12 Day Uganda Birding and Nature Adventure

Forest birding at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest ranks among the very best in Uganda—and indeed all of Africa—having been voted the number one birding hotspot on the continent.

The park supports more than 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemic species, making it one of the most important birding destinations anywhere. Today’s birding takes place at a range of elevations, mostly within mid-montane forest, offering exceptional diversity.

The list of special birds here is extensive. Sunbirds—often compared to hummingbirds, though they are true songbirds—are especially prominent. We look for Blue-headed, Northern Double-collared, Grey-headed, Green-throated, and Blue-throated Brown Sunbirds. Other colorful highlights include Black-billed Turaco, Bar-tailed Trogon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Lagden’s and Doherty’s Bushshrikes, Montane Oriole, African Golden Oriole, and the diminutive Oriole Finch.

The forest is rich in flycatchers and smaller passerines. Likely targets include Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Banded Prinia, and several Apalis species, notably Black-throated and Mountain Masked Apalis. We also search for Red-throated Alethe, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Chinspot Batis, Rwenzori Batis, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Mountain Illadopsis, and Dusky Tit.

More vocal forest residents include African Hill Babbler, Sooty Boubou, Pink-footed Puffback, and White-naped Raven. Starlings, finches, sparrows, and weavers are abundant, with possibilities such as Stuhlmann’s, Narrow-tailed, and Waller’s Starlings; Strange, Brown-capped, and Black-billed Weavers; Dusky Crimsonwing; Yellow-bellied Waxbill; Magpie Mannikin; Yellow-crowned Canary; Thick-billed and Streaky Seedeaters; and Shelley’s Crimsonwing. Overhead, we scan for the impressive Mountain Buzzard and Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle.

As we work different elevations, we also search for a wide range of sought-after species including African Wood Owl, Scarce Swift, Black Bee-eater, Red-chested Owlet, Tullberg’s and Elliot’s Woodpeckers, African Broadbill, Petit’s and Grey Cuckooshrikes, Archer’s Ground Robin, Toro Olive Greenbul, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Equatorial Akalat, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Olive Thrush, White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Short-tailed Warbler, and Red-faced Woodland Warbler.

The list could go on, but even these highlights show just how extraordinarily rich Bwindi’s forests are. One particularly legendary species, the African Green Broadbill, is extremely rare and usually requires longer, more demanding hikes than we attempt on this day.

After a rewarding day in one of Africa’s finest birding forests, we return to the lodge to relax, enjoy dinner, and reflect on the day’s sightings.

Overnight: Buhoma Community Haven Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner