Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with more than 460 species recorded in a wide variety of habitats. Boat trips on Lake Albert provide a chance to see the shoebill and a breeding colony of the stunning red-throated bee-eater. The hefty Abyssinian ground hornbill is quite often seen stalking alongside the main road. Visit nearby Semuliki National Park to look for several very localized species associated with the Congolese rainforest. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
- Abyssinian ground hornbill
- African crake
- African pygmy goose
- Black coucal
- Black-billed barbet
- Black-chinned quailfinch
- Blue-breasted bee-eater
- Broad-billed roller
- Double-toothed barbet
- Green wood-hoopoe
- Grey kestrel
- Leaf-love
- Marsh tchagra
- Moustached grass-warbler
- Palm-nut vulture
- Pennant-winged nightjar
- Piapiac
- Red-necked falcon
- Red-throated bee-eater
- Shoebill
- Standard-winged nightjar
Best Time for Bird Watching
Birdlife in Toro-Semliki is good year-round but best at the peak breeding season. This is March, which is the start of the Wet season, but comes just after the driest months of December to February. Birding can be difficult during the wettest months (April to May and August to November), because impassable roads and slippery hiking trails make it quite hard to get around. Migratory birds are in the reserve from November to April.