Birding the Entebbe Environs

Birding the Entebbe Environs: The Entebbe Peninsula extends into Lake Victoria from the eastern edge of Entebbe Town. It is most well-known for its entertainment offerings due to the gorgeous sandy beaches that border Lake Victoria’s shore. Nonetheless, it provides excellent opportunities for birding, particularly for aquatic birds and a diverse range of terrestrial species. When planning a lengthy birdwatching journey through Uganda, visitors should not miss the Entebbe Peninsula, which will be the starting point of your birding tour once you land at Entebbe International Airport. However, the Entebbe Peninsula is one of the suggested locations that is conveniently accessible from Kampala, the country’s capital, even for a little birdwatching excursion.

Many aquatic species can be seen when birdwatching the lake’s shores, and a variety of other habitats, like gardens, thickets, open country, and woodlands, will yield a large number of species as well. Numerous restricted Species of the Lake Victoria Biome can be found around it. Around three frequent sites along the peninsula are home to over 108 species, and the ideal time to see many palearctic migrant birds is from early September to early March.

Birding the Entebbe Botanical Gardens

When birding the Entebbe environs, remember that there is just one national botanical garden. Situated just 34 kilometres from Kampala, the capital of Uganda, this 1901 establishment lies along the edge of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa. Because of the stunning visual fusion of horticulture, farming, and natural woods, the gardens are a favourite location for birdwatchers. Enthralling bird enthusiasts, Entebbe Botanical Gardens, also known as the National Botanical Gardens, is a captivating haven. Bird lovers frequent these gardens because they offer an ideal blend of man-made landscapes, natural forests, and floral marvels. It is a favourite spot for leisurely nature walks where visitors may take in the greenery surroundings and see birds and monkeys when birding the Entebbe Environs.

A diverse collection of species from open country, water, and woodlands should be recorded, with just melodies of bird species such as the Snowy-headed Robin-chat, Palm-nut Vulture Olive, Olive-bellied, Super, Green-throated, Scarlet-chested, Bronze, and Red-chested Sunbirds, as well as Orange Weavers, being among the garden’s avian inhabitants. Along with the Slender-billed, Northern Brown-throated, Black-necked, Grosbeak, Golden-backed, Black-headed, Village, and Vieillot’s Black Weavers, the latter breed in the shrubs along the shores of Lake Victoria. The Lake’s rocky headland provides a perfect observation spot. Look for African Open-billed Stork, Grey-headed Gulls, Giant and Pied Kingfishers, Swamp Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Duck, Spur-winged Lapwing, Hamerkop, Dark-capped Bulbul, long-tailed Cormorant, Yellow-billed and Little Egret, African Thrush, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Striated and Black-headed Herons on the lake shores.

Birding the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC)

Among the Entebbe Peninsula’s many birding locations is this Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, which boasts a diverse range of birds.  This wildlife education centre combines a variety of caged wild animals, reptiles, trees, and plant species with an unparalleled opportunity to observe diversity of nature.   Situated along the shore of Lake Victoria, the facility covers an area of around 70 hectares. Afterwards, you will go birdwatching along the lake shore to record some water species, before entering to browse the distinctive species of grasses, trees, and plants. When birding the Entebbe environs, expect bird species such as the Pied Kingfisher, Hooded Vulture, Cattle Egret, Pied Crow, Spur-winged Plover, Hadada Ibis, Black-headed Weaver, Pink-backed Pelican, Wooded Sandpiper,  Grey-crowned Crane, African Harrier Hawk, Helmeted Guineafowl, African Fish Eagle, Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture, and African Harrier Hawk Water Thick-knee, Spur-winged Lapwing, African Thrush, Grey-capped Warbler, Red-faced Cisticola, Northern Black Flycatcher, Northern Yellow White-eye, Speckled Mousebird, Pied Kingfisher, Pygmy Kingfisher, Crowned Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Double-toothed Barbet, Dark-capped Bulbul, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Red-eyed Dove, Grey Parrot, Red-chested Cuckoo, White-browed Coucal, Spotted Eagle-Owl, Speckled Mousebird, Red-billed Firefinch, Pied Crow, Black-headed Weaver, Black-necked Weaver, Vielloits Black Weaver, Black-headed Gonolek, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, and Bronze Mannikin. Additionally, the centre offers you the opportunity to view a variety of caged animals, such as Buffaloes, lions, Cheetahs, leopards, Cheetahs, Baboons, Antelopes, Snakes, Chimpanzees, Monkeys, and Shoebills, among other birds that can be seen.

Birding the Entebbe Environs -Lutembe Bay

Lutembe Bay, halfway between Entebbe and Kampala, is a hidden treasure for avian enthusiasts. This Lake Victoria Important Bird Area (IBA) and Ramsar site are home to a wide variety of bird species.  It is located on the banks of Lake Victoria in the Wakiso District, near Lutembe Bay, and about two kilometres off the Kampala-Entebbe Road. Lutembe is under the jurisdiction of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) due to its status as a Ramsar site and an Important Bird Area for observing birds.  Bird species to see at Lutembe Bay include African Skimmer, Grey-headed Gulls, Caspian Tern, Temminck’s Stint, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Caspian Tern, Black Crake, Common Moorhen, Papyrus Gonolek, African Open-billed Stork, Grey-caped Warbler, Blue-headed Coucal, Hammer Kop, Red-chested Sunbird, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Black-headed Gonolek, Brown Twinspot, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, African Paradise Flycatcher, and Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, among others.

Birding the Kigungu Landing site and Mugula Entebbe Cultural Ground

When birding in the Entebbe environs, Kigungu landing site and Mugula Cultural Ground are not far from the airport runway but just adjacent to the lakeshore. During the migratory season, several bird species flock at this place as their catchment area especially between early September to April, during the  the migration season. Among the common birds are the following: Ruff, Little Egret, Kittlitz Plover, Grey Headed Gulls, African Finfoot, Green Shank, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Black Heron, Black-winged Stilt, Black-winged Lapwing, Egyptian Geese, Black-tailed Cormorant, Yellow Wagtail, and Open-billed Stork, Long-tailed Cormorant, Open-billed Stork, Pied Kingfisher, Cattle Egret, Yellow Wagtail, Sand Martin, Spur-winged Lapwing, sandpipers, Long-toed Lapwing, among others.

Dare not miss this amazing opportunity to go birdwatching along the Entebbe Peninsula trails. These trails, which are located outside of Kampala town, offer exceptional and distinctive places to watch a variety of bird species. Water birds and a wide variety of terrestrial species are particularly well-suited for birdwatching.