Bwindi: A Birdwatcher’s Haven

Bwindi: A Birdwatcher’s Haven; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in southwestern Uganda, is a prime spot for birdwatching and nature lovers. It is home to many forest primates, including chimpanzees and half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. The park has 361 bird species, 23 being endemic, including 14 that are unique to Bwindi. As one of Africa’s oldest forests, it boasts rich biodiversity. Visitors can enjoy activities like gorilla trekking, birding, hiking, nature walks, and cultural experiences, making it an ideal destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is well-known for gorilla trekking and is also a great place for birdwatching, featuring many bird species. More than half of the world’s mountain gorillas reside there, with 23 gorilla families accessible to visitors. Birdwatching is popular, especially around the Ruhija and Buhoma areas on trails like the Buhoma Water Trail and the Mubwindi Swamp Trail. Guided tours by armed ranger guides ensure safety while exploring the park’s wildlife.

Mubwindi Birding Trail- Bwindi: A Birdwatcher’s Haven

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has over 10 species of primates, 120 animals, 350 birds, 51 reptiles, 310 butterflies, and more than 160 types of trees. Gorilla trekking is the main activity, but visitors can also hike, do a nature walk, and birding, among others. The trails offer great views of the Virunga volcanoes and valleys, with the popular Mubwindi Trail taking 4-5 hours to walk. This trail is number one in Africa for birding, and visitors must inform park authorities, pay, and have armed ranger guides. Tourists might see chimpanzees, elephants, and even mountain gorillas.

Bird species in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest- Bwindi: A Birdwatcher’s Haven

Birds to see include the Tambourine Dove, Red-chested Fluff Tail, Toro Olive Greenbul, Lizard Buzzard, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Doherty’s Bush-Shrike, Woolly-necked Stork, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Shikra, Erik Cuckoo, Green Crombec, African Olive-pigeon, African Broadbill, Great Blue Turaco, Black Swift, African Hill Babbler, African Dusky Flycatcher, White-headed Saw-wing, Cattle Egret, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Oriole Finch, Blue Spotted Wood Dove, African Flycatcher-chat.

Other notable birds include: African Golden-breasted Bunting, Pink-footed Puffback, African Wood Owl, Mackinnon’s Shrike, Waller’s Starling, Grey Wagtail, Crested Guinea Fowl, Hottentot Teal, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Rwenzori Batis, Blue Spotted Wood Dove,  Angolan Swallow, Dusky Twin Spot, Yellow-fronted Canary, Zebra Waxbill, Common Sandpiper, and White-throated Greenbul.  African Citril, Blue-headed Sunbird, Brown-capped Weaver, Shelly’s Crimsonwing, Scaly Francolin, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Luhder’s Bush-Shrike, Banded Prinia, Red-capped Robin-chat, Purple-breasted Sunbird, African Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Paradise Flycatcher.

Other birds to see include the Hairly-breasted Barbet,  Palm-nut Vulture, Forest Robin, Rock Martin,  Fine-banded Woodpecker,  African Pygmy Kingfisher, Equatorial Akalat, Papyrus Canary, Plain-backed Pipit, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Wood Houses Anti Pecker, Horus Swift, Buff-spotted Wood Pecker, Short-tailed warbler, Speckled Mouse Bird, African Hawk  Eagle, White-winged Tit, Ayres Hawk Eagle, Arrow Marked Babbler, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Oberlaenders Ground Thrush, Brown Illadopsis, Ross’s Turaco, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Tit Hylia, Singing Cisticola, White-spotted Fluff Tail, Mottled Swift, Cist Chestnut-throated Apalis, Sooty Falcon, Bocages Bush-Shrike,  Marsh Tchagra, Eurasian Hobby, Western Nector, Brown-chested Alethe, Short-tailed Warbler, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Elliot’s Woodpecker, Afed Pigeon, Hadada Ibis, Green Hylia, Copper Sunbird, Black Crake, among others.

Best time to visit Bwindi for bird-watching

Following Bwindi: a birdwatcher’s haven, the best time for birdwatching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is during the dry season when there is more food, ripe fruits, and many migrating birds. March and September are the top months, with June and July having little rain. The dry season features short vegetation, clear skies, and easy trails for birding. However, heavy rain can disrupt birdwatching. While fewer people visit during the rainy season, there are discounts on lodging and services. Still, the rain makes trails muddy, and dense foliage obstructs views, causing fewer birds and birdwatchers to visit the park.

What to pack for bird watching in Bwindi?

Are you planning for a birding trip to Bwindi, the following are some of the key essentials that you should not miss out on your package list; Long Sleeved Shirts, a pair of trousers, a face mask, a water bottle, a camera, a notebook,  gardening gloves, backpacker, telescope, a pair of binoculars,  insect repellents,  energy giving snacks, thick coats, waterproof jackets, hiking shoes, waterproof shoes, extra batteries, a pen, birding checklist book, brimmed hat, torch, among others.

Accommodation on a birdwatching safari in Bwindi-Bwindi: A Birdwatcher’s Haven

Accommodation in the Rushaga sector

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Nsongi Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge.

Accommodation in the Ruhija sector

Trekkers Tavern, Bakiga Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Eco Marvels Gorilla Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, among others.

Accommodation in the Nkuringo sector

Virunga Campsite, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nshongi Camp, among others.

Accommodation in the Buhoma sector

Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Haven Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge,  Engagi Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp,  Mahogany Springs Lodge, Ride 4 Women Guest House, Bwindi View Bandas, and Bwindi Forest Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, among others.