Uganda is well known for her great climate, wildlife and friendly people. Most visitors on Uganda safaris combine birding with sightseeing and game viewing. Bird tourism may not be as well developed or marketed as say gorilla tourism, but Uganda is considered to be the best place for birding in Africa. Over 
1035 bird species have been documented in Uganda and about 30 birding areas have been set aside for birding activities. Endemic species like the Stuhlmann’s Double-collared Sunbird, the Fox’s Weaver as well as well the great Shoebill Stork attract droves of bird lovers every year. Though small and landlocked, Uganda has more birds per square Kilometer than any other country in the continent. While birding in Uganda, visitors can be rewarded with many bird sightings without having to travel great distances or deep into the countryside. You can literally see them right from the airport in Entebbe, within the capital Kampala, outside your hotel room and as you move around. However you need to go to one of the major birding sites located in the countries beautiful and spectacular to fathom out how gifted by nature Uganda is.
The high density of bird species per square kilometer within the country is attributed to two things:-
- Location within the equator, the Tropics and the Albertine Rift Valley: Areas around the equator are blessed with fresh water lakes, rivers, great swamps and rain forests. Uganda is no exception because these natural features provide homes and breeding grounds for numerous bird species.
- Diversity of Habitats: From the great lakes/rivers, rain forests, the great East African rift valley, mountains, semi-arid areas in the northern part of the country, Uganda has a unique and wide range of habitats for several bird species. Many of these species are endemic to the country. These diverse habitats provide breeding, feeding and gathering points for both local and migratory birds.
Top bird species in Uganda
The most sought after bird species in Uganda are the Shoebill stork, African Green Broadbill, 
Black Bee-eater, Brown chested pullover, Brown-chested Lapwing, Green-breasted Pitta, Jahan’s Francolin, Jameson’s Antpecker, Karamoja Apalis, Purcell’s illadopsis, Puvel’s Illadopsis, Nahans francolin, Red fronted anti pecker and the Rwenzori Turaco.
Other species that can be spotted during bird watching safaris include the African Harrier hawk, Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Crowned hornbill, Giant kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Green pigeon, Martial Eagle, Mountain greenbul, the Secretary Bird, Shelley’s crimsonwing, Short-tailed warbler, The African Darter, The grey crested crane, Western green tinkerbird and Yellow-billed Stork among many others.
Important Birding Areas in Uganda
The best place to spot birds in Uganda is in one of its spectacular national parks, reserves and vast wetlands/swamps. It is in these national parks and reserves that bird sanctuaries remain fairly intact to ensure an impressive 
density in bird species. Because of Uganda’s remarkable variety of fauna and flora, it’s more fulfilling to watch birds while also looking out for other wildlife species.
Budongo Forest: Budongo forest is located within one of the top tourism destinations in Uganda known as the great Murchison falls national park. The forest may be famous for chimpanzee trekking but is also considered one of the best places to go birding in Uganda. The forest is a great habitat for species like the African Dwarf Kingfisher, African Pied Hornbill, Banded Snake-eagle, Black Bishop, Black-bellied Fire finch, Black-capped Apalis, Brown Twin sport, Brown-backed Scrub-robin, Cameroon Sombre Green bull, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Fire-crested Alethe, Forest Flycatcherand, Forest Francolin, Green Hylia, Ituri Batis, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Red-tailed Antthrush, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Slender-billed Green bull, Spotted Green bull, White-thighed Hornbill, Yellow and Grey Longbills, Yellow-billed Barbet, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Yellow-footed Flycatcher and the Yellow-spotted Barbet among other species.
Mabamba Swamp: Mabamba swamp is a great place for bird watching in Uganda. 
The Mabamba Bay Wetland swamp is a habitat to the Black-billed Turaco, Blue-breasted kingfisher, Blue-shouldered Robin-chat, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Fire-crested Althea, Grey Parrot, Hair-breasted Barbet, Lemon Dove, Olive Green bull, Snowy-headed Robin-chat, Sooty Boubou, Wayne’s Weaver, White-spotted Fluff tail and the Woodland Warbler among other species.
Bigodi wetland sanctuary: This vast bird sanctuary host species like the Black billed turaco, Black-faced Rufus Warbler, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Blue-headed Coucal, Scaly-throated-Honey guide and the White spotted crake. You can read more from our article about what to do at the Bigodi wetlands sanctuary.
Other important birding areas: Bird watching in Uganda can also be done in Mpanga Forest Reserve, Mabira Forest Reserve and the Semuliki National Park.