Why the wet season is the best time for birdwatching in Uganda

Why the wet season is the best time for birdwatching in Uganda: Many travelers will choose not to travel during the wet season in Uganda; however, there are those travelers who prefer to travel during the low season for various reasons. Bird lovers refer to the rainy season as the secret season because it’s the best time for bird watching. This season is considered fruitful due to an abundance of food supply, migratory birds, and the breeding period for most birds.

Uganda has more than 1080 bird species, making it one of the countries that offers exceptional birding experiences in the world. Bird watching within the country is carried out in different areas, most of which are national parks. Other birding areas include Mabamba swamp, known for the shoebill stork, Entebbe botanical gardens, Mabira forest reserve and Rutembe wetland to mention but a few.

Uganda has two wet seasons. The first is from March to May, and this is when the country receives long rains. The second rainy season takes place from October to November, and this is considered to receive short rains. During these months, there is plenty of rainfall that comes with thunderstorms and little sunshine.

Why the wet season is the best season for birding in Uganda

During the wet season, the tourist places are visited by fewer people, which leaves the vegetation undisturbed. Birders get the best sightings for different bird species, most of which are in the breeding season. The vegetation has enough food for the birds, which also allows birders to spot as many species as possible as they feed.

As the wetlands become soggy, there is an increase in the number of water birds in swamp areas within the birding destinations. The number of birds increases in the swampy areas during the wet season because of the increasing water levels, which create a nutrient-rich feeding ground. The soil becomes soft, allowing living organisms to become more active and come out of the soil, and that’s when birds feed on them.

The rainy season is a period when there is a lot of food for birds everywhere within the parks and other birding destinations. The rainy season supports the growth of birds, which leads to an abundance of nectar, worms, and fruits. Birds don’t need to travel for food because it’s everywhere, and this allows birds to spot many species in different areas visited.

Why choose Uganda for birding safaris in Africa

Uganda is one of the best countries for bird watching safaris in Uganda as it has more than 1080 species living in different locations across the country. Birds of Uganda can be seen in different national parks, wetlands, and swamps. Led by experienced local birders, birders are able to see as many bird species as possible in the different areas visited.

Birding watching areas in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is not only home to mountain gorillas but also the birds that live within the lush vegetation cover. Bird species include Albertine rift birds, forest birds, and those that are endemic to the area on a birding safari in this park. Some of the 360 bird species within this forest include Grauer’s broadbill, dusky crimsonwing, regal sunbird, Lagden’s bush shrike, Shelley’s crimsonwing, and grey-winged robin-chat, to mention but a few.

Lake Mburo National Park

This is the closest savannah park to Kampala, the capital city of the country, making it one of the most accessible national parks in the country. Lake Mburo features open wooded savannah, dense acacia woodland, and extensive papyrus swamps, which are habitats for different bird species. While birding in this park, species to spot include Red-faced barbet, shoebill stork, African finfoot, white-winged swamp warbler, tabora cisticola, and Ross’s turaco, to mention but a few.

Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is one of the best parks for bird watching in Uganda, situated along the Uganda DR Congo border. Semuliki is a habitat for bird species such as white-throated blue swallow, long-tailed hawk, yellow-footed flycatcher, nkulengu rail, red-throated bee eater, lyrebilled honeyguide, congo serpent eagle, and fire-crested alethe, to mention but a few.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Located in the remote northern region of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the parks rich in biodiversity. The park hosts over 480 bird species, 28 of which are endemic species to the region. On a birding safari to this park, species such as archer’s francolin, Karamoja apalis, black-breasted barbet, rose-ringed parakeet, black coucal, piapiac, Abyssinian roller, clapperton’s francolin, crimson-rumped waxbill, and much more will be spotted.

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park, known for being home to the highest population of chimpanzees, is another important birding destination in Uganda. The rainforest is home to over 339 bird species, making it one of the top birding destinations for bird lovers. Species include green-breasted pitta, black-capped waxbill, African crowned eagle, red-chested owlet, black and white casqued hornbill, Chubb’s cisticola, and brown-chested alethe, to mention but a few.

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park happens to be the smallest park in Uganda but one of the best to visit. The park is a habitat to the endangered mountain gorillas, rare bird species, and the Virunga volcanoes. Mgahinga is a birders’ paradise with species such as Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, rauha chat, strange weaver, cinnamon-chested bee eater, and dusky turtle dove, to mention but a few.

Mabamba Swamp

Mabamba Swamp is a wetland located on the shores of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. It harbors over 260 bird species, with the most famous being the rare shoebill stork. Other bird species that birders can see in this place include the African fish eagle, lesser jacana, African rail, papyrus gonolek, pale-throated greenbul, white-backed duck, weyn’s weaver, and African pygmy goose, to mention but a few.