Birds – Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Ariadne van Zandbergen
Expert
By Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and frequently visits Uganda. She and her husband are a travel photography/writing team with many Africa guidebooks under their belt, including the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Uganda.

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Uganda.

Ariadne and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Uganda

Bwindi should be on every birder’s itinerary. The park offers some of the best montane-forest (mountain-forest) bird watching in Africa. There are an estimated 350 bird species, with 14 not recorded anywhere else in Uganda. There are 23 birds endemic to the Albertine Rift (which is 90% of all Albertine Rift endemics) including Neumann's warbler and blue-headed sunbird. The main birding spots are along the Buhoma waterfall trail, the Mubwindi swamp trail and in the bamboo zone. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Notable Birds in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
› ‹
African green pigeon
Common
African harrier hawk
Common
Cinnamon-chested bee-eater
Common
Crowned hornbill
Common
Giant kingfisher
Common

Birding Rating

Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders

(E) = endemic to Uganda & (NE) = near-endemic to Uganda

  • African broadbill
  • Black bee-eater
  • Black-billed turaco
  • Black-faced rufous warbler
  • Black-faced warbler
  • Blue-headed sunbird (NE)
  • Cinnamon-chested bee-eater
  • Grauer's broadbill (NE)
  • Handsome francolin (NE)
  • Many-coloured bush-shrike
  • Mountain masked apalis
  • Neumann’s warbler
  • Olive-breasted greenbul
  • Purple-breasted sunbird (NE)
  • Regal sunbird (NE)
  • Rwenzori apalis
  • Shelley's crimsonwing (NE)
  • Western green tinkerbird
  • Yellow-streaked greenbul

Best Time for Bird Watching

The birdlife in Bwindi is good year-round, but at its best in March and September. June and July have the least rain while March to mid-May has the most. Heavy rains might result in delays due to impassable roads and slippery hiking trails, which can limit your bird-watching time. The main nesting season is in May and June, with food being abundant from late May through September. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Best Parks for Birding –Including Birding Rating

Murchison Falls is excellent for seeing a wide array of common birds and specials, including the sought-after shoebill. Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park are the most accessible sites for Albertine Rift endemics, and Semuliki is the only place in East Africa to see many Guinea-Congo regional species.

Want to Visit Bwindi Impenetrable NP?

Birding Rating

Facts & Figures

Birds in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Bird Species
350+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr