Hotspots

There are so many good birdwatching sites in Uganda that it is hard to do justice to them in a short section. The special interest of each individual birder will to a large extent determine the appropriate sites to visit.

Birdwatching is excellent in many of the protected areas but is not restricted to them. For example, the long stretch of the Katonga Valley is a newly discovered home of Shoebill Balaeniceps rex. Mabamba Bay, the Delta at Murchison Falls National Park, and Semliki are also good for Shoebill.

Kaniyo Pabidi in a section of Budongo Forest now within Murchison Falls National Park is believed to be the only East African site for Puvel's Illadopsis Illadopsis puveli. Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia, African Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx lecontei and Ituri Batis Batis ituriensis can be seen along the Royal Mile in Budongo Forest Reserve.

Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks are the most accessible sites for Albertine Rift Endemics such as Handsome Francolin Francolinus nobilis, Rwenzori Turaco Ruwenzorornis johnstoni, African Green Broadbill Pseudocalyptomena graueri, Rwenzori Batis Batis diops, Dusky Crimsonwing Cryptospiza jacksoni and Shelley’s Crimsonwing C. shelleyi.

Semliki is possibly the only place in East Africa for seeing many Guinea Congo biome species which are at the eastern end of their ranges there.

Lutembe Bay and Kazinga Channel are the best places to see wintering Palearctic migrants.

The boat trip from Paraa upstream to the falls is no longer reliable for Shoebill, though numerous Rock Pratincole Pratincola nuchalis should still be found just above the Falls. You will do best to go downstream towards the Nile Delta (Lake Albert) threading your way through flocks of African Skimmers Rynchops flavirostris.

"There is now a good (and economical) rest camp at Paraa run by the “Red Chilli” organisation. We stayed there in a triple banda with en suite shower and w.c. for US$40 per night for the two of us. Camping and communal facilities also available. A good, though limited menu and cold drinks readily available. The best bacon and the best fried fish in Uganda." Quote from a Club Member - 2005.

ROSSOUW J & SACCHI M (2001) is an excellent general site guide.