Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bird watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The national park of Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is a world-renowned gorilla trekking site as well as a bird-watching place. This is an ancient rainforest listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and which contains more than 350 known bird species, 23 of them Albertine Rift endemics seldom found outside. It is also among the finest birding places in Africa due to its diversified altitudes, dense forest cover, and bizarre ecosystems. Bwindi is a satisfying experience that gives aviary lovers a chance to enjoy the exotic forest and rich sightseeing at the same time.

Why Bwindi is Special Bird Watching.

Bird watching in Bwindi is well distinguished due to its marvellous habitat, which extends to include montane forest as well as bamboo forest and swampy valleys. The park is a refuge to species that are not present in any other part of the world since the park is located in the Albertine Rift Valley. Birders will be able to expect a combination of forest experts, colourful endemic birds, and migratory birds.

The African Bird Club has enumerated the park as one of the best birding spots in Africa, with fans all around the globe who wish to have the rare species such as the African Green Broadbill and the Shelley Crimsonwing.

The Important Bird Species to Watch.

Bwindi boasts an amazing bird list with some of the best that both amateurs and experienced birders would enjoy. The most popular ones are:

• The African green broadbill is a threatened species worldwide, and it is found in the Ruhija sector.
• Crimsonwing Finch- a flashy endangered species, uncommon and found only in a single area, as described by Shelley.
• Bar-tailed Trogon – can be found frequently in the upper base of the forest.
• Turaco, black-billed – with his flaming plumage and his nocturnal callings.
• Black Flycatcher, of Doherty, with the yellow eye, and the Blue-headed Sunbird – making the forest trails bright with colour.

The forest hornbills, the weavers, warblers, as well as several sunbirds can also be found in the park. Patient and well-endowed-with-a-binoculars birders can observe up to 150 species in one visit during the best birding months.

Best Birding Trails and Sectors in Bwindi.

There are four primary sectors of Bwindi, namely, Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga, which have different birding to offer.

• Buhoma Sector: This sector is famous because of its trail along the waterfall, which is very good for sighting forest robins, greenbuls, and turacos.
• Ruhija Sector: A leading birding destination with Mubwindi swamp trail being a good place where some of the Albertine endemic birds, such as Grauer Rush Warbler and African Green Broadbill, can be seen.
• Nkuringo and Rushaga Sectors: These are the southern parts, which offer more challenging terrain, and yet they are perfect in the case of a birder who is looking at rare species and has the view of Virunga Volcanoes.

Optimal Birdwatching in Bwindi.

Despite the fact that year-round is good to go bird watching, the most ideal seasons to go bird watching within the Bwindi forest would be the dry seasons, which are June to August and December to February. These are the months when the trails become less difficult and enable the birders to travel longer distances without excessive rain.

The time between November and April is also rewarding to migratory birds of European and Asian origin, and this means that one could get to see a lot of them. The forest is very wet, and the birds are plentiful in the rainy season between March and May and September and November, and the trails are often very muddy and slippery.

There are several tips and essentials to bird watching.

Travellers wishing to do birding in Bwindi must be prepared:

• Spread the cost: The local bird guide is familiar with the calls of birds and the locations, which are difficult to find, and they greatly enhance the chances of finding animals.
• Carry good binoculars and a zoom camera: Most of the birds nest in the upper areas of the canopy, and hence, proper optics are important.
• Early in the morning, Birds are the most active as the forest is roaring with calls.
• Dress appropriately: Lightweight raincoats, neutral colours, and strong hiking shoes are the perfect options to choose in order to go into the thick forest.
• Bring a list: Birders like to make lists, and Bwindi is a diverse forest that will give you a long and rewarding list.

Bird Watching in Combination with Other Activities.

Bird watching is one of the rare benefits of Bwindi, as the activity can be integrated with other Uganda safari activities. The majority of the travellers are basically visiting to view gorillas, and in the process, you may do birding before or after a trek, which is within the forest. A birding itinerary is made more diverse by cultural visits to the Batwa people, nature walks, and scenic hikes to waterfalls or ridges.

Travellers who have more time can have a combination of birding in Uganda with other bird-rich sites in the country, such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, the shoebill stork of Mabamba Swamp, or primates and forest experts of Kibale Forest.

Birders’ Accommodation at Bwindi.

Bwindi has a variety of accommodation facilities to accommodate the budgeted birders. Luxury eco-lodges such as Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and midrange lodges such as Mahogany Springs and Silverback Lodge and the budget lodges such as Ride 4 a Woman or Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp ensure that the birders remain in areas close to the most important tracks. A lot of lodges have gardens that are full of birds that the guests can spot in their own premises, such as sunbirds, barbets, and weavers.

A Place of Birding Maniacs.

The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has the potential to be a dream for nature lovers through bird watching. The park boasts a high level of diversity, Albertine Rift endemics, and maintained birding trails, which make it one of the birding sites in Africa.

Bwindi is a perfect place to have a memorable experience, whether you are a serious birder or traveller who loves wildlife photography with its rich diversity of colours and the beauty of the forest. For individuals intending on a safari trip to Uganda, gorilla trekking and bird watching in Bwindi would be the best experience to spend in this spectacular rainforest.