destinations for birding. When one takes a safari to Africa due to various good birding spots that are located in the different areas of the country. There are different birding destinations in Tanzania. Where one can see the various bird species and these include the following.

Lake Manyara Forest

Meanwhile, Lake Manyara a home to many bird species that amount to over 400 bird species . The best time to go for birding in Lake Manyara is in the morning and evening. And some of the bird’s species that you will be able to see include the little bee-eater, Black Heron, Martial eagle, sacred Glossy ibis pink backed pelican, Ground dwelling crested guinea fowl, Crowned Hornbill, silvery cheeked Hornbill, Schawlow’s turacos, Narina Trogon, the Baglafecht weaver, the African Hawke eagle, the Emerald cuckoo and the lesser flamingo. Although this can easily be seen when the water is at the right level.

Selous Game Reserve

Selous game reserve has evidently over 440 bird species and is a favorite hangout for most birders. The most common bird that seen here are the weavers and warders. Although there are other species found in the area and these include Thick-billed cuckoo, white-backed night heron, Brown-headed parrot, yellow-billed stork, the Green-headed oriole among others.

Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park highly dominated by woodland vegetation.  Has over 500 bird species and known to be a good birding spot. The different bird species that are located in the area include the Bataluer eagle, guinea fowls, yellow-throated long claws, the pale billed Hornbill, Hoopoes, wood Hoopoes, Shelley’s sunbird Marabou stork, black-bellied bustards, and the Racket Tailed Roller. Birding Safaris

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park  mostly known for the great migration. That takes place in the park but it is also home to numerous bird species. Which include the secretary bird, black-headed heron, purple grander, Darnauds-barbet, white-bellied go-away bird, the grey breasted spurfowl, the Rufous-tailed weaver, Kori Bustard, Fischer’s lovebird, white-crowned shrike, variable bird, grey-headed sparrow, and the red-backed scrub robin.

Birding in Rwanda

Rwanda as a country has over 750 various bird species seen in the different birding destinations and these include the following.

Kigali city

Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda and although it might look like there are no bird species in there. The city has various bird destinations within and these have different bird species that they harbor and these include:

Nyabarongo River wetland

Nyabarongo is located in the southwestern part of Kigali. Its major habitat for the birds in the swamp vegetation. Found in the area and some of the bird species in the area include the little Egret, African Marsh Harrier, common snipe, spur-winged geese, long-toed lapwing, African open bill, and Caruthers’s Cisticola, African jacana, yellow wagtail and many more others.

Mountain Kigali forest

Mountain Kigali is the largest hill in Rwanda and it is specifically home to the Kigali forest where birding activities can take place. The different bird species that are located in the Kigali forest include the Thick-billed seedeater, white-eyed slaty flycatcher, Yellow-fronted Canary, Green-backed camaroptera, Red Chested cuckoo, common Bulbul, the African paradise flycatcher, and many more other species.

Nyarutarama lake

Nyarutarama Lake located in Kigali has various bird species. Eventually one can see when they visit the area and some of them include the paradise flycatcher, pygmy kingfisher, the black Egret, Grey-capped Warbler, African fish Eagle, Black kite, swifts, Tawny flanked Prinia, swallow and the Winding Cisticola. Birding Safaris

The Nyungwe forest

Nyungwe forest is located in the southwestern part of the country. The montane forests found in the area provide good ambiance for birding and they act as bird habitats. The forest has over 275 bird species and some of these include the Archer robin’s chat, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Grauer’s warbler the Chapin’s flycatcher, Rockefeller’s sunbird, strange weaver, Red-collared Mountain Babbler, Handsome Francolin, Mountain Sooty Boubou, and the stripe-breasted tit.

The Volcanoes National Park

Certainly located in the Virunga region. The first park created in Africa. The volcanoes park surrounded by different volcano mountains and bamboo vegetation that provide a safe haven for birding in the park. The park has over 187 species. Some of the species found in the park include the Dusty crimson wing, Red-faced woodland warbler, Archer’s ground Robin, francolin, Rwenzori Batis, strange weaver, the collared Apalis, and many more other species.

Birding in Kenya

Kenya has over 1089 bird species that are located in different birding destinations. Am going to take to you through some of the best birding destinations in Kenya.

The Turkana River delta

The Lake Turkana delta has over 20,000 waterbird species.  Some of these include the sur winged plover, the violet wood Hoopoe African skimmer and the little stint, the Geese, shorebirds, Egrets, pelicans, Flamingos, and storks, the Pel’s Fishing owl, southern banded snake Eagle, scaly babbler, Tana River Cisticola, East-coast Akalat, Basra Reed Warbler, and many more other bird species.

Kakamega Forest

Kakamega forest is specifically located in the western part of Kenya. It is home to the endangered species of the Turner’s Eremomela. Making it a top birding destination and other bird species like Banded snake Eagle, least honeyguide.

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

Arabuko-Sokoke forest is home to many endangered species in Kenya. Like the Sokoke scops owl which is almost extinct. This bird is extremely rare and only  seen when visits the Arabuko-Sokoke. Birding Safaris

Other bird species are seen in the forest. Some of these include the southern Banded snake Eagle, the plain-backed sunbirds, Fisher’s Turacos, Clarke’s Weaver, Amani, and many more other bird species

The Masai Mara

The Masai Mara one of the largest parks in Kenya and certainly known for the great migration. The various bird species  seen in the Masai Mara include Martial and crowned Beagles, Madagascar squacco Heron, the Lilac Breasted Roller, Yellow-billed ox Roller, corncake, secretary bird, saddle-billed stork, ostrich, Grey crested Helmet shrike, and the lesser kestrel.

Best of Birding Safaris in Africa