Best time for birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Best time for birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park The best time to do birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is in the dry seasons. Bwindi Impenetrable National park is a renowned birding destination, home to over 350 bird species that include; numerous Albertine Rift endemics. The dry seasons offer the most favourable conditions for bird watching due to clearer skies and easier access to different parts of the park. 

The best months for Bird watching from November to April when the migratory bird species are available. December to February is the short dry season is the comfortable weather for the birdwatchers to do bird watching. The trails are more accessible in the months and the chances of encountering a variety of bird species are high.  During the months of June to September is when the dry season is long. However, it is cooler in the early mornings and evenings since the sky is clearer which provides an excellent visibility for Bird watching.  During these dry months, many bird species are actively breeding and displaying their vibrant plumage, making it an ideal time for birding enthusiasts. However, it’s essential to note that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a tropical rainforest, and even during the dry season, you should expect some rain showers, you should pack an appropriate rain gear in your backpack as well as wearing nature friendly clothes. Bwindi Impenetrable National park is located in south western Uganda at the edge of a rift valley. The park is a home to Mountain Gorillas that are left in the world. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is rich with over 400 plant species, 360 bird species and 120 mammals.  Bwindi Impenetrable national park is mostly known for Gorilla Trekking however, the forest gives you a chance to spot different bird species which makes Uganda the one of the leading destination for bird lovers in Africa. You will enjoy birding in the park by going for a guided walk as you are listening to entertaining melody of the birds that include; white-tailed Blue fly catchers, impressing African Emerald, common Bulbul, the shinning African Blue, Regal sunbird, Kivu ground- Thrush, Montane Oriole, Western Green Tinkerbird, the Grauer’s Rush Warbler, African Green Board bill, Fine-banded woodpecker, Chestnut- throated Apalis and many more bird species. Ruhija sector is the best part of Bwindi Impenetrable national park for bird watching since it is the birder’s haven with plenty bird species to see. The best time to do Birding in Bwindi impenetrable national park is during the morning hours because you will be able to see most of the bird species like; Western green Tinker, Rwenzori batis, flycatcher, cinnamon- chested bee- eater and more. You will be able to see bird species around Buhoma waterfalls trails, Bamboo zone and Mubwindi Swamp tails in Ruhija. The beauty of doing birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National park is that you might be lucky enough to see some endangered Mountain gorillas.  In summary, the best time for birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National park is during the dry seasons from December to February and June to September, when the weather is more predictable and the bird activity is at its peak. What you need to wear for Bird Watching in Bird Impenetrable National Park Comfortable hiking boots, since the activity involves walking for long hours, standing for long hours or even sitting hours.  Binoculars; these will help you to clearly view the different bird species as they are in flight in the sky. Pack snacks and drinking water; you need to pack enough snacks and drinking water since during the dry season, it tends to be sunny and you will get thirsty while on a birding safari. Warm clothes; you need to carry clothes that will keep you comfortable while on a birding safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National park. Water proof bag; this will be used to protect your gadgets from any hindrance such as rainfall that is un-predictable   Apart from Bwindi Impenetrable National park, Uganda as a country has plenty of other birding spots that offer a good birding experience including; Mabamba Swamp; is a prime wetland birding site that is famous for Shoebill which is Uganda’s most sought after bird by tourists. It is located in Entebbe on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. The swamp host over 300 bird species. Mabamba Swamp can be reached easily via Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe, you will take a 10 minutes ferry crossing to Kasanje landing and from there you is will be 20 mintutes  drive to Mabamba as you pass through cultivations and the open fields where you will be able to see a lot of garden birds. Birding in Mabamba is done from a wooden boat by riding through a maze of trails as you cut through the thick marshes. While at Mabamba Swamp, you will be able to see other species rather than Shoebill that include, great white egret, green cuckoo, grey heron, orange weaver, gull-billed tern, malachite kingfisher, yellow-billed duck, wood sandpiper, speckled mouse bird and many more. Birding in Kibale National park; has over 350 bird species and six species out of all of them, are endemic. They can be seen when you go for a guided walk into the park and also in the Bigodi Wet Sanctuary.  You will be able to see various bird species in the park such as; Chubb’s cisticola, black-capped waxbill, Africa Shrike-flycatcher, African Pitta, Zebra Waxbill, Brown- eared woodpecker, African- pied wagtail, Cameroon sombre greenbul and many more.  Birding in Queen Elizabeth National park; has over 600 bird species. You will be able to see different bird species in Maramagambo forest, Katwe area, Katuguru Bridge area, Lake Kikorongo area, Kasenyi area, Ishasha sector, Mweya Peninsular area. When you go for a guided birding walk, you will be able to see various bird species such as brown illadopsis, barbets, black coucal, yellow bill, marsh tchagra, Sulphur breasted bush shrike, black bishop, pied kingfisher, lesser swamp warbler, African jacana, black crake among others  Birding in Murchison Falls National park; it has over 451 bird species. You can go for a guided nature walk along the Nile, up to the falls, walk through Budongo forest or while on a boat cruise where you will be able to see water birds like the blue spotted dove, abdim’s stork, the African black crake, the white thighed and many more.  Jewel Safaris will plan for you a birding safari package to Bwindi Impenetrable National park or any other National park or site of your choice when you contact us via our email.