Top Birding Spots in Bwindi

Top Birding Spots in Bwindi: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a birdwatcher’s haven and home to an exceptional diversity of birdlife, offering some of the best afro montane-forest ecosystems in Africa. The park is primarily renowned for being the prime destination for mountain gorillas, but Bwindi’s distinctive blend of forest, marshes, and mountain habitats ensures some of the top birding spots that create an incredible birding experience in Uganda’s lust forest.

Ruhija is located in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park’s eastern region. This area is the calmest and has the fewest gorilla hikers, which makes it perfect for birdwatching. Numerous endemic bird species can be found on the striking hills in the area. More than 330 bird species, including 25 restricted species, can be found at Ruhija. There are 23 species that are unique to the Albertine Rift. The remaining birds are either rare forest species or migratory birds.  While exploring Ruhija, you may encounter the Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill, Carruthers Cisticola, Yellow-streaked, Yellow-whiskered and Eastern-Mountain Greenbul, Mountain Buzzard, Dwarf Honeyguide, Ayres’s and Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, African Shrike Flycatcher, Doherty’s and Lagden’s Bush-shrike, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Grey-headed (throated) Barbet, White-headed Wood Hoopoe, Purple-breasted, Regal and Blue-headed Sunbird, Western Crested Guineafowl, Red-chested Flufftail, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Archer’s Robin-chat, Strange Weaver, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Sooty Falcon, Black-billed, Great Blue and Ross’s Turaco, Grey-chested Kakamega (Babbler), Rwenzori Batis Sharpe’s Starling, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Banded Prinia, Olive and Fine-banded Woodpecker, Albertine Boubou and others. Ruhija’s evergreen hills provide stunning views from 2,500 metres above sea level. At 2,607 metres, Rwamunyonyi—also referred to as the “hills of many birds”—is the highest peak. On a lucky day  visitors can have a chance to observe the gentle giants (mountain gorillas).

Mubwindi Swamp, one of the Top Birding Spots in Bwindi

Discover the Mubwindi high-altitude marsh, which gave rise to the park’s name. Numerous bird species are drawn to this marsh, including numerous endemics and high-altitude rarities. Spot species such as the Red-throated Alethe, Grauer’s (African Green) Broadbill, Dusky Crimsonwing, African Water Rail, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Handsome Spurfowl, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Dwarf Honeyguide, Archer’s Robin-chat, Strange Weaver, Regal and Purple-breasted Sunbird, African Black Dark, Tambourine Dove, African Stonechat, Red-chested Flufftail, Cape Wagtail, Western Citril, and the machine gun-calling Carruthers’s Cisticola, the very popular and sought after Gruer’s Swamo Warbler among others. High-altitude rarities to see include Doherty’s and Lagden’s Bush-shrike, Red-chested Owlet, Grey-chested Babbler, White-starred Robin, Equatorial Akalat, Western Green Tinkerbird, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Bar-tailed Trogon, Olive and Fine-banded Woodpecker, among others.

The Neck

Let us investigate birdwatching in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s neck. This small area of riverine forest on the northern boundaries of the park provides an exceptional and fruitful birdwatching experience. The Neck offers a distinct habitat for many bird species by extending beyond the main forest block.

Typically, birdwatching along the main route that connects the two regions of Bwindi, Ruhija and Buhoma, takes place during a half-day. Highlights of the birdlife include the African Black Duck, typically found along rivers and ponds, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Mountain Wagtail, and Dusky Blue Flycatcher. This area’s forest water pool is a good place to see Chapin’s Flycatcher. Birds of prey lurk in the dense woodland of the Neck, like the Ayres’s, Cassin’s and Crowned Hawk-Eagle. While wandering, look for additional forest inhabitants such as the Grey Cuckoo-shrike, the Stripe Breasted Tit, the Red-headed Malimbe, Velvet Mantled Drongo, and the Flock-loving Dusky Tit. Other birds seen here are the Ansorge’s and Honeyguide Greenbul, Black-billed Turaco, Toro-olive, Red-tailed Greenbul, Joyful Greenbul and Cabanis’s Greenbul, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Grey, Buff-throated and Black-throated Apalis and Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Stuhlmann’s and Slender-billed Starling, Wallers, Yellow-spotted and Hairy-breasted Barbet, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Grey-headed, Little-green and Green Sunbird, Western Black Headed Oriole, the woodpecker like behaving Brown-capped Weaver, White-breasted Nigrita, Black Bee-eater, Many-coloured Bush-shrike, Pink-footed Puffback among others.

Buhoma Sector is among the Top Birding Spots in Bwindi

Birdwatchers will find paradise in Buhoma, one of the territories of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In this gorgeous forest habitat, let us explore the fascinating world of birdwatching. Buhoma is located in the western Ugandan district of Kanungu in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In addition to being a major birding destination, Buhoma is widely recognised for being home to critically endangered mountain gorillas. With more than 360 species of birds identified, it is home to migratory birds, forest birds, and endemic species of the Albertine Rift.

Discover the several birdwatching routes in Buhoma, including the Munyanga River Trail, Ivy River Trail, Muzabajiro Loop Trail, Waterfall Trail, and the Rushura Hill Trail. The Buhoma sector is home to several notable bird species, such as the African Broadbill, Waller’s Starling, Blue-headed Sunbird, Cape Wagtail, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Yellow-throated, Speckled, and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, African Blue, Black-billed, and Ross’s Turaco, Thick-billed Seedeater, Bar-tailed Trogon, African Blue and White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-headed, Yellow-throated, Speckled, and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Great Blue, Black-billed, Black-billed, and Ross’s Turaco, African Dusky flycatcher, Ross’s Turaco, Black Bee-eater, African hill-Babbler, White-eyed slaty Flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Crested Guinea Fowl, Rwenzori Batis, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, African Olive Pigeon, Neumann’s Warbler, Equatorial Akalat, Dark-capped (Common) Bulbul, White-throated Greenbul, Northern and Pink-footed Puffback, Bocages Bush-shrike, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Black Bee-eater, Olive-green Camaroptera, White-browed Crombec, Brown-capped Weaver, Grey, Buff-throated, and Black-throated Apalis, Bar-tailed Trogon, Mountain Illadopsis, White-bellied Robin-chat, Equatorial Akalat among others.

Other Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Trekking: Unforgettable Experience: Embark on a thrilling trek to encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Guided Tours: Knowledgeable guides lead you through dense forests, sharing insights about gorilla behaviour and conservation efforts. Permits: Gorilla trekking requires a permit obtained in advance. Magical Encounters: Witness these gentle giants (mountain gorillas) up close and observe their social interactions.

Community Tourism: Engage with local communities and learn about their culture, traditions, and livelihoods. Participate in community walks on the park boundaries. Support sustainable tourism initiatives that benefit local residents.

Nature Walks and Hiking in Bwindi Impenetrable National park

Mubwindi Swamp Trail:

This trail can take visitors a duration of approximately 4 to 5 hours when exploring the lush jungles, slopes, and misty rainforests of Bwindi impenetrable Forest. Spot diverse bird species, primates (including chimpanzees), and even Forest Elephants. Lucky sightings of mountain gorillas are possible and Ideal during the dry season (June to September and December to February).

Kashasha River Trail is one of the Top Birding Spots in Bwindi

This trail takes a duration of about 4 to 5 hours, offering stunning views of valleys and the Virunga Volcanoes. There is higher chances of encountering primates, birds, and other wildlife. Choose the Buhoma to Nkuringo route for a more challenging hike that creates unforgettable experience.

Batwa Trail: This trail can take you 8 to 9 hours as you immerse yourself in the culture of the indigenous Batwa people. Interact with the Batwa (pygmies) and Learn about their history, traditional practices, and forest survival skills. Explore their ancient caves and hear captivating stories.

What is the best time to go birding in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest?

The optimal period for birdwatching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park primarily relies on your personal preferences about temperature and avian activity. Below is a summary of what to expect for the ideal months to go birdwatching for the top birding spots in Bwindi, which are frequently stated to be March and September. In addition to the variety of resident and migratory species that can be seen during these months, the weather is generally dry, which facilitates path navigation. The best time to visit Bwindi ultimately depends on your trip plans and whether you plan to combine birdwatching with other activities like gorilla trekking. After all, the park provides excellent birdwatching chances all year round.

December to February and June to August are the dry seasons. Because the trails are drier and less slick during these months, trekking is easier. Because there is less dense foliage, it is easier to spot birds. Many birds use this as their primary breeding season, so you may witness some fascinating courtship displays. March to May and September to November are the wet seasons. A vast array of birds are drawn to the lush jungle due to its abundance of food. The presence of migratory birds contributes to the diversity. For birdwatchers who do not mind a little mud in exchange for the opportunity to observe more species, the wet seasons are excellent, despite the fact that the paths can be more difficult.

Accommodation facilities in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Ultimately, it is necessary for visitors interested in exploring the hidden treasure of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to make reservations for lodging ranging from luxury to midrange and budget options. In the Ruhija sector, there are Bakiga Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Gift of Nature Lodge, Kiho Luxury Lodge. In the Buhoma sector where gorilla tourism started there are lots of mixtures including Buhoma Haven Lodge, Ride for a Woman, Silverback Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Buhoma Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Trekkers Luxury Lodger, Bwindi View Bandas, Bwindi Community Bandas, to mention but a few. And the southern sector has Rushaga has Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Travelers Rest Hotel, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort among others.