Roughly 250 bird species have been recorded in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This includes 17 Albertine Rift endemics and several other localized forest dwellers. The guided Sabyinyo Gorge Trail offers a great opportunity for reasonably fit birders to spot Ruwenzori turaco, Archer’s robin-chat, Kivu ground thrush, strange weaver, regal sunbird and other specials. Shorter bird walks are available but less productive. On mountain hikes, look out for the spectacular scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
(NE) near-endemic = lives in Uganda and neighboring countries- African hill babbler
- African olive pigeon
- Alpine swift
- Archer’s robin-chat (NE)
- Blue-headed coucal
- Blue-headed sunbird (NE)
- Dusky crimsonwing (NE)
- Grauer’s swamp warbler (NE)
- Handsome francolin (NE)
- Kivu ground thrush (NE)
- Moorland chat
- Mountain masked apalis (NE)
- Olive woodpecker
- Red-faced woodland warbler (NE)
- Regal sunbird (NE)
- Ruwenzori apalis (NE)
- Ruwenzori batis (NE)
- Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird (NE)
- Ruwenzori nightjar (NE)
- Ruwenzori turaco (NE)
- Scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird
- Shelley’s crimsonwing (NE)
- Strange weaver (NE)
- Stripe-breasted tit (NE)
- White-necked raven
Best Time for Bird Watching
Birdlife in Mgahinga is good year-round but best from April to mid-May and October to November. The months of June and July have the least rain. From March to mid-May, heavy rains might result in delays due to muddy roads and slippery hiking trails, which can limit your bird-watching time. The main nesting season is in May and June. From late May through September, food is abundant. Migratory birds, though present from November to April, are not a major attraction for birders.