Bird watching in Murchison falls national park

Are you looking for Bird watching in Murchison falls national park Uganda? With over 451 bird species, Murchison falls national park is on the list of top places to visit for birding while on a safari in Uganda. The national park is positioned in the northwestern part of the country in Masindi, Nwoya, Bulisa, and Kiryandingo districts. Murchison falls national park is a protected area that was gazetted in 1952 to protect different wildlife that was in the park as well as the vegetation.

As of today, Murchison falls national park is a habitat for over 451 bird species of which some are migratory, endemic, and others common in the park. Birds of Murchison falls national park can be seen during the game drives, guided nature walks, boat cruise on the River Nile, and even from your lodge. The national park comprises savannah vegetation where these birds have found food and comfortable homes.

Bird watching in Murchison falls national park is done in several places of the park where birds concentrate. Some of the birding spots in Murchison falls national park include Budongo forest, Lake Albert delta, Kaniyo Pabidi forest, and River Nile. Bird watching can be done during game drives, and boat cruise but nature walks are the best way to encounter the highest number of birds. During the nature walks, you will be led by armed ranger guides who know these trails very well as well as how to recognize birds.

Birds in Murchison falls national park

Over 450 birds are in Murchison falls national park and some of the birds to look out for include papyrus gonolek, silver bird, long-toed plover, pied kingfisher, yellow-billed stork, black-headed lawping, black-billed barbet, veracious dove, rock pratincole, standard winged nightjar, denham’s bustard, blue-headed coucal, whistling cisticola, speckle fronted weaver, Senegal thick-knee, African qualifinch, eastern grey plantain eater, piapiac, goliath heron, palm nut vulture, squacco heron.

Other bird species in Murchison falls national park include African dwarf kingfisher, brown twinspot, black-eared ground thrush, plain greenbul, little green sunbird, puvel’s illadopsis, crowned eagle, ituri batis, little green sunbird, cassin’s hawk-eagle, crowned eagle, cassin’s spinetail, olive breasted greenbul, yellow-footed flycatcher, white-thighed hornbill, yellow-crested woodpecker, sabine’s spinetail, African jacana, yellow fronted tinkerbird, marital eagle,

What to pack for bird watching in Murchison falls national park?

Tourists who are visiting Murchison falls national park for birding should come well prepared in order to have the best experience. They should pack waterproof shoes, cotton stocks, a rain jacket, a sweater, a hat, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, a camera, a pair of binoculars, insect repellents, sunscreen, birding book, notebook, voice recorder, drinking water bottle, and energy giving snacks among others.

How much is birding in Murchison falls national park?

To have a birding exercise in Murchison falls national park you must get a birding permit which is bought at the park headquarters. The birding permit fees include the fee of armed ranger guides who leads you throughout the whole birding activity. Birding permits cost $30 for foreign non-residents, $25 for foreign residents, and UGX20,000 East African citizens.

Travelers that are visiting Murchison falls national park for birding should note that the birding fee is not part of the park entrance there they will have to pay the entrance fee of $45 for foreign non-residents, $35 for foreign residents, and UGX25,000 citizens of East Africa.

The best time for birding in Murchison falls national park

Birding in Murchison falls national park can be done at any time of the year however there are months that are better than the rest. The months from April to November are the best to visit Murchison falls national park for birding because that is the period when migratory birds are within the park. The dry months of December to February are also good for birding because there is plenty of food for birds in the park.

Birding in Murchison falls national park can be done in the rainy seasons of September, October, March, and April but there are lots of rain in the park, and these slow down the activity in case the trails are too muddy and slippery. During the rainy season, the vegetation is tall and thick with unclear views of the park animals.

Where to stay on a birding safari in Murchison falls national park?

Birders planning to go birding in Murchison falls national park don’t have to worry about where they will stay because the park has several accommodation facilities that are enough for tourists in the park. These accommodation facilities are found within different areas of the park and they range from budget to mid-range to luxury options with where to stay depending on your budget.

Accommodation in Murchison falls national park includes Chobe Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Nile Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Amuika Safari Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge, Boomu Womens Group Bandas, and Murchison Tree House among others.