Malachite Kingfisher
CategoriesBirding Destinations By Yakub Birungi

Uganda the Birding Paradise in Africa

Uganda the Birding Paradise in Africa

The world has over 10,000 bird species,a tenth (est.over 1000 species) are found in Uganda.

Uganda is known as a unique birding destination.In each destination you visit,you will find a different bird specie.

The popular Birding destinations include:

1.Lake Mburo National Park

The birdlife in Lake Mburo is good all year-round. It is home to a variety of birds that includes the endemic African Finfoot. Other key species are the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Saddle-billed Stork, Brown-chested Lapwing, African-wattled Lapwing, Carruther’s Cisticola, Tabora (Long-tailed) Cisticola, African Scops Owl, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill and White-winged Warbler,African Fish eagle.

African Fish Eagle

Bird African fish eagle in flight

Saddle-billed Stork

Bird saddlebilled stork in flight

2. Mabamba Wetland Sanctuary.

Mabamba Bay is home to a a variety of bird species over 300, including the elusive Shoe bill Bird. Bird species found in this place include the Blue Swallow, White-winged Tern, Gull-billed Tern and papyrus endemic bird species such as Papyrus Gonolek and Papyrus Yellow Warbler.Other birds include the Heron, Squacco Heron, Lesser Jacana, Spur-winged Goose. It is a designated Ramsar site and an Important Bird Area .

Shoe Bill

Bird ShoeBill

3.Murchison Falls National Park

Is gifted with the powerful Murchison falls, an attractive scenery to visitors. It hosts a number of bird species that includes; the Swallow-tailed and Red-throated Bee-eaters, Woodland, Pied, Giant and Malachite Kingfishers, Francolin; Hornbills, Grey heron, Hamerkop,Shrikes; Flycatchers, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, Crombecs and Warblers, ducks, geese, stilts and plovers.

Malachite Kingfisher

Malachite_Kingfisher-1

4. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Is home to half of the world’s Gorillas (est.400) and a habitat of an estimated 350 bird species. 23 are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Other birds include the Handsome Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, African Broadbill, Black and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Western Green Tinkerbird, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds.

Cinnamon -chested Bee eater

Cinnamon chested Bee eater

5. Semuliki Valley National Park

This is a popular destination for migrant birds from west Africa.Birds include Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, Black-casqued Wattled Horbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, African Piculet, White-throated Blue Swallow, Yellow-throated Nicator, Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Blue-billed malimbe, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Orange-cheeked Waxbill.

6.Queen Elizabeth National Park

Is home to over 600 species. Key species include the Martial Eagle, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African Skimmer, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Pinkbacked Pelican, African Broadbill, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Black Bee-eater, White-tailed Lark, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Corncrake, Lesser and Greater Flamingo.

African Skimmer

African Skimmer bird
African Skimmer at Queen Elizabeth National Park

 

Semuliki male hot spring
CategoriesBirding Eco tourism Travel By Yakub Birungi

Semuliki Hot Springs-famous water bubbling attraction

Semuliki Hot springs

The hot springs found in Semuliki are a famous attraction in Uganda. They can be visited all year round. Most prominent of them is the “female hotspring “. It has water bubbling up to about 2 meters high creating a steam cloud. Its’s counterpart the male hotspring steams all year round at Semuliki National Park.

Semuliki male Hotsprings pic2

Male Hot spring.

You can visit the park any time throughout the year.It is about 390km away from the Ugandan capital Kampala.

semuliki eggs 3

Tourists at the hot springs can boil eggs that get ready in 8 minutes. Enjoy an egg snack later when ready.

semuliki hotspring male6

 

semuliki hotspring female3

Do not miss a chance to take a photograph of yourself or with fellow travellers near the female hot springs.

Birding paradise

Semuliki is also a famous birding habitat with a record of 441 bird species. The species to look for may include, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Blue-billed malimbe, Black-casqued Wattled Horbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Piping Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, , Lemon-bellied Crombec. Other bird species include;Red-rumped Tinkerbird, African Piculet, White-throated Blue Swallow, Yellow-throated Nicator, Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul ,Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Orange-cheeked Waxbill.

Primates

Primates such as the chimpanzee, baboon,grey-cheeked mangabey, black-and-white colobus, Central African red colobus, blue, red-tailed, de Brazza’s, Vervet monkey, and Dent’s mona monkeys.

The batwa people are the natives of Semuliki who have been recently relocated near the park to give way to this wildlife conservation area. They are naturally hunters and had always sought food, medicine, shelter and working tools from the forest. Their life style is changing since their relocation. However they have maintained their folklore stories and dances that are part of their rich cultural history.

A visit to Semuliki National Park can be combined with other safari destinations to Queen Elizabeth and Kibale Forest National Parks.

CategoriesAttractions Chimpanzees Wildlife By Yakub Birungi

Tree Climbing Lions Queen Elizabeth National Park

Tree Climbing Lions Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is understandably Uganda’s most visited tourist destination.It is a habitat of savanna grassland mixed with various kinds of trees and grassy plains,swamps,volcanic cones ,deep craters and tropical rain forest.

It is home to mammals such as hippos,Elephants,Cape Buffaloes, but there are also Warthogs, Waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi .

Queen Elizabeth National Park is an excellent place to sight large game, track the chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge, go bird watching on the Kazinga Channel, and see the famous tree climbing lions in Ishasha,southern part of the park is quite a sight in the fig trees ready to attack unsuspecting “meal” targets like the Uganda Kobs (See main photo). Uganda is privileged to be one of the two destinations in the world with tree climbing lions.

Kazinga Channel Boat Safari between Lake Edward and George is a two-hour ride where you can see hippos, crocodiles, monitor lizards, elephant herds, buffaloes, antelopes and many different kinds of water birds.A trip to this national park is worth the experience.Other places that can visited include Katwe Salt Lake .It is here that you can see the natives in salt mining activity which provides them a source of income. If you visited between October to May you will be able to see flamingoes at “Lake Munyanyange” in particular as the main feeding ground.

The recent visit on April 17,2016 by the President of Uganda-Mr.Museveni is a true testimony of its uniqueness.The President was amazed by the hippos in the water while taking a ride on the “Hippo” Launch cruise along Kazinga Channel.He could hardly stay seated during the launch cruise.

I agree with the President who immediately took this opportunity to assure Uganda and the World that Uganda is safe and security is guaranteed for tourists in any part of the country.

 

 

CategoriesCommunity visit Culture By Yakub Birungi

Why visit Uganda-The Pearl of Africa

Why visit Uganda-The Pearl of Africa

Why the Pearl of Africa according to Winston Churchill

“Uganda is from end to end a ‘beautiful garden’ where ‘staple food’ of the people grows almost without labour. Does it not sound like a paradise on earth? It is the Pearl of Africa.”Winston Churchill

Beautiful Country

Tourists coming to Uganda will meet its beautiful people, its beautiful culture, the dances, the different tribes and the diversity that cannot be found anywhere else.

Adventurous

Uganda is full of a variety of adventurous activities like Whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, jet boating and river surfing on the Source of the Nile near Bujagali Falls in Jinja. It is an opportunity for the brave ones.

Affordability

Tourists to Uganda will enjoy an affordable holiday be budget, medium range or Luxury and have enough to purchase souvenirs or can always extend their trip.

Good Climate

With two seasons of rain blended with sunny seasons and spectacular vegetation, Uganda’s weather is admirable across the country; you will enjoy the tours and travels.

Culture and heritage diversity

With a varied rich culture, of over 56 tribes, and each one has their own dress, their own language, their own food. We have a very hospitable people, very beautiful country, all year-round summer-like conditions.

A Variety of Wildlife

Uganda is Gifted by Nature .It is a home to the world’s largest concentration of primates. Half of the world population of Gorillas is in Uganda. Other Primates include Chimpanzees, monkeys, baboons.

Mountain Gorilla
Mountain Gorilla feeding at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

 

Memorable experiences

Uganda welcomes you with an open heart and therefore a good mind gets you far.The people are extremely generous, very friendly, giving you a relaxed stay in Uganda.