Key bird species in Queen Elizabeth National Park account for more than 600 within the park. This is mostly due to the wide variety of habitats; from savannah plains to forests, wetlands and so on. Queen Elizabeth National Park has arguably the highest concentration of bird species than any other place in East Africa, if not Africa at large.
Many of the birds in the park are regarded as special within East Africa, which makes it one of the prime birding destinations in Uganda.
Best Notable Areas to see Key Bird Species in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park has unique different areas where visitors can enjoy birding experiences. The park provides a variety of habitats including savanna plains, wetlands, lowland forests and lakes. All these give you unforgettable memorable experiences during your birding safari in Uganda.
Maramagambo Forest
Maramagambo Forest is worth of bird watching experience with over 60 bird species found within this forest. The forest covers a big part of Queen Elizabeth National Park along the Kichwamba escarpment on the right side of the western rift valley arm.
The half-day treks offer you a chance to find the portions of crater lakes like Lake Kamunzuku and Nyamusingire. These host water and forest bird species such as the blue-breasted kingfisher, little grebe, African finfoot, red-chested cuckoo, black cuckoo, and African Emerald Cuckoo.
Besides birds, the forest is also home to a number of primate species. These include chimpanzees, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and vervet monkeys.
Kazinga Channel and Key Bird Species in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kazinga channel is one of the prime attractions within Queen Elizabeth National Park that connects the two lakes, Lake Edward and George. The major activity on this channel is a boat trip, which lasts about 2 hours.
Floating on the water gives visitors the opportunity to embrace scenic nature and uncommon vegetation, with different bird species. The shores of this channel attract a great number of bird species which you can enjoy.
There are also quite a number of wild animals like hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and antelopes, among others. These make the channel a superb place that draws many visitors on a wildlife safari in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Mweya Peninsula
Most of the travelers that visit the Mweya Peninsular take part in amazing bird watching experiences. This peninsular is one of the finest places where one can spot different bird species. Such birds include Raptors, African Mourning Doves, Diederik Cuckoos, Squire-tailed Nightjars, Slender-tailed Nightjar,s and Swamp Nightjars.
It is also a point where the beautiful northern piece of the north sector of the national park meets. While on the mainland in Mweya, appreciate the astonishing viewpoints that are above the water with sights that extend all the way to Rwenzori mountains.
Ishasha Sector and Key Bird Species in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Ishasha sector is another big area that offers a lot of key savannah bird species to bird lovers. Such birds that can be seen while here include Palm-nut Vultures, Hooded Vultures, African White-backed Vultures, Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, and Lappet-faced Vultures among others.
While on your bird-watching experience in the Ishasha sector, you will also be in a good position to spot the tree-climbing lions. These are globally famous and unique to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.
A game drive safari within the Ishasha sector also offers you a classic game viewing experience under vast rift valley skies. While on this, expect to see buffaloes, hippos, elephants, topis, impalas, and kobs among others.
Lake Edward
Lake Edward hosts key water bird species in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lake borders Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kasese district.
Lake Edward is home to many bird species which include Grey Kestrel, Helmeted Guineafowl, African Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, and African Wattled Plover among others. The water’s edge has got diverse animals like elephants, crocodiles, lions, buffaloes, and hippopotamuses. The lake and its environs are also home to various perennials.
Lake George and Key Bird Species in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Lake George lies within the park and it covers a total surface area of 250 square kilometers (97 sqmi). Like lake Edward, Lake George is part of Africa’s great lakes system that harbors unique bird species. These include the the White-browed Robin-Chat, Brown-backed Scrub-Robin, Green Crombec, Cisticolas, Grey-backed Fiscal and Yellow-billed Oxpecker among others.
Amazing sightseeing and a variety of wildlife can be spotted ashores. Such wildlfe include hippos, antelopes, kobs, buffaloes, warthogs, monkeys, hyenas, zebras, and baboons among others.
Other places where you can spot key bird species in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Kasenyi area, Katwe area, and Katunguru bridge.
Apart from Queen Elizabeth National, Uganda is endowed with different areas where you can spot bird species. These include Mabamba Wetland Bay at Lake Victoria, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Rwenzori Mountains, Semuliki National Park, and Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.
Best Time to See Key Bird Species in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Birdlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park is good all year round, but it’s at its best from late May to September, when the rain is less and food is abundant. The period between June to August has the least rain, while March to May and September to November are the highest rainy seasons.
The heavy rains might result in delays due to impassable roads and slippery hiking trails. These may limit your bird watching time. From November to April, migratory birds can be found within the park.