Birding in National Park of Bwindi

Birding in National Park of Bwindi

Birding in Bwindi National Park: Different bird species as well as mountain gorillas in Uganda call Bwindi National Park home. Birding in Bwindi national park is conducted in the several sectors of the national park including Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector, Buhoma sector and Ruhija sector where over 350 bird species are reported. The quest for the several bird species discovered around Bwindi follows several paths.

Popular activity among many visitors to Uganda exploring the several areas of Bwindi national park is gorilla trekking. Searching for the mountain gorillas in the jungles and spending one hour in their presence, this excursion costs 800 USD for foreign non-residents, 700 USD for foreign residents and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African people.

For foreign nonresidents, birdwatching in Bwindi National Park costs forty USD; for foreign residents, thirty USD; and thirty,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.

birding in Rushaga’s sector

There are several bird species present in the southern portion of Bwindi national park, which houses the Rushaga sector.

Apart from the several bird species discovered in Rushaga area, visitors can also view gorillas, a main feature in Bwindi national park. The habituated gorilla families in Rushaga consist in Bweza gorilla family, Nshongi gorilla family, Mishaya gorilla family, Kahungye gorilla family, Busingye gorilla family, and Bweza gorilla family.

Activities including gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, guided nature walks, hiking and Batwa community tours can also be done in the Rushaga sector.

Among the several lodges where visitors could spend their evenings birdwatching around the Rushaga sector are Rushaga haven lodge, Ichumbi lodge, Gorilla valley lodge, Four gorillas lodge, Rushaga gorilla camp, Nshongi camp among others. From the low-cost, mid-range, luxury hotels scattered around the area, guests have options.

Birding from the Nkuringo sector

Tours around the southern edge of Bwindi national park allow bird viewing in the Nkuringo area.

Visitors to the Nkuringo area of Bwindi national park can also participate in popular activities include gorilla trekking, visiting the Batwa community, hiking, and guided nature walks over the forest.

Among other middle-class, luxury, and low-cost lodging found near the Nkuringo area are Nkuringo lodge, Gorilla Heights lodge, Clouds Mountains gorilla resort.

Birding in the sector of Buhoma

Visiting the northern section of Bwindi National Park, the Buhoma sector reveals a variety of bird species.

African Dusky Flycatcher, Ross’s Turaco, African Broadbill, Black bee-eater, Rwenzori Batis, White-throated Greenbul, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Great Blue Turaco, Cape Wagtail, Yellow-fronted Canary, Handsome Francolic

Apart from the activities carried out in the Buhoma area during visits to Bwindi National Park, gorilla trekking, hiking, nature walks, and community tours including the Batwa trips, which entail interactions with the Batwa pygmies and participation in events like creating fire using sticks among others.

Visitors on bird watching trips in the Buhoma sector can stay in the budget lodges, middle-class or luxury lodges located all throughout the sector, including the Silverback lodge, Buhoma lodge, Gorilla Forest camp among others.

Birding within the Ruhija sector

Exursions in the eastern portion of Bwindi national park allow one to witness a variety of bird species seen in Ruhija sector.

Birding within African Citral’s Bwindi National Park
Ruhija has some birdwatching locations near the Mubwindi marsh.

Ideal time for birdwatching within Bwindi National Park

Tours to Bwindi national park include bird watching, a hobby carried out all year round. March to September and even November to April when migrating bird species can be seen throughout the Bwindi woodlands is the ideal season for birding around the national park.

The dry season is regarded as the ideal time to visit other activities like gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park since the paths are passable when looking for the mountain gorillas in the trees.

How one can reach Bwindi National Park?

Airports from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip or Kihihi airstrip allow one access to Bwindi national park. While visitors of Buhoma sector and Ruhija sector use Kihihi airfield, Rushaga sector and Nkuringo sector are accessed from Kisoro airstrip.

Driving from Kampala to Kabale or Kisoro, which takes eight to ten hours, is another approach to visit Bwindi national park on birding excursions. Driving from Rwanda either the Cyanika or the Gatuna border will let visitors reach the location as well.