Birding in Bwindi gorilla park
Birding in Bwindi is an amazing activity that tourists normally want to experience after mountain gorilla trekking. Bwindi gorilla park is one of the best birding destinations we have in Uganda with a total of 350 bird species. The national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda on an area of 331sq.km. Bwindi gorilla park is famous for hosting more than half of the mountain gorilla population left in the world.
Although mountain gorilla trekking is the most done activity in Bwindi gorilla park, there are other activities done within the park among which include birding. Bird watching in Bwindi gorilla park is a guided activity that gives birders an opportunity to encounter over 350 bird species of which 14 are endemic to the park.
Birding in Bwindi gorilla park is a guided activity where park rangers lead you through different birding trails. There are so many bird watching trails in Bwindi gorilla park and some of them include Buhoma waterfall trail, Mubwindi swamp trail, bamboo zone, Muyanga waterfall trail, Rushura hill walk trail, Muzubijiro loop trail, and Ivy river walk trail among others. Birding in Bwindi gorilla park starts with a briefing from the rangers who teach about the rules and regulations of the activity.
Some of the bird species that are seen during the birding activities in Bwindi gorilla park include short-tailed warbler, red-headed blue bill, western green tinkerbird, yellow-eyed black flycatchers, Kivu ground thrush, bar-tailed blue trogon, collared apalis, fine banded woodpecker, regal sunbird, rusty faced woodlands, woodland warbler, African emerald cuckoo, common bulbul, Cinnamon chested bee-eater, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, white-tailed blue flycatcher, African citril, doherty’s bush-shrike, African hill-babbler, white-eyed slaty-flycatcher, and Angolan swallow
Other bird species to watch out for on a safari include African broadbill, ross’s turaco, black bee-eater, African dusky flycatcher, grey-cheeked hornbill, double-toothed barbet, sooty falcon, great blue turaco, montane oriole, elliot’s wood pecker, African pygmy-kingfisher, African wood owl, African goshawk, petit’s cuckoo-shrike, dusky twin spot, cape wagtail, lunder’s bush shrike, yellow-fronted canary, snowy-crowned robin-chat, ansorge’s greenbul, mackinnon’s shrike, helmeted guinea fowl, and tambourine dove among others.
Thick-Billed Weaver
How much is birding in Bwindi gorilla park?
Birding in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park costs $30 for foreign non-residents, $25 for foreign residents, and ug shs20,000 for East African citizens. The above fee does not include the park entrance fee which means if you are visiting Bwindi gorilla park purposely for birding you will have to pay an additional park entrance fee of $40 for foreign non-residents, $30 foreign residents, and ugshs20,000 East African citizens.
What to pack for birding in Bwindi gorilla park?
When you are packing for a birding trip in Bwindi gorilla park, don’t forget to include waterproof hiking shoes, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, insect repellents, field guide book, a pair of binoculars, a camera, backpack, energy-giving snacks, drinking water bottle, facemask, and sanitizer.
When to visit Bwindi gorilla park for bird watching?
Bwindi gorilla park can be visited at any time of the year for birding activities however there are certain months better than the rest. March and September are the best months to do birding in Bwindi gorilla park because the weather conditions are neither dry nor wet. During the above months, there are plenty of birds in the park including the migratory ones, the rainfall is little or not there at all and this leaves the birding trails dry, the vegetation is short with clear views of bords and there is plenty of food for birds in the park.
Birders can still visit Bwindi gorilla park for bird watching in the rainy season to enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities however during the rainy season, there is plenty of rainfall which blocks some birds from migrating to the park, the rainfall makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, and the vegetation is very tall with unclear views of the birds.
Nkuringo Safari Lodge
Accommodation on a birding safari in Bwindi gorilla park
Accommodation in Buhoma sector: Buhoma Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Ride 4 women Guest House, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Haven Lodge, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.
Accommodation in Rushaga sector: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, and Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge.
Accommodation in Nkuringo sector: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, and Virunga Campsite
Accommodation in Ruhija sector: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, and Trekkers Tavern.
