Birds – Murchison Falls 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

Murchison Falls NP is one of the best places in Africa to find the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. Sightings of this sought-after bird are almost guaranteed on a boat trip on the Victoria Nile towards the Lake Albert delta. This boat trip, as well as the more popular ‘launch’ trip towards Murchison Falls, are, in fact, great for checking off many water-associated birds. With 53 species recorded, raptors are also very well represented. The park’s impressive checklist contains more than 450 species in total. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Notable Birds in Murchison Falls
› ‹
Abyssinian ground hornbill
Occasional
Black-headed lapwing
Common
Grey crowned crane
Common
Senegal thick-knee
Common
Shoebill
Rare

Birding Rating

Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders

  • Abyssinian ground hornbill
  • African jacana
  • African quailfinch
  • Black-billed barbet
  • Black-headed gonolek
  • Black-headed lapwing
  • Blue-headed coucal
  • Denham’s bustard
  • Eastern grey plantain-eater
  • Giant kingfisher
  • Goliath heron
  • Malachite kingfisher
  • Palm-nut vulture
  • Piapiac
  • Red-throated bee-eater
  • Shoebill
  • Silverbird
  • Speckle-fronted weaver
  • Squacco heron
  • Swamp flycatcher
  • White-browed sparrow-weaver

Best Time for Bird Watching

The birdlife in Murchison Falls is good year-round, but at its best from January to March. This is the low tourist season, but there is plenty of bird activity. December to February has the least rain, while April to May and August to October have the most rain. The heavy rains might result in delays due to impassable roads and slippery hiking trails and can limit your bird-watching time. 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 Murchison Falls NP?

Birding Rating

Facts & Figures

Birds in Murchison Falls NP
Bird Species
450+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr