Bwindi impenetrable forest National park is mostly known for mountain Gorilla tracking since it shelters over 19 habituated gorilla families that are visited every day by visitors from all over the world. It is however also a perfect birders’ haven with thousands of bird species for those that love to watch the beautiful birds. Bwindi National Park has a recorded number of about 360 bird species some of which are endemic to the Albertine rift like the blue-headed sunbird.
The beauty about bird watching in Bwindi is that you may meet the mountain Gorillas on a lucky day.
Uganda is undoubtedly one of the best birding destinations in the world with over 1000 bird species that are live in the rain forests, savanna, and others around the water bodies of the pearl of Africa.
Bwindi’s best spots for bird watching include; the Buhoma water trail, the Bwindi swamp in Buhoma, and the Bamboo zone. Be sure to look out for the White-tailed Ant Thrush and dapper francolin, Yellow-eyed Black and Black Bee-eater, the African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimson wing, Short-tailed Warbler and Blue-headed Sunbird.
Mubwindi Trail Ruhija
This is one of the best spots to watch birds like the Red-tailed and Shelley’s Greenbul, Montane Oriole, African Shrike-flycatcher, Dwarf Honey guide, Oriole Finch Waller’s starling, Grey-throated Barbet, Red chested Flufftail, Cabanis’s Green bull, Black Bee-eater, Bar tailed trogon, Blacke –billed turacos, Ayres’s Hawk-eagle, barbets, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Carruthers’ Cisticola, Common Buzzard and the Red-throated Alethe among others.
Ecyuya Forest trail
Echuya forest reserve is located a few kilometers from Bwindi in Kisoro district at the border with Rwanda. It is a perfect birding area in the western part of Uganda at the border with Rwanda, it has a recorded number of about 150 bird species some of which are endemic to the Albertine rift. Some of the bird species to look out for include; Dwarf Honey guide, Red-throated Alethe, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Kivu ground thrush, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Collared Apalis, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Mountain Masked Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Strip-breasted Tit, Montane Oriole, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Doherty’s Bush-Shrike, Regal Sunbird, Brown-capped Weaver and Strange Weaver among others. you will enjoy this trip as you watch the birds enjoying stories of the local guides as they share history of this forest which used to be home to the Batwa.
Pocket Nombe forest trail
This trail is found in the southern part of Bwindi forest, after the vigorous experience of tracking the mountain Gorillas, bird watching in this area would be the ideal activity to do to catch up with the most exciting bird species. Some of the birds in this area include; the Blue-headed Sunbird, Dwarf Honey guide, Handsome Francolin, Kivu Ground, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Short-tailed Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Dusky Crimson wing, Rwenzori Batis, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Strip-breasted Tit, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Sunbird, Shelley’s Crimson wing and the Strip-breasted Tit among others.
What to carry for bird Watching
• Pair of Binoculars
• Camera and extra batteries
• Warm clothes
• Hiking boots
• Waterproof bag to keep your gadgets
• Snacks and drinking water
Other things to see and do in Bwindi Forest
In addition to bird watching, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park offers you a variety of other interesting travel experiences to make your safari more fun and enjoyable. The other interesting things to do in Bwindi Impentrable Forest National park include:
Mountain Gorilla trekking: Being home to the highest population of mountain gorillas in the whole world, gorilla trekking is a not miss on your Uganda safari to Bwindi Forest Park. The park has 17 habituated gorilla families available for trekking. Fortunately, gorilla trekking in Bwindi is pocket-friendly at $700 compared to neighboring Rwanda.
Gorilla Habituation Experience: Do not miss spending extended time with the wild gorillas on your gorilla habituation experience in the Rushaga sector south of Bwindi impenetrable Forest National park. The experience allows you to be with gorillas for 4 houirs. Each gorilla habituation experience permit costs $1500 but it’s worth it.
Nature/Forest walk: Enjoy guided forest/nature walks to explore the hidden gem in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park on foot. The trails in the forest take you to visit different destinations such as the caves, rivers, and waterfalls. Nature walking is the best way to enjoy the quiet and cool natural forest environment
Community Tours: Visit the local communities adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park to learn and experience the traditions, norms, and beliefs of local people. Batwa pygmies who are the traditional dwellers of Bwindi forest introduce you to their traditional forest life with wild animals.
Conclusively, enjoy bird watching, gorilla trekking, community tours, and wildlife in Bwindi Forst National park with African Apes Tours & Travel