Birding Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth

Birding Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth: The Kazinga Channel is a naturally occurring waterway in Queen Elizabeth National Park that runs southward from Lake George to Lake Edward in southwest Uganda. Almost 40 km long, the waterway is thought to be the longest in East Africa. Numerous bird species are found in its distinct habitats, which include marshes, lakes, riverine areas, and forests. Other unique attractions include boat rides, land-scape viewing, and aquatic species like fish, hippos, and crocodiles, to name a few. There fore, you just cannot schedule a birding tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park and skip the Kazinga Channel.

This waterway offers abundant birding opportunities due to its attraction of hundreds of bird species and a diverse array of wildlife, such as many Nile crocodiles and hippos. Numerous streams from the Rwenzori mountains feed Lake George, a tiny body of water with an average depth of 2.4 metres (7.9 feet). Lake Edward receives its water output through the Kazinga Channel. Over 600 types of birds and 95 mammal species make up Queen Elizabeth National Park’s incredible variety. Hippopotamuses are known to be most concentrated in the Kazinga Channel in the world. Elephants, leopards, Common Warthogs, gigantic forest pigs, rare aquatic sitatunga antelope, buffalo, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Warthogs, and Uganda Kobs are among the park’s abundant species.

Bird species to see and birding Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth

If you are looking to explore the Kazinga channel on your birding trip in Queen Elizabeth national park, we recommend taking a boat cruise along the channel to see over 60 bird species, including the unique flocks of African Skimmer, Black Crake,  Kittlitz’s Plover, African Spoonbill, Martial Eagle, Reed Cormorant, African Open-billed Stork, African Jacana, Goliath Heron, hundreds of Pied Kingfisher, Black-chested Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, African Fish Eagle, Great-white Pelican, Water Thick-knee , White-winged Tern, Lesser-black Backed Gull, Water Thick-knee, Hamerkop, Yellow-billed Stork, red-throated Bee-eater, African Mourning Dove, Black-headed and Slender-billed Weaver, Diederik Cuckoo, Squire-tailed Nightjar, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Pink-Backed Pelicans, Swamp Nightjar, Black-headed Gonolek, Blue-naped Mouse bird, Grey-Headed Kingfisher, Pygmy Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-capped Lark, Black-headed Gonolek, Banded and House Martin, Yellow-billed Stork, Wire-tailed, Angola and Barn Swallows, Little, White-rumped and African Palm Swifts, Grey-capped Warbler, Swamp Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Dwarf Bittern, Great and Long-tailed Cormorants, Lesser-masked Weaver, Golden-backed Weaver, Pin-tailed Whydah, among others.

Best time to go birding on Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Birdwatching along Kazinga Channel is good all year, though the best time to go birding on Kazinga Channel is from late May to September, when the park receives less rain and food is abundant. Queen Elizabeth National Park is good all year round. June and July are the driest months in the park, receiving the least amount of rain. April through May and September through November are the wettest months in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. As a result, birdwatchers may encounter delays due to impassable roads and slippery hiking trails, which will reduce their time spent birdwatching. A number of migratory birds can be seen in Kazinga Channel from November to April.

Where to stay on birding safari along the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

There are several lodging options in Queen Elizabeth National Park, ranging from affordable motels to opulent safari lodges.  The lodging options you can reserve for your Kazinga Channel birdwatching excursion are listed below: Katara Lodge, Irungu Forest Safari Lodge, and Parkview Safari Lodge. Among the places you can find Elephant Plains Lodge Uganda, Mazike Valley Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp, Pumba Safari Cottages, Elephant Hub Lodge, Simba Safari Camp, Albertine Valley Lodge, Kazinga Channel View Resort, Kyangabi Crater Resort, Elephant Plains Lodge Kyambura, Little Elephant Camp, Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge, Kingfisher Lodge, Baboon Safari Resort and Mweya Safari Lodge which is at the heart of the pack and situated along the Kazinga Channel.

What to pack for a birdwatching safari along the Kazinga Channel?

As you are planning for your birdwatching adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park, dare not to miss the following in order to make your birding adventure a success:

• Binoculars
• Telescope
• Hiking boots and water-proof shoes
• Insect repellents
• Water-proof jackets
• Long-sleeved pants and shirts
• Light/torch
• Camera
• Extra batteries
• Water-drinking bottle
• Brimmed Hat